# Acts 23.24-24.27 **Book:** [Acts](/codex/acts/) · NASB95 ## Immediate context (±2 verses) **ASV** ([ASV](/codex/asv/)) > 22. So the chief captain let the young man go, charging him, Tell no man that thou hast signified these things to me. 23. And he called unto him two of the centurions, and said, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go as far as Cæsarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night: > > **24. and he bade them provide beasts, that they might set Paul thereon, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor. 25. And he wrote a letter after this form: 26. Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix, greeting. 27. This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be slain of them, when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. 28. And desiring to know the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him down unto their council: 29. whom I found to be accused about questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds. 30. And when it was shown to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to thee forthwith, charging his accusers also to speak against him before thee. 31. So the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32. But on the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle: 33. and they, when they came to Cæsarea and delivered the letter to the governor, presented Paul also before him. 34. And when he had read it, he asked of what province he was; and when he understood that he was of Cilicia, 35. I will hear thee fully, said he, when thine accusers also are come: and he commanded him to be kept in Herod's palace. 24:1. And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with certain elders, and with an orator, one Tertullus; and they informed the governor against Paul. 24:2. And when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy much peace, and that by thy providence evils are corrected for this nation, 24:3. we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 24:4. But, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I entreat thee to hear us of thy clemency a few words. 24:5. For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: 24:6. who moreover assayed to profane the temple: on whom also we laid hold: 24:8. from whom thou wilt be able, by examining him thyself, to take knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him. 24:9. And the Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that these things were so. 24:10. And when the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, Paul answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I cheerfully make my defence: 24:11. seeing that thou canst take knowledge that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem: 24:12. and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city. 24:13. Neither can they prove to thee the things whereof they now accuse me. 24:14. But this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which they call a sect, so serve I the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets; 24:15. having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust. 24:16. Herein I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men always. 24:17. Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings: 24:18. amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult: but there were certain Jews from Asia, 24:19. who ought to have been here before thee, and to make accusation, if they had aught against me. 24:20. Or else let these men themselves say what wrong-doing they found when I stood before the council, 24:21. except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question before you this day. 24:22. But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine your matter. 24:23. And he gave order to the centurion that he should be kept in charge, and should have indulgence; and not to forbid any of his friends to minister unto him. 24:24. But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus. 24:25. And as he reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me. 24:26. He hoped withal that money would be given him of Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. 24:27. But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.** (Acts 23:22-24:27, ASV) **WEB** ([WEB](/codex/web/)) > 22. So the commanding officer let the young man go, charging him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.” 23. He called to himself two of the centurions, and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, with seventy horsemen, and two hundred men armed with spears, at the third hour of the night.” > > **24. He asked them to provide animals, that they might set Paul on one, and bring him safely to Felix the governor. 25. He wrote a letter like this: 26. “Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings. 27. “This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them, when I came with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. 28. Desiring to know the cause why they accused him, I brought him down to their council. 29. I found him to be accused about questions of their law, but not to be charged with anything worthy of death or of imprisonment. 30. When I was told that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him to you immediately, charging his accusers also to bring their accusations against him before you. Farewell.” 31. So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32. But on the next day they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the barracks. 33. When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. 34. When the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. When he understood that he was from Cilicia, he said, 35. “I will hear you fully when your accusers also arrive.” He commanded that he be kept in Herod’s palace. 24:1. After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul. 24:2. When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that prosperity is coming to this nation by your foresight, 24:3. we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 24:4. But, that I don’t delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words. 24:5. For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 24:6. He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him. 24:8. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.” 