Fluent Translation · Read & Reflect
Acts 24
Tertullus Accuses Paul Before Felix
Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney named Tertullus. They presented their charges against Paul to the governor.
When Paul was summoned, Tertullus began accusing him:
“Because of you, most excellent Felix, we enjoy much peace, and through your foresight reforms are being made for this nation.
In every way and everywhere we receive these benefits with deep gratitude.
But so that I do not detain you any longer, I ask you to hear us briefly in your kindness.
We have found this man to be a plague, stirring up riots among Jewish people throughout the inhabited world and serving as a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
He even tried to profane the temple, so we seized him.
By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all the charges we bring against him.”
The Jewish leaders joined in the accusation, insisting that these things were true.
Paul’s Defense
When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he answered:
“I gladly make my defense because I know you have been a judge over this nation for many years.
You can verify that it has been no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
They did not find me arguing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple, the synagogues, or the city.
Nor can they prove to you the charges they are now making against me.
But I do admit this to you: according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our ancestors, trusting everything in accordance with the Law and written in the Prophets.
I have hope in God—a hope these men themselves also accept—that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.
Because of this, I always make every effort to maintain a blameless conscience before God and people.
After many years away, I came to bring gifts for the poor to my nation and to present offerings.
They found me doing this in the temple, purified, without a crowd or disturbance. But there were some Jewish people from Asia
who should be here before you to accuse me if they have anything against me.
Or let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council,
other than this one statement I shouted while standing among them: ‘I am on trial before you today concerning the resurrection of the dead.’”
Felix Delays the Case
Felix, who had a more accurate knowledge of the Way, postponed the case and said, “When Commander Lysias comes down, I will decide your case.” He ordered the centurion to keep Paul in custody but allow him some freedom and not prevent his friends from caring for him. Some days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him about trust in Christ Jesus. As Paul reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became afraid and said, “Go away for now. When I have an opportunity, I will send for you.” At the same time Felix was hoping Paul would give him money, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix. Wanting to gain favor with the Jewish leaders, Felix left Paul imprisoned.