22But Felix, knowing more accurately about the Way, postponed them, saying, 'When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.' [24:23] He ordered the centurion to keep Paul in custody but to allow him some freedom and not to prevent any of his friends from attending to his needs. [24:24] After some days, Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. [24:25] As Paul discussed righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, 'Go away for now; when I have an opportunity, I will summon you.' [24:26] At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would give him money, so he sent for him frequently and conversed with him. [24:27] When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Wanting to grant a favor to the Jews, Felix left Paul in prison.
ACT 24:22-27
The Verdict Postponed
In the world it was spoken into
In Acts 24:22-27, Felix, the Roman procurator of Judea, postpones judgment on Paul, reflecting the Roman legal system's reliance on procedural delays and political maneuvering. Felix’s familiarity with 'the Way' suggests he was aware of early Christian teachings, which were often viewed as a Jewish sect or a novel religious movement. His decision to grant Paul (relaxed custody) aligns with Roman practices of leniency toward prisoners of higher status or those with influential connections. Felix’s summoning of Paul to speak before him and his wife Drusilla, a Jewish Herodian princess, underscores the Roman elite’s curiosity about religious and philosophical debates. Paul’s discourse on righteousness, self-control, and (divine judgment) would have resonated with Stoic ideals of moral virtue while challenging Felix’s personal conduct. Felix’s hope to receive (favor) from Paul or the Jewish leaders reveals the Roman patronage system, where political alliances were often secured through favors and concessions.
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How other translations render this
ACT 24:22
- KJV
- And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.
- BSB
- Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.”
- Koinōnos
- But Felix, knowing more accurately about the Way, postponed them, saying, 'When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.
ACT 24:23
- KJV
- And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.
- BSB
- He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.
- Koinōnos
- He ordered the centurion to keep Paul in custody but to allow him some freedom and not to prevent any of his friends from attending to his needs.
ACT 24:24
- KJV
- And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
- BSB
- After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.
- Koinōnos
- After some days, Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.
ACT 24:25
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.”
- Koinōnos
- As Paul discussed righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, 'Go away for now; when I have an opportunity, I will summon you.
ACT 24:26
- KJV
- He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
- BSB
- At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.
- Koinōnos
- At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would give him money, so he sent for him frequently and conversed with him.
ACT 24:27
- KJV
- But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
- BSB
- After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
- Koinōnos
- When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Wanting to grant a favor to the Jews, Felix left Paul in prison.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
ACT 24:22
- concerning:The word translated 'concerning' here literally means 'the way' or 'the road.' In this context, it refers to a particular way of life or a specific teaching, often used to describe the early Christian movement.
ACT 24:23
- to [let him] have:The term used here for 'to let him have' implies a sense of relief or relaxation from tension or constraint. It suggests giving Paul a measure of freedom or alleviation from strict imprisonment.
ACT 24:25
- judgment:The word translated 'judgment' refers to a judicial decision or verdict, but it also carries the sense of the process of judgment itself, including the consequences that follow.
ACT 24:27
- to acquire for himself:The phrase translated 'to acquire for himself' suggests an action taken for one's own benefit or advantage, often implying a desire to gain favor or make a profit.