Introduction: This chapter records the trial of Paul before Felix, the Roman governor; Paul's defense; and a summary of the events taking place after all of this. Most of the text is like a transcript of who said what. The chapter may also give a glimpse of courtroom or trial procedures of that era.
1 The charges brought against Paul
Text, Acts 24:1-9, KJV: 1 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. 2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, 3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. 5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: 6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. 7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, 8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. 9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
--The distance between Jerusalem and Caesarea was about 70 miles. A five day journey would be about right, allowing for 10-15 miles per day. Compare this with the relative speed of the 400 Roman soldiers who marched all night from Jerusalem to Antiaptris and then returned to Jerusalem on the next day (Acts 23).
--Some of the commentators give notice to Tertullus. The common thread seems to be that since Felix was the Roman governor, Ananias and the others hired Tertullus to be their prosecuting attorney in this trial against Paul. Others observe that the Jews may not have been familiar with Roman court proceedings (although that didn't stop them from having Pilate give up Jesus to be crucified) and hired Tertullus to be their mouthpiece.
--Now note the summary, at least, of what Tertullus said to Felix: first, he used flattery and flowery speech at the first statement. No doubt Tertullus was trying to get Felix to believe his side of the story.
--Then he turned ferocious: he first called Paul "pestilent" or a "pest": the italicized words "a" and "fellow" weren't part of the original text but added by other translators. "Pest"--on top of the other things Paul had been called!
--The next charge was more serious, "sedition", something the Romans would and did take seriously. This charge was blatantly false as Paul had never preached anything but salvation through Jesus! Tertullus may have been trying to smear Paul, adding him to the at least two other rebels Felix had dealt with previously. Dr. Barnes quotes Josephus at https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/acts/24.htm.
--"Ringleader" comes from a military term (https://biblehub.com/text/acts/24-5.htm) meaning "one who stands in first place". That description was partly accurate, as Paul had traveled far and wide among the Gentiles, but way off because he never claimed to be anything more than a servant or apostle.
--"Nazarenes" was a term of reproach to the followers of Jesus, the Nazarene.
--Tertullus closes his opening statement by claiming Paul had tried to profane the Temple but didn't stop there. He changes the narrative by saying "we wanted to judge (Paul) according to our Law"--omitting that the Sanhedrin had twice challenged Paul and had tried to kill him both times!
--And Tertullus adds another charge, this time smearing Claudius Lysias, the officer in charge (OIC) who had rescued Paul--from the Jews! Note how Tertullus equates how Lysias rescued Paul with "great violence taking him out of our hands!"
--Luke summarizes (best guess) by saying the other Jews assented, all pretty much agreeing on the same story. Why not, they had invented the whole thing and persuaded Tertullus to present this side of the story as the truth!
--There may have been a pause after this. Note that Paul had not yet spoken, nor had been given any chance to speak. His words of defense come next.
2 Paul's Defense Against These Charges
Text, Acts 24:10-21, KJV: 10 Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: 11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. 12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: 13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. 1 4But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: 15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. 17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. 18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. 19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me. 20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council, 21Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
--Paul gives a straightforward, non-flowery defense against the charges brought against him. He first acknowledges Felix had been a "judge", as well as governor for many years. Felix had been there for seven years which was indeed a long time for Roman officials in those days (see Barnes' Notes, https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/acts/24.htm; Adam Clarke's notes, https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/acts/24.htm; and Ellicott's commentary, https://biblehub.com/commentaries/ellicott/acts/24.htm, on this verse).
--Paul then reminded all the ones there that he had only come to Jerusalem 12 days before. There are different opinions among several commentators but what's certain is that Paul had never tried to do anything in Jerusalem except worship. He added more in verses 11-13 and surely with all the scribes, Pharisees, and other Jews of various persuastions, if he had tried anything like this, nobody would have kept it quiet!
--Paul's defense can be summed up in these words: "They can't prove any of this."
--Paul then added his testimony and reason for coming to Jerusalem this time: First, he wanted to worship, as he had hoped to be in Jerusalem for the Day of Pentecost (20:16); then, he wanted to bring an offering of relief for suffering believers (verse 17).
--Paul's final words demonstrate that those who brought the charges against him either could not prove what they said, or were not there in person to be good witnesses (e.g., the Asian Jews). His final words of defense are that he was on trial for believing in the resurrection of the dead--and nothing else.
3 The Result/s of the Trial
Text, Acts 24:22-27, KJV: 22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. 23 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. 24 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. 25 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. 26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. 27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
--The first result: a no-decision. Felix neither condemned Paul, which would have pleased the Jews (and who knows what they would have done to him); nor released Paul, which would have infuriated the Jews. So--Felix decided not to make a decision, claiming he needed "more information", this time from Lysias. The Jews probably didn't know about the letter Lysias had already sent to Felix, declaring Paul innocent!
--Felix is said to have a "more perfect knowledge of that way" or the Christian faith. Philip, one of the original seven deacons and later an evangelist lived in Caesarea (Acts 8:40, 21:8). Other believers lived in Caesarea as well (21:12, 16 ). Felix may have known or heard about Cornelius, a Roman centurion who was one of the first Gentiles to become a believer in Jesus (Acts 10-11). At any rate, there were a number of believers there in that city.
--The Jews most likely went back to Jerusalem but Felix kept Paul at Casearea. Felix did give Paul some liberty, though, giving a centurion (leader of 100 soldiers) custody of Paul, plus free entrance of Paul's acquaintances. This may give a hint of Paul's social status, as here he was under the custody of a centurion but later, he was guarded by a soldier (Acts 28:16) in Rome.
--Drusilla, Felix' wife, was Jewish and she along with Felix heard Paul speak about the "faith in Christ". Paul "reasoned (dialogued with them)" about righteousness, "temperance (self-control, per https://biblehub.com/text/acts/24-25.htm)" and the judgment to come, leading Felix to tremble or become frightened (https://biblehub.com/text/acts/24-25.htm). Sadly, he never seemed to act upon this fear, simply saying "That's enough for now, but I'll call you again when I have the time" or words to that effect.
--Luke gives one reason why Felix sent for Paul so often--he wanted Paul to offer him a bribe! Somehow, whether in Paul's own words or other means, Felix guessed Paul had some influential friends who would be willing to pay for Paul's freedom. That wasn't the case and the bribe Felix hoped to get never happened.
--The chapter closes with Felix leaving, Porcius Festus taking his place, and Paul still left behind in "protective custody", so to speak. Even though this chapter closes, another was about to happen, and Paul would be in the thick of things once again.
Scripture quotations from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV),
