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Acts 23:12-27:1
New American Bible (Revised Edition)

Transfer to Caesarea. 12 When day came, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty who formed this conspiracy. 14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves by a solemn oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. 15 You, together with the Sanhedrin, must now make an official request to the commander to have him bring him down to you, as though you meant to investigate his case more thoroughly. We on our part are prepared to kill him before he arrives.” 16 The son of Paul’s sister, however, heard about the ambush; so he went and entered the compound and reported it to Paul. 17 Paul then called one of the centurions[a] and requested, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to report to him.” 18 So he took him and brought him to the commander and explained, “The prisoner Paul called me and asked that I bring this young man to you; he has something to say to you.” 19 The commander took him by the hand, drew him aside, and asked him privately, “What is it you have to report to me?” 20 He replied, “The Jews have conspired to ask you to bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin tomorrow, as though they meant to inquire about him more thoroughly, 21 but do not believe them. More than forty of them are lying in wait for him; they have bound themselves by oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They are now ready and only wait for your consent.” 22 As the commander dismissed the young man he directed him, “Tell no one that you gave me this information.”

23 Then he summoned two of the centurions and said, “Get two hundred soldiers ready to go to Caesarea by nine o’clock tonight,[b] along with seventy horsemen and two hundred auxiliaries. 24 Provide mounts for Paul to ride and give him safe conduct to Felix the governor.” 25 Then he wrote a letter with this content: 26 [c]“Claudius Lysias to his excellency the governor Felix, greetings.[d] 27 This man, seized by the Jews and about to be murdered by them, I rescued after intervening with my troops when I learned that he was a Roman citizen.(A) 28 I wanted to learn the reason for their accusations against him so I brought him down to their Sanhedrin. 29 I discovered that he was accused in matters of controversial questions of their law and not of any charge deserving death or imprisonment.(B) 30 Since it was brought to my attention that there will be a plot against the man, I am sending him to you at once, and have also notified his accusers to state [their case] against him before you.”

31 So the soldiers, according to their orders, took Paul and escorted him by night to Antipatris. 32 The next day they returned to the compound, leaving the horsemen to complete the journey with him. 33 When they arrived in Caesarea they delivered the letter to the governor and presented Paul to him. 34 When he had read it and asked to what province he belonged, and learned that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I shall hear your case when your accusers arrive.” Then he ordered that he be held in custody in Herod’s praetorium.

Chapter 24

Trial Before Felix. 1 Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an advocate, a certain Tertullus, and they presented formal charges against Paul to the governor. 2 When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Since we have attained much peace through you, and reforms have been accomplished in this nation through your provident care, 3 we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all gratitude. 4 But in order not to detain you further, I ask you to give us a brief hearing with your customary graciousness. 5 (C)We found this man to be a pest; he creates dissension among Jews all over the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazoreans.[e] 6 He even tried to desecrate our temple, but we arrested him.(D) [7 ][f] 8 If you examine him you will be able to learn from him for yourself about everything of which we are accusing him.” 9 The Jews also joined in the attack and asserted that these things were so.

10 [g]Then the governor motioned to him to speak and Paul replied, “I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years and so I am pleased to make my defense before you. 11 As you can verify, not more than twelve days have passed since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor anywhere in the city did they find me arguing with anyone or instigating a riot among the people. 13 Nor can they prove to you the accusations they are now making against me. 14 But this I do admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our ancestors and I believe everything that is in accordance with the law and written in the prophets.(E) 15 I have the same hope in God as they themselves have that there will be a resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous.(F) 16 Because of this, I always strive to keep my conscience clear before God and man.(G) 17 After many years, I came to bring alms for my nation and offerings.(H) 18 While I was so engaged, they found me, after my purification, in the temple without a crowd or disturbance.(I) 19 But some Jews from the province of Asia, who should be here before you to make whatever accusation they might have against me— 20 or let these men themselves state what crime they discovered when I stood before the Sanhedrin, 21 unless it was my one outcry as I stood among them, that ‘I am on trial before you today for the resurrection of the dead.’”(J)

22 Then Felix, who was accurately informed about the Way, postponed the trial, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I shall decide your case.” 23 He gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that he should not prevent any of his friends from caring for his needs.

Captivity in Caesarea. 24 [h]Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He had Paul summoned and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 But as he spoke about righteousness and self-restraint and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now; when I find an opportunity I shall summon you again.” 26 At the same time he hoped that a bribe would be offered him by Paul, and so he sent for him very often and conversed with him.

