Acts 24
Summary for Acts 24:1-27: 24:1-27 a Tertullus presented a legal case against Paul in a Roman court on behalf of the high priest (24:1-9 b). Then Paul cheerfully made his defense and defended his faith (24:10-21 c), and the governor adjourned the hearing without a decision and left Paul in prison for two years (24:22-27 d).Summary for Acts 24:1-4: 24:1-4 e Tertullus presented the case for the prosecution, beginning with the customary speech of praise intended to attract the attention and sympathy of the governor, followed by the statement of charges (24:5-8 f).
24:5 g Troublemaker (or agitator) was a charge of political sedition. A Roman court would have taken this charge very seriously (see 16:21 h; 17:7 i; 18:13 j). Similar accusations were made against Jesus before Pilate (Luke 23:2 k, 5 l, 14 m).
• The term cult (or party, or sect) is used here in a negative sense to put Paul’s religion under a pallor of suspicion if not illegality (see also Acts 24:14 n).
24:6 o trying to desecrate the Temple: See study note on 21:28-29.
Summary for Acts 24:10-21: 24:10-21 p Paul’s defense was that (1) he wasn’t in Jerusalem long enough to incite a riot; (2) none of his accusers had ever seen him stirring up a riot; and (3) he worshiped in accord with Jewish law and everything written in the prophets.
24:14 q the Way: See study note on 9:2.
• Paul emphasized his common ground with his Jewish audience, including his worship, belief in the Jewish law, acceptance of the prophets, and hope in the resurrection (24:14 r, 15 s; see 24:21 t).
24:15 u At the last judgment God will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous. Paul kept this final appointment with God constantly in mind (24:16 v). The fear of the “coming day of judgment” unnerved Felix in a subsequent conversation with Paul (24:25 w).
24:16 x Paul stressed that he had acted with a clear conscience (see 20:27 y, 33 z; 23:1 aa; 1 Cor 4:4 ab; 2 Cor 1:12 ac; 4:2 ad; see also 2 Tim 1:3 ae). He had not departed from his Jewish heritage (Acts 24:14 af), and he had no fear of God’s judgment (24:15 ag).
24:17 ah money to aid my people: See study note on 20:1-2; see also Rom 15:25-29 ai; 1 Cor 16:1-2 aj; 2 Cor 9:1-7 ak.
• and to offer sacrifices to God: See Acts 21:23-26 al.
24:22 am Perhaps Felix delayed his decision hoping that Paul would bribe him (24:26 an).
24:23 ao It was in keeping with the proper treatment of a Roman citizen to give him some freedom and allow his friends to visit him and take care of his needs.
24:24 ap Drusilla was the sister of Herod Agrippa II and Bernice (25:13 aq); Drusilla had abandoned her former husband, Azizus the King of Emessa, and married Felix. Drusilla was Jewish, so in forsaking her original husband and marrying Felix she had disregarded God’s commands (Exod 20:14 ar; Deut 5:18 as; cp. Mal 2:16 at; Mark 10:12 au). Josephus criticized her for this (Antiquities 20.7.1-2). Drusilla and her husband were confronted in their conversation with Paul by the prospect of judgment.
24:25 av Paul’s words about righteousness, self-control, and coming divine judgment frightened Felix, who was notably corrupt (24:26-27 aw; see study notes on 23:24; 24:24).
Summary for Acts 24:26-27: 24:26-27 ax Felix kept Paul in custody hoping for a bribe. When this failed and his own term ended, he left Paul in prison to gain favor with the Jewish people.
Summary for Acts 24:27-25:5: 24:27–25:5 ay Felix’s successor was Porcius Festus, appointed by Nero to be governor of Judea about AD 59~62. Josephus describes Festus as a conscientious, honest administrator who was not able to stem the rising tide of Jewish unrest despite his strong action against the party of the Assassins (Josephus, Antiquities 20.8.10; cp. Acts 21:38 az). He resisted the Jewish leaders’ attempt to have Paul’s trial moved to Jerusalem, but he was not immune to their pressure (25:9 ba).
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