Acts 24:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.

NIV: Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.

NASB: Now some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla his wife, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.

CSB: Several days later, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus.

NLT: A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus.

KJV: And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

NKJV: And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

Paul is under house arrest in Caesarea Maritima. The Sanhedrin charged him with a list of crimes, but he easily refuted them all (Acts 24:1–21). Governor Felix can't convict him because he's innocent, and he can't make him disappear because Paul's a Roman citizen, but he won't release him because if he does the Jewish leadership may cause problems. What he can do is periodically call Paul in to talk in hopes Paul will offer him a bribe (Acts 24:26–27).

Their discussions resemble those of Herod Antipas and John the Baptist (Mark 6:20). These revolve around Jesus, righteousness, self-control, and God's judgment (Acts 24:25). Historians of that era described Felix as "tyrannical" as well as "cruel, licentious, and base." Felix's wife, Herod Agrippa I's daughter, had been married to another man when Felix stole her. The citizens of Caesarea complain about Felix so much that two years after Paul's arrest Nero orders Felix to report to Rome. Only the intervention of Felix's brother, Pallas, protects him from conviction.

Felix's desire for a bribe keeps him talking with Paul. Paul's convicting words keep the conversations short. Felix doesn't change his ways, but he and Drusilla can't be the only ones listening. Although Paul can't travel and there's no indication that he writes to any of the churches from Caesarea, he has a captive audience and friends who can visit him regularly. Philip's family and church are in Caesarea (Acts 21:8). Paul's well-being is in the charge of a centurion (Acts 24:23). Undoubtedly, his extended stay results in many people from Felix's court becoming Jesus-followers.

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.