27 Two years passed and Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Wishing to ingratiate himself with the Jews, Felix left Paul in prison.[i]

Chapter 25

Appeal to Caesar. 1 Three days after his arrival in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem 2 where the chief priests and Jewish leaders presented him their formal charges against Paul.[j] They asked him 3 as a favor to have him sent to Jerusalem, for they were plotting to kill him along the way. 4 Festus replied that Paul was being held in custody in Caesarea and that he himself would be returning there shortly. 5 He said, “Let your authorities come down with me, and if this man has done something improper, let them accuse him.”

6 After spending no more than eight or ten days with them, he went down to Caesarea, and on the following day took his seat on the tribunal and ordered that Paul be brought in. 7 When he appeared, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem surrounded him and brought many serious charges against him, which they were unable to prove. 8 In defending himself Paul said, “I have committed no crime either against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.” 9 [k]Then Festus, wishing to ingratiate himself with the Jews, said to Paul in reply, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there stand trial before me on these charges?” 10 Paul answered, “I am standing before the tribunal of Caesar; this is where I should be tried. I have committed no crime against the Jews, as you very well know. 11 If I have committed a crime or done anything deserving death, I do not seek to escape the death penalty; but if there is no substance to the charges they are bringing against me, then no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar.” 12 Then Festus, after conferring with his council, replied, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go.”

Paul Before King Agrippa. 13 When a few days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice[l] arrived in Caesarea on a visit to Festus. 14 Since they spent several days there, Festus referred Paul’s case to the king, saying, “There is a man here left in custody by Felix.(K) 15 When I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and demanded his condemnation. 16 I answered them that it was not Roman practice to hand over an accused person before he has faced his accusers and had the opportunity to defend himself against their charge. 17 So when [they] came together here, I made no delay; the next day I took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought in. 18 (L)His accusers stood around him, but did not charge him with any of the crimes I suspected. 19 Instead they had some issues with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus who had died but who Paul claimed was alive. 20 Since I was at a loss how to investigate this controversy, I asked if he were willing to go to Jerusalem and there stand trial on these charges. 21 And when Paul appealed that he be held in custody for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.” 22 Agrippa said to Festus, “I too should like to hear this man.” He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”

23 The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great ceremony and entered the audience hall in the company of cohort commanders and the prominent men of the city and, by command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24 And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all you here present with us, look at this man about whom the whole Jewish populace petitioned me here and in Jerusalem, clamoring that he should live no longer. 25 I found, however, that he had done nothing deserving death, and so when he appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him. 26 But I have nothing definite to write about him to our sovereign; therefore I have brought him before all of you, and particularly before you, King Agrippa, so that I may have something to write as a result of this investigation. 27 For it seems senseless to me to send up a prisoner without indicating the charges against him.”

Chapter 26

King Agrippa Hears Paul. 1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You may now speak on your own behalf.” So Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense. 2 [m]“I count myself fortunate, King Agrippa, that I am to defend myself before you today against all the charges made against me by the Jews, 3 especially since you are an expert in all the Jewish customs and controversies. And therefore I beg you to listen patiently. 4 My manner of living from my youth, a life spent from the beginning among my people[n] and in Jerusalem, all [the] Jews know. 5 (M)They have known about me from the start, if they are willing to testify, that I have lived my life as a Pharisee, the strictest party of our religion. 6 (N)But now I am standing trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our ancestors. 7 Our twelve tribes hope to attain to that promise as they fervently worship God day and night; and on account of this hope I am accused by Jews, O king. 8 Why is it thought unbelievable among you that God raises the dead? 9 (O)I myself once thought that I had to do many things against the name of Jesus the Nazorean, 10 and I did so in Jerusalem. I imprisoned many of the holy ones with the authorization I received from the chief priests, and when they were to be put to death I cast my vote against them.(P) 11 Many times, in synagogue after synagogue, I punished them in an attempt to force them to blaspheme; I was so enraged against them that I pursued them even to foreign cities.

