1 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down, with some of the ancients, and one Tertullus an orator, who went to the governor against Paul. 2 And Paul being called for, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: Whereas through thee we live in much peace, and many things are rectified by thy providence, 3 We accept it always and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thanksgiving. 4 But that I be no further tedious to thee, I desire thee of thy clemency to hear us in few words. 5 We have found this to be a pestilent man, and raising seditions among all the Jews throughout the world, and author of the sedition of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom, we having apprehended, would also have judged according to our law. 7 But Lysias the tribune coming upon us, with great violence took him away out of our hands; 8 Commanding his accusers to come to thee: of whom thou mayest thyself, by examination, have knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. 9 And the Jews also added, and said that these things were so. 10 Then Paul answered, (the governor making a sign to him to speak:) Knowing that for many years thou hast been judge over this nation, I will with good courage answer for myself. 11 For thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days, since I went up to adore in Jerusalem: 12 And neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man, or causing any concourse of the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: 13 Neither can they prove unto thee the things whereof they now accuse me. 14 But this I confess to thee, that according to the way, which they call a heresy, so do I serve the Father and my God, believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets: 15 Having hope in God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection of the just and unjust. 16 And herein do I endeavour to have always a conscience without offence toward God, and towards men. 17 Now after many years, I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings, and vows. 18 In which I was found purified in the temple: neither with multitude, nor with tumult. 19 But certain Jews of Asia, who ought to be present before thee, and to accuse, if they had any thing against me: 20 Or let these men themselves say, if they found in me any iniquity, when standing before the council, 21 Except it be for this one voice only that I cried, standing among them, Concerning the resurrection of the dead am I judged this day by you. 22 And Felix put them off, having most certain knowledge of this way, saying: When Lysias the tribune shall come down, I will hear you. 23 And he commanded a centurion to keep him, and that he should be easy, and that he should not prohibit any of his friends to minister unto him. 24 And after some days, Felix, coming with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jew, sent for Paul, and heard of him the faith, that is in Christ Jesus. 25 And as he treated of justice, and chastity, and of the judgment to come, Felix being terrified, answered: For this time, go thy way: but when I have a convenient time, I will send for thee. 26 Hoping also withal, that money should be given him by Paul; for which cause also oftentimes sending for him, he spoke with him. 27 But when two years were ended, Felix had for successor Portius Festus. And Felix being willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
Acts · Douay-Rheims (Challoner), American Edition 1899
Acts 24 Douay-Rheims (Challoner), American Edition 1899
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
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)