Acts 24:23

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. And he commanded a centurion ('the 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. Felix, having invited Paul to explain before himself and Drusilla the Faith of Christ, trembles under his preaching, but dismisses him to a more convenient season-After keeping him prisoner for two years, Felix is succeeded by Porcius Festus, the apostle being left bound (24:24-27)...

− 23._When Felix. _It appeareth that Felix (though he pronounced nothing concerning the matter) did perceive that Paul was burdened with no fault of his own, but with the malice of the priests. For when Luke saith that the matter was deferred until the coming of Lysias, he putteth in this instead of a reason, that the ruler did perfectly know those things which did appertain unto the way, by which words, I think, is signified, either that through long experience he had been acquainted with the conditions of the priests, and knew full well how they were wont to behave themselves; or else that he saw by these things which had been spoken on both sides how frivolous the accusation was, which is confirmed by the courteous and remiss − (589) usage of Paul; for he putteth a centurion in trust with him, that he may have the more liberty. Others had rather read it in one text in the person of Fe...

22-27 The apostle reasoned concerning the nature and obligations of righteousness, temperance, and of a judgment to come; thus showing the oppressive judge and his profligate mistress, their need of repentance, forgiveness, and of the grace of the gospel. Justice respects our conduct in life, particularly in reference to others; temperance, the state and government of our souls, in reference to God. He who does not exercise himself in these, has neither the form nor the power of godliness, and must be overwhelmed with the Divine wrath in the day of God's appearing. A prospect of the judgment to come, is enough to make the stoutest heart to tremble. Felix trembled, but that was all. Many are startled by the word of God, who are not changed by it. Many fear the consequences of sin, yet continue in the love and practice of sin. In the affairs of our souls, delays are dangerous. Felix put o...

Verse Acts 24:23. _HE COMMANDED A CENTURION TO KEEP PAUL_] He gave him into the custody of a captain, by whom he was most likely to be well used: _and to let him have liberty_; he freed him from the chains with which he was bound to the soldiers, his keepers. Acts 21:33. _And that he should forbid none of his acquaintance_, τωνιδιων, of his _own people_, his fellow _apostles_, and the _Christians_ in general, _to minister or come unto him_; to furnish him with any of the _conveniences_ and _comforts_ of life, and _visit_ him as often as they pleased. This was an ample proof that Felix found no evil in him; and he would certainly have dismissed him but for two reasons: 1. He wanted to _please the Jews_, who, he knew, could depose grievous things against

AND HE COMMANDED ... - It is evident from this verse that Felix was disposed to show Paul all the favors that were consistent with his safe keeping. He esteemed him to be a persecuted man, and doubtless regarded the charges against him as entirely malicious. What was Felix’s motive in this cannot be certainly known. It is not improbable, however, that he detained him: * To gratify the Jews by keeping him in custody as if he were guilty, and, * That he hoped the friends of Paul would give him money to release him. Perhaps it was for this purpose that he gave orders that his friends should have free access to him, that thus Paul might be furnished with the means of purchasing his freedom....

EXPOSITION ACTS 24:1 _The high priest Ananias came down _for _Ananias the high priest descended, _A.V.; _certain elders _for _the elders, _A.V. and T.R.; _an orator, one Tertullus _for _a certain orator named Tertullus, _A.V.; _and they _for _who, _A.V. AFTER FIVE DAYS. Of which the first was the day on which St. Paul left Jerusalem, and the fifth that on which Ananias and his companions appeared before Felix (see Acts 24:11, note). TERTULLUS. A Latin name, formed from _Tertius, _as Lucullus from _Lucius_, Catullus from _Catius, _etc. INFORMED; ἐμφανίζω_, _in the sense of "laying an information" before a magistrate, only occurs elsewhere in...

AND HE COMMANDED A CENTURION TO KEEP PAUL,.... In custody, to watch and guard him, and look after him, that he went not away, since he was neither condemned nor acquitted; and therefore must be retained a prisoner, till one or other was done: AND TO LET HIM HAVE LIBERTY; not to go where he pleased, or out of the place of confinement, for then there would have been no need of the after direction, not to prohibit his friends from coming to him; but to free him from his bonds and close confinement; which was done, partly on account of his being a Roman, and partly because he took him to be an innocent man, and it may be because he hoped to receive money from him: THAT HE SHOULD FORBID NONE OF HIS ACQUAINTANCE TO MINISTER OR COME UNTO HIM; but that they should have free access to him, and the liberty of conversation with him; which layouts granted show that he was inclined to the side of P...

CHAPTER 23 _ 1. Paul before the Sanhedrin (Acts 23:1)._ 2. The vision of the Lord (Acts 23:11). 3. The Conspiracy against Paul (Acts 23:12). 4. Paul taken to Caesarea (Acts 23:23). And now we find him addressing the Sanhedrin. For the last time the Jewish council is mentioned in this book. Three times before the Sanhedrin had been called together in connection with those who believed in the Lord Jesus (Acts 4:5; Acts 5:21;...

A FLATTERING SPEECH AND A FALSE CHARGE (Acts 24:1-9)...

COMMANDED. Greek. _diatasso._ See Acts 7:44. A. the. Probably the one who had come with him. CENTURION. Greek. _hekatontarches._ See Acts 10:1. KEEP. Greek. _tereo_. See Acts 16:23 and John 17:6. PAUL. The texts read "him". LIBERTY. relaxation. Greek. _anesis._ Occurs here; 2 Corinthians 2:13. 2Co 7:5. 2 Corinthians 8:13;...