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Acts 23:1--24:27

Context

23:1 Paul looked directly¹ at the council² and said, “Brothers, I have lived my life with a clear conscience³ before God to this day.” 23:2 At that⁴ the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near⁵ Paul⁶ to strike⁷ him on the mouth. 23:3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall!⁸ Do⁹ you sit there judging me according to the law,¹⁰ and in violation of the law¹¹ you order me to be struck?” 23:4 Those standing near him¹² said, “Do you dare insult¹³ God’s high priest?” 23:5 Paul replied,¹⁴ “I did not realize,¹⁵ brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You must not speak evil about a ruler of your people.’”¹⁶

23:6 Then when Paul noticed¹⁷ that part of them were Sadducees¹⁸ and the others Pharisees,¹⁹ he shouted out in the council,²⁰ “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection²¹ of the dead!” 23:7 When he said this,²² an argument²³ began²⁴ between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 23:8 (For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, or angel, or spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.)²⁵ 23:9 There was a great commotion,²⁶ and some experts in the law²⁷ from the party of the Pharisees stood up²⁸ and protested strongly,²⁹ “We find nothing wrong³⁰ with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 23:10 When the argument became³¹ so great the commanding officer³² feared that they would tear Paul to pieces,³³ he ordered the detachment³⁴ to go down, take him away from them by force,³⁵ and bring him into the barracks.³⁶

23:11 The following night the Lord³⁷ stood near³⁸ Paul³⁹ and said, “Have courage,⁴⁰ for just as you have testified about me in Jerusalem,⁴¹ so you must also testify in Rome.”⁴²

The Plot to Kill Paul

23:12 When morning came,⁴³ the Jews formed⁴⁴ a conspiracy⁴⁵ and bound themselves with an oath⁴⁶ not to eat or drink anything⁴⁷ until they had killed Paul. 23:13 There were more than forty of them who formed this conspiracy.⁴⁸ 23:14 They⁴⁹ went⁵⁰ to the chief priests⁵¹ and the elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath⁵² not to partake⁵³ of anything until we have killed Paul. 23:15 So now you and the council⁵⁴ request the commanding officer⁵⁵ to bring him down to you, as if you were going to determine⁵⁶ his case⁵⁷ by conducting a more thorough inquiry.⁵⁸ We are ready to kill him⁵⁹ before he comes near this place.”⁶⁰

23:16 But when the son of Paul’s sister heard about the ambush,⁶¹ he came and entered⁶² the barracks⁶³ and told Paul. 23:17 Paul called⁶⁴ one of the centurions⁶⁵ and said, “Take this young man to the commanding officer,⁶⁶ for he has something to report to him.” 23:18 So the centurion⁶⁷ took him and brought him to the commanding officer⁶⁸ and said, “The prisoner Paul called⁶⁹ me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.” 23:19 The commanding officer⁷⁰ took him by the hand, withdrew privately, and asked, “What is it that you want⁷¹ to report to me?” 23:20 He replied,⁷² “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council⁷³ tomorrow, as if they were going to inquire more thoroughly about him. 23:21 So do not let them persuade you to do this,⁷⁴ because more than forty of them⁷⁵ are lying in ambush⁷⁶ for him. They⁷⁷ have bound themselves with an oath⁷⁸ not to eat or drink anything⁷⁹ until they have killed him, and now they are ready, waiting for you to agree to their request.”⁸⁰ 23:22 Then the commanding officer⁸¹ sent the young man away, directing him,⁸² “Tell no one that you have reported⁸³ these things to me.” 23:23 Then⁸⁴ he summoned⁸⁵ two of the centurions⁸⁶ and said, “Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea⁸⁷ along with seventy horsemen⁸⁸ and two hundred spearmen⁸⁹ by⁹⁰ nine o’clock tonight,⁹¹ 23:24 and provide mounts for Paul to ride⁹² so that he may be brought safely to Felix⁹³ the governor.”⁹⁴ 23:25 He wrote⁹⁵ a letter that went like this:⁹⁶

23:26 Claudius Lysias to His Excellency Governor⁹⁷ Felix,⁹⁸ greetings. 23:27 This man was seized⁹⁹ by the Jews and they were about to kill him,¹⁰⁰ when I came up¹⁰¹ with the detachment¹⁰² and rescued him, because I had learned that he was¹⁰³ a Roman citizen.¹⁰⁴ 23:28 Since I wanted to know¹⁰⁵ what charge they were accusing him of,¹⁰⁶ I brought him down to their council.¹⁰⁷ 23:29 I found he¹⁰⁸ was accused with reference to controversial questions¹⁰⁹ about their law, but no charge against him deserved death or imprisonment.¹¹⁰ 23:30 When I was informed¹¹¹ there would be a plot¹¹² against this man, I sent him to you at once, also ordering his accusers to state their charges¹¹³ against him before you.

23:31 So the soldiers, in accordance with their orders,¹¹⁴ took¹¹⁵ Paul and brought him to Antipatris¹¹⁶ during the night. 23:32 The next day they let¹¹⁷ the horsemen¹¹⁸ go on with him, and they returned to the barracks.¹¹⁹ 23:33 When the horsemen¹²⁰ came to Caesarea¹²¹ and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented¹²² Paul to him. 23:34 When the governor¹²³ had read¹²⁴ the letter,¹²⁵ he asked¹²⁶ what province he was from.¹²⁷ When he learned¹²⁸ that he was from Cilicia,¹²⁹ 23:35 he said, “I will give you a hearing¹³⁰ when your accusers arrive too.” Then¹³¹ he ordered that Paul¹³² be kept under guard in Herod’s palace.¹³³

The Accusations Against Paul

24:1 After five days the high priest Ananias¹³⁴ came down with some elders and an attorney¹³⁵ named¹³⁶ Tertullus, and they¹³⁷ brought formal charges¹³⁸ against Paul to the governor. 24:2 When Paul¹³⁹ had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him,¹⁴⁰ saying, “We have experienced a lengthy time¹⁴¹ of peace through your rule,¹⁴² and reforms¹⁴³ are being made in this nation¹⁴⁴ through your foresight.¹⁴⁵ 24:3 Most excellent Felix,¹⁴⁶ we acknowledge this everywhere and in every way¹⁴⁷ with all gratitude.¹⁴⁸ 24:4 But so that I may not delay¹⁴⁹ you any further, I beg¹⁵⁰ you to hear us briefly¹⁵¹ with your customary graciousness.¹⁵² 24:5 For we have found¹⁵³ this man to be a troublemaker,¹⁵⁴ one who stirs up riots¹⁵⁵ among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader¹⁵⁶ of the sect of the Nazarenes.¹⁵⁷ 24:6 He¹⁵⁸ even tried to desecrate¹⁵⁹ the temple, so we arrested¹⁶⁰ him. 24:7 [[EMPTY]]¹⁶¹ 24:8 When you examine¹⁶² him yourself, you will be able to learn from him¹⁶³ about all these things we are accusing him of doing.”¹⁶⁴ 24:9 The Jews also joined in the verbal attack,¹⁶⁵ claiming¹⁶⁶ that these things were true.

