Paul’s Accusation Before Felix, 24:1-9.
[1-3] Without delay, the Jews pursued Paul to Caesarea. They hoped to obtain his death. Tertullus was chosen as their advocate. He was a Roman and was familiar with Roman proceedings. This was important since the judgement in Caesarea was in a Roman court.
[4-7] There were three charges against Paul (1) He had caused the Jews in many places to fight. (2) He was leader of a sect called the Nazarenes. Jesus grew up in Nazareth (Luke 2:39-52). (3) He had made the temple unclean. Some manuscripts have part of the last of verse six, all of verse seven, and the beginning of verse eight: “All planned to judge him according to our own law, 7 but the commander Lysias came and, with great violence, took him from us. 8 Then Lysias gave orders that his accusers should come before you.”
[8-9] Tertullus called for an examination of Paul to prove the charges. The Jews joined in to affirm that the charges were correct.
Acts 24:10-21
10 The governor signaled for Paul to speak. So Paul answered, “Governor Felix, I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years. So I am happy to defend myself before you. 11 I went up to worship in Jerusalem only twelve days ago. You can learn for yourself that this is true. 12 These Jews who are accusing me didn’t find me arguing with anyone in the temple. I wasn’t stirring up a crowd. And I wasn’t causing trouble or arguing in the synagogues or any place else in the city. 13 They cannot prove the things they are claiming against me now. 14 However, I will admit this to you: I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the way of Jesus. The Jewish leaders claim that The Way is a ‘sect,’ but I too believe everything which is taught in the law of Moses and everything which is written in the books of the prophets. 15 I have the same belief in God that these Jews have – the hope that all people, good and bad, will be raised from death. 16 This is why I always try to do what I believe is right before God and men.” 17 “I was away from Jerusalem for many years. I went back there to bring money to my people and to give some offerings. 18 I was doing this when some Jews found me in the temple courtyard. I had just finished the cleansing ceremony. No crowd was gathered around me. I had not caused any trouble. 19 However, some Jews from Asia were there. They should be here, standing before you. If I have really done anything wrong, those Jews from Asia are the ones who should accuse me. 20 Ask these Jews here if they found any wrong in me when I stood before the Jewish Council in Jerusalem. 21 I did say one thing when I stood before them: I said, loud enough for all to hear, ‘You are judging me today because I believe that people will rise from death!’ “
Paul’s Defense, 24:10-21.
[10-13] At once Paul began to answer the charges brought against him. As for the charge of causing riots among the Jews, Paul pointed out that he had been in Jerusalem only a week before he was brought to Caesarea. That was not enough time to cause trouble, as they had accused. They could not present any evidence that he had stirred up a crowd in any place. The mob which had been stirred up in Jerusalem was caused by the Jews from Asia, not by Paul.
[14-15] As for the charge concerning the sect of the Nazarenes, Paul admitted that he was a member of “the Way.” The Christians were sometimes called Nazarenes because Jesus was called the Nazarene. Here Paul indicated that Christianity must not be called a ”sect.” The word “sect” implies division, and the church of Christ must never be divided. Christ prayed for the disciples to be one (John 17). Paul pleaded for unity (1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Ephesians 4:1-6). Here Paul spoke of the Way (see also Acts 9:2; 24:22) and readily admitted that he worshipped God. He affirmed belief in the Law and Prophets, which his accusers also believed in. Even his hope of the resurrection was accepted by his accusers, or at least by the Pharisees.
[16] A similar statement brought an end to his speech to the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem (Acts 23:1). Paul was affirming what every man ought to affirm. His aim in life was to do what was right before God and before man. This resolve had led him to follow the Way.
[17-20] He explained why he had visited Jerusalem (Acts 19:21). He had gathered gifts from the Gentiles to present to the poor in Jerusalem. These gifts he brought and then went to the temple to observe the Jewish rite of purification. It was while he was doing this that the Jews from Asia caused trouble. Those accusers were not present in the court at this time. He had not profaned the temple as was charged.
