Acts 24:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.”

NIV: As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, 'That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.'

NASB: But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and responded, 'Go away for now, and when I have an opportunity, I will summon you.'

CSB: Now as he spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid and replied, "Leave for now, but when I have an opportunity I'll call for you."

NLT: As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. 'Go away for now,' he replied. 'When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.'

KJV: And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

NKJV: Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”

Governor Felix may have questioned his life choices, thanks to recent events. One day, seventy horsemen arrived with a single prisoner: a Jew named Paul who was having difficulty with the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. The army tribune, Lysias, explained in a letter that the Jewish leaders seem to think he's committed an egregious crime, but all Lysias can determine is some conflict with the doctrine of their religion. When the Sanhedrin joined a murder plot against Paul, Lysias determined Felix would be better equipped to deal with the situation (Acts 23:23–35).

The trial reveals the accuracy of Lysias's judgment, but Felix doesn't want to let go of Paul. He doesn't want to irritate the Sanhedrin and risk a riot or, worse, a rebellion. But he also thinks Paul might eventually tire of his house arrest and offer him a bribe (Acts 24:26–27).

Unfortunately for Felix, he has underestimated Paul's willingness to suffer any inconvenience for the opportunity to talk about Jesus (Colossians 1:24). For the next two years, Felix calls Paul in, hoping for money, and instead gets an earful about morality. Felix had stolen his wife Drusilla, Herod Agrippa I's daughter, from another when she was sixteen. And he is so tyrannical that the infamously brutal Emperor Nero calls him back to Rome to give an account of his cruelty. Like Herod Antipas with John the Baptist, Felix is intrigued by Paul's words, but, like Herod Antipas, he is not tempted to do anything about them (Mark 6:17–20).

After two years, Felix returns to Rome and Festus takes his place. Festus meets with the Sanhedrin before he even hears of Paul and is equally disinclined to release him, forcing Paul to appeal his case to Caesar (Acts 25:1–12). Even so, Festus doesn't act until King Agrippa II tells him he must (Acts 26:31–32).

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.