Paul’s Defense Before Felix

24:10 When the governor gestured for him to speak, Paul replied, “Because I know¹⁶⁷ that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I confidently make my defense.¹⁶⁸ 24:11 As you can verify¹⁶⁹ for yourself, not more than twelve days ago¹⁷⁰ I went up to Jerusalem¹⁷¹ to worship. 24:12 They did not find me arguing¹⁷² with anyone or stirring up a crowd¹⁷³ in the temple courts¹⁷⁴ or in the synagogues¹⁷⁵ or throughout the city,¹⁷⁶ 24:13 nor can they prove¹⁷⁷ to you the things¹⁷⁸ they are accusing me of doing.¹⁷⁹ 24:14 But I confess this to you, that I worship¹⁸⁰ the God of our ancestors¹⁸¹ according to the Way (which they call a sect), believing everything that is according to the law¹⁸² and that is written in the prophets. 24:15 I have¹⁸³ a hope in God (a hope¹⁸⁴ that¹⁸⁵ these men¹⁸⁶ themselves accept too) that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.¹⁸⁷ 24:16 This is the reason¹⁸⁸ I do my best to always¹⁸⁹ have a clear¹⁹⁰ conscience toward God and toward people.¹⁹¹ 24:17 After several years¹⁹² I came to bring to my people gifts for the poor¹⁹³ and to present offerings,¹⁹⁴ 24:18 which I was doing when they found me in the temple, ritually purified,¹⁹⁵ without a crowd or a disturbance.¹⁹⁶ 24:19 But there are some Jews from the province of Asia¹⁹⁷ who should be here before you and bring charges,¹⁹⁸ if they have anything against me. 24:20 Or these men here¹⁹⁹ should tell what crime²⁰⁰ they found me guilty of²⁰¹ when I stood before the council,²⁰² 24:21 other than²⁰³ this one thing²⁰⁴ I shouted out while I stood before²⁰⁵ them: ‘I am on trial before you today concerning the resurrection of the dead.’”²⁰⁶

24:22 Then Felix,²⁰⁷ who understood the facts²⁰⁸ concerning the Way²⁰⁹ more accurately,²¹⁰ adjourned their hearing,²¹¹ saying, “When Lysias the commanding officer comes down, I will decide your case.”²¹² 24:23 He ordered the centurion²¹³ to guard Paul,²¹⁴ but to let him have some freedom,²¹⁵ and not to prevent any of his friends²¹⁶ from meeting his needs.²¹⁷

Paul Speaks Repeatedly to Felix

24:24 Some days later, when Felix²¹⁸ arrived with his wife Drusilla,²¹⁹ who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him speak²²⁰ about faith in Christ Jesus.²²¹ 24:25 While Paul²²² was discussing²²³ righteousness, self-control,²²⁴ and the coming judgment, Felix²²⁵ became²²⁶ frightened and said, “Go away for now, and when I have an opportunity,²²⁷ I will send for you.” 24:26 At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would give him money,²²⁸ and for this reason he sent for Paul²²⁹ as often as possible²³⁰ and talked²³¹ with him. 24:27 After two years²³² had passed, Porcius Festus²³³ succeeded Felix,²³⁴ and because he wanted to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.²³⁵

[23:1] ¹tn Grk “Paul, looking directly at the council, said.” The participle ἀτενίσας (atenisa") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:1] ²tn Grk “the Sanhedrin” (the Sanhedrin was the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews).

[23:1] ³tn BDAG 846 s.v. πολιτεύομαι 3 has “W. a double dat. συνειδήσει ἀγαθῇ πεπολίτευμαι τῷ θεῷ I have lived my life with a clear conscience before God Ac 23:1.”

[23:2] ⁴tn Grk “and” (δέ, de); the phrase “at that” has been used in the translation to clarify the cause and effect relationship.

[23:2] ⁵tn BDAG 778 s.v. παρίστημι/παριστάνω 2.b.α has “οἱ παρεστῶτες αὐτῷ those standing near him Ac 23:2.”

[23:2] ⁶tn Grk “him”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[23:2] ⁷tn Or “hit” (‘strike’ maintains the wordplay with the following verse). The action was probably designed to indicate a rejection of Paul’s claim to a clear conscience in the previous verse.

[23:3] ⁷sn You whitewashed wall. This was an idiom for hypocrisy – just as the wall was painted on the outside but something different on the inside, so this person was not what he appeared or pretended to be (L&N 88.234; see also BDAG 1010 s.v. τοῖχος). Paul was claiming that the man’s response was two-faced (Ezek 13:10-16; Matt 23:27-28). See also Deut 28:22.

[23:3] ⁸tn Grk “And do.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.

[23:3] ⁹tn The law refers to the law of Moses.

[23:3] ¹⁰tn BDAG 769 s.v. παρανομέω has “παρανομῶν κελεύεις in violation of the law you order Ac 23:3.”

[23:4] ¹⁰tn The word “him” is not in the Greek text but is implied.

[23:4] ¹¹tn L&N 33.393 has for λοιδορέω (loidorew) “to speak in a highly insulting manner – ‘to slander, to insult strongly, slander, insult.’”

[23:5] ¹³tn Grk “said.”

[23:5] ¹⁴tn Or “know.”

[23:5] ¹⁵sn A quotation from Exod 22:28. This text defines a form of blasphemy. Paul, aware of the fact that he came close to crossing the line, backed off out of respect for the law.

[23:6] ¹⁶tn BDAG 200 s.v. γινώσκω 4 has “to be aware of someth., perceive, notice, realize”; this is further clarified by section 4.c: “w. ὅτι foll….Ac 23:6.”

