Acts — Chapter 24
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1Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul.
2When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to this nation.
3In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.
4But in order not to delay you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.
5We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,
6and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.
7
8By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.”
9The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true.
10When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense.
11You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city.
13Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.
14I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,
15and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
16In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
17After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.
18At the time they found me in the temple, I was ceremonially clean and was not inciting a crowd or an uproar. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia
19who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.
20Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,
21unless it was this one thing I called out as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”
22Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.”
23He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.
24After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.
25As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.”
26At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.
27After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
1And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.
2And 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,
3We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
4Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
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 sect of the Nazarenes:
6Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
7But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,
8Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
9And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
10Then 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:
11Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
12And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
13Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
14But 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:
15And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
16And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
17Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
18Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
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 voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
22And 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.
23And 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.
24And 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.
25And 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.
26He 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.
27But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
1And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with certain elders, and [with] an orator, one Tertullus; and they informed the governor against Paul.
2And when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy much peace, and that by the providence evils are corrected for this nation,
3we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
4But, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I entreat thee to hear us of thy clemency a few words.
5For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
6who moreover assayed to profane the temple: on whom also we laid hold: [and we would have judged him according to our law.]
7[But the chief captain Lysias came, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,]
8[commanding his accusers to come before thee.] from whom thou wilt be able, by examining him thyself, to take knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him.
9And the Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that these things were so.
10And when the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, Paul answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I cheerfully make my defense:
11Seeing that thou canst take knowledge that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem:
12and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city.
13Neither can they prove to thee the things whereof they now accuse me.
14But this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which they call a sect, so serve I the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;
15having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust.
16Herein I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men always.
17Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings:
18amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult: but [there were] certain Jews from Asia--
19who ought to have been here before thee, and to make accusation, if they had aught against me.
20Or else let these men themselves say what wrong-doing they found when 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 before you this day.
22But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine your matter.
23And he gave order to the centurion that he should be kept in charge, and should have indulgence; and not to forbid any of his friends to minister unto him.
24But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.
25And as he reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me.
26He hoped withal that money would be given him of Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
27But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
1After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney named Tertullus, and they brought formal charges against Paul to the governor.
2When Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “We have experienced a lengthy time of peace through your rule, and reforms are being made in this nation through your foresight.
3Most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this everywhere and in every way with all gratitude.
4But so that I may not delay you any further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness.
5For we have found this man to be a troublemaker, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
6He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we arrested him.
8When you examine him yourself, you will be able to learn from him about all these things we are accusing him of doing.”
9The Jews also joined in the verbal attack, claiming that these things were true.
10When the governor gestured for him to speak, Paul replied, “Because I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I confidently make my defense.
11As you can verify for yourself, not more than 12 days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12They did not find me arguing with anyone or stirring up a crowd in the temple courts or in the synagogues or throughout the city,
13nor can they prove to you the things they are accusing me of doing.
14But I confess this to you, that I worship the God of our ancestors according to the Way (which they call a sect), believing everything that is according to the law and that is written in the prophets.
15I have a hope in God (a hope that these men themselves accept too) that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.
16This is the reason I do my best to always have a clear conscience toward God and toward people.
17After several years I came to bring to my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings,
18which I was doing when they found me in the temple, ritually purified, without a crowd or a disturbance.
19But there are some Jews from the province of Asia who should be here before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.
20Or these men here should tell what crime they found me guilty of when I stood before the council,
21other than this one thing I shouted out while I stood before them: ‘I am on trial before you today concerning the resurrection of the dead.’”
22Then Felix, who understood the facts concerning the Way more accurately, adjourned their hearing, saying, “When Lysias the commanding officer comes down, I will decide your case.”
23He ordered the centurion to guard Paul, but to let him have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from meeting his needs.
24Some days later, when Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.
25While Paul was discussing righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for now, and when I have an opportunity, I will send for you.”
26At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would give him money, and for this reason he sent for Paul as often as possible and talked with him.
27After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix, and because he wanted to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
1After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul.
2When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that prosperity is coming to this nation by your foresight,
3we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
4But, that I don’t delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words.
5For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
6He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him.
8By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”
9The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so.
10When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, “Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense,
11seeing that you can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem.
12In the temple they didn’t find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues, or in the city.
13Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me.
