32 On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle :

33 Who, when they came to Cæsarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him. 34 And when the governor had read

P Felix, the procurator of Judæa under the Roman

the letter, he asked emperor, had read the letter

of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;

35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be १ kept in Herod's judgment hall.

AND after five

a

4 secured in the hall called Herod's hall.

CHAP. XXIV.

days Ananias the a Annas the chief of the Jews (see note [c] Luke high priest descend- iii.) with some others of the sanhedrim, and a lawyer ed with the elders, or pleader named Tertullus, went down all from and with a certain Jerusalem to Cæsarea (see note [c] ch. xviii.) to Felix, lus, who informed and brought in a bill of information, (see Theophythe governor against lact,) accusation or charge against Paul.

orator named Tertul

Paul.

was

2 And when he 2, 3. And when Tertullus was admitted to speak, called forth, he began his plea against Paul with a flattering oraTertullus began to tion to Felix, telling him how happy the Jews had accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee always in every of their cities counted themselves we enjoy great quiet- under his government and managery of affairs, and ness, and that very that they were very thankful to him for it. worthy deeds

are

done unto this nation by thy providence1,

3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou

1 always and in all places, we accept it,πάντοτε καὶ πανταχοῦ, ἀποδεχόμεθα.

wouldest hear us of

thy clemency a few words.

5 For we have 5. This Paul we Jews know to be a dangerous found this man a person, and every where where he comes, he dispestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition quiets the people's minds, and prepares them to comamong all the Jews motions and seditions against the present government, throughout the that of the Romans, (see ver, 18. and ch. xxv. 8,) world, and a ring- and he is a great promoter of the religion of those leader of the sect that are ordinarily called Nazarenes, from Jesus that 6 Who also hath dwelt in Nazareth, (that is, of Christians).

of the Nazarenes :

gone about to pro- 6. And he hath done such things in the temple of fane the temple: the Jews among us at Jerusalem as are absolutely whom we took, and contrary to the laws of our God, (see ch. xxi. 21,) would have judged and we apprehended him, and would have had him according to our law. 7 But the chief Punished so as our law appoints those to be punished captain Lysias came that bring strangers beyond that court of the temple upon us, and with that was assigned them, and separated from the other. great violence took (See Ephes. ii. 14.)

him away out of our

hands,

7, 8. But as we were proceeding against him, 8 Commanding his Lysias, the captain of the temple, or commander of accusers to come the guard of soldiers that guards the temple, would unto thee by ex- not permit us to proceed against him in our court, amining of whom but carried him away with a guard of soldiers, ch. thyself mayest take knowledge of all Xxiii. 10, and cited some of the sanhedrim to come these things, where- hither to thee and accuse him; whom therefore thou of we accuse him. mayest please to examine, and hear what they can 9 And the Jews

also assented, say

say.

ing that these things 9. And the Jews of the sanhedrim that came down,

were so.

ver. 1, confirmed the truth of all that Tertullus had

b given him leave, permitted him to speak,—

10 Then Paul, after pleaded. that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:

c

с

e a ruler, or procurator of Judæa, I do—

II Because that 11. And first, thou mayest please to understand, thou mayest under- that about twelve days since I came up to Jerusalem stand, that there are to keep the feast of Pentecost, a solemn feast of the yet but twelve days Jews there, when by law it is appointed to be kept.

since I went up to

Jerusalem for to

worship.

12 And they nei

ther found me in 12,13. And there I behaved myself very quietly, made the temple disputing no disturbance, raised no sedition; and they that say with any man, nei. I am a seditious person, and raise disturbances wher

ther raising up the ever I come, are not able to prove any thing of this people, neither in nature, but only content themselves with a general the synagogues, nor charge of sedition.

in the city:

accuse me.

13 Neither can they 14. But as for the other part of the accusation, prove the things ver. 5, that I am a great promoter of the sect of the whereof they now Nazarenes, I acknowledge this, that that way of 14 But this I con- worshipping the God of Abraham which Christ hath fess unto thee, that taught, and the Christians practise, which I suppose after the way which they mean by the word sect, or peculiar way of prothey call heresy, so fession or religion, (see Acts xxvi. 5,) is the way that worship I the God I do use; and in doing so, do agreeably to all that is of my fathers, be- written in the Mosaical law and the writings of aulieving all things which are written in thority among the Jews, by which they think themthe law and in the selves obliged:

prophets :

15. And the main part of this is, that there shall 15 And have hope be a life after this, and that all that ever lived here toward God, which they themselves also shall then be judged and rewarded, whether they be allow, that there shall good or evil. And this is no more than these men be a resurrection of themselves, all but the Sadducees, profess to believe the dead, both of and depend on.

the just and unjust.

16 And herein do 16. In this religion and practice I am as careful as I exercise myself, to I can to live blamelessly, and to do my duty in all have always a con- things towards God and man.

and toward men.

science void of of- 17. As for that which they mention of my profanfence toward God, ing the temple, thus it was: Many years after my 17 Now after many conversion to this way that they speak of, I was sent years I came to bring by the pious Jews, &c., of other parts to Jerusalem alms to my nation, and Judæa, with their charity and free-will oblations, and offerings. brought in for the service of God, ch. xi. 30;

18 Whereupon cer- 18. And whilst I was doing thus, some Jews of tain Jews from Asia Asia saw me in the temple, where I was far from found me purified in the temple, neither profaning of it, as was suggested, ver. 6. and ch. xxi. with multitude, nor 23, but was there in such a manner as the law of the

with tumult.

