But I don’t want to bore you, so please give me your attention for only a moment.
Parallel translations
- WEB But, that I don’t delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words.
- KJV Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
- BSB But in order not to burden you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.
- NKJV Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us.
- NASB But, that I may not weary you further, I beg you to grant us a brief hearing, by your kindness.
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
Tertullus asks Felix to bear with a brief statement, pretending not to impose on the governor's time. It is a final rhetorical courtesy before the actual charges.
Overview
Promising brevity was a common device to appear considerate and reasonable before a busy official. The polished manners cloak a case thin on substance. As the speech turns to its accusations, the careful packaging only highlights how little real wrongdoing the prosecution can demonstrate against Paul.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 1
- Heb 11:32What more shall I say? For the time would fail me if I told of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets;
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
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.
How Acts 24:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.