14But this I confess to you, that after the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;
15having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
16Herein I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.
17Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings;
18amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil.
19They ought to have been here before you, and to make accusation, if they had anything against me.
20Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council,
21unless it is for this one thing that I cried standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today!’”
22But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, “When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case.”
23He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody, and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him.
24But after some days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.
25As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, “Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you.”
26Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent for him more often, and talked with him.
27But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
Summary
Five days later the high priest Ananias comes to Caesarea with the lawyer Tertullus, who flatters Felix and accuses Paul of stirring up riots and desecrating the temple as a ringleader of the Nazarene sect (vv. 1-9). Paul answers that he came to Jerusalem to worship and bring gifts to his nation, was found peacefully in the temple, and that he serves the God of his ancestors according to the Way, believing everything written in the Law and the Prophets, including the resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked (vv. 10-16). He explains he was ceremonially purified in the temple when he was seized, with no crowd or disturbance of his making, and that his true offense is his hope in the resurrection (vv. 17-21). Felix, already well informed about the Way, postpones a decision, and afterward listens to Paul discuss faith in Christ, righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment until he becomes afraid and sends Paul away (vv. 22-25). Felix keeps sending for Paul hoping for a bribe, and leaves him in custody for two years, wanting to grant the Jews a favor before Porcius Festus succeeds him (vv. 26-27).
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
- Caesarea (v.1): Paul was held in Herod's palace (the Praetorium) in Caesarea for two years, awaiting trial before the Roman governors Felix and then Festus.
- Jerusalem (v.1): The accusers came down from Jerusalem to Caesarea to present their case before Felix.
Places on this map
- CaesareaCaesarea, IsraelHerod built an artificial deep-water harbor on an open coast that had none, and it became the Roman administrative capital of Judea. Paul was held here two years and sailed for Rome from it; it is also where the gospel first went to a Gentile household. Wikipedia
- JerusalemJerusalemA hill town about 2,500 feet up in the central spine of Judah, roughly 35 miles inland from the Mediterranean and 15 miles west of the Jordan. It sits on no trade route and has no river, which is why it mattered as a fortress and a sanctuary rather than as a market. Wikipedia
Towns sit on their excavated or traditional site. Regions, rivers and seas are ringed rather than dotted, because for those a single point is only an anchor. Coastlines from Natural Earth.
Deep Dive
Setting: Caesarea Maritima, about AD 57. This was Herod the Great's showpiece harbor city and the Roman capital of Judea. Paul is held in Herod's former palace, now the governor's headquarters. Five days after Paul's night ride from Jerusalem, his accusers arrive for a formal Roman trial before the governor Felix. Luke gives about equal space to the charges, Paul's defense and the governor's response. Through it all the gospel is on trial alongside the man.
Paul Before Felix at Caesarea (vv1–23)
- "The high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus" (v1). The high priest himself makes the two-day trip, which shows how badly they wanted Paul condemned. Tertullus (a Latin name) is a professional advocate (rhētōr) who knows how Roman courts work. "Came down" is literal: Jerusalem sits high in the hills and Caesarea is on the coast.
- "Through you we enjoy much peace" (vv2–4). A speech was expected to open with praise of the judge (the captatio benevolentiae), but this is lavish. Felix had put down bandits and the Egyptian rebel (21:38), so "peace" had some truth to it. But he was also brutal and corrupt, and Jewish leaders later accused him before Nero. "To detain you no further" is a polite formula that promises a brevity the speech doesn't deliver.
- "A plague… stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world… ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes" (v5). Three charges are carefully chosen for a Roman ear: - "Plague" (loimos, pestilence) labels Paul a public menace. - Stirring up riots "throughout the world" (oikoumenē, the Roman world) is sedition, the charge Rome feared most. The same charge was brought against Jesus before Pilate (Luke 23:2, 5). - "Ringleader of the sect (hairesis) of the Nazarenes" marks him as the leader of a suspect movement. "Nazarenes" is the earliest Jewish name for Christians and is still the word for Christians in Hebrew and Arabic.
- "He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him" (v6). In 21:28 the charge was that he had defiled it. Now it is only that he tried. The case is already weakening. Here the KJV adds verses 6b–8a: "and would have judged according to our law. But the chief captain Lysias came upon us…" These words are missing from the earliest manuscripts, so the ESV leaves them out and skips verse 7. If they are original, they turn the blame on Lysias.
