Acts

Acts 24 ©

1 Paul is accused before Felix by Tertullus in the name of the Jews: 10 he answereth in defence of his life and doctrine. 22 The hearing is deferred. 24 Paul preaching freely before the governor and his wife, Felix trembleth. 26 Felix hopeth for a bribe to release Paul, but in vain; and going out of his office leaveth him bound.

1

AND aafter five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who binformed the governor against Paul.

a ch. 23.2,30,35; 25.2,17.
b Ps. 11.2.
2

And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, cSeeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy *providence,

c Ps. 12.2; 55.21. Jude 16.
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

dFor 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:

d ch. 6.13; 16.20; 17.6,7; 21.28. Lu. 23.2. 1Ki. 18.17.
6

eWho also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.

e ch. 19.37; 21.26-28,31; 22.10. v.11-13. ch. 25.8. Jn. 18.31.
7

fBut the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,

f ch. 21.31-33; 22.30; 23.10,27.
8

gCommanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.

g ch. 23.30; 25.16.
9

hAnd the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.

h Ps. 4.2; 64.3. Je. 9.3-5. Jn. 8.44.
10

Then Paul, after that the governor had ibeckoned 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 janswer for myself:

i ch. 12.17; 13.16; 19.33; 21.40.
j 1Pe. 3.15.
11

kBecause that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.

k v.1. ch. 21.15,18,26,27.
12

lAnd they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

l ch. 25.7,8; 28.17.
13

mNeither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

m 1Pe. 3.16.
14

But this I confess unto thee, nthat after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, obelieving all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

n Mat. 10.32. Ps. 119.46. ch. 3.13; 5.30; 7.32; 22.14; 26.22; 28.22; 9.2. Mi. 4.5. 2Ti. 1.3.
o ch. 10.43; 13.15; 26.22,23; 28.23. Mat. 22.40. Lu. 16.16; 24.27,44. Jn. 1.45; 5.39. Ro. 3.21. 2Co. 1.20.
15

pAnd have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a qresurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

p ch. 23.6-8. Da. 12.2. Jn. 5.28,29. 1Co. 15.12-27. ch. 26.6-8; 28.20. Re. 20.6,12,13. Job 19.25,26. 1Th. 4.14-16. Mat. 22.31,32.
q v.21.
16

rAnd herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

r 1Ti. 4.7,8. 1Th. 2.10. ch. 23.1. 1Co. 4.4. 2Co. 1.12; 4.2. 2Ti. 1.3. He. 13.18.
17

Now after smany years I came to bring talms to my nation, and offerings.

s ch. 18.22,23; 19.8,10; 20.31.
t ch. 11.29,30; 20.16. Ro. 15.25-28. Ga. 2.10. 1Co. 16.1,3. 2Co. 8.4; 9.1,12. ch. 21.26.
18

uWhereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.

u ch. 21.26,27; 26.21. Lu. 12.1.
19

vWho ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.

v ch. 23.30; 25.16.
20

Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, wwhile I stood before the council,

w ch. 22.30.
21

Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, xTouching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.

x ch. 23.6; 26.6,9; 28.20.
22

And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of ythat way, he deferred them, and said, When zLysias the chief captain shall come down, *I awill know the uttermost of your matter.

a De. 19.18. ch. 23.20.
y ch. 9.2.
z v.7.
23

bAnd 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.

b Pr. 16.7. v.26. ch. 27.3; 28.16,31.
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 cfaith in Christ.

c Tit. 2.11,12. 2Co. 7.1.
25

And as he reasoned of drighteousness, etemperance, and fjudgment to come, Felix gtrembled, and answered, hGo thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

d Pr. 16.12. Je. 22.15-17. Da. 4.27. Jn. 16.8.
e Pr. 31.4,5. Da. 5.1-4. Ho. 7.5. 1Pe. 4.4.
f Ps. 50.3,4. Da. 12.2. Mat. 25.31-46. 2Co. 5.10. Re. 20.12.
g ch. 2.37. Ps. 99.1. Is. 32.11. Hab. 3.16. He. 4.1,11,12. Ro. 3.19,20. ch. 17.32.
h Pr. 1.24-32. Mat. 22.5; 25.1-10.
26

iHe hoped also that jmoney should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

i Ex. 23.8. Job 15.34. Ps. 26.10. 1Ti. 6.10.
j v.17.
27

But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, kwilling to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

k ch. 12.3; 25.9,14. Mar. 15.15. Ga. 1.10. Pr. 29.25.