1.

And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.

Verse 1
Descended; to Cesarea.--Orator, advocate. Tertullus, judging from his name, was a Roman: and he was employed probably on account of his acquaintance with the language and forms of procedure used at the Roman tribunals.
Acts 24:2,Acts 24:3. Contemporaneous history represents Felix as base and tyrannical, though efficient in his government. The obsequiousness of this orator's introduction contrasts strongly with the honest dignity of that of Paul. (Acts 24:10.)

2.

And 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,

3.

We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

4.

Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.

5.

For 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:

6.

Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.

7.

But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,

8.

Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.

9.

And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.

10.

Then 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:

11.

Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.

Verse 11
Twelve days. In carefully reckoning the days enumerated in the course of the narrative, from the time of Paul's arrival at Jerusalem, we make more than twelve, unless we consider the five mentioned Acts 24:1 as commencing, not at the time of Paul's arrival at Cesarea, but at that of his apprehension by Lysias.

12.

And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

Verse 12
This is in reply to the charge made by Tertullus. (Acts 24:5.)

13.

Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

14.

But 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:

15.

And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

16.

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

17.

Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.

Verse 17
After many years; after an absence of many years.

18.

Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.

Verse 18
Purified; engaged in the duties pertaining to ceremonial purification.

19.

Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.

Verse 19
Who ought, &c.; meaning the Jews from Asia who made the original charge.

20.

Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,

21.

Except 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.

22.

And 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.

Verse 22
Having more perfect knowledge of that way. The connection of this expression with the other clauses of the verse is not apparent even in the original.

23.

And 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.

Verse 23
To let him have liberty; that is, not to keep him in close confinement.--To minister--unto him; to attend upon him, and administer to his comfort.

24.

And 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.

Verse 24
Drusilla; the daughter of Herod Agrippa. Felix had enticed her away from her husband, who was still living, as is related by the historians of those times.

25.

And 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.

26.

He 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.

Verse 26
Communed with; conversed with;--intimating to him, in these conversations, that he or his friends, by paying a sum of money, might secure his release.

27.

But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

Verse 27
Into Felix's room; as his successor in the government.