Acts Chapter 24 Expository Thoughts and Considerations

Verse 1-21 (insert later)

Verse Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. "When Lysias the commander comes," he said, "I will decide your case." There are several ways Felix could have known about Christianity: Through the excellent Roman spy network Through Philip, who had lived at Caesarea for many years Through his wife, related to the Herods Through personal observation

Felix adjourns the proceedings – literally “put them off”. Why is not certain, but we see in the following verses that he had a selfish interest. He uses the desire to hear from Lysias as the reason for postponement – but there is no evidence presented here that he ever sent for him. Basically, Felix is stalling. He does not want to upset the bothersome Jews, but neither does he want a miscarriage of justice against a Roman citizen. He decides to merely keep Paul locked away.

Verse He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs. While Paul is not entirely in prison, he is also far from free. He is placed with “the centurion” – a specific one, yet we don’t know if it is the one accompanying him from Jerusalem, or the one over the Praetorium at Caesarea. He orders a relaxation of usual restrictions to let his “own people” come and care for him.

Verse 24 – Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. Again we don’t know how many days are in a “several” – could have been weeks or more. “Drusilla” is the diminutive form of “Drusus” – who was the sister of Caligula. Herod Agrippa I, named his daughter after Drusus marking his connection with Caligula. Drusilla was about six years old when her father was “eaten by worms”.

She was the sister of Bernice, and of Herod Agrippa II, who become important to Acts 25. Bernice was a rather plain looking girl by historical accounts, while Drusilla was considered to be very lovely. Because of that Bernice often persecuted Drusilla. Supposedly, one of the reason she was unfaithful to her husband Azizus and married Felix was so she could be in a more important station than Bernice.

Verse 24, cont. -- He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. In the Greek, the article “the” preceeds “faith” – so that he came to listen as Paul spoke of “the faith” – signifying doctrine and not “testimony” We get the idea from Luke’s language that at first Felix was willing to listen to Paul concerning Christianity. We also know that Paul preaches to him exactly what he needs to hear to be saved – everything he needs to hear!

Verse 25 – As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you." Paul’s message included the matters of righteousness, self-control and coming judgment. What he says is not recorded, but it is sufficient to frighten Felix. Paul let’s the gospel do its work of conviction. The result is that Felix withdraws rather than repents.

Verse At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. Here we learn the real reason for Felix’ continued fascination with Paul. He is not so afraid of Paul’s preaching that he will not come and listen – but only because he is hoping for a hefty bribe in exchange for a favorable judgment. Paul, of course, will not offer such a bribe. He knows he is where the Lord wants him to be.

Verse 27 – When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison. Dates for this vary, but would have been sometime around 60 A.D. Some scholars who believe Paul wrote the epistle to the Hebrews, place its writing during these two years. I believe Paul wrote Hebrews, but believe its writing to have been later, during the first Roman imprisonment.

Festus tried to correct many of the abuses of Felix, but was only in office for about two years before he died. Felix was recalled as a result of his mismanagement of office. During a particularly difficult uprising between Jewish and Gentile factions, he ordered leaders from both sides flogged. This failed to quell the unrest. During one riot, Felix sent Roman troops, with the result that there was tremendous Jewish bloodshed.

When the trouble continued, Felix sent both sides to Nero to be heard. Some of the principal Jewish leaders in Caesarea went to Rome to accuse Felix. He was defended by his brother, Pallas. He barely escaped being executed because of the influence of his brother upon Nero. Instead he was banished to Gaul where he remained until his death. Drusilla remained by his side, even in his fallen state. To attempt to conciliate his situation with the Jews, he left Paul imprisoned.