[23:6] ¹⁷sn See the note on Sadducees in 4:1.

[23:6] ¹⁸sn See the note on Pharisee in 5:34.

[23:6] ¹⁹tn Grk “the Sanhedrin” (the Sanhedrin was the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews).

[23:6] ²⁰tn That is, concerning the hope that the dead will be resurrected. Grk “concerning the hope and resurrection.” BDAG 320 s.v. ἐλπίς 1.b.α states, “Of Israel’s messianic hope Ac 23:6 (ἐ. καὶ ἀνάστασις for ἐ. τῆς ἀν. [obj. gen] as 2 Macc 3:29 ἐ. καὶ σωτηρία).” With an objective genitive construction, the resurrection of the dead would be the “object” of the hope.

[23:7] ¹⁹tn The participle εἰπόντος (eiponto") has been translated temporally.

[23:7] ²⁰tn Or “a dispute” (BDAG 940 s.v. στάσις 3).

[23:7] ²¹tn Grk “there came about an argument.” This has been simplified to “an argument began”

[23:8] ²²tn BDAG 55 s.v. ἀμφότεροι 2 has “all, even when more than two are involved…Φαρισαῖοι ὁμολογοῦσιν τὰ ἀ. believe in them all 23:8.” On this belief see Josephus, J. W. 2.8.14 (2.163); Ant. 18.1.3 (18.14).

[23:9] ²⁵tn Or “clamor” (cf. BDAG 565 s.v. κραυγή 1.a, which has “there arose a loud outcry” here, and Exod 12:30).

[23:9] ²⁶tn Or “and some scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 4:5.

[23:9] ²⁷tn Grk “standing up.” The participle ἀναστάντες (anastante") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:9] ²⁸tn Grk “protested strongly, saying.” L&N 39.27 has “διαμάχομαι: to fight or contend with, involving severity and thoroughness – ‘to protest strongly, to contend with.’…‘some scribes from the party of the Pharisees protested strongly’ Ac 23:9.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant and has not been translated.

[23:9] ²⁹sn “We find nothing wrong with this man.” Here is another declaration of innocence. These leaders recognized the possibility that Paul might have the right to make his claim.

[23:10] ²⁸tn This genitive absolute construction with the participle γινομένης (ginomenhs) has been taken temporally (it could also be translated as causal).

[23:10] ²⁹tn Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). In Greek the term χιλίαρχος (ciliarco") literally described the “commander of a thousand,” but it was used as the standard translation for the Latin tribunus militum or tribunus militare, the military tribune who commanded a cohort of 600 men.

[23:10] ³⁰tn Grk “that Paul would be torn to pieces by them.” BDAG 236 s.v. διασπάω has “of an angry mob μὴ διασπασθῇ ὁ Παῦλος ὑπ᾿ αὐτῶν that Paul would be torn in pieces by them Ac 23:10.” The passive construction is somewhat awkward in English and has been converted to an equivalent active construction in the translation.

[23:10] ³¹tn Normally this term means “army,” but according to BDAG 947 s.v. στράτευμα, “Of a smaller detachment of soldiers, sing. Ac 23:10, 27.” In the plural it can be translated “troops,” but it is singular here.

[23:10] ³²tn Or “to go down, grab him out of their midst.”

[23:10] ³³tn Or “the headquarters.” BDAG 775 s.v. παρεμβολή 2 has “barracks/headquarters of the Roman troops in Jerusalem Ac 21:34, 37; 22:24; 23:10, 16, 32.”

[23:11] ³¹sn The presence of the Lord indicated the vindicating presence and direction of God.

[23:11] ³²tn Grk “standing near Paul, said.” The participle ἐπιστάς (epistas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:11] ³³tn Grk “him”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[23:11] ³⁴tn Or “Do not be afraid.”

[23:11] ³⁵map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.

[23:11] ³⁶sn Like Jesus went to Jerusalem, Paul would now go to Rome. This trip forms the concluding backdrop to Acts. This is the second notice about going to Rome (see Acts 19:21 for the first).

[23:12] ³⁴tn Grk “when it was day.”

[23:12] ³⁵tn Grk “forming a conspiracy, bound.” The participle ποιήσαντες (poihsantes) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:12] ³⁶tn L&N 30.72 has ‘some Jews formed a conspiracy’ Ac 23:12”; BDAG 979 s.v. συστροφή 1 has “Judeans came together in a mob 23:12. But in the last pass. the word may also mean – 2. the product of a clandestine gathering, plot, conspiracy” (see also Amos 7:10; Ps 63:3).

[23:12] ³⁷tn Or “bound themselves under a curse.” BDAG 63 s.v. ἀναθεματίζω 1 has “trans. put under a curse τινά someone…pleonastically ἀναθέματι ἀ. ἑαυτόν Ac 23:14…ἀ. ἑαυτόν vss. 12, 21, 13 v.l.” On such oaths see m. Shevi’it 3:1-5. The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant in English and has not been translated.

[23:12] ³⁸tn The word “anything” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.

[23:13] ³⁷tn L&N 30.73 defines συνωμοσία (sunwmosia) as “a plan for taking secret action someone or some institution, with the implication of an oath binding the conspirators – ‘conspiracy, plot.’ …‘there were more than forty of them who formed this conspiracy’ Ac 23:13.”

[23:14] ⁴⁰tn Grk “who.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (“whom”) was translated by the third person plural pronoun (“them”) and a new sentence begun in the translation.

[23:14] ⁴¹tn Grk “going.” The participle προσελθόντες (proselqonte") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:14] ⁴²sn They went to the chief priests. The fact that the high priest knew of this plot and did nothing shows the Jewish leadership would even become accomplices to murder to stop Paul. They would not allow Roman justice to take its course. Paul’s charge in v. 3 of superficially following the law is thus shown to be true.

[23:14] ⁴³tn Or “bound ourselves under a curse.” BDAG 63 s.v. ἀναθεματίζω 1 has “trans. put under a curse τινά someone…pleonastically ἀναθέματι ἀ. ἑαυτόν Ac 23:14…ἀ. ἑαυτόν vss. 12, 21, 13 v.l.” The pleonastic use ἀναθέματι ἀνεθεματίσαμεν (literally “we have cursed ourselves with a curse”) probably serves as an intensifier following Semitic usage, and is represented in the translation by the word “solemn.” On such oaths see m. Nedarim 3:1, 3.

