Acts 24:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.

NIV: So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

NASB: In view of this I also do my best to maintain a blameless conscience both before God and before other people, always.

CSB: I always strive to have a clear conscience toward God and men.

NLT: Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.

KJV: And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

NKJV: This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

The judge overseeing this trial is Marcus Antonius Felix, the governor of Judea and Samaria from AD 52 to 58. Prior to his career in politics, he had been a slave, and uncharitable historians have said he continued to act like one. His method of ruling is so corrupt and cruel the people of Caesarea Maritima complain to Nero; two years after Paul's trial, Felix will be removed from office.

Paul's accusers are the high priest Ananias and some of the elders of the Sanhedrin (Acts 24:1). They have charged Paul with starting riots and profaning the temple (Acts 24:5–6). Yet, the only "riot" they personally witnessed occurred in the Sanhedrin when they fought with their fellow council members (Acts 23:6–10). They then joined in a conspiracy to assassinate Paul (Acts 23:12–15).

Before the Sanhedrin members turned against each other, Paul had told them, "Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day" (Acts 23:1). The high priest, who accuses Paul now, had him struck for his insolence, despite the fact Paul had not been charged or convicted of a crime against the Mosaic law (Deuteronomy 25:1–3).

Meanwhile, several witnesses are missing. First, the men who erroneously accused Paul of bringing a Gentile into the temple, thus defiling it (Acts 21:27–30; Acts 24:18–20). Second, the military tribune who bound Paul's hands and nearly scourged him. This was illegal when done to an un-convicted Roman citizen (Acts 21:33; 22:25–29).

And yet, Paul doesn't charge the false accusers from the temple or the tribune with the crimes they've committed. We, too, are to live peaceably (Romans 12:18) and honorably (1 Peter 2:15) while maintaining our own integrity (1 Corinthians 10:32–33).

Acts 24:10–21 is Paul's defense against the Sanhedrin's testimony before Governor Felix. The Sanhedrin's lawyer has accused Paul of starting riots and trying to profane the temple (Acts 24:5–6). Paul points out they have no proof and no witnesses. The issue is about the fact that he follows Jesus as the Jewish Messiah and believes in the resurrection of the dead. Felix, who knows quite a bit about Christianity, understands, but he doesn't want to upset the Jewish leaders, so he keeps Paul in custody for the remainder of his term (Acts 24:27).

Acts 24 covers Paul's trial before Governor Felix. The Sanhedrin claim he is a menace and a cult leader who tried to desecrate the temple. Paul explains the real conflict: he believes in the resurrection of the dead and the Sadducees don't. Felix knows the charges are spurious but doesn't want to upset Jewish leaders. He holds Paul under house arrest, hoping Paul will offer him money and make the inconvenience worth his while.

Acts 24 is a transition period for Paul from freedom to captivity. For several years, he has traveled around Judea, Syria, modern-day Turkey, Macedonia, and Greece, spreading the good news about Jesus' offer of salvation. Through a series of misunderstandings and outright lies, he is now in custody in Caesarea Maritima. He will remain there for two years before demanding his case be sent to Caesar (Acts 25:11). Once he arrives in Rome, he will spend another two years in custody (Acts 28:30). Despite his confinement, his message will reach a king and the household of Nero.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.