- "The Jews also joined in the charge" (v9). The delegation backs up the lawyer, but no eyewitness is produced.
- "I cheerfully make my defense" (v10). Paul gives no flattery, just a plain courtesy: Felix had been governor "for many years," about five or six by now, so he knows Jewish affairs. "Make my defense" is apologeomai (22:1). Jesus promised words would be given in such moments (Luke 21:14–15).
- "Not more than twelve days since I went up to worship" (v11). Twelve days is not enough time to organize a revolt. And he came "to worship," not to make trouble.
- "They did not find me disputing… or stirring up a crowd" (vv12–13). He answers the charge of sedition with facts: no arguments, no crowds, not in the temple, the synagogues or the city. "Neither can they prove" is the decisive line. Roman law required evidence, and they have none.
- "According to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers" (v14). He admits the second charge but recasts it. "The Way" is not a new religion. It is the true worship of Israel's God, believing "everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets." This mattered legally too. Judaism was a recognized, legal religion in the empire, and Paul is saying the Way belongs inside it, not outside.
- "A resurrection of both the just and the unjust" (v15). This is the hope of Daniel 12:2, which the Pharisees in the delegation shared. Jesus taught the same (John 5:28–29). It is the only explicit mention in Acts of a resurrection of the unrighteous. It sets up the "coming judgment" that will frighten Felix in v25.
- "I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man" (v16). "Take pains" (askeō, the root of "ascetic") means to exercise or train. A clear conscience is not automatic for Paul. He works at it, because he lives in light of the judgment (2 Cor 5:10).
- "I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings" (v17). This is the only mention in Acts of the collection that dominates Paul's letters (Rom 15:25–28; 1 Cor 16:1–4; 2 Cor 8–9). He came to Jerusalem to give, not to riot.
- "Some Jews from Asia—they ought to be here" (vv18–19). The sentence breaks off. The only real witnesses to the temple incident never showed up. Under Roman law accusers who abandoned their charge could be penalized, which may be why they stayed away.
- "Other than this one thing… the resurrection of the dead" (vv20–21). The only thing the council could fault him for was a theological statement that half of them agreed with (23:6–9).
- "Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off" (v22). Felix had governed for years in Caesarea, where the church had existed since Cornelius (ch 10), and his Jewish wife (v24) would have known the movement too. He knows Christians aren't revolutionaries. Instead of acquitting Paul, which would anger the Jewish leaders, he adjourns until Lysias comes, a classic delaying move. There's no record that Lysias ever came.
- "Kept in custody but have some liberty" (v23). This is light custody suited to an unconvicted Roman citizen. Friends may bring food and care. Luke and Aristarchus were likely among them (27:2).
- Commentators: JFB sorts Tertullus's charges sharply. It calls his opening "fulsome flattery" with "a semblance of truth: nothing more." It judges the ringleader charge "true enough" and the temple charge "entirely false," and if the longer text of v7 is read, its claim about Lysias is "a wilful falsehood." Guzik agrees the temple charge was built on rumor alone, with no evidence because none existed. Henry marvels at the prosecutors' speed, ready in five days: "what will not malice do?" He contrasts Paul's patience, waiting for the judge's nod rather than interrupting, and he makes "no reflections at all upon Tertullus, who he knew spoke for his fee." Henry guesses that Felix learned of the Way through Cornelius and the believers at Caesarea, which is plausible but not stated. JFB connects Paul's clear conscience in v16 to "that awful day" of judgment (2 Cor 5:10).
Paul Kept in Custody (vv24–27)
- "Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish" (v24). Drusilla was the youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I, who killed James and was struck down by God (12:1–2, 23). That made her the sister of Agrippa II and Bernice (25:13). As a teenager she was married to the king of Emesa. Felix, with the help of a magician (Josephus says), lured her away from her husband. She was still under twenty. Josephus adds that their son later died in the eruption of Vesuvius (AD 79).
- "He heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus" (v24). A private audience with a captive preacher. Curiosity, perhaps, or Drusilla's interest in her own people's debates.