Jews required of me; and they senselessly mistaking, affirmed that I carried Trophimus, a Gentile of Ephesus, into the temple, and so affirmed me to have profaned the temple. But this was a downright falsity, for which there was no other ground of affirming but only this, that he was seen with me in the city, (see ch. xxi. 29). And as I was in the temple without any such company there which might be said to profane it, so it is certain that I was not attended with any number of men that might bring me under suspicion of raising any sedition, ver. 5.

3 sect, alpeow, see ver. 5. and chap. xxvi. 5.

19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me. 20. Nay for all these things I shall make mine 20 Or else let these appeal to these that are here present of their own same here say, if sanhedrim, ver. 1, and desire they will testify, whethey have found any ther, when I was brought before their sanhedrim at evil doing in me, while I stood before Jerusalem, ch. xxiii., I was not dismissed with a good testimony from themselves, ver. 9, viz. that there was 21 Except it be for nothing of moment charged and proved against me; this one voice, that and let them speak, if it were not so.

19. Or if any man living would affirm I had, he ought to come now in open court and testify against me here.

the council,

mong them, Touch

I cried standing a- 21. There is, I am sure, but one thing that can by ing the resurrection any be testified against me from the proceedings of the dead I am there, and that none but Sadducees will lay to my called in question by charge, who are engaged in the maintenance of their you this day. 22 And when Felix own tenets, and that chargeable upon all the Phariheard these things, sees as well as me, viz. my acknowledging another having more per- life after this, ch. xxiii. 8.

4

fect knowledge of 22. When Felix had had this cognizance of the matthat way, he deferred them, and said, ter, and discerned how things stood, he deferred passWhen Lysias the ing any sentence, saying, Concerning Christian religion, chief captain shall whether it were derogatory to the law of the Jews, I come down, I will will determine when I have advised with learned know the uttermost men that know your pretensions, and that concerning of your matter. 23 And he com- the tumult said to be raised by Paul, when Lysias centu- comes, whose testimony will decide it. rion to keep Paul, 23. And he commanded the captain of the guard and to let him have to keep Paul safe, but not as a close prisoner, and liberty, and that he that any that would bring him any relief, or discourse of his acquaintance with him, might freely do it.

manded a

should forbid none

unto him.

to minister or come 24. And Felix' wife being a Jew, when she came, he thought fit to have her present, and sent tain days, when Felix for Paul, and bid him say what he had to say concame with his wife cerning the doctrine or gospel of Christ.

24 And after cer

a Jewess, he sent for

in Christ.

Drusilla, which was 25. And Paul, in a discourse of that subject, inPaul, and heard him sisted particularly on the great obligation that by the concerning the faith law of Christ lay on all men to observe justice between man and man, and to live chastely, either in 25 And as he rea- conjugal or single life, (two virtues contrary to two special vices that Felix was particularly guilty of,) and judgment to and withal of the severe judgment that all men one

soned of righteoustemperance,

ness,

4 he put them off, saying, When I know more exactly the things that belong to this way, and when Lysias the commander comes down, I will determine the business between you, ἀνεβάλετο αὐτοὺς, ἀκριβέστερον εἰδὼς τὰ περὶ τῆς ὁδοῦ, εἰπὼν, Οταν Λυσίας ὁ χιλίαρχος καταβῇ, διαγνώσομαι τὰ καθ' ὑμᾶς. 5 that Paul should be guarded, τηpeîσbai Пavλov. 6 that he should have, ἔχειν. 7 justice and continence, δικαιοσύνης καὶ ἐγκρατείας.

come, [a] Felix trem- day should be called to for their offences in these bled, and answered, and the like kinds. And as he insisted on these Go thy way for this time; 8 when I have three branches of the Christian faith, wherein Felix a convenient season, was so much concerned, he fell a trembling, and I will call for thee. being in pain to hear such doctrine, he broke him off 26 He hoped also abruptly, bidding him depart for that time, and he that money should would find some other season to hear him again.

have been given him

of Paul, that he 26. And being a taker of bribes, (note [a]) he might loose him: hoped that money

wherefore he sent

for him the oftener,

and communed with him.

Festus came

27. And when Paul had remained in custody 27 But [6] after under the time of Felix' procuratorship for the two years Porcius space of two years, Felix was by Nero removed out into of his place, and Porcius Festus succeeded him; and Felix' room : and Felix, willing to shew though Felix had nothing to condemn in Paul, yet, the Jews a pleasure, merely to gratify the Jews at parting, he left Paul in left Paul bound. prison.

NOW when Festus was 1 come into the province, after three days he "ascended from Cæsarea to Jerusalem.

2 Then the high

priest and the chief

CHAP. XXV.

a See note [c] ch. xviii.

bother members of the sanhedrim accused Paul of the Jews informed before him, and besought of him that favour, that he him against Paul, might be sent for to Jerusalem (meaning to lay some and besought him, villains by the way to kill him as he came).

3 And desired fa

vour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.

4 But Festus an

swered, that Paul

that he had left Paul in prison at Cæsarea, ch.

2 should be kept at xxiv. 27, whither he himself would shortly go, and Cæsarea, and that hear the cause betwixt them and him.

he himself would

depart shortly thi

ther.

5 Let them there- d the chief priests, said he, and the rest in aufore, said he, which thority among you, ver. 2, go down with me,

among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wick

edness in him.

8 but I will find a season and call for thee, καιρὸν δὲ μεταλαβὼν μετακαλέσομαί σε. 1 entered upon the government, ἐπιβὰς τῇ ἐπαρχία.

2 was kept, τηρεῖσθαι.

therefore, saith he, the men of power among you, oi obv dvvatol év dμîv, pnol.

3 Let