Acts · Catholic Public Domain Version
Acts 24 Catholic Public Domain Version
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
Notes on this text (3)
- Esther and Daniel are the Vulgate books (Esther 1–16 with the Greek additions as chapters 10:4–16; Daniel 1–14 with the Song of the Three, Susanna and Bel). Baruch 6 is the Letter of Jeremiah.
- The translator's footnotes, cross-references, chapter summaries and book introductions in the CrossWire module are not shown.
- No imprimatur; single translator.
1 Then, after five days, the high priest Ananias came down with some of the elders and a certain Tertullus, a speaker. And they went to the governor against Paul.
1 After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul.
2 And having summoned Paul, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: “Most excellent Felix, since we have much peace through you, and many things may be corrected by your providence,
2 When 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,
3 we acknowledge this, always and everywhere, with acts of thanksgiving for everything.
3 we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
4 But lest I speak at too great a length, I beg you, by your clemency, to listen to us briefly.
4 But that I don’t delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words.
5 We have found this man to be pestilent, to be inciting seditions among all the Jews in the entire world, and to be the author of the sedition of the sect of the Nazarenes.
5 For 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.
6 And he has even been attempting to violate the temple. And having apprehended him, we wanted him to be judged according to our law.
6 He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him.
7 But Lysias, the tribune, overwhelming us with great violence, snatched him away from our hands,
7 Not in this translation
8 ordering his accusers to come to you. From them, you yourself will be able, by judging about all these things, to understand the reason that we accuse him.”
8 By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”
9 And then the Jews interjected, saying that these things were so.
9 The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so.
10 Then, since the governor had motioned for him to speak, Paul responded: “Knowing that you have been the judge over this nation for many years, I will give an explanation of myself with an honest soul.
10 When 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,
11 For, as you may realize, it has only been twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.
11 seeing that you can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem.
12 And they did not find me in the temple arguing with anyone, nor causing a rally of the people: neither in the synagogues, nor in the city.
12 In the temple they didn’t find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city.
13 And they are not able to prove to you the things about which they now accuse me.
13 Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me.
14 But I confess this to you, that according to that sect, which they call a heresy, so do I serve my God and Father, believing all that is written in the Law and the Prophets,
14 But this I confess to you, that according to 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;
15 having a hope in God, which these others themselves also expect, that there will be a future resurrection of the just and the unjust.
15 having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
16 And in this, I myself always strive to have a conscience that is lacking in any offense toward God and toward men.
16 In this I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.
17 Then, after many years, I went to my nation, bringing alms and offerings and vows,
17 Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings;
18 through which I obtained purification in the temple: neither with a crowd, nor with a commotion.
18 amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil.
19 But certain Jews out of Asia are the ones who should have appeared before you to accuse me, if they have anything against me.
19 They ought to have been here before you and to make accusation if they had anything against me.
20 Or let these ones here say if they have found in me any iniquity, while standing before the council.
20 Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council,
21 For while standing among them, I spoke out solely about this one matter: about the resurrection of the dead. It is about this that I am being judged today by you.”
21 unless 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!’”
22 Then Felix, after having ascertained much knowledge about this Way, kept them waiting, by saying, “When Lysias the tribune has arrived, I will give you a hearing.”
22 But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, “When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case.”
23 And he ordered a centurion to guard him, and to take rest, and not to prohibit any of his own from ministering to him.
23 He 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.
24 Then, after some days, Felix, arriving with his wife Drusilla who was a Jew, called for Paul and listened to him about the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
24 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.
25 And after he discoursed about justice and chastity, and about the future judgment, Felix was trembling, and he responded: “For now, go, but remain under guard. Then, at an opportune time, I will summon you.”
25 As 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.”
26 He was also hoping that money might be given to him by Paul, and because of this, he frequently summoned him and spoke with him.
26 Meanwhile, 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.
27 Then, when two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Portius Festus. And since Felix wanted to show particular favor to the Jews, he left Paul behind as a prisoner.
