PAUL PREACHES TO FELIX
Key verse: 25
NIV
17 “After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor(A) and to present offerings. 18 I was ceremonially clean(B) when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance.(C) 19 But there are some Jews from the province of Asia,(D) who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me.(E) 20 Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin— 21 unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”(F)
22 Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way,(G) adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” 23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard(H) but to give him some freedom(I) and permit his friends to take care of his needs.(J)
24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.(K) 25 As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control(L) and the judgment(M) to come, Felix was afraid(N) and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” 26 At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.
27 When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus,(O) but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews,(P) he left Paul in prison.(Q)
Cross references
- Acts 24:17 : Ac 11:29, 30; Ro 15:25-28, 31; 1Co 16:1-4, 15; 2Co 8:1-4; Gal 2:10
- Acts 24:18 : Ac 21:26
- Acts 24:18 : ver 12
- Acts 24:19 : S Ac 2:9
- Acts 24:19 : Ac 23:30
- Acts 24:21 : Ac 23:6
- Acts 24:22 : S Ac 9:2
- Acts 24:23 : Ac 23:35
- Acts 24:23 : Ac 28:16
- Acts 24:23 : Ac 23:16; 27:3
- Acts 24:24 : S Ac 20:21
- Acts 24:25 : Gal 5:23; 1Th 5:6; 1Pe 4:7; 5:8; 2Pe 1:6
- Acts 24:25 : Ac 10:42
- Acts 24:25 : Jer 36:16
- Acts 24:27 : Ac 25:1, 4, 9, 14
- Acts 24:27 : Ac 12:3; 25:9
- Acts 24:27 : Ac 23:35; 25:14
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
17 Now (A)after several years (B)I came to bring alms to (C)my nation and to present (D)offerings. 18 While I was doing this, they found me (E)purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But (F)some Jews from Asia— 19 (G)they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. 20 Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, 21 other than this one thing (H)that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”
Paul Kept in Custody
22 But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of (I)the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion that he (J)should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that (K)none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.
24 After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about (L)faith (M)in Christ Jesus. 25 And as he reasoned (N)about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. (O)When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” 26 At the same time he hoped (P)that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. 27 When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius (Q)Festus. And (R)desiring to do the Jews a favor, (S)Felix left Paul in prison.
Read full chapterCross references
- Acts 24:17 : [ch. 20:31]
- Acts 24:17 : Rom. 15:25-28, 31; 1 Cor. 16:1-3; 2 Cor. 8:1-4; 9:1, 2, 12; [Gal. 2:10]
- Acts 24:17 : ch. 26:4; 28:19
- Acts 24:17 : [ver. 11; ch. 20:16]
- Acts 24:18 : ch. 21:26; 26:21
- Acts 24:18 : ch. 21:27
- Acts 24:19 : See ch. 23:30
- Acts 24:21 : See ch. 23:6
- Acts 24:22 : ver. 14; See ch. 9:2
- Acts 24:23 : [ch. 28:16]
- Acts 24:23 : [ch. 27:3]
- Acts 24:24 : See ch. 20:21
- Acts 24:24 : Gal. 2:16; [Rom. 3:24]
- Acts 24:25 : [Titus 2:12, 13]
- Acts 24:25 : ch. 17:32; [2 Tim. 4:2]
- Acts 24:26 : [ver. 17]
- Acts 24:27 : ch. 25:1; 26:24
- Acts 24:27 : ch. 25:9; [ch. 12:3; Mark 15:15]
- Acts 24:27 : ch. 25:14; See Luke 21:12
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. Because of the resurrection (17-23)
Paul was innocent of the charges brought against him. He had done one thing that caused a disturbance: He had shouted to the Sanhedrin that he was on trial because of his faith in the resurrection. Felix knew that this was not a crime. He knew about Jesus and wanted to hear more, so he postponed the trial and kept Paul in prison, but gave him some freedom. He permitted his friends to visit him.
2. Don't call me; I'll call you (24-27)
Felix and his Jewish wife listened to Paul speak about faith in Jesus. He liked to hear about Jesus, but he didn't like to hear about righteousness, self-control or the coming judgment. He didn't want to repent, so he was afraid. He told Paul to leave--he would send for him at a more convenient time. He did not accept God's word, so he looked for some small material benefit from Paul. Paul gave him no bribe.
Prayer: Lord, help me to repent before your word each time I hear it.
One Word: Don't put it off--repent!
