Acts 24

1.High Priest Ananias and the Eldest of the people appear with the Advocate Tertullus before Felix against Paul, 5 bring in grievous accusations against him, 10 whereunto Paul makes his defence with confession of his Faith and Religion. 22 Felix deferrs the matter until the coming of Lysias, 23 in the mean time gives Paul more liberty. 24 Paul instructs him and his wife in certain Articles of Faith, 26 and is often sent for by him, in hope to get mony, 27 and left in prison to please the Jews.

1. And five daies after [Namely, after that Paul was brought from Jerusalem to Cesarea: for then these his accusers came thither also, being advised thereunto by Lysias. See v.8.and Acts 23:30, 33.] the high Priest Ananias came down with the Elders, and certain Advocate [Gr. Rhetor, i.e. Orator, Spokes-man, one that is exercised in the art of Eloquence. Namely, he that should be the speaker, whether it was in Greek or Latine] named Tertullus, who appeared before the Governour against Paul.

2. And when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse (him) saying,

3. That we obtain great peace by thee, and that (many) landable services are done to this people [Or and many laudable things, or deeds which are done to this people: wherein he tells the truth in part, but in part seeketh to fatter him contrary to the truth. For Felix had indeed rooted out an Egyptian, and one Eleazar, a notorious deceiver and robber a in the Land of Judea with his company, but on the contrary he had made away their high Priest Jonathan who opposed his unjust dealings, and greatly impoverished the people, and in many things cruelly handled them. See Joseph. Antiq.lib. 20.cap. 5. 6, 7.] by thy providence, most mighty Felix, we accept [that is, acknowledge] altogether and every where with all thankfulness.

4. , But that I may not long detain thee, I intreat (thee) that according to thy moderation, [Or equity] thou wouldst hear us briefly.

5. For we have found this man to be a pest, and one that raiseth uproar amongst all the Jews throughout the (whole) world, and a chief Leader of the sect [or of the heresie] of the Nazarites. [So he calleth contemptuously the Disciples of Christ or the Christians, because he held that Christ was born at Nazareth in Galilee, such as were accounted simple persons, John 1:47.and 7. 41. 52.which name also afterwards was by the Christians themselves given to a certain sect amongst the Christians, who would mingle the ceremonial law with the Gospel; of whom also Cerinthus was an head. See Acts 15:1.]

6. Who also attempted to profane the Temple, [Namely, with bringing in of Gentiles or uncircumcised, although it said contrary to the truth. See Acts 21:28. Notwithstanding he conceals this here, because Felix himself was a Gentile and uncircumcised] whom we took also, and have judged according to our Law.

7. But Lysias the Colonel coming upon us, brought (him) away)away out of our hands with great violence; [Gr.much.]

8. Commanding his accusrs to come unto thee: from whom [Namely, Paul here present. This he saith very impudently, as out of the following defence of Paul it appears] thou thy self, having examined (him) shalt be able to understand all that of which we accuse him.

9. And the Jews also [Namely, of the Council which were there present for to accuse him. These stood to that which was spoken by their advocate] consented to it, [or joined to it also] saying, that these things were so.

10. But Paul, when the Governour had beckoned to him that he should speak, answered, seeing I know that thou hast now many years been judg over this people, [This Paul saith, because Felix had before many years governed a part of the land of Judea, namely, Trachonitis, Gaulonitis and Batanea. See Joseph.de bello Jud.lib.2.cap.11.12.] I answer for my self [or my matters which concern me] the more cheerfully.

11. Seeing thou maist know [Namely, if thou wilt make enquiry of it] that there are no more then twelve daies, [namely, past, of which he had been but seven at Jerusalem, and the other five now at Cesarea, so that in that time he had been able to do nothing that tended thereunto, or that could be obscured, for which they accused him] since that I came up to worship at Jerusalem.

12. And they neither found me in the Temple speaking to any man, [Or disputing against any man] or making (any) insurrection of the people, neither in the Synagogues, nor in the City.

