Atos 24

Theophylact of Ohrid

Atos 24:1

Again, something is lacking in the words "they complained to the governor about Paul" for the completeness of the thought, which should be as follows: they presented a written accusation against Paul. — Commentary on Acts

Atos 24:2

"To you… we owe much peace." You see how from the very first he predisposes the judge in his favor with praises, and how he tries to portray Paul as an innovator and troublemaker. — Commentary on Acts

Atos 24:5

To be numbered among the Nazarenes was a matter of disgrace; therefore Tertullus was demeaning Paul from this angle as well, since Nazareth was an insignificant city. He calls the Nazarenes heretics, as though such a sect also existed among the Jews. But Tertullus was a Greek, which is precisely why he was the one delivering the oration or accusing Paul. — Commentary on Acts

Atos 24:11

So far, says Paul, am I from stirring up disturbances, that I came to Jerusalem to worship. He dwells on this point because it presented a strong proof of his innocence. — Commentary on Acts

Atos 24:14

"I truly serve the God of my fathers, believing." When, after being called to be Christ's apostle, Paul says that he serves the God of his fathers, he shows by this that the God of the Old and New Testaments is One and the Same. — Commentary on Acts

Atos 24:16

We show perfect virtue when we both give people no occasion for stumbling and strive to be blameless before God. — Commentary on Acts

Atos 24:20

"Let these same men say what wrong they found in me." They found wrong at the assembly, when an inquiry was made. And that I speak the truth, my very accusers themselves testify to this. Not to avoid one's accusers, but to be ready to give an answer to everyone, is a sign of undoubted righteousness. — Commentary on Acts

Atos 24:21

At first they were even offended that I preached the resurrection, because after this preaching it was easy to add also what pertains to Christ — that He rose from the dead. — Commentary on Acts

Atos 24:22

He intentionally postponed the case – not in order to investigate it, but to get rid of the Jews and give relief to Paul, since he did not want to punish him for their sake. "I will examine your case when the tribune Lysias arrives." Felix, instructed from the Old Testament in the things pertaining to Christ, knew well the faith of Paul and did not release him out of people-pleasing, as it says below: "desiring to do the Jews a favor" (v. 27). Or perhaps he also thought to obtain money from Paul. Felix knew about the things pertaining to Christ because he had a Jewish wife, from whom he often heard about these matters. — Commentary on Acts

Atos 24:24

Being a Jewess, Drusilla, contrary to the law, married a Greek; or, perhaps, although she was a Jewess, upon marrying she became a Greek. Therefore, wishing to convert her husband, she communicated her faith to him. — Commentary on Acts

Atos 24:25

"Felix became afraid." Such was the power contained in Paul's words that even the governor was frightened. — Commentary on Acts

Atos 24:26

"Therefore he sent for him often and conversed with him." Do you see what truthfulness breathes in what is written? He sent for Paul often not because he admired him or because he approved of his words, and not because he wished to believe, but because he hoped that he would be given money. — Commentary on Acts