[21] It was really the resurrection of the dead that was the central issue between Paul and the Jews. If there was a resurrection, as Paul affirmed and as the Pharisees believed, then the truth was evident. Christ had been raised from the dead. The claims of Christianity were true. Paul was following the right course.
Acts 24:22-27
22 Felix already understood much about the way of Jesus. He stopped the hearing and said, “When commander Lysias comes here, I will decide on these things.” 23 Felix ordered the officer to keep Paul guarded, but he told the officer to give him some freedom and to let Paul’s friends bring the things that he needed. 24 After a few days, Felix came with his wife, Drusilla. She was a Jewish woman. Felix asked for Paul to be brought to him. He listened to Paul talk about believing in Christ Jesus. 25 However, Felix became afraid when Paul spoke about such things as righteousness, self-control, and the Judgment Day, which will come in the future. Felix said, “Go away now! When I have time, I will call for you.” 26 Felix hoped that Paul would pay him a bribe. So, Felix sent for Paul often and talked with him. 27 After two years, Portius Festus became governor. So, Felix was no longer governor, but Felix left Paul in prison, because he wanted to do something to please the Jewish leaders.
Felix’s Decision, 24:22-23.
[22-23] Felix had a knowledge of Christianity. He realized that the charges brought against Paul were not accurate. He indicated that he was postponing his decision, but his actions showed he favoured Paul’s position. Though Paul was kept in bonds, he had considerable freedom.
Paul Speaks to Felix and Drusilla, 24:24-27.
[24] Drusilla, the wife of Felix, was a daughter of Herod Agrippa I, who murdered the apostle James (Acts 12:1-2, 20-23). She was a sister of Herod Agrippa II. She had been married to another man but had left him. Now she was living in open adultery with Felix.
[25] Paul taught about the Christian way. Felix was afraid. He knew his sin. The knowledge of judgement was frightening. But he was not prepared to repent. His heart was hard, and he sent Paul away.
[26] Felix knew that Paul had brought gifts from the churches to Jerusalem. He may have thought that he could get money from the same source. Such is the thinking of evil men. No doubt Paul could have obtained money and secured his own release. But he knew that would be bribery. Any kind of bribery or other dishonest way is against God.
[27] For two years Paul was kept in prison in Caesarea. Felix kept Paul in prison because he wanted to please the Jews. This was a political motive.
Acts 25:1-12
25 1 So, Festus became governor, and three days later he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem. 2 The most important priests and the important Jewish leaders made charges against Paul before Festus. 3 They asked Festus to do something for them; they wanted Festus to send Paul back to Jerusalem. They had a plan to kill Paul along the way. 4 But Festus answered, “No! Paul will be kept in Caesarea. I myself will go to Caesarea soon. 5 Some of your leaders should go down with me. They can accuse the man there in Caesarea, if he really has done something wrong.” 6 Festus stayed in Jerusalem another eight or ten days. Then he went back down to Caesarea. The next day Festus ordered the soldiers to bring Paul before him. Festus was seated on the judgment seat. 7 Paul came into the room. The Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They said that Paul had done many serious crimes, but they couldn’t prove any of them. 8 This is what Paul said to defend himself: “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law, against the temple, or against Caesar!” 9 However, Festus wanted to please the Jewish leaders. So he asked Paul, “Do you want to go up to Jerusalem? Do you want me to judge you there on these charges?” 10 Paul said, “I am standing at Caesar’s judgment seat now. This is where I must be judged! I have done nothing wrong to the Jews; you know this is true. 11 If I have done anything wrong, and the law says I must die, then I agree that I should die. I don’t ask to be spared from death. But if these charges are not true, then no one can give me to these Jews. No! I want Caesar to hear my case!” 12 Festus talked about this with his advisors. Then he said, “You have asked to see Caesar, so to Caesar you will go!”
Paul’s Trial Before Festus, 25:1-12.
[1-5] Festus was newly appointed to take Felix’s place. To acquaint himself with the office and the provinces, he began to visit many places. He came to Jerusalem and was quickly approached by Jews still wishing to kill Paul. The Jews were making another plan against Paul. They thought they might convince Festus to return Paul to Jerusalem. But Festus was unwilling to move Paul. He suggested that as he would be back in Caesarea soon, they should go there to accuse Paul.
