Talk of JESUS . com

Tag: felix

Two more years and another administration – Porcius Festus
Politics of Leadership (Don’t cha luv it?)

Administration of a land conquered by the Caesars to whom you have sworn allegiance is not such an easy job (although it pays well).

Governor Antonius Felix, Roman procurator of Judaea, Samaria, Galilee, and Perea had essentially dodged a political bullet when he left Paul in prison for two years.

Luke tells us the Felix had been hoping for a bribe.

But when two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

Acts of the Apostles 24:27 RSV

Did the Jewish leaders perhaps bribe their Roman procurator to keep Paul in prison?

Hard to tell, but we do know that after two years a change in administration brings a new Roman governor to act as judge in Paul’s long-continued case.

~A.D. 60 – Quick Justice at last
```
Let's clear the old administrative docket.
```
Acts 25:
```
Jerusalem, first stop in administration of Judea.
```
Now when Festus had come into his province, after three days he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they urged him, asking as a favor to have the man sent to Jerusalem…
```
Sound familiar from their previous deceitful acts before Felix tried to sort it all out? 
```
Luke continues his narrative:

… planning an ambush to kill him on the way.

Giving a strong administrative response showing the Jews that he, the Roman governor is in charge:

Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea, and that he himself intended to go there shortly.

Acts 25:4 RSV

Now the Roman administrator of Judea asserts his office as judge of all cases before the same corrupt officials of the Sanhedrin secretly seeking to assassinate Paul (the Roman citizen, by the way).

“So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them accuse him.”

Acts 25:5 RSV – orders of the Roman Proconsul Festus to the Jews

When he had stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea; and the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought.

And when he [Paul] had come, the Jews who had gone down from Jerusalem stood about him, bringing against him many serious charges which they could not prove.

Paul pleads INNOCENT

“Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended at all.”
```
Now obviously after just a week in Jerusalem; like Felix, Festus has learned the ropes of governing the Jews. 
```
Festus offers a political compromise:

“Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem, and there be tried on these charges before me?”

Paul’s political savvy:

“I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried;
```
The Apostle has already pled his innocence in his opening statement. 
```
.. to the Jews I have done no wrong, as you know very well.

Acts 25:10 – response of Paul the Roman citizen to Festus the Roman Governor
```
The Apostle continues his brief defense in this administrative arraignment hearing before Festus: 
```
If then I am a wrongdoer, and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death;

but if there is nothing in their charges against me, no one can give me up to them.

I appeal to Caesar.”

Does Paul trust local Roman administrators such as Felix and Festus anymore than he trusts the leaders of the Jews who have been trying to assinate the Apostle out of the sight of Jerusalem’s Temple?

Besides, the Lord has revealed to Paul that He will send him to Rome!

The following night the Lord stood by him and said,

“Take courage, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also at Rome.”

Acts of the Apostles 23:11 RSV

Ex proprio motu

Commonly spoken as “by one’s own accord.”

Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered,

“You have appealed to Caesar;

to Caesar you shall go.”

Acts 25:12 RSV

So be it.

As far as Roman justice is concerned (here in Judea under the administration of Portus Festus) that’s it. The Governor must send Paul’s case to Caesar.

NEXT – Paul encounters the politics of King Agrippa and Festus
July 16, 2025
Most Excellent Felix – Tertullus for the Prosecution
Today we find ourselves with Paul in Caesarea facing Felix.

(The plot thickens even after a secretive conspiracy to assassinate the Apostle.)

History plays out over time through the interactions of its leading actors. Luke records the Acts of these men of the A.D. first century whose leading actors include:
- the Apostle Paul,
- Claudius Lysias (via his letter),
- Felix,
- Festus,
- Agrippa and a host of minor actors in the plot of the Jews to execute Jesus’ Apostle
- and of course, Roman generals – pawns of the Emperors and Caesars.
```
Luke focuses on each of these in Acts, which we have cataloged into chapters 22-26. 

He does not need to set the stage for his first century readers, but you may benefit from a few details. 
```
~ A.D. 58

This courtroom scene (so to speak) now takes place in the Roman stronghold of Caesarea before the Roman Governor Felix, rather than in a biased Jewish court from where the Apostle and Roman citizen Paulos had been whisked away.

