Lesson 23: Defending The Kingdom, Part 2 (Acts 23-24)

Paul had defended the Way before his countrymen (Acts 22), but more trials were in store. In this lesson we will see Paul defend the Way before a Roman governor, all in prelude to his eventual journey to Rome itself. “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” (Acts 23.11)

Notes From The Text:

23.1-11, Before the Council

• Vs. 1
  • Paul had been very wrong, but had not violated his conscience… The Jews could be equally wrong and not realize it!
  • A literal translation of “conscience” is “with knowledge”. Paul had not violated what he knew about God’s will, but since he didn’t yet know the truth about Christ, he was still wrong.
• Vs. 2, this Ananias was high priest from AD 48 – AD 59 and was extremely corrupt. He likely had Paul struck for having the audacity to claim a good conscience when in their minds he was clearly a criminal.
• Vs. 3
  • “God will strike you”, According to Josephus, in the attack of the Sicarii upon Jerusalem (67 A.D.), he was dragged from his hiding-place, in a sewer of the palace, and murdered by assassins.
  • “Whitewash wall” see Matt. 23.27
  • “contrary to the Law” see Deut. 25.1-2.
• Vs. 5, there had been no fewer than 28 different high priests from AD 37 – AD 70, so Paul very well might not have known who was the high priest. Or Paul may have been stating that he no longer recognized a high priest other than Jesus Christ (see Hebrews 7).
• Vs. 6, this is a true statement because Christianity rests on Jesus’ resurrection from the dead (see Acts 13.32-33).
• Vs. 9, “ The word “evil” must be understood in a very restricted sense. They found plenty wrong in Paul. It was just that in the matter of the resurrection they found his teaching consistent with the Old Testament scriptures. The fact is, they were not nearly as sympathetic to the apostle as they were hostile toward their old enemies, the Sadducees. Their defense of Paul was a matter of convenience.” (Wayne Jackson)
• Vs. 11, note Romans 1.10; 15.30-32.

23.12-22, Plot of the Jews

• Vs. 14, “It speaks volumes about the chief priests to consider that the conspirators felt quite sure of a hearty concurrence when they present the assassination plot to them.” (Garreth Reese)
• Vs. 16, we have no other knowledge regarding Paul’s family in Jerusalem. Paul’s Roman citizenship afforded him the privilege of receiving visitors.

23.23-35, Move to Caesarea

• Vs. 23, Caesarea was 60-70 miles from Jerusalem.
• Vs. 24, Felix the governor
  • Beginnings: He and his brother, Pallas, had been slaves in Rome in the home of Claudius, before he became emperor. Pallas had obtained favor with Claudius, so when he became emperor, Pallas became an advisor and influenced Claudius to appoint Felix to this position, probably in 52 A.D. Called back to Rome to stand trial in 60 A.D.
  • Notoriously cruel.
    • Tacitus: The power of a king in the mind of a slave.
    • He had Jonathon, the high priest, murdered by the Sicarii (a band of murderous men who carried concealed daggers, killing all who offended them).
  • Married three women.
    • Drusilla, granddaughter of Antony and Cleopatra.
    • Not named
    • Drusilla, daughter of Agrippa I. Would have been about 20 years old when Paul stood trial. Had been seduced away from her first husband by Felix.
• Vss. 26-30, the tribune’s letter
  • Note that the tribune lied about rescuing Paul after learning he was a Roman (vs. 27). He also conveniently failed to mention that he was going to scourge Paul before learning of his citizenship.
  • The tribune also affirmed that Paul had not violated any Roman law (vs. 29).
• Vs. 31, Antipatris was ~ 26 miles south of Caesarea. It was known as Aphek in the Old Testament, the site where the Philistines captured the ark (1Samuel 4).

24.1-21, Paul’s trial before Felix

• Vss. 2-4, note the flattery of the Jews. It was insincere, for they loathed Felix.
• Vss. 5-6, the Jews made three charges against Paul
  • Stirs up riots, a capital offense under Roman law
  • Ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, i.e. an unsanctioned religion
  • Tried to desecrate the temple
• Vss. 11-13, answer to the first charge. Where’s the proof that Paul stirred riots?
• Vss. 14-16, answer to the second charge. The Way was not a sect, but the fulfillment of the Jews’ hope.
• Vss. 17-21, answer to the third charge. No evidence of Paul defiling the temple. In fact, Paul’s accusers of this were not even present.

24.22-27, Paul & Felix

• Vs. 22, Felix had been governor of this province for 6+ years, and before that he had been governor of Samaria. He would have come into contact with, and would have heard of many Christians during that time.
• Vs. 24, Drusilla: Great granddaughter of Herod the Great. Great and niece of Herod Antipas (who beheaded John the Baptist). Daughter of Agrippa I (who martyred James). Sister of both Herod Agrippa II and Bernice (see 25:13).
• Vs. 25, this message is tailor made for Felix.
  • Righteousness demands right behavior toward God. Felix was unaccustomed to submitting to any authority other than that of Rome.
  • Right behavior toward God demands self-control, but Felix’ whole life had been one of unrestraint.
  • Felix was occupying the judgment seat in Paul’s trial, but Paul knew that all men would be judged by the Lord
• Vs. 26, bribery violated Roman law. Felix likely remembered Paul’s mention of alms (vs. 17) and hoped this meant Paul’s friends had access to more money.
• Vs. 27
  • “There was racial strife in Caesarea b/w the Jewish and Gentile factions, and every time Felix could capture the leaders of either side, they were scourged. But these methods did not quell the strife over equal citizenship rights, and on one occasion of riot, Felix had sent in the troops (who were friends of the Gentile faction); there was much bloodshed among the Jews, and the soldiers plundered many of their homes for their riches. The strife continued, so Felix ordered leaders from both sides to Rome to argue their cases before Nero. At this point Nero recalled Felix, and some of the principal Jewish leaders of Caesarea went to Rome to accuse Felix. Felix’s brother Pallas interceded on Felix’s behalf, and thus Felix barely escaped execution.” (Garreth Reese)
  • Festus would have wanted to placate the Jews knowing they had been successful in having Felix recalled.