24 “But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, which was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned of righteousness, and temperance, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me. 26 He hoped withal that money would be given him of Paul; wherefore also he sent for him the oftener, and communed 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 “Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Cæsarea. And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they besought him, asking favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem; laying wait to kill him on the way. 4 Howbeit Festus answered, that Paul was kept in charge at Cæsarea, and that he himself was about to depart thither shortly. Let them therefore, saith he, which are of power among you, go down with me, and if there is anything amiss in the man, let them accuse him.
6 “And when he had tarried among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down unto Cæsarea; and on the morrow he sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded Paul to be brought. 7 And when he was come, the Jews which had come down from Jerusalem stood round about him, bringing against him many and grievous charges, which they could not prove; while Paul said in his defense, Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Cæsar, 9 have I sinned at all. But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? 10 But Paul said, I am standing before Cæsar’s judgment-seat, where I ought to be judged; to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou also very well knowest. 11 If then I am a wrong-doer, and have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but if none of those things is true, whereof these accuse me, no man can give me up unto them. I appeal unto Cæsar. 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Thou hast appealed unto Cæsar; unto Cæsar shalt thou go.
13 “Now when certain days were passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Cæsarea, and saluted Festus. 14 And as they tarried there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix; 15 about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for sentence against him. 16 To whom I answered, that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man, before that the accused have the accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him. 17 When therefore they were come together here, I made no delay, but on the next day sat down on the judgment-seat, and commanded the man to be brought. 18 Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such evil things as I supposed; 19 but had certain questions against him of their own religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 20 And I, being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, asked whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters. 21 But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept till I should send him to Cæsar. 22 And Agrippa said unto Festus, I also could wish to hear the man myself. To-morrow, saith he, thou shalt hear him.”
Questions.
1. Who was Felix? How did it come to pass that Paul appeared before him?
2. With what was Paul charged? Give the substance of his defense.
3. How was Paul treated while in confinement?
4. On what occasion, and for what purpose, did Paul appear before Felix the second time? V. 24.
5. Of what did Paul reason? With what result? What did Felix say to Paul? Verse 25.
6. Did he ever send for Paul again? What for? What was the only thing that stood in the way of Paul’s release? Verse 26.
7. How long was he thus unjustly kept a prisoner? For what purpose did Felix leave Paul in bondage upon his going out of office? Who succeeded him? Verse 27.
8. What was the first act of Festus in coming into the province? Chapter 25, verse 1.
9. By whom was he at once beset? Verse 2.
10. What was their petition? What was their object? Verse 3.
11. What did Festus reply? Verse 4.
12. What did he say Paul’s adversaries should do? Verse 5.
13. How soon was this opportunity given them? Verse 6.
14. What did the Jews do as soon as Festus opened his court? What was lacking in their accusations? Verse 7.13
15. What did Paul reply to all this? Was anything more necessary than this simple statement? Verse 8.
16. What question did Festus put to him? What was the object of this question? Verse 9.
17. What did Paul say as to the irregularity of such a procedure? By what statement did he show the injustice of Festus’ proposal? Verse 10.
18. How did he show his entire willingness to suffer any just punishment? By what statement did he at once put an end to the sham trial? V. 11.
19. What did Festus then do and say? Verse 12.
20. Who came to visit Festus some time afterward? Verse 13.
21. How did Festus bring Paul’s case before Agrippa? Verse 14.
22. What did he say of the demand of the Jews, and of his reply? Verses 15, 16.
23. What did he say as to his disappointment when the case came up for trial? Verses 17, 18.
24. In what words did he put the whole of the real case of the Jews against Paul? Verse 19.
25. For what purpose did he say he was now keeping Paul? Verses 20, 21.
26. What wish did Agrippa express? When did Festus say that his curiosity should be satisfied? Verse 22.
