MPV Commentary

His Defense and Remand for Further Hearing

After five days from their departure from Jerusalem, Ananias, a deputation of the Sanhedrin, arrived in Caesarea with a Roman advocate to inform against Paul.

Seeing that by you we enjoy great quietness, Felix had indeed acted with some vigor and success in suppressing lawless violence. However, this flattery was not genuine; it was merely a facade. The charges brought against Paul were numerous: he was accused of being a pestilence, stirring up sedition among the Jews everywhere, and leading the sect of the Nazarenes.

Paul's accusers claimed that he had attempted to profane the temple, but this charge was entirely false. They also alleged that they would have judged him according to their law, but Lysias intervened with great violence, taking Paul out of their hands. This was a deliberate falsehood and calumny against a public officer.

Paul's accusers suggested that Felix should have left the case to be dealt with by the Jewish tribunal, where his life would soon have been taken. However, Paul countered that he had been in Jerusalem for only twelve days, during which time he had worshiped and offered sacrifices according to his vow.

The Asiatic Jews could not prove any of the charges brought against him. Paul confessed that after the way they called heresy, so he worshiped the God of his fathers, believing all things written in the law and having hope in a future resurrection as they themselves allowed.

Paul's accusers were chiefly Pharisees who had befriended him at the recent council but now accused him of heresy. Paul appealed to their faith, showing that they were inconsistent in their actions. He exercised himself to have always a conscience void of offense toward God and men.

After many years' absence from Jerusalem, Paul came to bring alms to his own people in Macedonia and Greece. He had taken pains to gather these offerings, which were connected with his Jewish vow. When he was found purified in the temple, he neither polluted it by his presence nor raised a stir.

Paul challenged his accusers to substantiate their charges, asking why they did not bring witnesses from Jerusalem to testify against him. The only voice that spoke up was one of the Pharisees, who touched on the resurrection. Paul then appealed to Felix's knowledge of the way, which he had previously demonstrated in suppressing lawless violence.

Felix sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. However, his interest was not genuine; he was more concerned with extracting money from Paul. He hoped that money would be given to him through Paul's visitors, so he sent for him often and communed with him. This was a hypocritical act, as Felix cared little for either Paul or his message.

After two years of imprisonment, Porcius Festus came into Felix' room, replacing him as procurator. Felix left Paul bound, which seems to have been the case until then.