The Charges Against Paul
Study note
Five days after Paul's arrival, the high priest Ananias comes with elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. Tertullus flatters Felix before presenting three accusations: Paul is a troublemaker who stirs up riots among Jews worldwide, he is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, and he tried to desecrate the temple. Tertullus suggests that the Jews would have handled the matter themselves if the commander Lysias had not forcefully intervened. The other Jews join in confirming these charges.
1 Five days later, the high priest Ananias came to Caesarea. He brought some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. They brought their case against Paul to the governor. 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 When Paul came in, Tertullus started with flattery: "Governor Felix, we have had peace for a long time because of you. Your wise choices have helped our whole nation." 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 are deeply thankful for all you have done, your Excellency." We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
4 "I do not want to waste your time, so I will keep this brief." Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
5 "We have determined that this man is a menace. He stirs up trouble among Jewish communities all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect." 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 "He even tried to defile our sacred temple. That is when we arrested him and planned to judge him by our own law." Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
7 "But Commander Lysias arrived with his troops and forcibly took him away from us." But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,
8 "He told the accusers to come to you. If you examine this man yourself, you will confirm that every one of our charges is true." Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
9 The other Jewish leaders spoke up too. They backed up everything Tertullus said. And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
Paul's Defense Before Felix
Study note
Paul provides a measured defense. He notes that Felix can easily verify that only twelve days ago he went to Jerusalem to worship, and that his accusers never found him arguing or causing disturbances. He freely admits that he worships the God of his fathers according to the Way, believing everything written in the law and the prophets, including the resurrection of both righteous and unrighteous. He came to Jerusalem to bring charitable gifts and offerings and was found in the temple after completing purification, without any crowd or disturbance. He challenges his accusers to present their evidence and identifies the real issue: his belief in the resurrection of the dead.
10 When the governor nodded for Paul to speak, Paul said, "I know you have served as judge over this nation for many years. So I am happy to defend myself before you." 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 "As you can easily confirm, it has only been twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship." Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
12 "Nobody caught me arguing with anyone in the temple. Nobody saw me stirring up crowds in any synagogue or anywhere else in the city." 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 "They have zero proof for any of the charges they are making against me." Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
14 "But I will admit one thing: I do worship the God of our ancestors by following the Way -- the same thing they call a cult. I believe every word written in the Law and the Prophets." But 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 "I share the same hope in God that these men do: that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous." 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 "That is exactly why I work so hard to always keep my conscience clean before God and before people." And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
17 "After being away for years, I came back to Jerusalem. I brought gifts for the poor and offerings for the temple." Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
18 "That is what I was doing when some Jews from Asia spotted me in the temple. I had already completed the purification ritual. There was no crowd around me and no commotion." Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
19 "The Jews from Asia should be here making charges -- if they even have any." Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
20 "Or let the men standing here tell you what crime they discovered when I appeared before the council." Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,
21 "I can only think of one thing. I stood before them and said, 'I am on trial for one reason. I believe the dead will rise again!'" Except 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.
Felix Delays the Verdict
Study note
Felix, who has considerable knowledge about the Way, adjourns the case, saying he will decide when Commander Lysias arrives. He orders Paul kept under guard with some freedom, allowing friends to care for his needs. Felix and his Jewish wife Drusilla later send for Paul to hear about faith in Christ. When Paul speaks about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix becomes afraid and dismisses him. Felix frequently summons Paul, hoping for a bribe, and this continues for two years until Porcius Festus replaces Felix as governor. Wanting to maintain favor with the Jews, Felix leaves Paul in prison.
22 Felix knew quite a bit about the Way already. He postponed the decision and said, "I will settle your case when Commander Lysias comes down." 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 He told the guard to keep Paul in custody but to give him some freedom and let his friends come provide for his needs. 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 Several days later, Felix arrived with his Jewish wife Drusilla. He sent for Paul and listened to him talk about believing in the Messiah. 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 But when Paul started discussing doing what is right, having self-discipline, and the judgment that is coming, Felix got uncomfortable. "That is enough for today," he said. "I will call for you when I get a chance." 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 The truth was, Felix kept hoping Paul would offer him a bribe. Therefore he sent for Paul so often and kept talking with him. 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 Two whole years dragged by. Then Porcius Festus replaced Felix as governor. Because Felix wanted to stay on good terms with the Jewish leaders, he left Paul sitting in prison. But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.