12 “On one such occasion I was traveling to Damascus with the authorization and commission of the chief priests. 13 (Q)At midday, along the way, O king, I saw a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my traveling companions.(R) 14 We all fell to the ground and I heard a voice saying to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?(S) It is hard for you to kick against the goad.’[o] 15 And I said, ‘Who are you, sir?’ And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.(T) 16 Get up now, and stand on your feet.(U) I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness of what you have seen [of me] and what you will be shown.[p] 17 I shall deliver you from this people and from the Gentiles to whom I send you,(V) 18 to open their eyes[q] that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may obtain forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been consecrated by faith in me.’(W)

19 “And so, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. 20 On the contrary, first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem and throughout the whole country of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached the need to repent and turn to God, and to do works giving evidence of repentance. 21 (X)That is why the Jews seized me [when I was] in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 (Y)But I have enjoyed God’s help to this very day, and so I stand here testifying to small and great alike, saying nothing different from what the prophets and Moses foretold,[r] 23 that the Messiah must suffer[s] and that, as the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”(Z)

Reactions to Paul’s Speech. 24 While Paul was so speaking in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, “You are mad, Paul; much learning is driving you mad.” 25 But Paul replied, “I am not mad, most excellent Festus; I am speaking words of truth and reason. 26 The king knows about these matters and to him I speak boldly, for I cannot believe that [any] of this has escaped his notice; this was not done in a corner.[t] 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets?[u] I know you believe.” 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You will soon persuade me to play the Christian.” 29 Paul replied, “I would pray to God that sooner or later not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am except for these chains.”

30 Then the king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and the others who sat with them. 31 [v]And after they had withdrawn they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing [at all] that deserves death or imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”(AA)

Chapter 27

Departure for Rome. 1 [w]When it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they handed Paul and some other prisoners over to a centurion named Julius of the Cohort Augusta.[x]

Footnotes

  1. 23:17 Centurions: a centurion was a military officer in charge of one hundred soldiers.
  2. 23:23 By nine o’clock tonight: literally, “by the third hour of the night.” The night hours began at 6 p.m. Two hundred auxiliaries: the meaning of the Greek is not certain. It seems to refer to spearmen from the local police force and not from the cohort of soldiers, which would have numbered only 500–1000 men.
  3. 23:26–30 The letter emphasizes the fact that Paul is a Roman citizen and asserts the lack of evidence that he is guilty of a crime against the empire. The tone of the letter implies that the commander became initially involved in Paul’s case because of his Roman citizenship, but this is not an exact description of what really happened (see Acts 21:31–33; 22:25–29).
  4. 23:26 M. Antonius Felix was procurator of Judea from A.D. 52 to 60. His procuratorship was marked by cruelty toward and oppression of his Jewish subjects.
  5. 24:5 Nazoreans: that is, followers of Jesus of Nazareth.
  6. 24:7 The Western text has added here a verse (really Acts 24:6b–8a) that is not found in the best Greek manuscripts. It reads, “and would have judged him according to our own law, but the cohort commander Lysias came and violently took him out of our hands and ordered his accusers to come before you.”
  7. 24:10–21 Whereas the advocate Tertullus referred to Paul’s activities on his missionary journeys, the apostle narrowed the charges down to the riot connected with the incident in the temple (see Acts 21:27–30; 24:17–20). In his defense, Paul stresses the continuity between Christianity and Judaism.
  8. 24:24, 25 The way of Christian discipleship greatly disquiets Felix, who has entered into an adulterous marriage with Drusilla, daughter of Herod Agrippa I. This marriage provides the background for the topics Paul speaks about and about which Felix does not want to hear.
  9. 24:27 Very little is known of Porcius Festus who was a procurator of Judea from A.D. 60 to 62.
  10. 25:2 Even after two years the animosity toward Paul in Jerusalem had not subsided (see Acts 24:27).
  11. 25:9–12 Paul refuses to acknowledge that the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem has any jurisdiction over him now (Acts 25:11). Paul uses his right as a Roman citizen to appeal his case to the jurisdiction of the Emperor (Nero, ca. A.D. 60) (Acts 25:12). This move broke the deadlock between Roman protective custody of Paul and the plan of his enemies to kill him (25:3).
  12. 25:13 King Agrippa and Bernice: brother and sister, children of Herod Agrippa I whose activities against the Jerusalem community are mentioned in Acts 12:1–19. Agrippa II was a petty ruler over small areas in northern Palestine and some villages in Perea. His influence on the Jewish population of Palestine was insignificant.
  13. 26:2–23 Paul’s final defense speech in Acts is now made before a king (see Acts 9:15). In the speech Paul presents himself as a zealous Pharisee and Christianity as the logical development of Pharisaic Judaism. The story of his conversion is recounted for the third time in Acts in this speech (see note on Acts 9:1–19).
  14. 26:4 Among my people: that is, among the Jews.
  15. 26:14 In Hebrew: see note on Acts 21:40. It is hard for you to kick against the goad: this proverb is commonly found in Greek literature and in this context signifies the senselessness and ineffectiveness of any opposition to the divine influence in his life.
  16. 26:16 The words of Jesus directed to Paul here reflect the dialogues between Christ and Ananias (Acts 9:15) and between Ananias and Paul (Acts 22:14–15) in the two previous accounts of Paul’s conversion.
  17. 26:18 To open their eyes: though no mention is made of Paul’s blindness in this account (cf. Acts 9:8–9, 12, 18; 22:11–13), the task he is commissioned to perform is the removal of other people’s spiritual blindness.
  18. 26:22 Saying nothing different from what the prophets and Moses foretold: see note on Lk 18:31.
  19. 26:23 That the Messiah must suffer: see note on Lk 24:26.
  20. 26:26 Not done in a corner: for Luke, this Greek proverb expresses his belief that he is presenting a story about Jesus and the church that is already well known. As such, the entire history of Christianity is public knowledge and incontestable. Luke presents his story in this way to provide “certainty” to his readers about the instructions they have received (Lk 1:4).
  21. 26:27–28 If the Christian missionaries proclaim nothing different from what the Old Testament prophets had proclaimed (Acts 26:22–23), then the logical outcome for the believing Jew, according to Luke, is to become a Christian.
  22. 26:31–32 In recording the episode of Paul’s appearance before Agrippa, Luke wishes to show that, when Paul’s case was judged impartially, no grounds for legal action against him were found (see Acts 23:29; 25:25).
  23. 27:1–28:16 Here Luke has written a stirring account of adventure on the high seas, incidental to his main purpose of showing how well Paul got along with his captors and how his prophetic influence saved the lives of all on board. The recital also establishes the existence of Christian communities in Puteoli and Rome. This account of the voyage and shipwreck also constitutes the final “we-section” in Acts (see note on Acts 16:10–17).
  24. 27:1 Cohort Augusta: the presence of a Cohort Augusta in Syria during the first century A.D. is attested in inscriptions. Whatever the historical background to this information given by Luke may be, the name Augusta serves to increase the prominence and prestige of the prisoner Paul whose custodians bear so important a Roman name.
Listen to Acts 23:12-27:1
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Acts 23:12-27:1
New International Version

