Act 24 | LEB | STEP | And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney, a certain Tertullus, all of whom brought charges against Paul to the governor.

Acts 24

Paul Before Felix at Caesarea Maritima

1 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney, a certain Tertullus, all of whom brought charges against Paul to the governor. 2 And when ^{▼▼*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“had been summoned”)} he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, ^{▼▼*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation} saying, “We have experienced ^{▼▼*Here this participle (“have experienced”) and the following participle (“are taking place”) have been translated as finite verbs in keeping with English style} much ^{▼▼Or “many years,” with “years” understood} peace through you, and reforms are taking place in this nation through your foresight. 3 Both in every way and everywhere we acknowledge this, ^{▼▼*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation} most excellent Felix, with all gratitude. 4 But so that I may not impose on you for longer, I implore you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness. 5 For we have found ^{▼▼*Here this participle (“found”) has been translated as a finite verb in keeping with English style} this man to be a public menace and one who causes riots among all the Jews throughout the Roman Empire ^{▼▼Literally “the inhabited earth,” but here this is probably rhetorical hyperbole for the Roman Empire, especially since Felix, the Roman governor, is being addressed} and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, 6 who even attempted to desecrate the temple, and we arrested ⌞him ^{▼▼Literally “whom”}⌟. ^{▼▼Some later manuscripts include the following additional material between v. 6 and v. 8: “and we wanted to judge him according to our law, (24:7) but Lysius the military tribune came and took him from our hands with much violence, (24:8) ordering his accusers to come before you.”} 8 When ^{▼▼*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“examine”) which is understood as temporal} you yourself examine him ^{▼▼*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation} you will be able to find out from ⌞him⌟ ^{▼▼Literally “whom”} about all these things of which we are accusing him.” 9 And the Jews also joined in the attack, asserting these things were so.

10 And when ^{▼▼*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“gestured”)} the governor gestured for him to speak, Paul replied, “Because I ^{▼▼*Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“know”) which is understood as causal} know you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I defend myself cheerfully with respect to the things concerning myself. 11 You can ascertain that ⌞it has not been more than⌟ ^{▼▼Literally “there are not to me more than”} twelve days ⌞since⌟ ^{▼▼Literally “from which time”} I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 And neither did they find me arguing with anyone or making a crowd develop in the temple courts ^{▼▼*Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself} nor in the synagogues nor throughout the city. 13 Nor can they prove the things ^{▼▼*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation} to you concerning which they are now accusing me. 14 But I do confess this to you, that according to the Way (which they call a sect), so I worship the God of our fathers, believing all things that are in accordance with the law and that are written in the prophets, 15 having a hope in God which these men also themselves await: that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. 16 ⌞For this reason⌟ ^{▼▼Literally “by this”} also I myself ⌞always⌟ ^{▼▼Literally “through everything”} do my best to have a clear conscience toward God and people. 17 So after many years, I came to practice charitable giving and offerings to my people, ^{▼▼Or “nation”} 18 in which they found me purified in the temple courts, ^{▼▼*Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself} not with a crowd or with a disturbance. 19 But there are some Jews from Asia ^{▼▼A reference to the Roman province of Asia (modern Asia Minor)} who ought to be present before you and bring charges against me, ^{▼▼*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation} if they have anything against me, 20 or these men themselves should say what crime they found when ^{▼▼*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“stood”)} I stood before the Sanhedrin, ^{▼▼Or “council”} 21 other than concerning this one declaration that I shouted while ^{▼▼*Here “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“standing there”) which is understood as temporal} standing there before them: ‘I am being judged before you today concerning the resurrection of the dead!’ ”

Paul Held Awaiting Trial

22 But Felix, because he ^{▼▼*Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“understood”) which is understood as causal} understood the facts concerning the Way more accurately, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the military tribune comes down, I will decide ⌞your case⌟.” ^{▼▼Literally “the case with respect to you”} 23 He ordered ^{▼▼*Here this participle (“ordered”) has been translated as a finite verb in keeping with English style} the centurion for him to be guarded and to have some freedom, and in no way to prevent any of his own people ^{▼▼This could refer to either friends or relatives} from serving him.

24 And after some days, when ^{▼▼*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“arrived”) which is understood as temporal} Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him concerning faith in Christ Jesus. 25 And while ^{▼▼*Here “while” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was discussing”)} he was discussing about righteousness and self control and the judgment that is to come, Felix became afraid and ^{▼▼*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“became”) has been translated as a finite verb} replied, “Go away for the present, and when I ^{▼▼*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“have”) which is understood as temporal} have an opportunity, I will summon you.” 26 At the same time he was also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul. For this reason also he sent for him as often as possible and ^{▼▼*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“sent for”) has been translated as a finite verb} talked with him. 27 And when ^{▼▼*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“had passed”)} two years had passed, Felix received as successor Porcius Festus. And because he ^{▼▼*Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“wanted”) which is understood as causal} wanted to do a favor for the Jews, Felix left Paul behind ⌞as a prisoner⌟. ^{▼▼Literally “bound”}