Acts 24 Study Notes

24:16 Paul testified to being a faithful Jew.

24:17 Paul came to Jerusalem to bring charitable gifts and offerings he had collected to aid the church there. This collection is mentioned in Paul’s letters (Rm 15:25-26; 1Co 16:3; 2Co 8:1-9:15; cp. Gl 2:10), but is not emphasized in Acts.

24:18-19 Paul emphasized his state (ritually purified) and the state of the crowd (without any uproar) when Jews from Asia came across him and stirred up trouble.

24:20-21 Paul justly demanded that the Sanhedrin representatives charge him with things they had personally witnessed or heard from him (including talk about resurrection of the dead).

24:22 Felix was familiar with the Way. Some have speculated that he learned of Christianity through his wife, Drusilla, the daughter of Herod Agrippa (v. 24). As procurator for more than five years, he would have had numerous chances to learn this new movement. Felix seemed to acknowledge that Tertullus had not been a faithful conveyor of the facts surrounding Paul’s arrest when he stated that he would wait for the arrival of Claudius Lysias before deciding the case.

24:23 The circumstances of Paul’s imprisonment in Caesarea allowed visits by friends and colleagues. This privilege was likely made possible by his Roman citizenship.

24:24 Felix was interested enough in Christianity that he brought his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish, to hear Paul.

24:25 Paul may have tailored his comments specifically for Felix, whose morals were publicly questioned. For instance, he took Drusilla from her first husband Azizus. Feeling the threat of divine judgment, Felix became afraid and sent Paul away.

24:26 Whatever hope Paul may have held for Felix’s conversion, Felix’s hidden motive for their ongoing discussions was base, illegal, and indicative of spiritual destitution.

24:27 Felix’s immorality is on further display in the fact that he kept Paul imprisoned for two years, even though he did not find that Paul had committed any punishable offense, and then left him in this state when Festus became the new proconsul (ca AD 59).