Acts 24:23 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.

NIV: He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.

NASB: He gave orders to the centurion for Paul to be kept in custody and yet have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from providing for his needs.

CSB: He ordered that the centurion keep Paul under guard, though he could have some freedom, and that he should not prevent any of his friends from meeting his needs.

NLT: He ordered an officer to keep Paul in custody but to give him some freedom and allow his friends to visit him and take care of his needs.

KJV: And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.

NKJV: So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.

What should have been a quick, easy declaration of innocence has turned into an indefinite imprisonment. The Sanhedrin has charged Paul with starting riots, nearly profaning the temple, and leading a cult (Acts 24:5–6). Paul has proven the claims are ridiculous. But Governor Felix would rather placate the Jewish leaders than give Paul justice, so he keeps him in custody under the pretense that he needs the testimony of the Roman army commander in Jerusalem (Acts 24:22). This tribune, Lysias, has saved Paul's life at least three times (Acts 21:27–36; 23:10, 16–22), but he also chained and nearly beat a Roman citizen (Acts 21:33; 22:24–29). It's in his best interest to forget Paul ever existed.

We don't know who the "friends" are who help Paul. They are in Caesarea Maritima, the major port on the Judean/Samaritan coast and home to Philip and his daughters (Acts 21:8–9). If any of Paul's traveling companions return to their homes, they will undoubtedly sail from Caesarea (Acts 20:4). It's very likely Luke travels back and forth between Caesarea, to visit Paul, and Jerusalem, where he can gather information from the apostles for his Gospel.

For the next two years, Felix periodically requests Paul's presence. Felix is looking for a bribe, but Paul has other plans. Felix stole his wife, Drusilla, Herod Agrippa's daughter, from her husband when she was sixteen. He is corrupt and cruel. Paul warns Felix about his immoral behavior and the coming judgment. Felix's greed exposes him to the truth, but to no avail. At the end of two years, the residents of Caesarea have sent so many complaints that Nero calls him back to Rome and Porcius Festus takes his place (Acts 24:24–27).

When Festus shows no desire to set Paul free, Paul claims his right as a Roman citizen and demands his trial go before a higher court (Acts 25:10–11). Before he can leave, Festus introduces Paul to King Agrippa II. After hearing Paul's story, Agrippa admits Paul should have been set free, but the deed is done—he must go to Caesar (Acts 26:31–32). Luke goes with him, and after a harrowing sea voyage, they finally reach 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.