[23:14] ⁴⁴tn This included both food and drink (γεύομαι [geuomai] is used of water turned to wine in John 2:9).

[23:15] ⁴³tn Grk “the Sanhedrin” (the Sanhedrin was the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews).

[23:15] ⁴⁴tn Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). See note on the term “commanding officer” in v. 10.

[23:15] ⁴⁵tn Or “decide.” BDAG 227 s.v. διαγινώσκω has “ἀκριβέστερον τὰ περὶ αὐτοῦ to make a more thorough examination of his case Ac 23:15.”

[23:15] ⁴⁶tn Grk “determine the things about him.”

[23:15] ⁴⁷tn The expression “more thorough inquiry” reflects the comparative form of ἀκριβέστερον (akribesteron).

[23:15] ⁴⁸sn “We are ready to kill him.” Now those Jews involved in the conspiracy, along with the leaders as accomplices, are going to break one of the ten commandments.

[23:15] ⁴⁹tn The words “this place” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.

[23:16] ⁴⁶tn Or “plot” (BDAG 334 s.v. ἐνέδρα).

[23:16] ⁴⁷tn Grk “coming and entering…, he told.” The participles παραγενόμενος (paragenomeno") and εἰσελθών (eiselqwn) have been translated as finite verbs due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:16] ⁴⁸tn Or “the headquarters.” BDAG 775 s.v. παρεμβολή 2 has “barracks/headquarters of the Roman troops in Jerusalem Ac 21:34, 37; 22:24; 23:10, 16, 32.”

[23:17] ⁴⁹tn Grk “calling…Paul said.” The participle προσκαλεσάμενος (proskalesameno") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:17] ⁵⁰sn See the note on the word centurion in 10:1.

[23:17] ⁵¹tn Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). See note on the term “commanding officer” in v. 10.

[23:18] ⁵²tn Grk “he”; the referent (the centurion) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[23:18] ⁵³tn Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). See note on the term “commanding officer” in v. 10.

[23:18] ⁵⁴tn Grk “calling.” The participle προσκαλεσάμενος (proskalesameno") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:19] ⁵⁵tn Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). See note on the term “commanding officer” in v. 10.

[23:19] ⁵⁶tn Grk “you have,” but the expression “have to report” in English could be understood to mean “must report” rather than “possess to report.” For this reason the nearly equivalent expression “want to report,” which is not subject to misunderstanding, was used in the translation.

[23:20] ⁵⁸tn Grk “He said.”

[23:20] ⁵⁹tn Grk “the Sanhedrin” (the Sanhedrin was the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews).

[23:21] ⁶¹tn Grk “do not be persuaded by them.” The passive construction μὴ πεισθῇς αὐτοῖς (mh peisqh" autoi") has been converted to an active construction in the translation, and the phrase “to do this” supplied to indicate more clearly the object of their persuasion.

[23:21] ⁶²tn Grk “forty men of them.” In the expression ἐξ αὐτῶν ἄνδρες (ex autwn andre") “men” is somewhat redundant and has not been included in the English translation.

[23:21] ⁶³tn Grk “are lying in wait for him” (BDAG 334 s.v. ἐνεδρεύω); see also v. 16.

[23:21] ⁶⁴tn Grk “for him, who.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (“who”) was translated by the third person plural pronoun (“they”) and a new sentence begun in the translation.

[23:21] ⁶⁵tn Or “bound themselves under a curse.” BDAG 63 s.v. ἀναθεματίζω 1 has “trans. put under a curse τινά someone… ἀ. ἑαυτόν vss. 12, 21, 13 v.l.”

[23:21] ⁶⁶tn The word “anything” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.

[23:21] ⁶⁷tn Grk “waiting for your approval,” “waiting for your agreement.” Since it would be possible to misunderstand the literal translation “waiting for your approval” to mean that the Jews were waiting for the commander’s approval to carry out their plot or to kill Paul (as if he were to be an accomplice to their plot), the object of the commander’s approval (their request to bring Paul to the council) has been specified in the translation as “their request.”

[23:22] ⁶⁴tn Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). See note on the term “commanding officer” in v. 10.

[23:22] ⁶⁵tn BDAG 760 s.v. παραγγέλλω has “to make an announcement about someth. that must be done, give orders, command, instruct, direct of all kinds of persons in authority, worldly rulers, Jesus, the apostles…παραγγέλλειν w. an inf. and μή comes to mean forbid to do someth.: π. τινί w. aor. inf. Lk 5:14; 8:56; without the dat., which is easily supplied fr. the context Ac 23:22.” However, if the direct discourse which follows is to be retained in the translation, a different translation must be used since it is awkward to introduce direct discourse with the verb to forbid. Thus the alternative to direct was used.

[23:22] ⁶⁶tn On this verb, see BDAG 325-26 s.v. ἐμφανίζω 2. The term was frequently used of an official report to authorities. In modern terms, this was a police tip.

[23:23] ⁶⁷tn Grk “And.” Since this represents a response to the reported ambush, καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the logical sequence.

[23:23] ⁶⁸tn Grk “summoning…he said.” The participle προσκαλεσάμενος (proskalesameno") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:23] ⁶⁹sn See the note on the word centurion in 10:1.

[23:23] ⁷⁰sn Caesarea was a city on the coast of Palestine south of Mount Carmel (not Caesarea Philippi). See the note on Caesarea in Acts 10:1. This was a journey of about 65 mi (just over 100 km).

[23:23] ⁷¹tn Or “cavalrymen.”

[23:23] ⁷²tn A military technical term of uncertain meaning. BDAG 217 s.v. δεξιολάβος states, “a word of uncertain mng., military t.t., acc. to Joannes Lydus…and Theophyl. Sim., Hist. 4, 1 a light-armed soldier, perh. bowman, slinger; acc. to a scholion in CMatthaei p. 342 body-guard….Spearman Goodspd., NRSV; ‘security officer’, GDKilpatrick, JTS 14, ’63, 393f.”

[23:23] ⁷³tn Grk “from.”

[23:23] ⁷⁴tn Grk “from the third hour of the night.”

[23:24] ⁷⁰tn Grk “provide mounts to put Paul on.”

[23:24] ⁷¹sn Felix the governor was Antonius Felix, a freedman of Antonia, mother of the Emperor Claudius. He was the brother of Pallas and became procurator of Palestine in a.d. 52/53. His administration was notorious for its corruption, cynicism, and cruelty. According to the historian Tacitus (History 5.9) Felix “reveled in cruelty and lust, and wielded the power of a king with the mind of a slave.”

