Acts 24:27 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

NIV: When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.

NASB: But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul imprisoned.

CSB: After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix, and because Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison.

NLT: After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.

KJV: But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

NKJV: But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.

Paul is under house arrest in Caesarea Maritima. Two years prior, the Sanhedrin accused him of several crimes, all of which he successfully refuted. But Governor Felix knows the Jewish rulers could cause him more headache than one itinerant man, so he keeps Paul in custody. He regularly calls Paul to talk, but instead of offering the bribe Felix expects, Paul talks about how God is going to judge him for his lascivious lifestyle (Acts 24:1–26).

Felix is remembered by history as a horrible person and a violent leader. He is leaving because the people of Caesarea have written about his cruelties and Nero, of all people, has called him to account for his actions. Festus replaces him around AD 58. The new government is fair and reasonable and manages to destroy the Sicarii assassins that Felix reportedly used.

After only three days in Caesarea, Festus travels to Jerusalem where he meets with the Sanhedrin. He hears their argument against Paul and, wishing to make a good impression, first invites them to Caesarea to present their charges and then suggests to Paul they move his trial to Jerusalem. Paul, frustrated that he has spent two years in Caesarea instead of Rome, refuses. He also remembers the last time the Sanhedrin asked a Roman official to bring him out into the open—when the Sanhedrin conspired to kill him (Acts 23:12–15). He declines Festus' offer and demands his case be taken to the next higher court (Acts 25:1–12).

Festus agrees but waits until King Agrippa II can hear Paul's story. Agrippa tells him Paul is innocent and should have been set free if he hadn't demanded to go to Caesar (Acts 26:31–32). After two years, Paul is finally on his way to Rome.

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.