Acts 24:21

Except. Some have read into the statement of v. 21 the idea that what Paul says here constitutes an admission of improper conduct. This is not so. Had there been anything reprehensible in his declaration before the council (ch. 23:6) his accusers would have been sure to make a point of it. Instead, they studiously avoided mentioning the incident, which was actually embarrassing to them. Not only so, a narration of the incident would prove that they themselves were divided as to Paul’s guilt or innocence, and that the real issue was a point of Jewish theology. If Paul related the entire incident, as is likely, he thereby proved that they had no case against him that a Roman court would even consider. For Felix’ reaction see on v. 22.