rd

Acts 24

10 Paul being accused, answereth for his life and doctrine against his accusers 25 Felix gropeth him, thinking to have a bribe, 28 And after leaveth him in prison.
1.Now after five days, Ananias the high Priest came down with the Elders, and with Tertullus a certain orator, which appeared before the Governor against Paul.
2.And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that we have obtained great quietness through thee, and that many worthy things are done unto this nation through thy providence,
3.We acknowledge it wholly, and in all places, amost noble Felix, with all thanks.
4.But that I be not tedious unto thee, I pray thee, that thou woldest hear us of thy courtesy a few words.
5.Certainly we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world and a chief maintainner of the bsect of the cNazarites:
6.And hath gone about to pollute the Temple: therefore we took him, and would have judged him according to our Law:
7.But the ^chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him out of our hands,
8.Commanding his accusers to come to thee: of whom thou maist (if thou wilt inquire) know all these things whereof we accuse him.
9.And the Jews likewise affirmed, saying that it was so.
10.Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him that he should speak, answered, I do the more gladly answer for my self, forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a djudge unto this enation,
11.Seeing that thou maist know, that there are but twelve days since I came up fto worship in Jerusalem.
12.And they neither found me in the Temple disputing with any man, neither making uproar among the people, neither in the Synagogues, nor in the city.
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 gheresy) so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and the Prophets,
15.And have hope towards God, that the resurrection of the dead which they them selves look for also, shalbe both of just & unjust.
16.And herein I endeavour my self to have alway a clear conscience toward God, and toward men.
17.Now after hmany years, I came and brought *alms to my nation and offerings.
18.*At what time, certain Jews of Asia found me purified in the Temple,
19.Neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
20.Who iought to have been present before thee, and accuse me, if they had ought against me.
21.Or let these them selves say, if they have found any unjust thing in me, while I stood in the Council,
22.Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, *Of the resurrection of the dead am I accused of you this day.
23.Now when Felix heard these things, he differed them, and said, When I shall more perfectly know the things which concern this ^way, by the coming of Lysias the chief Captain, I will decide your matter.
24.Then he commanded a Centurion to keep Paul, and that he should have ease, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister unto him, or to come unto him.
25.¶ And after certain days, came Felix with his wife Drusilla, which was a kJewess, and he called forth Paul, and heard him of the faith in Christ.
26.And as he disputed of righteousness, and temperance, & of the judgement to come, Felix ltrembled, & answered, Go thy way for this time, and when I have convenient time, I will call for thee.
27.He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might lose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
28.When two years were expired, Porcius Festus came into Felix room: and Felix willing to ^get favour of the Jews, left Paul bound.

Notes

3-a.
For Felix by his diligence had taken Eleazarus the captain of the murders, & put the Egyptian to flight which raised up tumults in Judea: for these the orator praises him: otherwise he was both cruel and covetous, read Josephus li 20 Antiq. ch. 11, & 12. and li 2 de bello Judaico ch. 12.
5-b.
Or heresy: for so the wicked termed the true Christian religion.
5-c.
Which taught the people to maintain their liberty against the Romans: and though the accusers approved both this sect and their doctrine, yet to get Paul punished, they seem to condemn it.
7-^.
Or, captain of a thousand.
10-d.
Or, governor: for before this he ruled Trachonites, Batanea, and Gaulantes.
10-e.
So that you art not ignorant of their factions.
11-f.
Not that his purpose was to worship there, but the Jews so found him by the counsel of others for he thought to have won the simple brethren, and to stop the enemies mouths.
14-g.
As the Scribes and Pharisees termed the Christian’s doctrine.
17-*.
Chap 11.29, Rom. 15.26, 2 Cor 9.2.
17-h.
Meaning, that it was a long time since he had been at Jerusalem, which was when he brought alms.
18-*.
Chap 21.27.
20-i.
For his accusers spoke but upon a false report, which these bellows of Satan had blown abroad, and dare not themselves appear.
22-*.
Chap. 23.6.
23-^.
Or, sect.
25-k.
By whose counsel Felix called for Paul.
26-l.
The word of God makes the very wicked astonished, and therefore to them it is the savour of death unto death.
28-^.
Or, to do a pleasure.