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This is what the Jews did not want. Lysias would prove Paul’s innocence. However, there is no
record of Felix every sending for Lysias. Felix sees an opportunity to get money from Paul or his
friends, and so he illegally holds him for two years on technicalities. This trial ends in a
stalemate for Paul, and God will have to work around Felix. Paul continues appealing to higher
positions of authority before Roman magistrates.

Act 24:23 So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told
him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.

And he commanded a centurion to keep (tereo: to guard something which belongs to you, hold
fast) Paul, and let him have liberty (minimum confinement under house arrest) and that he
should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.

Felix thanks Paul is a good opportunity to get money and bolster his own political career, so he
has Paul carefully guarded. Felix put Paul under house arrest with just one guard at the door.
Felix allowed Paul’s friends and relatives to visit him in hopes they would bring money to bribe
Felix for Paul’s release. During these two years, Paul will write Ephesians, Philippians,
Colossians, and Philemon, his most concentrated doctrinal epistles.
Negro Claudius Drusus, maternal great-grandfather of the Emperor Nero, came from two tribes
producing Caesar’s. One was Claudius; the other tribe was Julius. Negro Claudius Drusus was
the younger brother of Tiberius. He married Antonia, the sister of Mark Antony and had three
children, Germanicus, Claudius, and a daughter. Germanicus was poisoned. Claudius was
considered dumb, but was quiet and studious. Claudius married Messalina, and later, after
having Messalina executed, he married Agrippina. Agrippina’s son by a previous marriage, Nero
was adopted and became the heir under Claudius.

During his reign, Claudius freed three slaves, one of whom was Felix, who became procurator of
Judea. At a party, Felix met Drusilla who was the wife of an Arabian king. She had a sister,
Bernice, who was the wife of Herod Agrippa. These two sisters hated each other. (Later, at the
time of this story, Bernice is living in incest with her son, Herod Agrippa II.) Felix persuaded
Drusilla to run away and marry him. He threatened her husband, who is against Rome, and
took Drusilla. Nero became Emperor when Agrippa poisoned Claudius and he also lived in
incest with her.

FELIX CALLS FOR PAUL (24-27)

Felix comes to Caesarea with his wife, Drusilla, and asks to see Paul and hear him speak about
his faith. Paul answers all of his questions, but in the end, Felix does not accept the Lord. Felix
is eventually replaced by Festus, who calls another trial.
Act 24:24 And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent
for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

Felix is having a social gathering and invites Paul to speak of his faith.