24:9. The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so. 24:10. When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, “Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense, 24:11. seeing that you can recognize that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem. 24:12. In the temple they didn’t find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues, or in the city. 24:13. Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me. 24:14. But this I confess to you, that after the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets; 24:15. having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 24:16. Herein I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men. 24:17. Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings; 24:18. amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil. 24:19. They ought to have been here before you, and to make accusation, if they had anything against me. 24:20. Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council, 24:21. unless it is for this one thing that I cried standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today!’” 24:22. But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, “When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case.” 24:23. He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody, and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him. 24:24. But after some days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus. 24:25. As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, “Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you.” 24:26. Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent for him more often, and talked with him. 24:27. But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.** (Acts 23:22-24:27, WEB) **KJV** ([KJV](/codex/kjv/)) > 22. So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me. 23. And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; > > **24. And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor. 25. And he wrote a letter after this manner: 26. Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting. 27. This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman. 28. And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council: 29. Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds. 30. And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell. 31. Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32. On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle: 33. Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him. 34. And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia; 35. I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall. 24:1. And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. 24:2. And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, 24:3. We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 24:4. Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. 24:5. For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: 24:6. Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. 24:7. But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, 24:8. Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. 24:9. And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so. 24:10. Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: 24:11. Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. 24:12. And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: 24:13. Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. 24:14. But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: 24:15. And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 24:16. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. 24:17. Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. 24:18. Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. 24:19. Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me. 24:20. Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council, 24:21. Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day. 24:22. 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. 24:23. 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. 24:24. 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. 24:25. 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. 24:26. 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. 24:27. But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.** (Acts 23:22-24:27, KJV) **YLT** ([YLT](/codex/ylt/)) > 22. The chief captain, then, indeed, let the young man go, having charged [him] to tell no one, 'that these things thou didst shew unto me;' 23. and having called near a certain two of the centurions, he said, 'Make ready soldiers two hundred, that they may go on unto Caesarea, and horsemen seventy, and spearmen two hundred, from the third hour of the night; > > **24. beasts also provide, that, having set Paul on, they may bring him safe unto Felix the governor;' 25. he having written a letter after this description: 26. 'Claudius Lysias, to the most noble governor Felix, hail: 27. This man having been taken by the Jews, and being about to be killed by them, having come with the soldiery, I rescued him, having learned that he is a Roman; 28. and, intending to know the cause for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their sanhedrim, 29. whom I found accused concerning questions of their law, and having no accusation worthy of death or bonds; 30. and a plot having been intimated to me against this man, about to be of the Jews, at once I sent unto thee, having given command also to the accusers to say the things against him before thee; be strong.' 31. Then, indeed, the soldiers according to that directed them, having taken up Paul, brought him through the night to Antipatris, 32. and on the morrow, having suffered the horsemen to go on with him, they returned to the castle; 33. those having entered into Caesarea, and delivered the letter to the governor, did present also Paul to him. 34. And the governor having read [it], and inquired of what province he is, and understood that [he is] from Cilicia; 35. 'I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers also may have come;' he also commanded him to be kept in the praetorium of Herod. 