- 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.
- 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.
- 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 VERSION
ACTS 24
Read the chapter, follow a linked verse, and continue into related Watchman 33 teaching.
CHAPTER VISUAL
Acts 24 — Paul answers unproved charges, confesses resurrection hope, and reasons of righteousness and judgment while Felix delays and leaves him bound.
About this illustration
The formal hearing and Felix’s later private unease with Drusilla are combined in one tribunal scene. Paul’s custody remains visible but not harsh, and the image does not imply that Felix reaches repentance.
Scripture basis: Acts 24:1–27King James Version · Standardized 1769 text with Strong’s numbering · Public domain outside the United Kingdom
EXPLORE THE MESSAGE
Related Watchman 33 Resources
Archaeological Evidence
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEInscription
Herodian period, first century BC–first century AD
Jerusalem Temple Warning Inscription
Two surviving Greek inscriptions preserve the Temple boundary warning that foreigners must not pass the balustrade around the sanctuary. They make the accusation against Paul in Acts 21 concrete, while leaving Roman enforcement and any link to Ephesians 2 open to interpretation.
Acts 21:27–29 · Acts 24:6 · Ephesians 2:14
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEArchaeological site
Founded approximately 22–10 BC; expanded through Roman and Byzantine periods
Caesarea Maritima Harbor and Herodian City
Excavation on land and underwater reveals the harbor, promontory palace, theater, entertainment district, streets, and water systems that made Caesarea the Roman administrative and maritime center repeatedly used as a setting in Acts.
Acts 8:40 · Acts 10:1–48 · Acts 21:8–16
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEArtifact
AD 54–60
The Procuratorial Coins of Felix and Festus
Small bronze issues dated under Nero materially anchor the administrations of Antonius Felix and Porcius Festus, the successive governors in Paul's Caesarean hearings, while recording neither Paul nor his trial.
Acts 24:22–27 · Acts 25:1–12
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In “Be Ready to Give an Answer,” Pastor Dean Odle calls believers to move beyond receiving the Holy Spirit for personal blessing and become empowered witnesses. Recounting his return to Christ at nineteen, he explains that a fresh awareness of his own former blindness produced an urgent desire to warn family and friends. Acts 1:8 anchors the message: the Spirit gives power to testify about Jesus, and Christians must overcome fear, obey Christ’s commission, and tell others both what Jesus has done and what Scripture says.
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