1Paul is accused before Felix by Tertullus in the name of the Jews: 10he answereth in defence of his life and doctrine. 22The hearing is deferred. 24Paul preaching freely before the governor and his wife, Felix trembleth. 26Felix hopeth for a bribe to release Paul, but in vain; and going out of his office leaveth him bound.
1AND after 1five days Ananias thea high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain 2orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.
1 Namely, after that Paul was brought from Jerusalem to Cæsarea; for then these accusers came there also, being advised thereto by Lysias. See verse 8 and Acts 23:30, 33.
a Acts 23:2.
2 Gr. rhetor; that is, orator, lawyer, one who is exercised in the art of eloquence. Namely, he, who would be the speaker, whether it was in Greek or in Latin.
2And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very 3worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,b
3 Or, and many laudable things, or deeds which are done to this people. Wherein he tells the truth in part, but in part seeks to flatter him contrary to the truth. For, Felix had indeed rooted out an Egyptian, named Eleazarus, a notorious deceiver and robber in the land of Judea with his company, yet on the contrary he had killed their high priest Jonathan, who opposed his unjust dealings, and greatly impoverished the people, and in many things cruelly handled them. See Josephus, Antiq. lib. 20, cap. 5, 6, 7.
b forethought.
3We 4accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
4 That is, acknowledge.
4Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy 5clemency a few words.
5 Or, equity.
5For 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 6sect of the 7Nazarenes:
6 Or, of the heresy.
7 As such he calls contemptuously the disciples of Christ or the Christians, because he held that Christ was born at Nazareth in Galilee and they were accounted as simple persons, John 1:47 and 7:41, 52. Which name was also given afterwards by the Christians themselves to a certain sect amongst the Christians, who wanted to mingle the ceremonial law with the Gospel, of which Cerinthus was also a leader. See Acts 15:1.
6Whoc also hath gone about to profane 8the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
c Acts 21:28.
8 Namely, with bringing in of Gentiles or uncircumcised, although it be said contrary to the truth. See Acts 21:28. Notwithstanding he conceals this here, because Felix himself was a Gentile and uncircumcised.
7But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with 9great violence took him away out of our hands,
9 Gr. much.
8Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining 10of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
10 Namely, Paul here present. This he says very impudently, as it appears out of the following defense of Paul.
9And 11the Jews also 12assented, saying that these things were so.
11 Namely, who were there present of the council to accuse him. These agreed to that which was spoken by their advocate.
12 Or, joined to it also.
10Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of 13many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for 14myself:
13 This Paul says because Felix had many years before governed a part of the land of Judea, namely, Trachonitis, Gaulonitis and Batanea. See Josephus, de bello Jud. lib. 2, cap. 11, 12.
14 Or, my matters which concern me.
11Because that thou 15mayest understand, that there are yet but 16twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
15 Namely, if thou wilt make inquiry of it.
16 Namely, passed, of which he had been but seven at Jerusalem, and the other five now at Cæsarea, so that in that time he had been able to do nothing that tended thereunto, or that could be obscured, for which they accused him.
12Andd they neither found me in the temple 17disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
d Acts 25:8; 28:17.
17 Or, speaking to any man.
13Neither can they 18prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
18 Gr. establish, or maintain.
14But this I confess unto thee, that after 19the way which they call 20heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
19 That is, doctrine or manner of worship. He acknowledges therefore hereby openly that he is a Christian; but denies that he therefore worships another god than the God of their fathers, or has another belief than that which is held forth in the law and the prophets; that also in that regard he sets up no new sect, as they accused him.
20 Or, sect.
15And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be 21a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and 22unjust.
21 Namely, in which everyone shall be judged according to his deeds, verse 25.
22 That is, of the ungodly and unbelievers. See Dan. 12:2; John 5:29.
16Ande23herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
e Acts 23:1.
23 Or, in the meantime.
17Now 24after many years I came tof bring alms to 25my nation, and 26offerings.
24 Namely, being in other lands absent from Jerusalem.
f Acts 11:29; Rom. 15:25.
25 Namely, the poor Jews, being converted to the Christian faith.
26 Whereof see Acts 21:26, and Paul did this to accommodate herein to the weak Christians among the Jews, as he also circumcised Timothy for the same reason, Acts 16:3. See hereof also the annotation at Acts 18 on verse 18, though both ceased by Christ’s death. This accommodation could have continued so long until the temple and city of Jerusalem were extirpated, and the other Jews were rejected by God in their stubbornness; Romans 11.
18Whereupong certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
g Acts 21:27.
19Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
20Or 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 27voice, that I 28cried standing among them, Touchingh the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
27 Or, word, that is, except they counted this word for unjust, etc.
28 From which indeed some disquiet arose among them in the council, but without reason, seeing they themselves have this hope, verse 15.
h Acts 23:6; 28:20.
22And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge 29of that way, he deferred them, and 30said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.
29 That is, of this religion. See verse 14. And here Felix gives two reasons of his delay, first, that between both he might be able to make further inquiry of the religion of the Christians, for which they accuse him, the other to hear further from Lysias what uproar Paul had made at Jerusalem.
30 Or, as having further knowledge of that way, and said.
23And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have 31liberty, andi that he should forbid none of 32his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.
31 That is, more freedom in his imprisonment.
i Acts 27:3:28:16.
32 Gr. his own; namely, friends or brethren in the faith, as at Cæsarea there was a church long before, as appears in Acts 10:48 and 21:8.
24And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife 33Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
33 This was a daughter of that Herod who had caused James to be put to death, Acts 12:1, and the sister of Agrippa of whom is spoken in the two following chapters. A very bold and unchaste woman, who forsook her husband Aziz, the king of the Emeseners, to be the wife of this Felix, who, because of her beauty, had tempted her thereunto. See Josephus, Antiq. lib. 20, cap. 5.
25And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix 34trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
34 Namely, seeing his conscience convinced him of many wicked deeds committed contrary thereto. See Rom. 2:15; 1 Cor. 14:24.
26He hoped also that 35money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
35 Namely, for that he was a covetous man, and knew that Paul was very acceptable to the Christians, who would spare no money to get him released.
27But after 36two years 37Porcius Festus came into Felix’ 38room: and Felix, willingj to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
36 Namely, of his governing over all Judea, or of Paul’s imprisonment.
37 Namely, who was sent by the Emperor Nero to be governor of Judea in Felix’ stead, because of the cruel dealings of Felix in that province, and also for the killing of many Jews within Cæsarea; for which the Jews, by certain ambassadors, had complained of him to the Emperor, who withdrew him from the government, and would have punished him with death, had not his brother Pallas deprecated this of the Emperor. See Josephus, Antiq. lib. 20, cap. 7 and Tacitus, Annales, lib. 12, and Historiae, lib. 5, cap. 37.
38 Gr. for a successor, descendant, follower.
j Acts 25:14.