[6-9] Festus set a new trial for Paul. The Jews came up quickly and pressed their charges. But they could not prove the charges. Paul was innocent. Festus was motivated toward acquiring political favour also, wishing to please the Jews. He suggested that maybe Paul should go to Jerusalem. This would please the Jews. But Paul knew the danger in that. He also knew that legally he should not be taken to Jerusalem.
[10-12] Paul said that he was in the proper court. If the Jews could not make their charges here, it was obvious that he was innocent. As was the right of every Roman citizen, Paul appealed to the highest court in the land (Caesar’s). The implication was that Paul was not receiving justice there. Festus was now required to send Paul to Rome, regardless of the appeals of the Jews.
Acts 25:13-27
13 A few days later, King Herod Agrippa II and Bernice came to Caesarea to visit Festus. 14 They stayed there many days. Festus told the king about Paul’s case. Festus said, “There is a man whom Felix left in prison. 15 When I went to Jerusalem, the most important priests and the Jewish elders made charges against him. These Jews wanted me to order his death. 16 But I answered, ‘When a man is accused of doing something wrong, Romans do not give the man to other people to judge. First, the man must face the people who are accusing him. Then he must be allowed to defend himself against their charges.’ 17 Some Jews came here to Caesarea for the trial. I didn’t waste any time. The next day I sat on the judgment seat and ordered that the man be brought in. 18 The Jewish leaders stood up and accused him. They didn’t accuse him of any of the crimes I thought they would. 19 They wanted to argue about their own religion and about a man named Jesus. Jesus died, but Paul said that Jesus is still alive. 20 I didn’t know much about these things, so I didn’t ask questions. Instead I asked Paul, ‘Do you want to go to Jerusalem and be judged there?’ 21 But Paul asked to be kept in Caesarea. He wants a decision from the Emperor. So I commanded that Paul be held until I could send him to Caesar in Rome.” 22 Agrippa said to Festus, “I would also like to hear this man.” Festus said, “You can hear him tomorrow!” 23 The next day Agrippa and Bernice appeared. They dressed and acted like very important people. Agrippa and Bernice, the army leaders, and the important men of Caesarea went into the courtroom. Festus ordered the soldiers to bring Paul in. 24 Festus said, “King Agrippa and all of you men gathered here with us, you see this man. All the Jewish people, here and in Jerusalem, have complained to me about him. They cry out that he should not be allowed to live anymore. 25 When I judged him, I could find nothing wrong. I found no reason to order his death, but he asked to be judged by the Emperor. So, I have decided to send him to Rome. 26 But, I really don’t know what to tell Caesar that this man has done. Therefore, I have brought him before all of you – especially you, King Agrippa. I hope that you will question him, and give me something to write to Caesar. 27 I think it is foolish to send a prisoner to Caesar without making some charges against him.”
Paul’s Case Stated Before Herod Agrippa II, 25:13-22.
[13-22] This Agrippa was the son of the Herod, who murdered the apostle James (Acts 12). Therefore, he was a brother of Drusilla, the wife of Felix. Bernice was also a daughter of Herod. She was at this time living with her brother. Their visit to Caesarea was a political visit to welcome Festus. While they were visiting, Festus explained Paul’s case. After hearing of the charges against Paul and Festus’ judgement, Agrippa requested to hear Paul.
Paul’s Case Publically Stated, 25:23-27.
[23-27] The occasion of Paul’s hearing became one of great political display. Everyone dressed in his finest clothes. There was a great display of marching, and all the important people attended.
Acts 26:1-3
26 1 Agrippa said to Paul, “You are now permitted to defend yourself.” Then Paul raised his hand and began to speak. 2 He said, “King Agrippa, I will answer all of the charges that the Jews make against me. I think it is a privilege that I can stand here before you today and do this. 3 I am very happy to talk to you, because you know much about all of the Jewish customs and issues. Please listen to me patiently.”
Paul’s Defence Before Agrippa, 26:1-30.
