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.
Ananias . See note on Acts 23:2 .
descended = came down.
the = certain. Greek. tis . App-123 .
elders . See App-189 .
certain . Greek. tis , as above.
orator = advocate. Greek. rhet o r . Only here. The adverb, in 1 Timothy 4:1 (expressly).
who . Plural, referring to the Jews (Acts 24:9 ) as well as their spokesman.
informed . Greek. emphanizo. App-106 .
governor . See note on Acts 23:24 .
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,
accuse . Greek. kategoreo. See note on Acts 22:30 .
Seeing . . . enjoy = Obtaining (as we do). Greek. tun chano, to obtain, (intr.) to happen. See note on Acts 19:11 .
by = through. Greek. dia App-104 .Acts 24:1 .
great quietness . Literally much peace (Greek. eirene) .
very worthy deeds . Greek. katorthoma, but the texts read diorthoma. Only here. The words are from orthos (See Acts 14:10 ), and the former means "a right action", the latter, "an amelioration" or "reform".
unto = to.
nation . Greek. ethnos.
providence = provident care, or foresight. Greek. pronoia. Only here and Romans 13:14 .
3.
We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
accept = receive. Greek. apodechomai. See note on Acts 2:41 .
always = in every case. Greek. pante . Only here.
in all places = everywhere. Greek. pantachou.
most noble. Same as "most excellent", in Acts 23:26 .
thankfulness . Greek. eucharistia. In the other fourteen occurances rendered "thanksgiving", "thanks", or "giving of thanks".
4.
Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
Notwithstanding = But.
that = in order that. Greek. hina .
be . . . tedious unto = hinder. Greek. enkopto. Occ here, Romans 15:22 .Galatians 1:5 , Galatians 1:7 . 1 Thessalonians 2:18 . 1 Peter 3:7 .
further . Literally for (Greek. epi . App-104 ) more (time).
pray . Greek. parakaleo. App-134 .
that thou wouldest = to.
of = in. Dative case.
clemency . Greek. epieikia. Only here and 2 Corinthians 10:1 .
a few words = concisely. Greek. suntomos. Only here. A medical word.
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:
pestilent. Greek. loimos, a plague. Occurs elsewhere. Matthew 24:7 . Luke 21:11 .
a mover of = stirring up.
sedition . Greek. stasis . See note on Acts 15:2 . The texts read "seditions".
among . Dative case.
throughout . Greek. kata . App-104 .
world . Greek. oikoumene. App-129 .
ringleader . Greek. Greek. protostates. Only here.
sect . Greek. hairesis . See note on Acts 5:17 .
Nazarenes . Compare Acts 6:14 . Only here is the term applied to believers. The Jews would not call them Christians (Acts 11:26 ), as that was derived from the word for Messiah; so Tertullus was instructed to call them Nazarenes. Compare Acts 22:8 .
6.
Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
also . This should follow "temple".
hath gone about = attempted. Same as "assayed" (Acts 16:7 ).
profane = pollute. Greek. bebeloo. See note on Matthew 12:5 , the only other occurances.
temple . Greek. hieron. See note on Matthew 23:16 .
took = seized also.
and would have, &c . These words and Acts 24:7 and Acts 24:8 , as far as "unto thee", are omitted by the texts, but not by the Syriac. Dean Alford puts the words in brackets and declares himself at a loss to decide respecting them, it being inexplicable that Tertullus should have ended so abruptly.
would have judged = purposed (Greek. ethelo . App-102 .) to judge.
judged . Greek. krino . App-122 .
7.
But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,
chief captain . See note on Acts 21:31 .
violence . Greek. bia. See note on Acts 5:26 .
out of . Greek. ek . App-104 .
8.
Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
Commanding = Having commanded. Lysias had done this after he had sent Paul to Caesarea to escape the plot. Hence the bitterness of the Jews against him. It is one of the strongest grounds for the retention of these verses.
accusers . Greek. kategoros. See note on Acts 23:30 .
examimng = having examined. Greek. anakrino. App-122 .
mayest = wilt be able to.
take knowledge = know fully. Greek. epiginosko. App-132 .
of = concerning. Greek. peri . App-104 .