27 But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
People & places in this chapter
From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.
People
Ananias
The high priest who ordered Paul to be struck on the mouth at his hearing and later went down to Caesarea to accuse him before Felix.
Cited in the guide: Acts 23:2; Acts 24:1
Drusilla
The Jewish wife of the governor Felix who listened with him to Paul speak about faith in Christ Jesus.
Cited in the guide: Acts 24:24
Felix
The governor at Caesarea who heard Paul's case, trembled at his talk of judgment, and kept him in custody hoping for a bribe.
Cited in the guide: Acts 23:24; Acts 24:3; Acts 24:25
Festus
Succeeded Felix as governor, heard Paul's case, and sent him to Caesar after Paul appealed; he was told Paul was beside himself.
Cited in the guide: Acts 24:27; Acts 25:1; Acts 25:12
Tertullus
The spokesman who presented the case against Paul before the governor Felix.
Cited in the guide: Acts 24:1; Acts 24:2
Cross references (25)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Acts 24:11; Acts 23:2; Acts 23:24; Acts 23:30; Acts 21:27
- 2 Proverbs 29:5; Acts 24:26–27; Proverbs 26:28; Jude 16; Psalm 12:2–3
- 3 Acts 26:25; Acts 23:26; Luke 1:3
- 4 Hebrews 11:32
- 5 Acts 28:22; Acts 24:14; Acts 26:5; Acts 21:28; Acts 15:5
- 6 Acts 24:12; John 18:31; Acts 19:37; John 19:7–8; Acts 23:10–15
- 8 Acts 25:15–16; Acts 25:5; Acts 23:30; Acts 23:35
- 9 1 Thessalonians 2:16; Micah 7:2–3; Matthew 26:59–60; Psalm 4:2; Isaiah 59:4–7
- 10 1 Peter 3:15; 1 Samuel 2:25; Acts 18:15; Luke 18:2; Acts 12:17
- 11 Acts 24:1; Acts 21:18; Acts 23:23; Acts 21:26–27; Acts 22:30
- 12 Acts 25:8; Acts 24:18; Acts 28:17; Acts 24:5
- 13 Acts 25:7; 1 Peter 3:16
- 14 Acts 9:2; Romans 3:21; Acts 3:13; Acts 28:23; Acts 24:5
- 15 Daniel 12:2; John 5:28–29; 1 Thessalonians 4:14–16; Revelation 20:12–13; Job 19:25–26
- 16 1 Timothy 1:5; Acts 23:1; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Hebrews 10:22; Romans 2:15
- 17 Galatians 2:10; Romans 15:25–28; 1 Corinthians 16:1–4; 2 Corinthians 8:1–4; Acts 11:29–30
- 18 Acts 26:21; Acts 21:26–30; Acts 24:12
- 19 Acts 23:30; Acts 25:16
- 21 Acts 23:6; Acts 26:6–8; Acts 4:2; Acts 28:20
- 22 Acts 24:6; Acts 18:20; Deuteronomy 19:18; Acts 26:3; Acts 24:24
- 23 Acts 27:3; Acts 28:16; Proverbs 16:7; Acts 24:26; Acts 21:8–14
- 24 Acts 20:21; Galatians 2:16; Acts 16:31; Luke 19:3; 1 John 5:1
- 25 John 16:8; 1 Peter 3:15; 2 Peter 1:6; Acts 10:42; Galatians 5:23
- 26 1 Timothy 6:9–10; Proverbs 17:23; Amos 2:6–7; 1 Samuel 12:3; 2 Peter 2:14–15
- 27 Acts 25:9; Acts 25:14; Acts 12:3; Mark 15:15; Acts 25:1
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
See how much close investigation is made by the many in a long course of time, that it should not be said that the trial was hurried over. For, as the orator had made mention of Lysias, that he took "him away with violence, Felix," he says, "deferred them.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 11 (1889)