Acts 24 24

Acts 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.

Acts 24:24 nkjv

And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

Acts 24:24 niv

Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.

Acts 24:24 esv

After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.

Acts 24:24 nlt

A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus.

Acts 24 verses

Acts 24 24 Meaning

Paul, after his hearing before Felix, is summoned again. This verse marks a significant interaction with King Agrippa II, who, along with Bernice, comes to Caesarea to pay their respects to the new governor Festus. Agrippa, intrigued by Paul's case, expresses a desire to hear him. Festus, seeking to appease the Jews and potentially gain favor, agrees. The verse highlights the political maneuvering and the king's curiosity, setting the stage for Paul's powerful defense.

Acts 24 24 Context

The immediate context is Paul's ongoing trial, first before Felix and now before Festus. Festus, the new Roman governor of Judea, inherited Paul's case and finds himself in a difficult position, caught between Roman legal principles and the persistent accusations of the Jewish leaders. He holds a hearing in Caesarea, where Paul appeals to Caesar. While Festus considers how to present the case, King Agrippa II and his sister Bernice visit Caesarea. Agrippa, who has jurisdiction over Jewish religious matters, is particularly interested in hearing Paul. This verse signifies the shift in audience and the specific legal and political setting for Paul's subsequent defense before Agrippa. The historical backdrop involves Roman rule in Judea, the role of local client kings like Agrippa, and the complex relationship between Roman authority and Jewish religious expectations.

Acts 24 24 Word Analysis

• "When Agrippa and Bernice came": Refers to King Agrippa II, a Jewish client king of Rome, and his sister Bernice. Their arrival signifies an elevation of the judicial proceedings, bringing in royalty.
• "to Caesarea": The location where the Roman governors resided and held court. It was a Roman administrative center.
• "to pay their respects": A polite and formal diplomatic visit by the royal siblings to the new Roman governor, Festus.
• "to Festus": The Roman governor of Judea, successor to Felix.
• "After they had been there some days": Indicates a period of transition and acclimatization for Festus, allowing for initial discussions about Paul's case to occur.
• "Festus laid Paul’s case before the king": Festus, possibly seeking guidance or wanting to delegate, presented the details of Paul’s charges and appeal to Agrippa. This shows the unusual nature of the trial, involving both Roman and royal jurisdictions.
• "saying, 'There is here a man": Festus’s initial characterization of Paul, suggesting a specific case under consideration.
• "left behind by Felix": Refers to Paul's imprisonment that continued from the previous administration under Felix.
• "when I was in Jerusalem": Festus points to the origins of the charges that brought Paul before him.
• "the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me": Identifies the primary accusers.
• "asking for a judgment against him": Outlines the request made by the Jewish authorities.
• "To which I answered": Festus recounts his initial response to the accusers.
• "It is not Roman custom": Highlights that Festus operated within the framework of Roman law and procedure.
• "to give up any man": Roman law generally did not allow for the summary handover of an accused individual to accusers.
• "before that the accused has met his accusers face to face": Roman legal procedure demanded an opportunity for the accused to confront their accusers.
• "and has been given an opportunity to defend himself concerning the charge": Emphasizes the right to a defense.
• "So when they came here": Festus recounts bringing the case to Caesarea.
• "I made no delay, but on the next day": Demonstrates Festus's promptness in addressing the legal proceedings once the case was in his jurisdiction.
• "sat on the judgment seat": Refers to the official platform from which the governor conducted legal hearings.
• "and commanded that the man be brought": An order for Paul’s presence.
• "When the accusers stood up": The Jewish leaders present to formally state their case.
• "they brought no charges": This is a crucial point; despite their earlier demands, they presented no specific evidence or formal indictment at this hearing.
• "of any sort that I had expected": Festus's surprise at the lack of substantive accusations, indicating he may have anticipated more serious claims.
• "but had certain questions against him": This describes the nature of their "charges"—they were more like theological disputes or points of contention than legal offenses.
• "concerning their own religion": Acknowledges the religious nature of the conflict.
• "and concerning a certain Jesus": Identifies the central figure of the dispute, Jesus, whom Paul proclaimed.
• "who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive": Captures the essence of the Christian message: the resurrection of Jesus. This was the core issue from the Jewish leaders' perspective.
• "Uncertain as to how to investigate such questions": Festus admits his lack of knowledge and expertise in Jewish theological matters.
• "I asked whether he wished to go to Jerusalem": A potential Roman legal compromise, offering to hold the trial in Jerusalem, the heart of the Jewish religious disputes, or to appease the accusers.
• "to be tried there concerning these charges": The proposed location for further proceedings.
• "But when Paul had appealed": This refers to Paul’s previous appeal to Caesar, a crucial legal act that removed the case from Festus's final jurisdiction.
• "to be kept until his case could be heard by the emperor": The consequence of Paul's appeal – he must await judgment in Rome.
• "I ordered him to be held": Festus acknowledges his obligation to uphold Paul's appeal.
• "and brought here": Referring to Caesarea, where Festus now holds court.

Acts 24 24 Bonus Section

The core of the conflict, as articulated by Festus, is the Jewish leaders' inability to present verifiable charges against Paul under Roman law. Their "questions" pertain to their religion and, specifically, the belief in the resurrection of Jesus, which Paul passionately advocates. Festus’s acknowledgment that he is "uncertain as to how to investigate such questions" highlights the cultural and religious chasm. His offer to send Paul to Jerusalem reveals a willingness to defer to Jewish authority on religious matters, but Paul's appeal to Caesar supersedes this. This scenario underscores how early Christianity, by its very nature of proclaiming a resurrected Messiah, inevitably clashed with existing religious and legal systems. The case reveals the tension between Roman legal process and Jewish religious law, with Paul caught in the middle. Agrippa's presence and interest are providential, providing Paul with a grand platform for his Gospel message, ultimately extending beyond the immediate courtroom to fulfill God's larger purposes for him to testify in Rome.

Acts 24 24 Commentary

Festus, a Roman governor, finds himself facing a peculiar legal situation concerning the Apostle Paul. The Jewish authorities, Paul's accusers, have presented no substantial charges that fit within Roman legal frameworks. Instead, their grievances stem from theological disputes surrounding Jesus and the resurrection. Festus, unfamiliar with such matters and perhaps annoyed by the lack of clear accusations, mentions his readiness to send Paul to Jerusalem for further questioning. However, Paul, having previously appealed to Caesar, prevents this. Festus then reports this to King Agrippa II, who, intrigued by the religious and unusual nature of the case, expresses a desire to hear Paul himself. This sets the scene for a critical turning point, where Paul will have an opportunity to present his defense directly to royalty.