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Acts 24:23-27

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

23. And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let [him] have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him. 24. And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. 26. He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. 27. But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

Acts 24:23-27 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Acts 24:23

Theological / Devotional

A centurion. Literally, “the centurion,” probably one of the two who had escorted Paul from Jerusalem.

To keep. Gr. tered, “attend to,” “to guard,” “to keep.” The verb does not necessarily imply close detention, but safekeeping. Felix appears well disposed toward Paul, partly because of an awakened conscience (see vs. 14-16, 24, 25) and partly because he hoped for a bribe (v. 26).

Have liberty. That is, privileges a common prisoner would not enjoy (cf. on ch. 23:16, 17). He would be under arrest but not suffering the discomforts of the common jail.

Acquaintance. Gr. idioi, “own [relatives or intimate friends]” (see on John 1:11). These would perhaps include Philip (Acts 21:8) and other Christians living in the vicinity of Caesarea, and possibly Luke, who had accompanied Paul to Jerusalem (v. 17).

To minister. Gr. hupereteo, “to subserve,” literally, “to underrow” (see on ch. 13:5). This would include the kindness of social contact, the comforts of clothing and food, and the conveyance of messages. Perhaps, also, Felix intended to make it easy for Paul to make arrangements with his friends to provide a ransom (see ch. 24:26).

Or come. Textual evidence attests (cf. p. 10) the omission of these words.

By SdaBc