The Plot to Kill Paul

12 The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy(A) and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.(B) 13 More than forty men were involved in this plot. 14 They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.(C) 15 Now then, you and the Sanhedrin(D) petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here.”

16 But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks(E) and told Paul.

17 Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him to the commander.

The centurion said, “Paul, the prisoner,(F) sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.”

19 The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?”

20 He said: “Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin(G) tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him.(H) 21 Don’t give in to them, because more than forty(I) of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him.(J) They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request.”

22 The commander dismissed the young man with this warning: “Don’t tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”

Paul Transferred to Caesarea

23 Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen[a] to go to Caesarea(K) at nine tonight.(L) 24 Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.”(M)

25 He wrote a letter as follows:

26 Claudius Lysias,

To His Excellency,(N) Governor Felix:

Greetings.(O)

27 This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him,(P) but I came with my troops and rescued him,(Q) for I had learned that he is a Roman citizen.(R) 28 I wanted to know why they were accusing him, so I brought him to their Sanhedrin.(S) 29 I found that the accusation had to do with questions about their law,(T) but there was no charge against him(U) that deserved death or imprisonment. 30 When I was informed(V) of a plot(W) to be carried out against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also ordered his accusers(X) to present to you their case against him.

31 So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul with them during the night and brought him as far as Antipatris. 32 The next day they let the cavalry(Y) go on with him, while they returned to the barracks.(Z) 33 When the cavalry(AA) arrived in Caesarea,(AB) they delivered the letter to the governor(AC) and handed Paul over to him. 34 The governor read the letter and asked what province he was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia,(AD) 35 he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers(AE) get here.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard(AF) in Herod’s palace.

Paul’s Trial Before Felix

24 Five days later the high priest Ananias(AG) went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges(AH) against Paul before the governor.(AI) 2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. 3 Everywhere and in every way, most excellent(AJ) Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. 4 But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.

5 “We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots(AK) among the Jews(AL) all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene(AM) sect(AN) 6 and even tried to desecrate the temple;(AO) so we seized him. [7] [b] 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”

9 The other Jews joined in the accusation,(AP) asserting that these things were true.

10 When the governor(AQ) motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense. 11 You can easily verify that no more than twelve days(AR) ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple,(AS) or stirring up a crowd(AT) in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13 And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.(AU) 14 However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors(AV) as a follower of the Way,(AW) which they call a sect.(AX) I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets,(AY) 15 and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection(AZ) of both the righteous and the wicked.(BA) 16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear(BB) before God and man.