[1-3] Paul recognized Agrippa’s knowledge of Jewish affairs. This man had been brought up in the Jewish faith. Paul had reason to hope that he would understand the charges. Lysias, Felix, and Festus had all been unable to do so.
Acts 26:4-23
4 “All the Jewish people know about my whole life. They know the way I lived, from the beginning among my own people and later in Jerusalem. 5 These Jews have known me for a long time. If they want to, they can tell you that I was a Pharisee. And the Pharisees obey the laws of the Jewish faith more carefully than any other group of Jewish people. 6-7 Now I am on trial because I believe in God’s promise which all the twelve tribes of our people hope to receive. For this hope, the Jews earnestly serve God day and night. O King, the Jews have accused me because I hope for this same promise!” 8 “Why do you think it is impossible for God to raise people from death? 9 Even I thought that I must do many things against the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And in Jerusalem I did persecute the holy people. The most important priests gave me authority to put many of these people in jail. When they were being killed, I voted for it. 11 In every synagogue, I punished them. I tried to force them to say evil things against Jesus. I was so crazed against these people that I hunted them down to other towns.” ority to go to the city of Damascus. 13 It was noon, O King. I was on my way to Damascus. I saw a light from the sky. It was brighter than the sun. The light shined all around me and the men who were traveling with me. 14 We all fell to the ground. Then I heard a voice talking to me in the Aramaic language. The voice said, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? By fighting me you are only hurting yourself.’ 15 I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The Lord said, ‘I am Jesus. I am the one you are persecuting. 16 Get up! Stand on your feet! I have chosen you to be my servant. You will be my witness telling people the things that you have seen and the things I will show you. This is why I have appeared to you today. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from non-Jewish people to whom I am sending you. 18 You will show the non-Jewish people the truth. They will turn away from darkness to light, turning from the power of Satan back to God. Then they can receive forgiveness of their sins. They will have a share with those people who have been made holy by trusting in me.’ ” 19 Paul continued speaking: “King Agrippa, after I had this vision from heaven, I obeyed it. 20 First, in Damascus, I began to tell Jews that they should change their hearts. I told them to turn back to God. I also went to Jerusalem and to the area around Judea and I said, ‘Change your lives, and do good things. This will show that you have truly changed your hearts.’ 21 This is why some Jews took hold of me and tried to kill me in the temple courtyard. 22 But God helped me, and He is still helping me today. With God’s help I am standing here today and telling all people, whether ‘important’ or ‘unimportant,’ the things I have seen. I am saying nothing new; I am only saying the same things which Moses and the prophets said would take place: 23 They said that the Messiah would die and be the first to rise from death; and that the Messiah would bring light to Jewish people and non-Jewish people.”
[4-8] Paul told again about his past life and how he had become a Christian, as he had done in chapter twenty-two. He was not a rebel from the Jewish religion. He had been a follower of that religion. But as all Jews knew, they had hoped for the Messiah. Paul discovered that the Messiah had come. He was the Christ. Though the Jews had killed Jesus, God had raised Him from the dead. Since God had done this, there was hope for the resurrection of all people.
[9-15] Before Paul had realized that the Messiah had come, he had done just as many Jews were doing to him. He had opposed Jesus. He had persecuted the followers of Jesus. It was on one such trip to persecute those followers, that the Lord had appeared to him on the road to Damascus.
[16-18] God had especially chosen Paul to witness to the Gentiles regarding salvation through Christ. The Gentiles had been without God and without hope (Ephesians 2:11-12). Christ came to bring them forgiveness. This was the message Paul was to preach. It was the message he did preach, as we have seen in his journeys. What he did on those journeys caused the Jews to hate him. Yet it was not his own choosing; it was the will of God.