[23:24] ⁷²tn Grk “Felix the procurator.” The official Roman title has been translated as “governor” (BDAG 433 s.v. ἡγεμών 2).

[23:25] ⁷³tn Grk “writing.” Due to the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was begun here in the translation, supplying “he” (referring to the commanding officer, Claudius Lysias) as subject. The participle γράψας (grayas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:25] ⁷⁴tn Grk “having this form,” “having this content.” L&N 33.48 has “γράψσς ἐπιστολὴν ἔχουσαν τὸν τύπον τοῦτον ‘then he wrote a letter that went like this’ Ac 23:25. It is also possible to understand ἐπιστολή in Ac 23:25 not as a content or message, but as an object (see 6.63).”

[23:26] ⁷⁶tn Grk “Procurator.” The official Roman title has been translated as “governor” (BDAG 433 s.v. ἡγεμών 2).

[23:26] ⁷⁷sn Governor Felix. See the note on Felix in v. 24.

[23:27] ⁷⁹tn The participle συλλημφθέντα (sullhmfqenta) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style. The remark reviews events of Acts 21:27-40.

[23:27] ⁸⁰tn Grk “and was about to be killed by them.” The passive construction has been converted to an active one in the translation for stylistic reasons.

[23:27] ⁸¹tn Or “approached.”

[23:27] ⁸²tn Normally this term means “army,” but according to BDAG 947 s.v. στράτευμα, “Of a smaller detachment of soldiers, sing. Ac 23:10, 27.” In the plural it can be translated “troops,” but it is singular here.

[23:27] ⁸³tn In Greek this is a present tense retained in indirect discourse.

[23:27] ⁸⁴tn The word “citizen” is supplied here for emphasis and clarity.

[23:28] ⁸²tn Or “determine.”

[23:28] ⁸³tn Grk “to know the charge on account of which they were accusing him.” This has been simplified to eliminate the prepositional phrase and relative pronoun δι᾿ ἣν (di’ }hn) similar to L&N 27.8 which has “‘I wanted to find out what they were accusing him of, so I took him down to their Council’ Ac 23:28.”

[23:28] ⁸⁴tn Grk “their Sanhedrin” (the Sanhedrin was the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews).

[23:29] ⁸⁵tn Grk “whom I found.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (“whom”) has been changed to a personal pronoun (“he”) and a new sentence begun in the translation at this point.

[23:29] ⁸⁶tn BDAG 428 s.v. ζήτημα states, “in our lit. only in Ac, w. the mng. it still has in Mod. Gk. (controversial) question, issue, argument…Ac 15:2; 26:3. ζ. περί τινος questions about someth.…18:15; 25:19. – In 23:29, since περί had already been used, the subj. of the discussion is added in the gen. ζ. τοῦ νόμου αὐτῶν.”

[23:29] ⁸⁷tn Grk “but having no charge worthy of death or imprisonment.” BDAG 273-74 s.v. ἔγκλημα 1 has “legal t.t.…ἔ. ἄξιον θανάτου ἢ δεσμῶν a charge deserving death or imprisonment 23:29.”

[23:30] ⁸⁸tn Grk “It being revealed to me.” The participle μηνυθείσης (mhnuqeish") has been taken temporally.

[23:30] ⁸⁹tn The term translated “plot” here is a different one than the one in Acts 23:16 (see BDAG 368 s.v. ἐπιβουλή).

[23:30] ⁹⁰tn Grk “the things against him.” This could be rendered as “accusations,” “grievances,” or “charges,” but since “ordered his accusers to state their accusations” sounds redundant in English, “charges” was used instead.

[23:31] ⁹¹tn BDAG 237-38 s.v. διατάσσω 2 has “κατὰ τὸ δ. αὐτοῖς in accordance w. their orders…Ac 23:31.”

[23:31] ⁹²tn Grk “taking.” The participle ἀναλαβόντες (analabonte") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:31] ⁹³sn Antipatris was a city in Judea about 35 mi (55 km) northwest of Jerusalem (about halfway to Caesarea). It was mentioned several times by Josephus (Ant. 13.15.1 [13.390]; J. W. 1.4.7 [1.99]).

[23:32] ⁹⁴tn Grk “letting.” The participle ἐάσαντες (easante") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:32] ⁹⁵tn Or “cavalrymen.”

[23:32] ⁹⁶tn Or “the headquarters.” BDAG 775 s.v. παρεμβολή 2 has “barracks/headquarters of the Roman troops in Jerusalem Ac 21:34, 37; 22:24; 23:10, 16, 32.”

[23:33] ⁹⁷tn Grk “who, coming to Caesarea.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek construction, a new sentence was begun here in the translation. The relative pronoun (“who”) has been replaced with the referent (the horsemen) in the translation for clarity.

[23:33] ⁹⁸sn Caesarea was a city on the coast of Palestine south of Mount Carmel (not Caesarea Philippi). See the note on Caesarea in Acts 10:1. It was about 30 mi (50 km) from Antipatris.

[23:33] ⁹⁹tn BDAG 778 s.v. παρίστημι/παριστάνω 1.b has “present, represent – α. lit. τινά τινι someone to someone παρέστησαν τὸν Παῦλον αὐτῷ Ac 23:33.”

[23:34] ¹⁰⁰tn Grk “he”; the referent (the governor) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[23:34] ¹⁰¹tn Grk “having read.” The participle ἀναγνούς (anagnou") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:34] ¹⁰²tn The words “the letter” are not in the Greek text but are implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.

[23:34] ¹⁰³tn Grk “and asking.” The participle ἐπερωτήσας (eperwthsa") has been translated as a finite verb and καί (kai) left untranslated due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:34] ¹⁰⁴sn Governor Felix asked what province he was from to determine whether he had legal jurisdiction over Paul. He could have sent him to his home province for trial, but decided to hear the case himself.

[23:34] ¹⁰⁵tn Grk “and learning.” The participle πυθόμενος (puqomeno") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:34] ¹⁰⁶sn Cilicia was a province in northeastern Asia Minor.

[23:35] ¹⁰³tn Or “I will hear your case.” BDAG 231 s.v. διακούω has “as legal t.t. give someone an opportunity to be heard in court, give someone (τινός) a hearing Ac 23:35”; L&N 56.13 has “to give a judicial hearing in a legal matter – ‘to hear a case, to provide a legal hearing, to hear a case in court.’”

