Tertullus Accuses Paul Before Felix
1And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. 2And 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, 3We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. 5For 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: 6Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. 7But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, 8Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. 9And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
Paul Defends His Testimony
10Then 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: 11Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. 12And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: 13Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. 14But 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: 15And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 16And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. 17Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. 18Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. 19Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me. 20Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council, 21Except 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 Holds Paul in Custody
22And 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. 23And 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.
24And 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. 25And 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. 26He 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. 27But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
King James Bible
Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
Tertullus Prosecutes 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 When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that excellent measures are coming to this nation, 3 we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 But, that I don’t delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words. 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 He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him. 7 8 By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.” 9 The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so.
Paul’s Defense to Felix
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 seeing that you can recognize that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem. 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 Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me. 14 But this I confess to you, that after 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 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 Herein I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men. 17 Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings; 18 amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil. 19 They ought to have been here before you, and to make accusation, if they had anything against me. 20 Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council, 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!’”
The Verdict Postponed
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 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 But 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 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 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 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.
Tertullus Prosecutes Paul
1 Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer a named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul.
2 When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to this nation. 3 In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude. 4 But in order not to burden you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.
5 We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, 6 and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. b 8 By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.”
9 The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true.
Paul’s Defense to Felix
10 When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense. 11 You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city. 13 Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.
14 I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, 15 and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16 In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
17 After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings. 18 At the time they found me in the temple, I was ceremonially clean and was not inciting a crowd or an uproar. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia c 19 who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me. 20 Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, d 21 unless it was this one thing I called out as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’ ”
The Verdict Postponed
22 Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.” 23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.
24 After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.” 26 At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.
27 After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
Footnotes:
1 a Or an orator
6 b BYZ and TR include and we would have judged him according to our law. 7But Lysias the commander came with great force and took him out of our hands, 8ordering his accusers to come before you.
18 c Literally from Asia ; Asia was a Roman province in what is now western Turkey.
20 d Or the Council
Tertullus Accuses Paul Before Felix
1And after five days came down the chief priest Ananias, with the elders, and a certain orator -- Tertullus, and they made manifest to the governor the things against Paul; 2and he having been called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, 'Much peace enjoying through thee, and worthy deeds being done to this nation through thy forethought, 3always, also, and everywhere we receive it, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness; 4and that I may not be further tedious to thee, I pray thee to hear us concisely in thy gentleness; 5for having found this man a pestilence, and moving a dissension to all the Jews through the world -- a ringleader also of the sect of the Nazarenes -- 6who also the temple did try to profane, whom also we took, and according to our law did wish to judge, 7and Lysias the chief captain having come near, with much violence, out of our hands did take away, 8having commanded his accusers to come to thee, from whom thou mayest be able, thyself having examined, to know concerning all these things of which we accuse him;' 9and the Jews also agreed, professing these things to be so.
Paul Defends His Testimony
10And Paul answered -- the governor having beckoned to him to speak -- 'Knowing that for many years thou hast been a judge to this nation, the more cheerfully the things concerning myself I do answer; 11thou being able to know that it is not more than twelve days to me since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, 12and neither in the temple did they find me reasoning with any one, or making a dissension of the multitude, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city; 13nor are they able to prove against me the things concerning which they now accuse me. 14'And I confess this to thee, that, according to the way that they call a sect, so serve I the God of the fathers, believing all things that in the law and the prophets have been written, 15having hope toward God, which they themselves also wait for, that there is about to be a rising again of the dead, both of righteous and unrighteous; 16and in this I do exercise myself, to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men always. 17'And after many years I came, about to do kind acts to my nation, and offerings, 18in which certain Jews from Asia did find me purified in the temple, not with multitude, nor with tumult, 19whom it behoveth to be present before thee, and to accuse, if they had anything against me, 20or let these same say if they found any unrighteousness in me in my standing before the sanhedrim, 21except concerning this one voice, in which I cried, standing among them -- Concerning a rising again of the dead I am judged to-day by you.'
Felix Holds Paul in Custody
22And having heard these things, Felix delayed them -- having known more exactly of the things concerning the way -- saying, 'When Lysias the chief captain may come down, I will know fully the things concerning you;' 23having given also a direction to the centurion to keep Paul, to let him also have liberty, and to forbid none of his own friends to minister or to come near to him.
24And after certain days, Felix having come with Drusilla his wife, being a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith toward Christ, 25and he reasoning concerning righteousness, and temperance, and the judgment that is about to be, Felix, having become afraid, answered, 'For the present be going, and having got time, I will call for thee;' 26and at the same time also hoping that money shall be given to him by Paul, that he may release him, therefore, also sending for him the oftener, he was conversing with him; 27and two years having been fulfilled, Felix received a successor, Porcius Festus; Felix also willing to lay a favour on the Jews, left Paul bound.
Paul’s Trial Before Felix
¹ Five days later, the high priest Ananias came down to Caesarea with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor.
² When Paul was called in, Tertullus began his case: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought reforms to this nation.
³ Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude.
⁴ But so as not to weary you, I beg you to hear us briefly.
⁵ We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect,
⁶ and even tried to desecrate the temple, so we seized him.
⁷ But the commander Lysias came and with great violence took him out of our hands,
⁸ and by examining him yourself, you will be able to find out the truth of these charges against him.”
⁹ The other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true.
Paul’s Defense
¹⁰ When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, Paul said, “I know that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, so I gladly make my defense.
¹¹ You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
¹² My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city.
¹³ They cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.
¹⁴ However, I do admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets,
¹⁵ and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
¹⁶ So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
¹⁷ After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring gifts for the poor and to present offerings.
¹⁸ I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance.
¹⁹ But there are some Jews from the province of Asia who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me.
²⁰ Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin—
²¹ unless it is 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.’”
Felix’s Delay
²² Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, 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 but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.
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.
²⁵ As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid 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, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
Footnotes:
24:2: Tertullus opens with flattery, a common tactic in Roman courts, to win Felix’s favor.
24:5: The term “Nazarene sect” was a derogatory label used by Paul’s accusers to suggest that Christians were a dangerous offshoot of Judaism.
24:7: Verse 7 refers to Lysias, the Roman commander who rescued Paul from the mob and transferred him to Felix, but this verse is absent in some ancient manuscripts.
24:10: Paul confidently presents his case, knowing that his actions in Jerusalem were peaceful and lawful.
24:15: The resurrection of the dead was a key belief for Paul, and he uses it to appeal to his fellow Jews, who were divided on this issue.
24:25: Felix’s fear when Paul speaks of righteousness and judgment shows that Paul’s message was convicting, yet Felix delays making a decision, likely because of his corrupt nature.
24:27: Felix leaves Paul in prison for two years, hoping to please the Jewish leaders while delaying any real judgment, showing his political maneuvering.
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