But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, 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.
- KJV But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
- 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.
- 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, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and be judged by me there concerning these things?”
- Acts 12:3When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This was during the days of unleavened bread.
- Acts 25:14As he stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix;
- Mark 15:15Pilate, wishing to please the multitude, released Barabbas to them, and handed over Jesus, when he had flogged him, to be crucified.
- Acts 25:1Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.
- Gal 1:10For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn’t be a servant of Christ.
- Acts 26:32Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
- Prov 29:25The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in Yahweh is kept safe.
- Exod 23:2“You shall not follow a crowd to do evil. You shall not testify in court to side with a multitude to pervert justice.
- Luke 23:24–25Pilate decreed that what they asked for should be done.
- Acts 28:30Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who were coming to him,
- Acts 25:4However Festus answered that Paul should be kept in custody at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart shortly.
- Acts 26:24–25As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!”
- Acts 23:35“I will hear you fully when your accusers also arrive.” He commanded that he be kept in Herod’s palace.
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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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