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Easy-to-Read Version

Acts 24:26

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.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Bribery;   Civil Service;   Court;   Covetousness;   Felix;   Government;   Judge;   Readings, Select;   Thompson Chain Reference - Avarice;   Liberality-Parsimony;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Covetousness;   Magistrates;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Caesarea;   Felix;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Caesarea;   Felix;   Paul;   Philippians, letter to the;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Ordination;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Felix;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Gift, Giving;   Justice;   Latin;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Trial-At-Law;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Felix ;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Felix;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Fe'lix;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Commune;   Money;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would offer him money. So he sent for him quite often and conversed with him.
King James Version (1611)
He hoped also that money should haue bene giuen him of Paul, that hee might loose him: wherefore hee sent for him the oftner, and comuned with him.
King James Version
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.
English Standard Version
At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him.
New American Standard Bible
At the same time he was also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and talk with him.
New Century Version
At the same time Felix hoped that Paul would give him some money, so he often sent for Paul and talked with him.
Amplified Bible
At the same time he was also hoping to get money from Paul [as a bribe]; so he continued to send for him quite often and talked with him.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
At the same time too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him.
Legacy Standard Bible
At the same time, he was also hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to summon for him quite often and converse with him.
Berean Standard Bible
At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.
Contemporary English Version
After this, Felix often sent for Paul and talked with him, because he hoped that Paul would offer him a bribe.
Complete Jewish Bible
At the same time, he hoped that Sha'ul would offer him a bribe; so he sent for him rather often and kept talking with him.
Darby Translation
hoping at the same time that money would be given him by Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener and communed with him.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Hee hoped also that money shoulde haue bene giuen him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore hee sent for him the oftner, and communed with him.
George Lamsa Translation
Since he was expecting a bribe from Paul, he often sent for him to be brought and conversed with him.
Good News Translation
At the same time he was hoping that Paul would give him some money; and for this reason he would call for him often and talk with him.
Lexham English Bible
At the same time he was also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul. For this reason also he sent for him as often as possible and talked with him.
Literal Translation
and with it all also hoping that silver would be given to him by Paul, that he might free him. Because of this he also more frequently sent for him and conversed with him.
American Standard Version
He hoped withal that money would be given him of Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
Bible in Basic English
For he was hoping that Paul would give him money: so he sent for him more frequently and had talk with him.
Hebrew Names Version
He hoped that way that money would be given to him by Sha'ul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent for him more often, and talked with him.
International Standard Version
At the same time he was hoping to get money from Paul, and so he would send for him frequently to talk with him.Exodus 23:8;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
For he hoped that a bribe would be given him by Paulos, and on this account he continually sent to bring him, and to speak with him.
Murdock Translation
He hoped, moreover, that a present would be given him by Paul; [fn] therefore, he often sent for him, and conversed with him.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
He hoped also, that money shoulde haue ben geuen hym of Paul, that he myght loose hym: wherfore, he sent for hym the oftener, and communed with hym.
English Revised Version
He hoped withal that money would be given him of Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
World English Bible
He hoped that way that money would be given to him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent for him more often, and talked with him.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And he hoped also that money would have been given him by Paul to release him; therefore he sent for him the oftner, and discoursed with him.
Weymouth's New Testament
At the same time he hoped that Paul would give him money; and for this reason he sent for him the oftener to converse with him.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Also he hopide, that money schulde be youun to hym of Poul; for which thing eft he clepide hym, and spak with hym.
Update Bible Version
He hoped as well that money would be given him of Paul: therefore also he sent for him the more often, and communed with him.
Webster's Bible Translation
He hoped also that money would have been given him by Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
New English Translation
At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would give him money, and for this reason he sent for Paul as often as possible and talked with him.
New King James Version
Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. [fn] Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.
New Living Translation
He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him quite often and talked with him.
New Life Bible
He was hoping that Paul would give him money so he could go free. For that reason he kept sending for Paul and talking to him.
New Revised Standard
At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul, and for that reason he used to send for him very often and converse with him.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
at the same time, also hoping that, money, would be given him by Paul; wherefore also, the more frequently sending for him, he used to converse with him.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Hoping also withal that money should be given him by Paul: for which cause also oftentimes sending for him, he spoke with him.
Revised Standard Version
At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
He hoped also that money shuld have bene geven him of Paul that he myght lowse him: wherfore he called him ye oftener and comened with him.
Young's Literal Translation
and at the same time also hoping that money shall be given to him by Paul, that he may release him, therefore, also sending for him the oftener, he was conversing with him;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
He hoped also, that money shulde haue bene geuen him of Paul, therfore called he oft for him, and commened with him.
Mace New Testament (1729)
this he frequently did, and convers'd with him upon the presumption that Paul would have
Simplified Cowboy Version
He sent for Paul quite a few times, but it wasn't always because he wanted to hear what the cowboy had to say. Felix was secretly hoping Paul would offer a bribe to let him go.