The Political Place of Antonius Felix

Antonius Felix (b. ~ A.D. 5-10)

Appointed Governor of Judea in ~AD 53, the Emperor Claudius had responded to a petition of his Secretary of the Treasury Marcus to elect his own younger brother Felix as Judea’s new Procurator.

Although his name Felix means ‘happy,’ sources agree that in his rule of Judea:

He ruled the province in a mean, cruel, and profligate manner. His period of office was full of troubles and seditions.

Strong’s G5344 – phēlix – BlueLetterBible.org
```
And for the politically unastute, a brief definition of sedition:

"The raising of commotion in a state, not amounting to insurrection; conduct tending to treason, but without an overt act; excitement of discontent against the government, or of resistance to lawful authority." 
- source: Wordnik
```
```
Just in case you missed the dramatic events leading up to this change of venue, READ all about it below for a better understanding of the Jewish prosecutors about to appear before Felix. 
```
Justice deferred in a Political Theatre of Law

Paul’s Trial before Felix in Caesarea

Acts of the Apostles 24:
```
Scriptural quotes primarilary from the ASV 
```
And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with certain elders, and with an orator, one Tertullus; and they informed the governor against Paul. And when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him..

Now the high priest of the Jews has no standing in a judicial court of the Roman government of Judea. However the lead prosecutor of Jerusalem’s religious council has hired a well-known orator to prosecute their case in Caesarea.

Tertullus, which means “triple-hardened,” was a Roman orator in the tradition of Cicero and several of the Caesars known for public speeches designed to sway large crowds of fellow Romans to their way of thinking.

Seeing that by thee we enjoy much peace,

and that by thy providence evils are corrected for this nation,

we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.

But, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I entreat thee to hear us of thy clemency a few words. But, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I entreat thee to hear us of thy clemency a few words.
```
Always beware.. when a politician claims to have 'a few words.' 
```
For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
```
(that is, followers of Jesus of Nazareth) 
```
who moreover assayed to profane the temple: on whom also we laid hold: and we would have judged him according to our law.
Tertullus, the prosecuting Roman orator hired by the Jews, then turns to make charges against the Roman military athority who snatched Paul (the defendant) from their jurisdiction of Jerusalem’s local authorities and justice of the Sanhedrin.
Lysius, commanding his
```
(that is Paul's or the defendant's) 
```
accusers to come before thee. from whom thou wilt be able, by examining him thyself, to take knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him.
(In other words, you will find him guilty of our charges.)

And, as in so many venues where Paul had been called to defend his actions for the gospel of Jesus Christ — practically on cue, the men of the council accompanying the high priest Ananias, ‘joined in the charge, affirming that these things were so.’

The Court will hear from the Defendant

Paul:

Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I cheerfully make my defence: seeing that thou canst take knowledge that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem:

and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city.

Neither can they prove to thee the things whereof they now accuse me.

The opening arguments have concluded.

Paul’s Defense of the Gospel

Rome, of course, has NO interest in the Gospel; although politicians and orators may claim the Good News when politically expediant.

Everyone in the courtroom of Felix would have known that some twenty years ago the Emperor Caligula had declared himself a god. And his successor Claudius (to whom Felix was connected) had recently conquered Britain and seemed to have little interest in affairs to the east, here in remote Judea.

But as Paul, Tertullus, Ananias and the elders all knew, Caesar was no friend of the Jews, since Claudius had deported them from Rome just nine years ago. And they gained no favor with the current Emperor Nero either.

So Paul continues his defense:

But this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which they call a sect, so serve I the God of our fathers,

believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;

having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for,

that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust.
Acts of the Apostles 24:14-15 ASV
```
Of course as always, the resurrection brings into play the great controversy of GOD exercising both reward and punishment to every soul after the death of our mortal flesh. 

AND at the center of the controversy of this GOSPEL proclamation of the Apostle stands the MESSIAH JESUS - the risen Christ of the Jews crucified on a Roman Cross under Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem some two-dozen years before. 
```
Paul tells the court the reason for his return to Jerusalem.

Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings: amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult..
```
Remember? There had been a famine. And Paul had been asking all the churches in his missionary jouneys for help for the poor (alms) in Jerusalem. 
```
Herod’s temple in Jerusalem effectually becomes a large, highly regulated public square during festivals. It is unlike a church building or large meeting house.