[23:35] ¹⁰⁴tn Grk “ordering.” The participle κελεύσας (keleusas) has been translated as a finite verb and a new sentence begun here due to the length and complexity of the Greek sentence. “Then” has also been supplied to indicate the logical and temporal sequence.

[23:35] ¹⁰⁵tn Grk “him”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[23:35] ¹⁰⁶sn Herod’s palace (Grk “Herod’s praetorium”) was the palace built in Caesarea by Herod the Great. See Josephus, Ant. 15.9.6 (15.331). These events belong to the period of a.d. 56-57.

[24:1] ¹⁰⁶sn Ananias was in office from a.d. 47-59.

[24:1] ¹⁰⁷tn The term refers to a professional advocate (BDAG 905 s.v. ῥήτωρ).

[24:1] ¹⁰⁸tn Grk “an attorney, a certain Tertullus.”

[24:1] ¹⁰⁹tn Grk “who” (plural). Because in English the relative pronoun “who” could be understood to refer only to the attorney Tertullus and not to the entire group, it has been replaced with the third person plural pronoun “they.” “And” has been supplied to provide the connection to the preceding clause.

[24:1] ¹¹⁰tn BDAG 326 s.v. ἐμφανίζω 3 has “ἐ. τινὶ κατά τινος bring formal charges against someone…Ac 24:1; 25:2.”

[24:2] ¹⁰⁹tn Grk “he”; the referent (Paul) has been supplied in the translation for clarity.

[24:2] ¹¹⁰tn Or “began to bring charges, saying.”

[24:2] ¹¹¹tn Grk “experienced much peace.”

[24:2] ¹¹²tn Grk “through you” (“rule” is implied).

[24:2] ¹¹³tn This term is used only once in the NT (a hapax legomenon). It refers to improvements in internal administration (BDAG 251 s.v. διόρθωμα).

[24:2] ¹¹⁴tn Or “being made for this people.”

[24:2] ¹¹⁵sn References to peaceful rule, reforms, and the governor’s foresight in the opening address by Tertullus represent an attempt to praise the governor and thus make him favorable to the case. Actual descriptions of his rule portray him as inept (Tacitus, Annals 12.54; Josephus, J. W. 2.13.2-7 [2.253-270]).

[24:3] ¹¹²sn Most excellent Felix. See the note on Felix in 23:24.

[24:3] ¹¹³tn Grk “in every way and everywhere.”

[24:3] ¹¹⁴tn Or “with complete thankfulness.” BDAG 416 s.v. εὐχαριστία 1 has “μετὰ πάσης εὐ.…with all gratitude Ac 24:3.” L&N 31.26 has “‘we acknowledge this anywhere and everywhere with complete thankfulness’ Ac 24:3.”

[24:4] ¹¹⁵tn Or “may not weary.” BDAG 274 s.v. ἐγκόπτω states, “ἵνα μὴ ἐπὶ πλεῖόν σε ἐγκόπτω Ac 24:4 is understood by Syr. and Armen. versions to mean in order not to weary you any further; cp. ἔγκοπος weary Diog. L. 4, 50; LXX; and ἔγκοπον ποιεῖν to weary Job 19:2; Is 43:23. But impose on is also prob.; detain NRSV.”

[24:4] ¹¹⁶tn Or “request.”

[24:4] ¹¹⁷tn This term is another NT hapax legomenon (BDAG 976 s.v. συντόμως 2). Tertullus was asking for a brief hearing, and implying to the governor that he would speak briefly and to the point.

[24:4] ¹¹⁸tn BDAG 371 s.v. ἐπιείκεια has “τῇ σῇ ἐ. with your (customary) indulgence Ac 24:4.”

[24:5] ¹¹⁸tn Grk “For having found.” The participle εὑρόντες (Jeurontes) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[24:5] ¹¹⁹tn L&N 22.6 has “(a figurative extension of meaning of λοιμός ‘plague,’ 23.158) one who causes all sorts of trouble – ‘troublemaker, pest.’ … ‘for we have found this man to be a troublemaker” Ac 24:5.”

[24:5] ¹²⁰tn Or “dissensions.” While BDAG 940 s.v. στάσις 3 translates this phrase “κινεῖν στάσεις (v.l. στάσιν) τισί create dissension among certain people Ac 24:5,” it is better on the basis of the actual results of Paul’s ministry to categorize this usage under section 2, “uprising, riot, revolt, rebellion” (cf. the use in Acts 19:40).

[24:5] ¹²¹tn This term is yet another NT hapax legomenon (BDAG 894 s.v. πρωτοστάτης).

[24:5] ¹²²sn The sect of the Nazarenes is a designation for followers of Jesus the Nazarene, that is, Christians.

[24:6] ¹²¹tn Grk “who.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (“who”) was replaced by the third person singular pronoun (“he”) and a new sentence begun here in the translation.

[24:6] ¹²²tn Or “profane” (BDAG 173 s.v. βεβηλόω). The term was also used of profaning the Sabbath.

[24:6] ¹²³tn Or “seized.” Grk “whom also we arrested.” Because of the awkwardness of a relative clause in English at this point, the relative pronoun (“whom”) was replaced by the pronoun “him” as object of the verb.

[24:7] ¹²⁴tc Some later mss include some material at the end of v. 6, all of 24:7, and some material at the beginning of v. 8: “and we wanted to judge him according to our law. 24:7 But Lysias the commanding officer came and took him out of our hands with a great deal of violence, 24:8 ordering those who accused him to come before you.” Acts 24:6b, 7, and 8a are lacking in Ì⁷⁴ א A B H L P 049 81 1175 1241 pm and a few versional witnesses. They are included (with a few minor variations) in E Ψ 33 323 614 945 1505 1739 pm and a few versional witnesses. This verse (and parts of verses) is most likely not a part of the original text of Acts, for not only is it lacking from the better witnesses, there is no easy explanation as to how such could be missing from them. The present translation follows NA²⁷ in omitting the verse number, a procedure also followed by a number of other modern translations.

[24:8] ¹²⁷tn Or “question.”

[24:8] ¹²⁸tn Grk “From whom when you examine him yourself, you will be able to learn…” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (“whom”) was replaced by the third person singular pronoun (“him”) and a new sentence begun at the beginning of v. 8 in the translation.

