But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
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.
- BSB After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
- 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, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?
- Acts 12:3And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
- Acts 25:14And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul’s cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:
- Mark 15:15And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
- Acts 25:1Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
- Gal 1:10For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
- Acts 26:32Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.
- Prov 29:25The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
- Exod 23:2Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:
- Luke 23:24–25And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.
- Acts 28:30And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
- Acts 25:4But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
- Acts 26:24–25And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
- Acts 23:35I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s judgment hall.
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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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