Acts 24:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, "When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case."

NIV: Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. "When Lysias the commander comes," he said, "I will decide your case."

NASB: But Felix, having quite accurate knowledge about the Way, adjourned them, saying, 'When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.'

CSB: Since Felix was well informed about the Way, he adjourned the hearing, saying, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case."

NLT: At that point Felix, who was quite familiar with the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, 'Wait until Lysias, the garrison commander, arrives. Then I will decide the case.'

KJV: And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.

NKJV: But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.”

Paul has clearly shown the offenses with which the Sanhedrin have charged him to be unfounded. He didn't start a riot in Jerusalem, he didn't defile the temple, and the religion he follows securely sits under the protective legal umbrella of Judaism (Acts 24:1–21).

Governor Marcus Antonius Felix knows this, but other factors are at play. He's a cruel, licentious man. If he lets Paul go, the Sanhedrin may throw a fuss. The Jews could rebel. That would be inconvenient. If he keeps Paul in custody, Jewish leaders will be happy, and Paul might offer a bribe: the best of both worlds. He'll keep Paul in custody; yet, since he hasn't done anything wrong, his friends can see to his needs (Acts 24:23, 26–27).

To justify this delay, he says he can't make a judgment until Claudius Lysias, the Roman military tribune assigned to Jerusalem, comes to give his testimony. It was Lysias who saved Paul from a violent mob, a fight in the Sanhedrin, and an assassination plot (Acts 21:27–36; 23:10, 16–22). But Lysias also chained Paul and nearly had him scourged, which was highly illegal treatment for a Roman citizen who hadn't been convicted of a crime (Acts 21:33; 22:22–29). There's no indication Lysias ever comes.

Felix's knowledge about "the Way," or Christianity, helps in that he knows Paul's faith falls under Judaism, but that doesn't mean the governor will set him free (Acts 24:26–27). Festus, the next governor, doesn't understand Christianity and doesn't let Paul go, and Paul is forced to appeal to the next higher court (Acts 25:10–12). King Agrippa II seems to know more (Acts 26:2–3, 24–29). After hearing Paul's testimony, Agrippa tells Festus, "This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar" (Acts 26:32).

Acts 24:22–27 begins Paul's two-year incarceration in Caesarea Maritima. Governor Felix knows the Sanhedrin's accusations are false. Yet, politics get in the way of justice: it's more expedient to placate the Jewish leaders than set one man free. Paul stays under a relaxed form of house arrest and occasionally speaks with Felix, who would prefer a bribe to Paul's convicting discussions. Two years later, Festus replaces Felix and shows no sign of letting Paul go. Finally, Paul resorts to appealing his case to a higher court (Acts 25:10–12). He'll get to Rome one way or another.

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.