Study Desk

They went and talked to the leading priests and the older Jewish leaders. They said, "We have promised ourselves that we will not eat or drink until we have killed Paul.

So this is what we want you to do: Send a message to the commander from you and the high council. Tell him you want him to bring Paul out to you. Say that you want to ask him more questions. We will be waiting to kill him while he is on the way here."

But Paul's nephew heard about this plan. He went to the army building and told Paul.

Then Paul called one of the army officers and said to him, "Take this young man to the commander. He has a message for him."

So the army officer brought Paul's nephew to the commander. The officer said, "The prisoner Paul asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you."

The young man said, "Some Jews have decided to ask you to bring Paul down to their council meeting tomorrow. They want you to think that they plan to ask Paul more questions.

Get some horses for Paul to ride so that he can be taken to Governor Felix safely."

The soldiers did what they were told. They got Paul and took him to the city of Antipatris that night.

The next day the soldiers on horses went with Paul to Caesarea, but the other soldiers and the spearmen went back to the army building in Jerusalem.

The soldiers on horses entered Caesarea, gave the letter to Governor Felix, and then turned Paul over to him.

The governor read the letter and asked Paul, "What country are you from?" The governor learned that Paul was from Cilicia.

The governor said, "I will hear your case when the Jews who are accusing you come here too." Then the governor gave orders for Paul to be kept in the palace built by Herod.

Five days later Ananias, the high priest, went to the city of Caesarea. He brought with him some of the older Jewish leaders and a lawyer named Tertullus. They went to Caesarea to make charges against Paul before the governor.

Paul was called into the meeting, and Tertullus began to make his accusations. Tertullus said, "Most Honorable Felix, our people enjoy much peace because of you, and many wrong things in our country are being made right through your wise help. For this we all continue to be very thankful.

The governor made a sign for Paul to speak. So Paul answered, "Governor Felix, I know that you have been a judge over this nation for a long time. So I am happy to defend myself before you.

Felix told the army officer to keep Paul guarded but to give him some freedom and to let his friends bring whatever he needed.

After a few days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jew. Felix asked for Paul to be brought to him. He listened to Paul talk about believing in Christ Jesus.

But Felix became afraid when Paul spoke about things like doing right, self-control, and the judgment that will come in the future. He said, "Go away now. When I have more time, I will call for you."

But Felix had another reason for talking with Paul. He hoped Paul would pay him a bribe, so he sent for Paul often and talked with him.

But after two years, Porcius Festus became governor. So Felix was no longer governor. But he left Paul in prison to please the Jews.