13. Neither can they prove [Gr.establish, or maintain] whereof they now accuse him.

14. But this I acknowledge to thee that after that way [That is, doctrine or manner of worship. He acknowledgeth therefore hereby openly that he is a Christian: but denies that he therefore worships another God then the God of their Fathers, or hath another belief then that which is held forth in the Law and the Prophets: also that in regard, he sets up no new sect, as they accused him] which they call sect, [or heresie] so worship I the God of the Fatehrs, believing all that is written in the Law, and in the Prophets.

15. Having hope in God, which also themselves expect, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, [Namely, in which every one shall be judged according to his doings, ver. 25.] both of the just and of the unjust. [that is, of the ungodly and unbelievers. See Dan. 12.ver. 2. John 5:29.]

16. And herein [Or, in the mean time] I exercise my selfe, alwayes to have an inoffensive conscience, with God, and men.

17. But after many years [Namely, absence from Jerusalem in other lands] I came to give alms to my people, [namely, the poor Jews converted to the Christian siath] and offerings: [whereof see Acts 22:26,and this Paul did to condescend to the weak Christians among the Jews herein, as he also circumcised Timothy for the same reason, Acts 16:3. See hereof also the annot.on Acts 18:18.although both ceased by Christs death. This condescention might continue so long until the Temple and City of Jerusalem were extirpated, and the other Jews were rejected by God in their stiffneckedness, Rom.chap. 11.]

18. About which being sanctified, certain Jews found me in the Temple, not with people nor with tumult,

19. Who ought to be (here) present before them and to accuse (me) if they had any thing against me.

20. Or let these same say, if they have found any unjust thing in me, when I stood before the Councill:

21. Save of this only word [Gr.voyce, i.e.except they counted this word for unjust, &c.] which I cryed standing among them in Councill, but without reason, seeing they themselves have this hope, ver. 15.] About the resurrection of the dead I am this day judged by you.

22. Now when Felix had heard this, he delayed them, saying, when I shall have further knowledge [Or, as having further knowledge of that way, and said] of this way[that is, of thi Religion. See ver.14. And here Felix gives two reasons of his delay: first, that betwixt both he might be able to make further enquiry of the Religion of the Christians, for which they accused him: the other to hear further from Lysias what uproar Paul had made at Jerusalem] when Lysias the Colonell shall be come down, I will take full knowledge of your matters.

23. And he commanded the Centurion that Paul should be kept and have refreshment; [That is, more liberty in his prison] and that he should hinder no man of his [Gr.his own: namely, friends or brethren in the faith; as at Cesarea there was a Churhc long before, as appears Acts 10:48.and 21.8.] to minister unto (him) or to come unto him.

24. And after some daies Felix being come thither with Drusilla his wife. [This was a daughter of that Herod who had caused James to be put to death. Acts 12:1.and the sister of Agrippa of whom is spoken in the two following chapters. A very bold and unchaste woman, who fosook he r husband Aziz the King of the Emesenes, to be the wife of this Felix, who because of her beauty had tempted her thereunto. See Joseph. Antiq.lib.20.cap.5.] which was a Jew, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

25. And as he discoursed of unrighteousness, temperance and (of) the judgement to come, Felix being become greatly afraid [Namely, seeing his conscience convinced him of many wicked deeds committees contrary thereto. See Romans 2:15. 1 Cor. 14. 24.] he answered, For this time go thy way: and when I shall have gotten convenient time, I will call thee unto me.

26. And withal, hoping also that mony should be given him of Paul [Namely, for that he was a covetous man, and knew that Paul was very acceptable to the Christians, who would spare no money to get him released] that he might release him: wherefore also he often sent for him and spake with him.

27. But when two years were fulfilled, [Namely, of his governing over all Judea: or of Pauls imprisonment] Felix got Porcius Festus [namely, who was sent by the Emperour Nero to be governour of Judea in Felix room, because of the cruel dealings of Felix in that Province, and also for making away of many Jews within Cesarea: for which the Jews by certain Ambassadours had complained of him to the Emperour, who put him off from the Government, and would have punished him with death, had not his Brother Pallas deprecated this of the Emperour. See Joseph.antiq.lib.20.cap.7.and Tacit.annal.lib.12.and Histor.lib.5.7.] in his place: [Gr.for a successor, follower] and Felix willing to shew the Jews favour, left Paul in prison.