Acts 24 27

Acts 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.

Acts 24:27 nkjv

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

Acts 24:27 niv

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.

Acts 24:27 esv

When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

Acts 24:27 nlt

After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.

Acts 24 verses

Acts 24 27 Meaning

Acts 24:27 describes a change in Roman administration in Judea and reveals the unjust motivation behind Paul's prolonged imprisonment. After two full years, the procurator Felix was replaced by Porcius Festus. Driven by a desire to gain favor with the Jewish leaders, Felix deliberately chose to leave Paul in prison, despite knowing Paul's innocence and having heard his defense. This act reflects Felix's political expediency and moral failure over justice.

Acts 24 27 Context

Acts 24:27 marks a critical turning point in Paul's journey. Previously, Paul had presented a powerful defense before Felix, Drusilla, and Tertullus (Acts 24:10-21). Felix had a "more accurate knowledge concerning the Way" (Acts 24:22), even calling Paul multiple times to converse, hoping for a bribe (Acts 24:26). Paul, however, used these opportunities to speak about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, which caused Felix to tremble (Acts 24:25). Despite this internal conviction and knowledge of Paul's innocence, Felix delayed judgment and kept Paul confined. The two-year period mentioned signifies the lengthy and unjust detention Paul endured. This verse sets the stage for Festus's arrival and the subsequent trials, which ultimately lead to Paul's appeal to Caesar and his journey to Rome, fulfilling God's plan for him to bear witness there (Acts 23:11). Historically, Felix was recalled from his post around A.D. 60-62 due to accusations of misrule and cruelty, and Festus replaced him as procurator of Judea.

Acts 24 27 Word analysis

• But (δέ - de): A particle indicating a transition or a continuation, often contrasting with what precedes. Here, it signals a change in administration and Paul's ongoing situation.
• after two years (διετίας - dietias): From dietes, meaning "of two years' duration." This precisely states the duration of Paul's unjust imprisonment under Felix. It highlights a significant period of delay and prolonged injustice.
• had passed (πληρωθείσης - plerotheises): From pleroo, meaning "to fulfill, complete, bring to an end." It emphasizes that the full two-year period was completed.
• Felix (Φῆλιξ - Phelix): The Roman procurator of Judea (Marcus Antonius Felix). He was known for his corrupt, cruel, and oppressive rule. He initially understood aspects of "the Way" (Christianity) and had personal conversations with Paul (Acts 24:22-26).
• was succeeded by (διαδόχου - diadochou): Literally "having a successor." It signifies that another took his place in office, indicating a shift in authority, a common occurrence in Roman administration.
• Porcius Festus (Πόρκιος Φῆστος - Porkios Phestos): The new Roman procurator of Judea, replacing Felix. His arrival marks the beginning of the events in Acts chapter 25.
• and wanting (τε βουλόμενος - te boulomenos): From boulomai, meaning "to will, to wish, to determine, to intend." It clearly states Felix's deliberate intention or motivation.
• to grant...a favor (χάριτα καταθέσθαι - charita katathesthai): Literally, "to lay up grace/favor" or "to gain favor." This phrase denotes acting for the purpose of pleasing others or securing political benefit for oneself. It's about self-interest rather than true justice. This action contrasts sharply with the divine grace (charis) often mentioned in the New Testament.
• the Jews (τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις - tois Ioudaiois): The Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, particularly those who were Paul's accusers. Felix sought to appease them to smooth over his recall or simply to maintain political standing.
• Felix left (Φῆλιξ ἀπέλιπε - Phelix apeleipe): From apoleipo, meaning "to leave behind, forsake." It signifies a conscious decision not to release Paul.
• Paul (τὸν Παῦλον - ton Paulon): The Apostle Paul, whose ongoing ministry, suffering, and perseverance are central to the book of Acts.
• in prison (ἐνδεσμοῦντος - endesmountos): From endesmeuo, meaning "to bind within, keep in prison, fettered." It emphasizes that Paul remained incarcerated and restrained.

• "after two years had passed": This phrase highlights the lengthy duration of Paul's detention, an unwarranted period of nearly half his total imprisonments mentioned in Acts, showcasing Felix's procrastination and the unjust nature of the Roman system influenced by corrupt officials. This long period also implies Paul's enduring patience and reliance on God.
• "Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus": This group of words denotes a significant administrative transition in Judea. Such changes were often orchestrated by God's providence to advance His purposes, despite being normal political shifts. It paves the way for the next phase of Paul's testimony, aligning with God's plan for Paul to preach in Rome.
• "and wanting to grant the Jews a favor": This phrase uncovers Felix's corrupt motivation. His decision was not based on legal principle, justice, or Paul's guilt, but on cynical political calculation – a desire to appease influential Jewish leaders on the eve of his departure and amidst accusations against him. This exemplifies human leadership valuing popular opinion over righteousness.
• "Felix left Paul in prison": This final segment of the verse describes the unfortunate outcome of Felix's politically motivated decision. Despite Felix knowing Paul's innocence and having understood much of "the Way" (Christianity), his self-interest superseded his duty, resulting in Paul's continued unjust confinement. This showcases the spiritual blindness of those who hear the truth but refuse to act upon it for worldly gain.

Acts 24 27 Bonus section

• Felix's decision not only shows his desire to please the Jews but also likely reflects an attempt to mitigate any negative reports that might follow him to Rome regarding his previous actions, especially given that his recall was due to complaints from Caesarea.
• Paul's two-year imprisonment at Caesarea might have also been providentially used for deeper study, prayer, and potentially even for writing epistles or for personal reflection during a period of enforced rest from his relentless missionary journeys. While it seemed a setback, it provided an unexpected season of confinement under specific conditions which may have yielded fruit in ways not immediately apparent.
• The fact that Felix retained Paul for so long, and did not execute or release him, points to a continued underlying conviction on Felix's part that Paul was not truly guilty of the accusations leveled against him, reinforcing the injustice of leaving him imprisoned.

Acts 24 27 Commentary

Acts 24:27 serves as a poignant illustration of the intersection between human sinfulness, political maneuvering, and God's sovereign plan. Felix, despite his awareness of Paul's innocence and even some understanding of Christian doctrine, yielded to political expediency. His motivation to "grant the Jews a favor" encapsulates the corrupt compromise of power—sacrificing justice and truth for temporary human approval and personal gain. This highlights the inherent danger of seeking to please man rather than God (Gal 1:10), a common pitfall for those in authority. For Paul, these two years in prison, while unjust from a human perspective, did not thwart God's purpose. Instead, it continued to unfold divine plans, enabling Paul to eventually bear witness in Rome as prophesied (Acts 23:11). The verse reminds believers of the reality of suffering for righteousness, often at the hands of those driven by self-interest, but also affirms that God's will is ultimately accomplished through such trials.