24:1. And after five days came down the chief priest Ananias, with the elders, and a certain orator, Tertullus, and they made manifest to the governor [the things] against Paul; 24:2. and he having been called, Tertullus began to accuse [him], saying, 'Much peace enjoying through thee, and worthy deeds being done to this nation through thy forethought, 24:3. always, also, and everywhere we receive it, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness; 24:4. and that I may not be further tedious to thee, I pray thee to hear us concisely in thy gentleness; 24:5. for having found this man a pestilence, and moving a dissension to all the Jews through the world, a ringleader also of the sect of the Nazarenes 24:6. who also the temple did try to profane, whom also we took, and according to our law did wish to judge, 24:7. and Lysias the chief captain having come near, with much violence, out of our hands did take away, 24:8. having commanded his accusers to come to thee, from whom thou mayest be able, thyself having examined, to know concerning all these things of which we accuse him;' 24:9. and the Jews also agreed, professing these things to be so. 24:10. And Paul answered, the governor having beckoned to him to speak, 'Knowing [that] for many years thou hast been a judge to this nation, the more cheerfully the things concerning myself I do answer; 24:11. thou being able to know that it is not more than twelve days to me since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, 24:12. and neither in the temple did they find me reasoning with any one, or making a dissension of the multitude, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city; 24:13. nor are they able to prove against me the things concerning which they now accuse me. 24:14. 'And I confess this to thee, that, according to the way that they call a sect, so serve I the God of the fathers, believing all things that in the law and the prophets have been written, 24:15. having hope toward God, which they themselves also wait for, [that] there is about to be a rising again of the dead, both of righteous and unrighteous; 24:16. and in this I do exercise myself, to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men always. 24:17. 'And after many years I came, about to do kind acts to my nation, and offerings, 24:18. in which certain Jews from Asia did find me purified in the temple, not with multitude, nor with tumult, 24:19. whom it behoveth to be present before thee, and to accuse, if they had anything against me, 24:20. or let these same say if they found any unrighteousness in me in my standing before the sanhedrim, 24:21. except concerning this one voice, in which I cried, standing among them, Concerning a rising again of the dead I am judged to-day by you.' 24:22. And having heard these things, Felix delayed them, having known more exactly of the things concerning the way, saying, 'When Lysias the chief captain may come down, I will know fully the things concerning you;' 24:23. having given also a direction to the centurion to keep Paul, to let [him] also have liberty, and to forbid none of his own friends to minister or to come near to him. 24:24. And after certain days, Felix having come with Drusilla his wife, being a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith toward Christ, 24:25. and he reasoning concerning righteousness, and temperance, and the judgment that is about to be, Felix, having become afraid, answered, 'For the present be going, and having got time, I will call for thee;' 24:26. and at the same time also hoping that money shall be given to him by Paul, that he may release him, therefore, also sending for him the oftener, he was conversing with him; 24:27. and two years having been fulfilled, Felix received a successor, Porcius Festus; Felix also willing to lay a favour on the Jews, left Paul bound.** (Acts 23:22-24:27, YLT) ## Setting - **Speaker:** _TBD_ - **Audience:** _TBD_ - **Location:** _TBD_ - **Time period:** _TBD_ ## Theological reading _Patristic / early-church-father exegesis, to be added._ ## Key words _Theologically-loaded Greek or Hebrew words in this verse may have entries in the lexicon. Curated to roughly 100 contested terms across the corpus, not every word._ - None of the words in this verse has its own lexicon entry yet. ## Quoted in **Arguments and defeaters:** - [Argument from Conscience](/codex/argument-from-conscience/), via [Acts 23.1](/codex/acts-23-1/) - [Resurrection Implies Christian Theism](/codex/resurrection-implies-christian-theism/), via [Acts 23.6](/codex/acts-23-6/) **Concepts:** - [Biblical Figures Confirmed by Archaeology](/codex/biblical-figures-confirmed-by-archaeology/), via [Acts 23.2](/codex/acts-23-2/), [Acts 23.24](/codex/acts-23-24/) - [Jesus Said](/codex/jesus-said/), via [Acts 23.11](/codex/acts-23-11/) - [New Testament Archaeology Evidence Catalog](/codex/new-testament-archaeology-evidence-catalog/) - [Resurrection of the Body](/codex/resurrection-of-the-body/), via [Acts 23.6-8](/codex/acts-23-6-8/) **Lexicon:** - [G0331 - anathema](/codex/g0331-anathema/), via [Acts 23.14](/codex/acts-23-14/) - [G4893 - syneidesis](/codex/g4893-syneidesis/), via [Acts 23.1](/codex/acts-23-1/) - [H2763 - charam](/codex/h2763-charam/), via [Acts 23.12-14](/codex/acts-23-12-14/), [Acts 23.21](/codex/acts-23-21/) ## Notes _Your annotations._ ## Why these four translations ris3n chose ASV, WEB, KJV, and YLT for two reasons together. They are the **most literal English translations available** (formal-equivalence: word-for-word renderings that preserve the Hebrew and Greek grammar rather than smoothing it into modern dynamic-equivalence idiom). And they are in the **public domain in the United States**, which means fair-use quotation at any length requires no publisher license. Modern licensed translations (NASB95, ESV, NIV) restrict volume of quotation under their copyright terms, so they are not used at stub-level coverage here. NASB95 appears only on hand-curated rich passage hubs under Lockman Foundation's fair-use allowance. The four: - **[ASV](/codex/asv/)** (American Standard Version, 1901). The basis of the modern critical-text English tradition. - **[WEB](/codex/web/)** (World English Bible, contemporary). Public-domain revision in the ASV line, in current English. - **[KJV](/codex/kjv/)** (King James Version, 1611). Reformation-era, Textus Receptus base. - **[YLT](/codex/ylt/)** (Young's Literal Translation, Robert Young, 1862). Hyper-literal preservation of Hebrew and Greek grammar; useful for word-study work even where English reads stiff. See [Bibles](/codex/bibles/) for the full per-translation history, translators, textual basis, strengths, and weaknesses.