BIBLE STUDY LESSON 17

SERIES V --- JOURNEYS FOR YESHUA

ON TRIAL

FELIX JUDGES PAUL

From Acts 24

Five days after Paul arrived at Caesarea the high priest, Ananias, came with some elders and an eloquent lawyer named Tertullus to accuse him. After Paul was summoned, Tertullus began his speech to Governor Felix. [We appreciate the peace and good changes you have brought to our nation. But since I do not wish to bore you, I would ask that you listen briefly to what we have to say. This man is stirring up trouble among the Jews throughout the world, and is also one of the leaders of the sect known as the Nazarenes. [He tried to defile our temple, so we seized him and tried to punish him according to our Law, but the commander Lysias took him away by force and sent him to you. If you examine Paul closely, you will find that our charges are true.] The others who had come with Tertullus agreed that his charges were true. Then Felix motioned for Paul to defend himself. [I am pleased that my defence is before you, for you have judged matters concerning the Jewish people for several years,] Paul began. [I was in the temple only twelve days ago to worship. Contrary to what they say, I did not start a riot or even lead a discussion there or out in the city. They simply cannot prove the charges they are making. I do confess, though, that I worship YHVH according to the Way, which they call a sect, believing what is written in the Law and the prophets. I have hope in YHVH as these men do, believing in a resurrection for the just and the unjust. I also try to live so that my conscience is clear, both in my relationships with YHVH and with man. [After being away for several years, I returned with some money contributed to the Jews of my nation and went to the temple to make an offering. There I was, peacefully completing my purification ceremony when they found me. There were no mobs or riots until those Jews from Asia started one. By the way, if they have a complaint against me, they should be here to present it! Also, I would like these men here to say exactly what wrong the council found in me, unless they did not like my remark that I was before them because of my belief in the resurrection.] Governor Felix knew about the teachings of the Way, so he delayed the trial by saying, [I will decide when the commander, Lysias, comes.] Then he ordered Paul to be kept under guard, but with more freedom than before. He also ordered that Paul’s friends should be permitted to help him. Several days later Felix and his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, brought Paul before them to tell about his faith in Yeshua Moshiach. But when Paul talked about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened. [That’s enough for now,] he told Paul. [Go away, and when it is a more convenient time, I will call for you again.] Felix actually did call for Paul a number of times to talk with him, for he hoped that Paul would bribe him. This went on for about two years, until Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Since Felix wanted to gain favour with the Jews, he left Paul in prison.

COMMENTARY

THE FACES OF ROME: MEN

When a youth laid aside the red-bordered toga of boyhood at sixteen and put on the white toga of a man, he became an adult in the Roman world. At that age, the young man was ready to take up his career. His occupation depended on the social position of his family. The son of a middle-class citizen might become a merchant, while a senator’s son looked forward to a position in government. A man’s social class also determined whom he would marry. His parents chose a wife for him from a family whose status was equal to their own. Even the clothes that he wore displayed a man’s rank. The wider the purple band around the hem of his toga, the more important he was in Roman society.