Acts 24 (WEB)

1 After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul. 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, 3 we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 But, that I don’t delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words. 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. 6 He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him.+ 7 + 8 +By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”

9 The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so. 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, 11 seeing that you can recognize that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem. 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. 13 Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me. 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; 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. 16 Herein I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men. 17 Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings; 18 amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil. 19 They ought to have been here before you, and to make accusation, if they had anything against me. 20 Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council, 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!’”

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.” 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 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. 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.” 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. 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.

+1:10“Behold”, from “ἰδοὺ”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.+2:15about 9:00 a.m.+2:27or, Hell+2:31or, Hell+3:13:00 p.m.+3:17The word for “brothers” here may be also correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”+3:25or, seed+4:26Christ (Greek) and Messiah (Hebrew) both mean Anointed One.+6:1The Hellenists used Greek language and culture, even though they were also of Hebrew descent.+7:5or, seed+7:6or, seed+7:23The word for “brothers” here and where the context allows may be also correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”+7:37TR adds “You shall listen to him.”+7:42This idiom could also be translated “host of heaven”, or “angelic beings”, or “heavenly bodies.”+8:37TR addsPhilip8:37said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” He answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”+9:5TR adds “It’s hard for you to kick against the cattle prods.”+9:6TR omits “But”+9:11or, Judas+9:28TR and NU add “and going out”+9:29TR and NU omit “Jesus” and reverse the order of verses 28 & 29.+9:29The Hellenists were Hebrews who used Greek language and culture.+9:30The word for “brothers” here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”+9:36“Dorcas” is Greek for “Gazelle.”+9:38Reading from NU, TR; MT omits “two men”+10:33:00 p.m.+10:6TR adds “This one will tell you what it is necessary for you to do.”+10:19Reading from TR and NU. MT omits “three”+10:303:00 p.m.+10:39TR omits “also”+11:1The word for “brothers” here and where context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”+11:20A Hellenist is someone who keeps Greek customs and culture.+12:25TR reads “from” instead of “to”+13:17TR, NU add “Israel”+13:23or, seed+13:23TR, NU read “a Savior, Jesus” instead of “salvation”+13:24TR, NU read “to all the people of Israel” instead of “to Israel”+13:38The word for “brothers” here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”+14:2or, disobedient+14:17TR reads “us” instead of “you”+15:3The word for “brothers” here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”+15:11TR adds “Christ”+15:22The word for “brothers” here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”+15:34Some manuscripts add:But15:34it seemed good to Silas to stay there.+17:5TR reads “And the Jews who were unpersuaded, becoming envious and taking along” instead of “But the unpersuaded Jews took along”+17:6The word for “brothers” here and where the context allows may be also correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”+17:18TR omits “also”+18:18The word for “brothers” here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”+19:19The 50,000 pieces of silver here probably referred to 50,000 drachmas. If so, the value of the burned books was equivalent to about 160 man-years of wages for agricultural laborers+20:8TR reads “they” instead of “we”+20:21TR adds “Christ”+20:28TR, NU omit “the Lord and”+20:32The word for “brothers” here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”+23:23about 9:00 p.m.+24:6TR adds “We wanted to judge him according to our law,”+24:7TR adds “but the commanding officer, Lysias, came by and with great violence took him out of our hands,”+24:8TR adds “commanding his accusers to come to you.”