Contextual Overview

22 Felix already understood a lot about the Way. He stopped the trial and said, "When commander Lysias comes here, I will decide what to do with you." 23 Felix told the army officer to keep Paul guarded but to give him some freedom and to let his friends bring whatever he needed. 24 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. 25 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." 26 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. 27 But after two years, Porcius Festus became governor. So Felix was no longer governor. But he left Paul in prison to please the Jews.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

hoped: Acts 24:2, Acts 24:3, Exodus 23:8, Deuteronomy 16:19, 1 Samuel 8:3, 1 Samuel 12:3, 2 Chronicles 19:7, Job 15:34, Psalms 26:9, Psalms 26:10, Proverbs 17:8, Proverbs 17:23, Proverbs 19:6, Proverbs 29:4, Isaiah 1:23, Isaiah 33:15, Isaiah 56:11, Ezekiel 22:27, Ezekiel 33:31, Hosea 4:18, Hosea 12:7, Hosea 12:8, Amos 2:6, Amos 2:7, Micah 3:11, Micah 7:3, 1 Corinthians 6:9, Ephesians 5:5, Ephesians 5:6, 1 Timothy 6:9, 1 Timothy 6:10, 2 Peter 2:3, 2 Peter 2:14, 2 Peter 2:15

wherefore: Acts 24:24

Reciprocal: Jeremiah 36:16 - they were Matthew 13:19 - and understandeth Mark 4:16 - which John 18:38 - What Acts 2:37 - what Acts 9:6 - trembling Acts 24:23 - and to Acts 24:25 - righteousness 2 Corinthians 11:23 - in prisons

Cross-References

Genesis 22:5
Then he said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go to that place and worship. Then we will come back to you later."
Genesis 24:48
I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord . I praised the Lord , the God of my master Abraham. I thanked him for leading me straight to the granddaughter of my master's brother.
Genesis 24:52
When Abraham's servant heard this, he bowed to the ground before the Lord .
Exodus 4:31
and they believed what they had heard. Then the Israelites understood that the Lord had seen their troubles and had come to help them. So they bowed down and worshiped God.
Exodus 12:27
you will say, ‘This Passover is to honor the Lord , because when we were in Egypt, he passed over the houses of Israel. He killed the Egyptians, but he saved the people in our houses.'" Then the people bowed down and worshiped the Lord.
Exodus 34:8
Then Moses quickly bowed to the ground and worshiped the Lord. Moses said,
1 Chronicles 29:20
Then David said to all the group of people gathered together, "Now give praise to the Lord your God." So all the people gave praise to the Lord God, the God their ancestors worshiped. They bowed to the ground to give honor to the Lord and to the king.
2 Chronicles 20:18
Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem bowed down before the Lord and worshiped him.
2 Chronicles 29:30
King Hezekiah and his officials ordered the Levites to give praise to the Lord . They sang songs that David and Asaph the seer had written. They praised God and became happy. They all bowed and worshiped God.
Nehemiah 8:6
Ezra praised the Lord , the great God, and all the people held up their hands and said, "Amen! Amen!" Then all the people bowed down and put their faces low to the ground and they worshiped the Lord .

Gill's Notes on the Bible

He hoped also that money would have been given him of Paul,.... For he observed from his own defence, that he came up to Jerusalem to bring alms and offerings; and he perceived by Tertullus's indictment, that he was at the head of a large body of men; that he was some considerable person, at least who was in great esteem among some sort of people, and whose life and liberty were valuable: and he might hope if Paul had not money of his own, yet his friends would supply him with a sufficiency to obtain his freedom; and it may be that it was with this view that he ordered that they should have free access to him and minister to him, that so he might have to give to him:

that he might loose him; from all confinement, and set him at entire liberty:

wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him; but not about religious matters, but about his civil affairs; suggesting he would release him for a sum of money, which the apostle did not listen to, being unwilling to encourage such evil practices, or to make use of unlawful means to free himself.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

He hoped also - He thought that by giving him access to his friends, and by often meeting him himself, and showing kindness, Paul might be induced to attempt to purchase his freedom with a bribe.

That money should have been given him of Paul - That Paul would give him money to procure a release. This shows the character of Felix. He was desirous of procuring a bribe. Paul had proved his innocence, and should have been at once discharged. But Felix was influenced by avarice, and he therefore detained Paul in custody with the hope that, wearied with confinement, he would seek his release by a bribe. But Paul offered no bribe. He knew what was justice, and he would not be guilty, therefore, of attempting to purchase what was his due, or of gratifying a man who prostituted his high office for the purposes of gain. The Roman governors in the provinces were commonly rapacious and avaricious, like Felix. They usually took the office for its pecuniary advantage, and they consequently usually disregarded justice, and made the procuring of money their leading object.

He sent for him the oftener - It may seem remarkable that he did not fear that he would again become alarmed. But the hope of money overcame all this. Having once resisted the reasoning of Paul, and the strivings of the Spirit of God, he seems to have had no further alarm or anxiety. He could again hear the same man, and the same truth, unaffected. When sinners have once grieved God’s Spirit, they often sit with unconcern under the same truth which once alarmed them, and become entirely hardened and unconcerned.

And communed with him - And conversed with him.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Acts 24:26. He hoped also that money should have been given him — Bp. Pearce asks, "How could St. Luke know this?" To which I answer: From the report of St. Paul, with whom Felix had frequent conferences, and to whom he undoubtedly expressed this wish. We may see, here, the most unprincipled avarice, in Felix, united to injustice. Paul had proved before him his innocence of the charges brought against him by the Jews. They had retired in confusion when he had finished his defence. Had Felix been influenced by the common principles of justice, Paul had been immediately discharged; but he detained him on the hope of a ransom. He saw that Paul was a respectable character; that he had opulent friends; that he was at the head of a very numerous sect, to whom he was deservedly dear; and he took it, therefore, for granted that a considerable sum of money would be given for his enlargement. Felix was a freed man of the Emperor Claudius; consequently, had once been a slave. The stream rises not above its source: the meanness of the slave is still apparent, and it is now insufferable, being added to the authority and influence of the governor. Low-bred men should never be intrusted with the administration of public affairs.


 
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