Acts 26:19-32
19 Paul continued speaking: “King Agrippa, after I had this vision from heaven, I obeyed it. 20 First, in Damascus, I began to tell Jews that they should change their hearts. I told them to turn back to God. I also went to Jerusalem and to the area around Judea and I said, ‘Change your lives, and do good things. This will show that you have truly changed your hearts.’ 21 This is why some Jews took hold of me and tried to kill me in the temple courtyard. 22 But God helped me, and He is still helping me today. With God’s help I am standing here today and telling all people, whether ‘important’ or ‘unimportant,’ the things I have seen. I am saying nothing new; I am only saying the same things which Moses and the prophets said would take place: 23 They said that the Messiah would die and be the first to rise from death; and that the Messiah would bring light to Jewish people and non-Jewish people.” 24 While Paul was saying these things to defend himself, Festus shouted, “Paul, are you crazy? Too much education has made you crazy!” 25 Paul said, “Most Excellent Festus, I’m not crazy. The things I say are true. My words are not the words of a foolish man; I am serious. 26 King Agrippa knows about these matters. I can speak freely to him. I know that he has heard about all of these things, because these things happened where everyone could see. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe what the prophets wrote? I know you believe!” 28 King Agrippa asked Paul, “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so easily?” 29 Paul said, “It doesn’t matter whether it is easy or hard; I pray to God that not only you, but everyone who is listening to me today, could be like me – except for these chains!” 30 King Agrippa, Governor Felix, Bernice, and all of the people sitting with them got up 31 and left the room. They began to talk to each other. They said, “This man should not be killed or put in prison; he has done nothing that bad!” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “We could have let this man go free, but he has already asked to be judged by Caesar.”
[19-22] When the Lord did appear to him, he was willing to do as he was told. He first began preaching in Damascus After three years, he went to Jerusalem. Then, after a short time there, he went to his own country, Cilicia. His appeal to all people was for them to repent, turn to God, and do good deeds. Though the Jews had opposed him, he was doing only what Moses and the prophets had said would come to pass.
[23] Paul’s teachings concerning the death and resurrection of Christ were a part of the Old Testament prophecy. The prophets had also predicted that the gospel would be preached to the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6; 60:3).
[24-25] Paul was interrupted by Festus. This Gentile could not understand Paul’s reasoning. He knew nothing about the prophets or the Messiah. He saw Paul as a misguided religious leader. He decided that Paul had to be crazy.
[26-27] In response to this, Paul said Agrippa, himself, knew he was speaking the truth. As a Jew, Agrippa understood Paul’s reasoning from the prophets. He should have believed the prophets. If he had, he ought to have become a Christian himself.
[28] Agrippa’s response seemed to be a mild rebuke to Paul for attempting to convert him on this occasion. Since such an attempt did not anger Agrippa, it is likely that he was impressed with Paul’s sincerity and the correctness of his views.
[29] Paul’s response to Agrippa’s statement should be the sincere desire of every Christian. It should be our desire that all people become Christians.
[30] The meeting was concluded. It was admitted that Paul had done no wrong. Paul could have been set free, but because he had made a legal appeal to Caesar, they decided to let the appeal stand. This was God’s providence, for He had already planned that Paul should go to Rome (see Acts 23:11).
Acts 27:1-8
27 1 It was decided that we would sail for Italy. A Roman officer named Julius guarded Paul and some other prisoners. Julius served in the Emperor’s regiment. 2 We went aboard a ship which was from the city of Adramyttium. It was ready to sail for ports along the coast of Asia. Then we set sail. Aristarchus went with us. He was a man from the city of Thessalonica in Macedonia. 3 The next day we came to the city of Sidon. Julius was very kind to Paul. He gave Paul freedom to go visit Paul’s friends who took care of his needs. 4 We left the city of Sidon. We sailed south of the island of Cyprus, because the wind was blowing against us. 5 We went across the sea next to Cilicia and Pamphylia. Then we came to the town of Myra in Lycia. 6 In Myra the Roman officer found a ship from the city of Alexandria. This ship was going to Italy. So he put us on it. 7 We sailed slowly for many days. It was hard for us to reach the town of Cnidus, because the wind was blowing against us. We could not go any further that way. So we sailed past the south side of the island of Crete, near the town of Salmone. 8 We sailed along the coast, but sailing was hard. Then we came to a place called Safe Harbors. The town of Lasea was near there.