9.
And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
assented = agreed. Greek. suntithemi. See note on Acts 23:20 .
saying = affirming. Greek. phasko. Only here; Acts 25:13 .Romans 1:22 .Revelation 2:2 .
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:
Then = And.
after that, &c . Literally the governor having nodded. See note on John 13:24 .
answered . Greek. apokrinomai. App-122 .
Forasmuch as, &c . = Knowing (as I do).
know . Greek. epistamai. App-132 .
many years . About seven; i.e. since A.D. 52.
judge . See note on Acts 18:15 .
the more cheerfully . Greek. euthumoteron. Only here. The texts read the adverb euthumos. Compare Acts 27:22 , Acts 27:36 .
answer . Greek. apologeomai. See note on Acts 19:33 .
for, &c. = in regard to the things concerning (Greek. peri . App-104 .) myself.
11.
Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
mayest = canst.
understand . Greek. ginosko. App-132 , but the texts read epiginosko.
yet but = not (Greek. ou. App-105 .) more than.
twelve days: i.e. since Acts 21:17 .
since = from (Greek. apo. App-104 .) which.
to . Greek. en , but the texts read eis , unto.
for . Omit.
worship . Greek. pr oskuneo. App-137 .
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:
neither . Greek. oute.
in, in. Greek. en . App-104 .
disputing . Greek. dialegomai. See note o Acts 17:2 .
any man = any one. Greek. tis . App-123 .
neither = or.
raising up the people = making up a seditious gathering (Greek. episustasis. Only here and 2 Corinthians 11:28 ) of the multitude (Greek. ochlos) .
neither . . . nor . Greek. oute . . . oute.
synagogues App-120 .
in = throughout. Greek. kata . App-104 .
13.
Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
prove . Same as "shew" (Acts 1:3 ). Here = demon-strate.
whereof = concerning (Greek. peri . App-104 .) which.
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:
after = according to. Greek. kata. App-104 . the way. See note on Acts 9:2 .
heresy . Same word as "sect", Acts 24:5 .
worship . Greek. latreuo. App-137 .
God . App-98 .
of my fathers . Greek. patroos. See note on Acts 22:6 .
believing . Greek. pisteuo. App-150 .
are = have been.
in = according to. Greek. kata , as above.
prophets . App-189 .
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.
And have = Having.
toward . Greek. eis . App-104 .
allow = look for. Greek. prosdechomai. See note on Acts 23:21 .
resurrection . Greek. anastasis. App-178 .
of the dead. App-139 ., but the texts omit, not the Syriac.
the just = righteous. Greek. dikaios. App-191 .
unjust = unrighteous. Greek. adikos. Four times translated "unrighteous"; eight times "unjust". Compare App-128 .
16.
And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
herein = in (Greek. en. App-104 .) this.
exercise . Greek. eskeo, to practise as an art, used of the healing art in medical writings. Only here.
conscience . Compare Acts 23:1 .
void of offence . Greek. aproskopos. The verb proskopto means to stumble, and this adjective here means "without stumbling", while in the other two ooc, 1 Corinthians 10:32 .Philippians 1:1 , Philippians 1:10 , it means "not causing to stumble".
toward . Greek. pros. App-104 .
men . Greek. anthropos. App-123 .
17.
Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
many . Literally more. It was about five years since his previous visit. See App-180 .
alms . See note on Acts 3:2 .
offerings . Greek. prosphora. See note on Acts 21:26 .
18.
Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
Whereupon = In (Greek. en) which, i.e. while engaged in the offerings.
purified . Greek. hagnizo. See note on Acts 21:24 , Acts 21:26 .
neither = not. Greek. ou. App-105 .
multitude = crowd. Greek. ochlos , as in Acts 24:12 .
nor . Greek. oude.
tumult . Same as "uproar", Acts 20:1 . A Latin MS. of the thirteenth century adds "And they laid hands on me, crying, Away with our enemy".
19.
Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
before . Greek. epi . App-104 .
object = accuse, as in Acts 24:2 .