Paul defends his public worship there and the lack of evidence that he caused any trouble:

but there were who ought to have been here before thee [Felix, that is], and to make accusation, if they had aught against me.

Acts 24:19 ASV
```
Obviously, these so-called-witnesses were NOT called to the stand to accuse Paulos in person. 

Furthermore, Paul continues answering such inadmissable hearsay by challenging those Elders present. 
```
Was it something I said?

“Or else let those who are here [Ananias and the Elders of Jerusalem’s council] themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me [or what wrongdoing] while I stood before the council, unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ”

Acts 24:20-21 NKJV

The Court will be in recess

Luke’s transcript of the court proceedings ends and he adds additional background of context for the reader.

But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying,

‘When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine your matter.’

The Governor, Felix, is a skillfull politician dealing with Jews, Christians (followers of the Way), financial supporters of Nero and Rome, Centurians of Rome’s powerful occupying military and even the handling of grandious prosecuting oraters selling their case such as Tertullus.

And he gave order to the centurion that he [Paulos] should be kept in charge [custody], and should have indulgence [provisions]; and not to forbid any of his friends to minister unto him.

Acts 24:23 ASV

Political inaction — and the Judgment to come

What happens next may look familiar to any who follow the cunning of political strategists.

Since Felix’s obvious action that fairness and justice would demand will create additional trouble in governing, Felix the Governor waits for a more opportune time for public support — and for filling the coffers of his personal PAC which he might use later to gain higher office.

(Felix is looking for a handout $$.)

Luke continues by accounting for Felix’s delay in justice:

But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.

Acts 24:24 ASV
```
Drusilla was the youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I and the sister of Herod Agrippa II, making her a member of the Herodian dynasty, which played a significant role in the political and religious landscape of Judea during the first century. 
- source BibleHub.com 
```
And as he [her husband the Governor] reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified..

The Apostle had noted the appropriate fear of Felix for judgment of his own guilty soul.

Luke adds Felix’s sudden dismissal of Paul saying:

.. ‘Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me.’

Days pass… and more time passes.

Luke notes what everyone knew: it took a bribe to garner a favorable outcome from the Governor:

He hoped withal that money would be given him of Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

But while Paul remained in ‘protective custody’ of the Governor of Judea in Caesarea, time not only passed but grows short for Felix.

He was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and when recalled to Rome, he escaped being sentenced to death by Nero only through the intercession of his brother, Pallas. His oppressive rule caused deep resentment among the Jews and strengthened the anti-Roman party.

source: Encyclopedia.com
```
Again.. time passes, Luke records:
```
But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.

Acts of the Apostles 24:27 ASV

To be continued — in the NEXT administration…

Talk of JESUS . com

Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
July 8, 2025
Justice deferred in a Political Theatre of Law
We suppose Law to be a tool of Justice

Justice

Citizens of Greek City-States claimed freedom and justice..

(although like everywhere else, Greek democracy did not apply to its slaves.)

Socrates drank the hemlock of justice weighed by his opponents of classic philosophy.

And, of course, Alexander the Great Macedonian claiming all Greece and the world had different ideas of law to make the world Greek again.

(“There’s nothing new under the sun,” stated Solomon, King over much of the same empire nearly a thousand years before Alexander.)

Roman Law

In today’s setting of Acts of the Apostles it’s important for us to remember that in Jerusalem – Judean LAW (it isn’t even fully JEWISH LAW applicable in other Roman Provicences (or States by contemporary comparison) – as administered by the Sanhedron separate of the Roman Governor, a minor appointed Proconsul accountable to the Emporor.

This jurisdictional oversight – similar to that when Pontius Pilate tried to pass the political hot potato of the King of the Jews back and forth to Herod or the Jewish leaders of Jerusalem – is little different when just a few years later Paul retuns to Jerusalem to face JUSTICE redefined in various venues.

Jews demanding JUSTICE

The Apostle of Jesus sent to the Gentiles (Greeks) has just returned home.

After his witness to the Jews (in Hebrew) of being sent by Jesus (who had been crucified) on the road to Damascus) AND being sent to the Gentiles — (this had been 20 years ago, back in A.D. 37) — once again, Paul proclaims Christ risen!

The adjitated jewish crowd was about to stone him, just as when he himself had witnessed the execution of Stephen.

“Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?”

