After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
Parallel translations
- WEB 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.
- KJV But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
- NKJV But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.
- NASB But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul imprisoned.
- NLT After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
After two years Felix is succeeded by Festus and, wanting to please the Jews, leaves Paul in prison. Political self-interest keeps an innocent man bound.
Overview
Paul spends two years in Caesarean custody, an unjust delay that Felix prolongs to curry favor as he leaves office. Yet these years were not wasted; tradition holds Luke may have used the time to gather material for his Gospel and Acts. God's purposes advance even through human injustice and political maneuvering, moving Paul steadily toward his appointed witness in Rome.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Acts 25:9But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to stand trial before me on these charges?”
- Acts 12:3And seeing that this pleased the Jews, Herod proceeded to seize Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
- Acts 25:14Since they were staying several days, Festus laid out Paul’s case before the king: “There is a certain man whom Felix left in prison.
- Mark 15:15And wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.
- Acts 25:1Three days after his arrival in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem,
- Gal 1:10Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
- Acts 26:32And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
- Prov 29:25The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.
- Exod 23:2You shall not follow the crowd in wrongdoing. When you testify in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd.
- Luke 23:24–25So Pilate sentenced that their demand be met.
- Acts 28:30Paul stayed there two full years in his own rented house, welcoming all who came to visit him.
- Acts 25:4But Festus replied, “Paul is being held in Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon.
- Acts 26:24–25At this stage of Paul’s defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You are insane, Paul! Your great learning is driving you to madness!”
- Acts 23:35he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers arrive.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod’s Praetorium.
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Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
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Original language
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