Understand every verse you read with Bible Gateway Plus. Read Scripture ad-free and access trusted study tools beside every passage. Try it FREE for 7 days.
Log In/Sign Up

#
Acts 24
New King James Version

### Accused of Sedition

24 Now after (A)five days (B)Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul.

2 And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and [a]prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight, 3 we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your [b]courtesy, a few words from us. 5 (C)For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 (D)He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, [c]and wanted (E)to judge him according to our law. 7 (F)But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, 8 (G)commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.” 9 And the Jews also [d]assented, maintaining that these things were so.

### The Defense Before Felix

10 Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself, 11 because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem (H)to worship. 12 (I)And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. 13 Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. 14 But this I confess to you, that according to (J)the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the (K)God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in (L)the Law and in the Prophets. 15 (M)I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, (N)that there will be a resurrection [e]of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. 16 (O)This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

17 “Now after many years (P)I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation, 18 (Q)in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me (R)purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult. 19 (S)They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. 20 Or else let those who are here themselves say [f]if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council, 21 unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, (T)‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ”

### Felix Procrastinates

22 But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the (U)Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When (V)Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.” 23 So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and (W)told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.

24 And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the (X)faith in Christ. 25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” 26 Meanwhile he also hoped that (Y)money would be given him by Paul, [g]that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.

27 But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, (Z)wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.

#### Footnotes

1. Acts 24:2 Or reforms are
2. Acts 24:4 graciousness
3. Acts 24:6 NU ends the sentence here and omits the rest of v. 6, all of v. 7, and the first clause of v. 8.
4. Acts 24:9 NU, M joined the attack
5. Acts 24:15 NU omits of the dead
6. Acts 24:20 NU, M what wrongdoing they found
7. Acts 24:26 NU omits that he might release him

#### Cross references

1. Acts 24:1 : Acts 21:27
2. Acts 24:1 : Acts 23:2, 30, 35; 25:2
3. Acts 24:5 : Luke 23:2; Acts 6:13; 16:20; 17:6; 21:28; 1 Pet. 2:12, 15
4. Acts 24:6 : Acts 21:28
5. Acts 24:6 : John 18:31
6. Acts 24:7 : Acts 21:33; 23:10
7. Acts 24:8 : Acts 23:30
8. Acts 24:11 : Acts 21:15, 18, 26, 27; 24:17
9. Acts 24:12 : Acts 25:8; 28:17
10. Acts 24:14 : Amos 8:14; Acts 9:2; 24:22
11. Acts 24:14 : 2 Tim. 1:3
12. Acts 24:14 : Acts 26:22; 28:23
13. Acts 24:15 : Acts 23:6; 26:6, 7; 28:20
14. Acts 24:15 : [Dan. 12:2; John 5:28, 29; 11:24]
15. Acts 24:16 : Acts 23:1
16. Acts 24:17 : Acts 11:29, 30; Rom. 15:25–28; 1 Cor. 16:1–4; 2 Cor. 8:1–4; 9:1, 2, 12; Gal. 2:10
17. Acts 24:18 : Acts 21:27; 26:21
18. Acts 24:18 : Acts 21:26
19. Acts 24:19 : [Acts 23:30; 25:16]
20. Acts 24:21 : [Acts 23:6; 24:15; 28:20]
21. Acts 24:22 : Acts 9:2; 18:26; 19:9, 23; 22:4
22. Acts 24:22 : Acts 23:26; 24:7
23. Acts 24:23 : Acts 23:16; 27:3; 28:16
24. Acts 24:24 : [John 3:15; 5:24; 11:25; 12:46; 20:31; Rom. 10:9]
25. Acts 24:26 : Ex. 23:8
26. Acts 24:27 : Ex. 23:2; Acts 12:3; 23:35; 25:9, 14

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

#### Bible Gateway Recommends

NKJV, The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People
Retail: $19.98
Our Price: $13.99
Save: $5.99 (30%)
Buy Now
NKJV, Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, 2nd Edition, Comfort Print: Growing in Knowledge and Understanding of God Through His Word
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $41.99
Save: $18.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NKJV, The Prayer Bible, Red Letter, Comfort Print
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $35.99
Save: $24.00 (40%)
Buy Now
NKJV, Woman's Study Bible, Red Letter, Full-Color: Receiving God's Truth for Balance, Hope, and Transformation
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $34.99
Save: $15.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NKJV, Chronological Study Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New King James Version
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $34.99
Save: $15.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NKJV, Gift and Award Bible, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New King James Version
Retail: $9.99
Our Price: $6.99
Save: $3.00 (30%)
Buy Now
View more titles