Felix Series

Felix

Felix was Festus' predecessor. He imprisoned Paul but allowed him to speak in his defense. He hoped Paul would offer him a bribe, but he never did. Festus thought Paul was delusional, but he did not think that was cause for putting him to death or locking him up, so he let him go.

Antonius Felix was formerly enslaved but was promoted by Claudius Caesar to the governor's office. The Roman historian Tacitus described Felix as "cruel, licentious, and base." While in Judea, Felix was attracted to Drusilla, a daughter of Herod Agrippa I. The fact that Drusilla was already married made no difference to Felix. He enticed her away from her husband, Aziz, and they later married.

Felix was the governor of Judea and Samaria when the apostle Paul was arrested in Jerusalem for preaching the gospel (Acts 23:35). Because a mob was planning to kill Paul before he could come to trial, the Roman commander hustled Paul away in the night, accompanied by two hundred soldiers, so that Governor Felix could hear his case (Acts 23:23–24).

When Paul arrived in Caesarea, Felix, the governor, read an explanatory letter from the Roman commander who had sent Paul there, asked what province Paul was from, and then postponed his hearing until Paul's accusers could be present (Acts 23:33–35). Five days later, a company arrived; Ananias, the high priest, some Jewish elders, and a hired lawyer named Tertullus. Once the proceedings had begun, Tertullus and the Jewish leaders accused Paul of being a troublemaker who had attempted to desecrate the temple (Acts 24:5–6). Given his turn to speak, Paul politely denied the charges against him. He also pointed out that his actual accusers, Jews from Asia, were not present and that he had not been found guilty of any crime before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem (Acts 24:17–21).

Felix was well informed about this new sect of Jesus' followers called the Way. When he heard that Paul's case involved questions of religion, he adjourned the hearing until the Roman commander who had arrested Paul could be present. Paul's words must have intrigued Felix because he summoned Paul to hear more of his teaching; a few days later. Felix and Drusilla both "listened to [Paul] as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus" (Acts 24:24). However, when conviction came through Paul's words, Felix grew afraid and ordered him to stop talking. Although he gave Paul some freedom by allowing his friends to tend to his needs, Felix kept Paul in jail for two years, apparently waiting for a more "convenient" time (Acts 24:25). Felix hoped for a bribe from Paul, but one never came. When Felix was replaced as procurator, he left Paul in jail for his successor, Porcius Festus, to deal with.

It could be that another reason Felix left Paul in jail was that he was reluctant to pronounce judgment on an innocent man. Alternatively, possibly he did so to please Drusilla. A fear of political backlash from the Jews was also a factor (Acts 24:27). Felix was summoned to Rome upon losing the governorship, where his former Jewish subjects accused him of cruelty and corruption. Felix was found guilty but was spared the death penalty.

Felix represents many people intrigued by the gospel but recognizes that surrendering to it means losing status, power, or control of their own lives. Mere exposure to truth does not necessarily enlighten the heart, and Felix is an excellent example of that (Ephesians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 1:18). Like Felix, many know deeply that what they hear is true, yet their stubborn pride refuses to accept it. Judas Iscariot may have been one of those people. He was in close association with the Son of God for three years, witnessing miracles, healings, and other supernatural events. However, in the end, he chose to walk away.

Who was Felix?

In Acts 24, Paul is transferred to governor Felix to protect him from the Jews. Although he is twice called "most excellent Felix," Felix is well known as a terrible governor of Judea. As Keener observes, although Luke does not paint a flattering picture of Felix, he is more flattering toward the governor than any other ancient writer.

His full name was likely Marcus Antonius Felix. He was appointed as governor of Judea about A.D. 52 by the emperor Claudius. Felix and his brother Pallas have freed servants of Claudius' mother, Antonia. Both were favorites of Claudius, a favorite in the court; this led Felix to believe that he could do as he pleased. That Claudius would appoint freedmen to posts such as this was considered unusual by Roman standards. Since he was a formerly enslaved person, Tacitus thought his "servile nature" explained his inability to rule well.

Felix had a reputation for cruelty, he suppressed many of the bandits that had risen in Judea, but he did so by extreme violence. He made a deal with one of the leaders, promising safe passage, then captured him. When the Egyptian rallied people in the desert, Felix attacked, killing four hundred followers. Later he paid the sicarri, the knife-wielding assassins, to kill the high priest Jonathan who had complained to Rome about Felix, hoping for a better governor.