Acts 24:22

22 And Felix put them off, having most certain knowledge of this way, saying: When Lysias the tribune shall come down, I will hear you.

Acts 24:22 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 24:22

And when Felix heard these things
Which were said on both sides, both by plaintiff and defendant, the charges brought against Paul, and his answer to them, as a judge ought to do:

having more perfect knowledge of that way;
the Christian religion, which the Jews called heresy, and Paul had embraced; the sense is, either that he had a more perfect knowledge of it than he had before; and by what Paul had said, he saw that it was not contrary to the law, nor had any tendency to promote sedition and tumult; or rather, when he should have more perfect knowledge of this new way, called the sect of the Nazarenes, he would determine this cause, and not before: wherefore

he deferred
them; put them off to longer time, and would make no decision in favour of one side or the other:

and said, when Lysias the chief captain shall come
from Jerusalem to Caesarea,

I will know the uttermost of your matters:
as for the way, or religion of the Christians, he proposed doubtless to consult other persons; and as for the profanation of the temple, and especially about stirring up of sedition, he would inquire of Lysias about that; and when he had got full information of these particulars, then he promised them to bring things to an issue, and finish the cause.

Acts 24:22 In-Context

20 Or let these men themselves say if they found in me any iniquity, when standing before the council,
21 Except it be for this one voice only that I cried, standing among them: Concerning the resurrection of the dead am I judged this day by you.
22 And Felix put them off, having most certain knowledge of this way, saying: When Lysias the tribune shall come down, I will hear you.
23 And he commanded a centurion to keep him: and that he should be easy and that he should not prohibit any of his friends to minister unto him.
24 And after some days, Felix, coming with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jew, sent for Paul and heard of him the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
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