When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune..

Acts of the Apostles 22:25b-26a ESV
```
There he's done it! 

Paul initiates a whole chain-of-events triggering the chain-of-command in Roman oversight and justice. 
```
But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he [the Tribune in charge of the Centurians] unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.

Acts 22:30 ESV
```
This JEWISH council — about seventy leading men, SUMMONED to apprear before the ROMAN Tribune and his COURT of Roman justice in Jerusalem — are NOT in charge of the proceedings. 
```
Acts 23:

And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.”
```
Remember: Although the courtroom is that of the Jews, Paul — the DEFENDENT — faces them as his PROSECUTOR (not his judge).
```
And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.

“God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall!

Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?”

Some savvy oral arguments take place (as is common in court). Paul seeks to divide the jury of his accusers:

“.. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”

It worked. One of his fellow Pharisees stands in his defense,

“We find nothing wrong in this man.

What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?”

The dissension (between the two parties of the Pharisees and Sadducees)became violent.

Now the Jews of this local lower court — to which the rules of the Pax Romana defer — sound more like a lynch mob than a place of justice AND (let’s not forget) Paulos is a ROMAN CITIZEN.

And as a great dissension was developing, because the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them, he ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks.

Acts 23:10 LSB

Conspiracy against Christ and His Apostle

The world will often witness an unexplainable boldness in a certain saint of God is seemingly insurmountable circumstances. (This had happened with the Apostle time and time again during his ten-plus years of travel among the gentiles and Greeks.)

The night before his highly anticipated public trial in Jerusalem the Apostle of Christ Jesus again received supernatural instruction.

But on that very night, the Lord stood at his side and said,

“Take courage; for as you have solemnly borne witness to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must bear witness at Rome also.”

Acts 23:11 LSB

Imagine — the Lord Jesus Christ, who had been crucified twenty-seven years ago — the same risen Lord who had appeared in a vision of great glory twenty years ago — stands beside the Apostle and now sends him to Rome!

So of course, Paul is emboldened when he is brought to trial before the Roman court the next day.

Meanwhile, more than forty of the jews made a plot to murder Paul (outside of the jurisdiction of the Roman authorities).

They went to the chief priests and elders and said,

“We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul. Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”

The Plot Thickens

Paul’s jewish nephew hears of the plot of these forty men, so the young man heads to the Roman fortress to try to warn Paul.

Paulos — the Roman citizen held in protective custody after the big hubbub of the jewish crowds — instructs his guards to go to the man in charge.

Paul called one of the centurions and said,

“Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.”

Acts 23:17 ESV

The tribune [Claudius Lysias] took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”
```
Note the gentleness of this tribune, Claudius Lysias - a man in charge of the centurions of Antonia Fortress as he seeks to get to the truth of the matter. 
```
The young son of Paul’s sister responds:

“The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him.

But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent.”

Acs 23:21b-22 ESV

“Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.”

An Imposed Authority of Roman Justice

“Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night.[9 pm]

Caesarea – (Caesar’s Palace in Judea

Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.”
```
This military escort of a Roman citizen Paulos is most unlike the handling of Jesus the king of the Jews sent to the Pontius Pilate, governor of that time, (who happened to be in Jeruslem rather than Caesarea). 
```
Official Orders sent with Paul

“Claudius Lysias,

to his Excellency the governor Felix,

greetings.

This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen. And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council. And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council. And when it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.”

Acts 23:26-30 ESV
```
You might call this 'the official COURT record.' 
```
Of course — ALL follow orders and the next scene with, with Roman effeciency, take place in Caesarea.

Marcus Antonius Felix
```
Antonius Felix, served as the Roman procurator of Judea from ~AD 52-58. He was appointed by the Emperor Claudius and was known for his harsh and often corrupt administration. Felix was a freedman of Claudius' mother, Antonia. - source: BibleHub 
```
When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him.

The Governor inquires about jurisdiction – that is, in effect – Am I the appropriate judge of this case?

And when he learned that he [Paulos] was from Cilicia, he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” And he [Antonius Felix] commanded him [the Centurian in charge of Paul’s escort] to be guarded in Herod’s praetorium [there in Caesarea].

Acts of the Apostles 23:35 ESV [with names of prepositions]

Justice – a Case to be continued

Talk of JESUS . com

Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
June 30, 2025