[24:8] ¹²⁹tn Grk “about all these things of which we are accusing him.” This has been simplified to eliminate the relative pronoun (“of which”) in the translation.

[24:9] ¹³⁰tn Grk “joined in the attack,” but the adjective “verbal” has been supplied to clarify that this was not another physical assault on Paul. The verb is another NT hapax legomenon (BDAG 969 s.v. συνεπιτίθημι).

[24:9] ¹³¹tn Or “asserting” (BDAG 1050 s.v. φάσκω).

[24:10] ¹³³tn Grk “knowing.” The participle ἐπιστάμενος (epistamenos) has been translated as a causal adverbial participle.

[24:10] ¹³⁴sn “Because…defense.” Paul also paid an indirect compliment to the governor, implying that he would be fair in his judgment.

[24:11] ¹³⁶tn BDAG 369 s.v. ἐπιγινώσκω 2.c has “notice, perceive, learn of, ascertain…Also as legal t.t. ascertain (2 Macc 14:9) τὶ Ac 23:28; cp. 24:8. W. ὅτι foll. Ac 24:11.” “Verify” is an English synonym for “ascertain.”

[24:11] ¹³⁷tn Grk “it is not more than twelve days from when.” This has been simplified to “not more than twelve days ago.”

[24:11] ¹³⁸map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.

[24:12] ¹³⁹tn Or “disputing,” “conducting a heated discussion.”

[24:12] ¹⁴⁰tn BDAG 381 s.v. ἐπίστασις 2 has “ἐ. ποιεῖν ὄχλου to cause a crowd to gather Ac 24:12.” Roman authorities would not allow a mob to gather and threaten the peace, and anyone suspected of instigating a mob would certainly be arrested.

[24:12] ¹⁴¹tn Grk “in the temple.” This is actually a reference to the courts surrounding the temple proper, and has been translated accordingly.

[24:12] ¹⁴²sn See the note on synagogue in 6:9.

[24:12] ¹⁴³sn A second part of Paul’s defense is that he did nothing while he was in Jerusalem to cause unrest, neither arguing nor stirring up a crowd in the temple courts or in the synagogues or throughout the city.

[24:13] ¹⁴²tn BDAG 778 s.v. παρίστημι/παριστάνω 1.f has “οὐδὲ παραστῆσαι δύνανταί σοι περὶ ὧν νυνὶ κατηγοροῦσίν μου nor can they prove to you the accusations they are now making against me Ac 24:13.”

[24:13] ¹⁴³tn The words “the things” are not in the Greek text but are implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.

[24:13] ¹⁴⁴tn Grk “nor can they prove to you [the things] about which they are now accusing me.” This has been simplified to eliminate the relative pronoun (“which”) in the translation.

[24:14] ¹⁴⁵tn Or “serve.”

[24:14] ¹⁴⁶tn Or “forefathers”; Grk “fathers.”

[24:14] ¹⁴⁷sn That is, the law of Moses. Paul was claiming that he legitimately worshiped the God of Israel. He was arguing that this amounted to a religious dispute rather than a political one, so that the Roman authorities need not concern themselves with it.

[24:15] ¹⁴⁸tn Grk “having.” The participle ἔχων (ecwn) has been translated as a finite verb and a new sentence begun at this point in the translation because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence.

[24:15] ¹⁴⁹sn This mention of Paul’s hope sets up his appeal to the resurrection of the dead. At this point Paul was ignoring the internal Jewish dispute between the Pharisees (to which he had belonged) and the Sadducees (who denied there would be a resurrection of the dead).

[24:15] ¹⁵⁰tn Grk “a hope in God (which these [men] themselves accept too).” Because the antecedent of the relative pronoun “which” is somewhat unclear in English, the words “a hope” have been repeated at the beginning of the parenthesis for clarity.

[24:15] ¹⁵¹tn Grk “that they”; the referent (these men, Paul’s accusers) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[24:15] ¹⁵²tn Or “the unjust.”

[24:16] ¹⁵¹tn BDAG 329 s.v. ἐν 9.a, “ἐν τούτῳ πιστεύομεν this is the reason why we believe Jn 16:30; cp. Ac 24:16.”

[24:16] ¹⁵²tn BDAG 224 s.v. διά 2.a, “διὰ παντός…always, continually, constantly…Ac 2:25 (Ps 15:8); 10:2; 24:16.” However, the positioning of the adverb “always” in the English translation is difficult; the position used is one of the least awkward.

[24:16] ¹⁵³tn BDAG 125 s.v. ἀπρόσκοπος 1 has “ἀ. συνείδησις a clear conscience Ac 24:16.”

[24:16] ¹⁵⁴tn Grk “men,” but this is a generic use (Paul does not have only males in view).

[24:17] ¹⁵⁴tn BDAG 401 s.v. ἔτος has “δι᾿ ἐ. πλειόνων after several years 24:17.”

[24:17] ¹⁵⁵tn Grk “to bring alms,” but the term “alms” is not in common use today, so the closest modern equivalent, “gifts for the poor,” is used instead.

[24:17] ¹⁵⁶tn Or “sacrifices.” BDAG 887 s.v. προσφορά 1 has “προσφοράς ποιεῖν have sacrifices made Ac 24:17,” but this may be overly specific. It is not clear from the immediate context whether the offering of sacrificial animals (so BDAG assumes) or offerings of some other sort (such as financial gifts) are in view. The combination with ἐλεημοσύνας (elehmosuna") in the preceding clause may suggest monetary offerings. Some have suggested this is an allusion to the payments made by Paul on behalf of the four other men mentioned in Acts 21:23-26, but the text here seems to suggest something Paul had planned to do before he came, while the decision to pay for the expenses of the men in 21:23ff. was made at the suggestion of the Jerusalem leadership after he arrived. In either case, Paul was portraying himself as a pious worshiper of his God.

[24:18] ¹⁵⁷sn Ritually purified. Paul’s claim here is that he was honoring the holiness of God by being sensitive to issues of ritual purity. Not only was he not guilty of the charges against him, but he was thoroughly devout.

[24:18] ¹⁵⁸tn BDAG 458 s.v. θόρυβος 3.b has “μετὰ θορύβου…with a disturbance Ac 24:18.”

[24:19] ¹⁶⁰tn Grk “Asia”; in the NT this always refers to the Roman province of Asia, made up of about one-third of the west and southwest end of modern Asia Minor. Asia lay to the west of the region of Phrygia and Galatia. The words “the province of” are supplied to indicate to the modern reader that this does not refer to the continent of Asia.