17 “After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor(BC) and to present offerings. 18 I was ceremonially clean(BD) when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance.(BE) 19 But there are some Jews from the province of Asia,(BF) who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me.(BG) 20 Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin— 21 unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”(BH)

22 Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way,(BI) adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” 23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard(BJ) but to give him some freedom(BK) and permit his friends to take care of his needs.(BL)

24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.(BM) 25 As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control(BN) and the judgment(BO) to come, Felix was afraid(BP) and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” 26 At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.

27 When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus,(BQ) but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews,(BR) he left Paul in prison.(BS)

Paul’s Trial Before Festus

25 Three days after arriving in the province, Festus(BT) went up from Caesarea(BU) to Jerusalem, 2 where the chief priests and the Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul.(BV) 3 They requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.(BW) 4 Festus answered, “Paul is being held(BX) at Caesarea,(BY) and I myself am going there soon. 5 Let some of your leaders come with me, and if the man has done anything wrong, they can press charges against him there.”

6 After spending eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he convened the court(BZ) and ordered that Paul be brought before him.(CA) 7 When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many serious charges against him,(CB) but they could not prove them.(CC)

8 Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple(CD) or against Caesar.”

9 Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor,(CE) said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?”(CF)

10 Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews,(CG) as you yourself know very well. 11 If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”(CH)

12 After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

Festus Consults King Agrippa

13 A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea(CI) to pay their respects to Festus. 14 Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner.(CJ) 15 When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him(CK) and asked that he be condemned.

16 “I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges.(CL) 17 When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in.(CM) 18 When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. 19 Instead, they had some points of dispute(CN) with him about their own religion(CO) and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. 20 I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges.(CP) 21 But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”(CQ)

22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.”

He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”(CR)

Paul Before Agrippa(CS)

23 The next day Agrippa and Bernice(CT) came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high-ranking military officers and the prominent men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24 Festus said: “King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man! The whole Jewish community(CU) has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer.(CV) 25 I found he had done nothing deserving of death,(CW) but because he made his appeal to the Emperor(CX) I decided to send him to Rome. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write. 27 For I think it is unreasonable to send a prisoner on to Rome without specifying the charges against him.”

26 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.”(CY)

So Paul motioned with his hand(CZ) and began his defense: 2 “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you(DA) today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews,(DB) 3 and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs(DC) and controversies.(DD) Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.

4 “The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child,(DE) from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time(DF) and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect(DG) of our religion, living as a Pharisee.(DH) 6 And now it is because of my hope(DI) in what God has promised our ancestors(DJ) that I am on trial today. 7 This is the promise our twelve tribes(DK) are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night.(DL) King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me.(DM) 8 Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?(DN)

9 “I too was convinced(DO) that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose(DP) the name of Jesus of Nazareth.(DQ) 10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people(DR) in prison,(DS) and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.(DT) 11 Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished,(DU) and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.

12 “On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice(DV) saying to me in Aramaic,[c](DW) ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’

“ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet.(DX) I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.(DY) 17 I will rescue you(DZ) from your own people and from the Gentiles.(EA) I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes(EB) and turn them from darkness to light,(EC) and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins(ED) and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’(EE)

19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient(EF) to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus,(EG) then to those in Jerusalem(EH) and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles,(EI) I preached that they should repent(EJ) and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.(EK) 21 That is why some Jews seized me(EL) in the temple courts and tried to kill me.(EM) 22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen(EN)— 23 that the Messiah would suffer(EO) and, as the first to rise from the dead,(EP) would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”(EQ)

24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind,(ER) Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning(ES) is driving you insane.”

25 “I am not insane, most excellent(ET) Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things,(EU) and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”

28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”(EV)

29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”(EW)

30 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice(EX) and those sitting with them. 31 After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”(EY)

32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free(EZ) if he had not appealed to Caesar.”(FA)

Paul Sails for Rome

27 When it was decided that we(FB) would sail for Italy,(FC) Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment.(FD)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 23:23 The meaning of the Greek for this word is uncertain.
  2. Acts 24:7 Some manuscripts include here him, and we would have judged him in accordance with our law. 7 But the commander Lysias came and took him from us with much violence, 8 ordering his accusers to come before you.
  3. Acts 26:14 Or Hebrew
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