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Act 24:18 in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither
with a mob nor with tumult.

Paul is saying, “Not even you, Felix, are over Asia.” Paul is keeping Jewish law, not breaking the
law. Paul is not in the presence of a large crowd, just four elders (21:23), so he can not have
stirred a mob to incite a riot. Paul handles himself in a peaceful manner. In fact, it is the Jews
who started the tumult.

Act 24:19 They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me.

Paul asserts, “My accusers who attacked me aren’t even here to clarify the case. None of these
men were part of the original crime. This is all hearsay.” Under Roman law, Paul must have an
eyewitness. Because there is no eyewitness to the accusations against Paul, there is no
alternative. Paul must be found innocent under the law.

Act 24:20 Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me
while I stood before the council,

Or else let these (Jewish accusers) same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while
I stood before the council (Sanhedrin),
These men will not produce a record of the previous trial. They have nothing but accusations
against Paul; no evidence, only hatred for him. In the previous trial, the judges ended up
arguing among themselves over the resurrection (25:6-7). Claudius Lysias, a Roman, was
present and a witness of the entire beating.

Act 24:21 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.' "

Paul is saying, “I am guilty of only one thing. I might be held in contempt of court in defending
the resurrection of the dead.” Roman law has nothing to say about the resurrection, and, at
this point, Felix should have thrown the case out of court.

PAUL’S TRIAL COMES TO AN END (22-23)

After Felix hears Paul’s defense, Felix places Paul under house arrest and forbids any of Paul’s
friends or family to visit him. He is held in prison for the next two years.

Act 24:22 But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he
adjourned the proceedings and said, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a
decision on your case."
And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect (accurate) knowledge of that way
(Christianity), he deferred them (adjourned), and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come
down, I will know the uttermost (full extent) of your matter.