[24:19] ¹⁶¹tn BDAG 533 s.v. κατηγορέω 1 states, “nearly always as legal t.t.: bring charges in court.” L&N 33.427 states for κατηγορέω (kathgorew), “to bring serious charges or accusations against someone, with the possible connotation of a legal or court context – ‘to accuse, to bring charges.’”

[24:20] ¹⁶³tn Grk “these [men] themselves.”

[24:20] ¹⁶⁴tn Or “unrighteous act.”

[24:20] ¹⁶⁵tn The words “me guilty of” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. L&N 88.23 has “αὐτοὶ οὗτοι εἰπάτωσαν τί εὗρον ἀδίκημα στάντος μου ‘let these men themselves tell what unrighteous act they found me guilty of’ Ac 24:20.”

[24:20] ¹⁶⁶tn Grk “the Sanhedrin” (the Sanhedrin was the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews).

[24:21] ¹⁶⁶tn BDAG 433 s.v. ἤ 2.c has “οὐδὲν ἕτερον ἤ nothing else than…Ac 17:21. τί…ἤ what other…than…24:21.”

[24:21] ¹⁶⁷tn Grk “one utterance.”

[24:21] ¹⁶⁸tn Cf. BDAG 327 s.v. ἐν 1.e, which has “before, in the presence of, etc.”

[24:21] ¹⁶⁹sn The resurrection of the dead. Paul’s point was, what crime was there in holding this religious belief?

[24:22] ¹⁶⁹sn See the note on Antonius Felix in 23:24.

[24:22] ¹⁷⁰tn Grk “the things.”

[24:22] ¹⁷¹tn That is, concerning Christianity.

[24:22] ¹⁷²tn BDAG 39 s.v. ἀκριβῶς has “Comp. ἀκριβέστερον more exactly…ἀ. ἐκτίθεσθαι explain more exactly Ac 18:26, cp. 23:15, 20; also more accurately…24:22.” Felix knew more about the Christian movement than what the Jewish leaders had told him.

[24:22] ¹⁷³tn L&N 56.18 s.v. ἀναβάλλω has “to adjourn a court proceeding until a later time – ‘to adjourn a hearing, to stop a hearing and put it off until later.’…‘then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned their hearing’ Ac 24:22.”

[24:22] ¹⁷⁴tn BDAG 227 s.v. διαγινώσκω 2 states, “to make a judicial decision, decide/hear (a case)…τὰ καθ᾿ ὑμᾶς decide your case Ac 24:22.”

[24:23] ¹⁷²sn See the note on the word centurion in 10:1.

[24:23] ¹⁷³tn Grk “that he was to be guarded.” The passive construction (τηρεῖσθαι, threisqai) has been converted to an active one in parallel with the following clauses, and the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[24:23] ¹⁷⁴tn BDAG 77 s.v. ἄνεσις 1 states, “lit. relaxation of custodial control, some liberty, ἀ. ἔχειν have some freedom Ac 24:23.”

[24:23] ¹⁷⁵tn Grk “any of his own” (this could also refer to relatives).

[24:23] ¹⁷⁶tn Grk “from serving him.”

[24:24] ¹⁷⁵sn See the note on Antonius Felix in 23:24.

[24:24] ¹⁷⁶sn It is possible that Drusilla, being Jewish, was the source of Felix’s knowledge about the new movement called Christianity. The youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I and sister of Agrippa II, she would have been close to 20 years old at the time. She had married the king of a small region in Syria but divorced him at the age of 16 to marry Felix. This was her second marriage and Felix’s third (Josephus, Ant. 19.9.1 [19.354], 20.7.2 [20.141-144]). As a member of Herod’s family, she probably knew about the Way.

[24:24] ¹⁷⁷tn The word “speak” is implied; BDAG 32 s.v. ἀκούω 1.c has “ἤκουσεν αὐτοῦ περὶ τῆς…πίστεως he heard him speak about faith Ac 24:24.”

[24:24] ¹⁷⁸tn Or “Messiah Jesus”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”

[24:25] ¹⁷⁸tn Grk “he”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[24:25] ¹⁷⁹tn Or “speaking about.”

[24:25] ¹⁸⁰tn Grk “and self-control.” This καί (kai) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.

[24:25] ¹⁸¹sn See the note on Felix in 23:26.

[24:25] ¹⁸²tn Grk “becoming.” The participle γενόμενος (genomenos) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[24:25] ¹⁸³tn Or “when I find time.” BDAG 639 s.v. μεταλαμβάνω 2 has “καιρὸν μ. have an opportunity = find time…Ac 24:25.”

[24:26] ¹⁸¹tn Grk “he was hoping that money would be given to him by Paul.” To simplify the translation, the passive construction has been converted to an active one.

[24:26] ¹⁸²tn Grk “him”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[24:26] ¹⁸³tn “As often as possible” reflects the comparative form of the adjective πυκνός (puknos); see BDAG 897 s.v. πυκνός, which has “Neut. of the comp. πυκνότερον as adv. more often, more frequently and in an elative sense very often, quite frequently…also as often as possible…Ac 24:26.”

[24:26] ¹⁸⁴tn On this term, which could mean “conferred with him,” see BDAG 705 s.v. ὁμιλέω.

[24:27] ¹⁸⁴tn Grk “After a two-year period.”

[24:27] ¹⁸⁵sn Porcius Festus was the procurator of Palestine who succeeded Felix; neither the beginning nor the end of his rule (at his death) can be determined with certainty, although he appears to have died in office after about two years. Nero recalled Felix in a.d. 57 or 58, and Festus was appointed to his vacant office in a.d. 57, 58, or 59. According to Josephus (Ant. 20.8.9-10 [20.182-188]; J. W. 2.14.1 [2.271-272]), his administration was better than that of his predecessor Felix or his successor Albinus, but Luke in Acts portrays him in a less favorable light: He was willing to sacrifice Paul to court Jewish favor by taking him to Jerusalem for trial (v. 9), regardless of Paul’s guilt or innocence. The one characteristic for which Festus was noted is that he dealt harshly with those who disturbed the peace.

[24:27] ¹⁸⁶tn Grk “Felix received as successor Porcius Festus.”

[24:27] ¹⁸⁷tn Grk “left Paul imprisoned.”