20.
Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,
if . The texts omit.
any = what.
evil doing . Greek. adikema. App-128 .
council . Greek. sunedrion. See note on 2 John 1:11; 2 John 1:11 :47 .
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.
voice = utterance. Greek. phone.
among . Greek. en . App-104 .
Touching = Concerning. Greek. peri . App-104 .
called in question = judged. Greek. krino. App-122 .
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.
And = Now.
when, &c . = Felix, having heard.
having, &c . = knowing (Greek. oida. App-132 . ) more perfectly, or accurately. Greek. akribesteron. See note on Acts 18:26 ; Acts 23:15 .
deferred . Greek. anaballo . Only here. Compare Acts 25:17 . Much used in medical works.
comedown. Same as "descended", Acts 24:1 .
know the uttermost, &c . Literally investigate thoroughly (Greek. diaginosko, as in Acts 23:15 ) the things referring to (Greek. kata . App-104 .) you.
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.
commanded. Greek. diatasso. See Acts 7:44 .
a = the. Probably the one who had come with him.
centurion . Greek. hekatontarches. See Acts 10:1 .
keep . Greek. tereo . See Acts 16:23 and John 17:6 .
Paul . The texts read "him".
liberty = relaxation. Greek. anesis. Occurs here; 2 Corinthians 2:13 ; 2Co 7:5 ; 2 Corinthians 8:13 . 2 Thessalonians 1:7 . Compare the verb aniemi, Acts 16:26 .
none = no one. Greek. medeis.
his acquaintance = his own (people).
minister . App-190 . See Acts 13:36 .
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.
Drusilla . App-109 . She was the daughter of Herod Agrippa I, and had left her first husband, Azizus, king of Emesa, and married Felix. It was no doubt through her that Felix had his knowledge of "the Way" (Acts 24:22 ).
sent for. Greek. metapempo. App-174 . See note on Acts 10:5 .
concerning . Greek. peri . App-104 .
faith . Greek. pistis . App-150 .
in = towards, or with regard to. Greek. eis . App-104 .
Christ . The texts add "Jesus". App-98 .
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.
reasoned . Greek. dialegomai. See Acts 17:2 .
righteousness . Greek. dikaiosune. See App-191 .
temperance = self-control. Greek. enkrateia. Only here; Galatians 1:5 , Gal 1:23 . 2 Peter 1:6 . The adjective enkrates only in Titus 1:8 and the kindred verb only in 1 Corinthians 7:9 ; 1 Corinthians 9:25 .
judgment . Greek. krima. App-177 .
trembled and = having become terrified. Greek. emphobos. See Acts 10:4 .
for this time = for the present.
have . Greek. metalambano, to partake of, or obtain a share of. Occurances, Acts 2:46 (eat); Acts 27:33 . 2 Timothy 2:6 . Hebrews 6:7 ; Hebrews 12:10 .
convenient season = season, or opportunity. Greek. kairos. Compare Galatians 1:6 , Galatians 1:10 Hebrews 11:15 .
call for . Greek. metakaleo. See Acts 7:14 . The season never came for hearing what Paul had to teach, though he found opportunity to see if he could get a bribe.
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.
should = would.
him . Omit.
of = by. Greek. hupo , as in Acts 24:21 . t
hat . . . him . The texts omit.
wherefore . Add "also".
the oftener. Greek. puknoteron. Comp of puknos, the neut. being used adverbially. See Luke 5:33 . Add "also".
communed = was communing, or used to talk. Greek. homileo. See Acts 20:11 .
27.
But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
after two years. Literally a space of two years (Greek. dietia, only here and Acts 28:30 ) having been fulfilled (Greek. pleroo. App-125 .)
Porcius, &c. Literally Felix received Porcius Festus as successor (Greek. diadochos. Only here. Compare the verb in Acts 7:45 ).
willing = wishing. Greek. thelo . App-102 .
shew = lay up with the Jews. Greek. katatithemi, to deposit. Here; Acts 25:9 . Mark 15:46 .
pleasure . Greek. charis. App-184 .