And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. (Acts 24:25)

At the end of last week’s reading, it came to the attention of the chief captain Lysias that Paul’s life was in danger as long as he was being kept in Jerusalem. As a result, Lysias decided to send Paul to be tried before Antonius Felix, who then held the position as Roman governor of Judea (a post once occupied by one Pontius Pilate). Paul was taken about 50 miles under the protection of darkness to the Herodian fortress named Antipatris, which was almost exactly half-way between Jerusalem and Caesarea. Once in Caesarea, Paul would be tried again before the governor upon the arrival of his accusers from Jerusalem.

Five days after Paul’s arrival, the high priest and elders came to bring their accusations against him, describing him as “a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition” (Acts 24:5). They proceeded then to accuse him of attempting to profane the temple. They then told Felix that Lysias had violently taken Paul from them when they would have judged him themselves (vv 6–7), although Luke’s record plainly shows that the Jewish mob would have murdered him (Acts 21:31, 22:22, 23:10–12). In his defense, Paul pointed out that their charge could not be proven, because (1) he was innocent, and (2) the only evidence they had was hear-say from Asian Jews who were not even present at the hearing (vv 11–19)! Paul argued that the only thing he had done was to preach concerning the resurrection (v 12, cf. Acts 22:6). It was surely obvious to Felix that the Jews had no case against this man, and yet he kept him in chains for the last two years of his rule for no other reason than the fact that he saw that this pleased the Jews (v 27).

To understand Felix’ decision to leave Paul bound, we might need to know some other things about him. Felix was a freed slave who managed to find the favor of Claudius Caesar. Listening to the flattering words at the beginning of the prosecution’s speech (vv 2–3), one might think that he was a worthy ruler, but such could not be further from the truth. Felix was known as an unscrupulous ruler who believed he could commit any crime without danger of punishment. One of his three wives was Drusilla, whom he married to gain the favor of the Jews. She was the wife of the Jewish king Herod Agrippa I, who murdered James and arrested Peter for the Jews’ pleasure (Acts 12:2–3) and was destroyed by God (Acts 12:23). When Paul was given opportunity to appear before this powerful couple, Paul does not plead for his liberty, but again takes an opportunity to preach the gospel to two people who were themselves in captivity to sin. Felix, a man who feared no one, trembled at the preaching of judgment to come, but refused to be set free by the truth. On the other hand, Paul, though bound by a chain for two years, could never be robbed of his liberty!

After reading the text listed below, see if you can answer the following questions.

Non-trivial Questions (Acts 24:1–27)
1. What was the name of the orator selected to bring charges against Paul?
2. Of what faction did this man accuse Paul of being a ringleader?
3. How many days had past since Paul had come into Jerusalem to worship?
4. Besides worship, for what other purpose had Paul come to Jerusalem?
5. What was the name of Felix’ wife?
6. How long was Paul bound by Felix in Caesarea?