- "Righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment" (v25). Paul preaches to the couple in front of him. Righteousness before a corrupt judge. Self-control (enkrateia, mastery of one's desires) before a man who had taken another man's wife. The coming judgment before a man who judged others. It is the same sequence Jesus said the Spirit would bring: sin, righteousness, judgment (John 16:8).
- "Felix was alarmed" (v25). The word (emphobos) means terrified. The prisoner is calm, and the judge trembles. "Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity (kairos) I will summon you." Felix did send for him again, but there's no sign the "opportunity" to believe ever came.
- "He hoped that money would be given him" (v26). Felix had just heard Paul mention bringing "alms" (v17) and assumed there was money behind him. Taking bribes for releasing prisoners was illegal under Roman law but common. "He sent for him often and conversed with him." For two years Felix heard the gospel from the greatest missionary of the age, and listened for a bribe.
- "When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus" (v27). Felix was recalled to Rome about AD 59 after a violent clash between Jews and Gentiles in Caesarea that he had handled harshly. He escaped punishment only through his brother Pallas. "Desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison." He left an innocent man in chains as a parting gift to win favor with his accusers.
- Two years in Caesarea. Luke passes over them in one sentence, but they likely mattered. Many scholars think Luke used this time to research his Gospel and gather eyewitness accounts across Judea and Galilee (Luke 1:1–4). Some place Paul's prison letters here, though most date them to Rome.
- Commentators: Henry calls the private meetings a conversation in which "the prisoner hoped to do good to the judge and the judge thought to get money by the prisoner, but both in vain." He notes the irony that after all the commotion over him, Paul is now left to be "as much neglected as there had been ado about him." JFB observes Paul's message "took an entirely practical turn, suited to the life which his two auditors were notoriously leading." Guzik focuses on Felix's "convenient time" as one of the most dangerous responses to the gospel. Putting off Christ is not neutral, he argues, but a way of refusing him. The Tyndale notes add that Josephus himself criticized Drusilla's marriage. Its point is that she and Felix came face to face with the judgment they were living in defiance of.
Pointing to Christ
Paul stands where Jesus stood: falsely charged with sedition before a Roman governor, the case clearly empty, the judge too weak to do right, and the prisoner kept in chains to please the crowd. Pilate wanted to release Jesus and didn't. Felix knew Paul was innocent and didn't release him. But the one who preached "righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment" was not afraid of that judgment. The Judge himself had stood in his place. Felix trembled and put it off. The same message still calls every hearer to settle it "now… now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor 6:2).
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik examines Tertullus' prosecution, Paul's defense, Felix's conviction and delay, and the two-year imprisonment.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (1871): blueletterbible.org A critical and explanatory commentary on the whole Bible, more concise than Matthew Henry and closer to the Hebrew and Greek, with attention to historical and geographical detail. Public domain.
- Matthew Henry's Exposition (1710): blueletterbible.org A devotional verse-by-verse commentary in the Puritan tradition, still among the most widely read three centuries on. Public domain.
Videos
Articles
- GotQuestions.org: gotquestions.org On the whole book: an overview of the book of Acts -- who wrote it, when, why, and how it fits the rest of Scripture.
Links open on the publisher's own site. Nothing here is reproduced on this page.
Reflection
- Truth Over Flattery (vv.10-13) — Against Tertullus's exaggerated flattery and false charges, Paul answers directly with plain, verifiable facts about what actually happened. When you're falsely accused or misrepresented, do you reach for facts and calm truth, or for counter-attack?
- A Conscience Kept Clear on Purpose (v.16) — Paul says he makes it his continual effort to keep a clear conscience before God and other people. Is a clean conscience something you actively maintain through daily honesty and quick repentance, or something you only think about once it's already troubled?
- Conviction Without Conversion (v.25) — Felix trembles as Paul preaches about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, yet tells him to leave and come back at a more convenient time. What conviction have you felt from God that you've kept postponing until a "better" moment?
- The Wrong Reason to Seek God (v.26) — Felix keeps sending for Paul, hoping for a bribe rather than genuinely seeking the truth Paul preached. Are you drawn to spiritual things out of real hunger for God, or for what you hope to get out of it?
- Trading Justice for Convenience (v.27) — After two years, Felix leaves Paul in prison simply to do the Jewish leaders a political favor. Where in your own life do you choose what's popular or comfortable over what you know is right?