Felix

A Roman governor holds Paul in custody for two years, and never quite decides. A letter from the commander Claudius Lysias reaches Felix in Acts 23, saying Paul was accused “of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.” Felix agrees to hear the case when the accusers arrive. Later we learn he hoped Paul might offer money, and sent for him often to talk. In the end, “willing to shew the Jews a pleasure,” he left Paul bound. Read Acts 24 for the full conversation.

15 verses

Acts

Acts 23:24

And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.

Acts 23:25

And he wrote a letter after this manner:

Acts 23:26

Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.

Acts 23:27

This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.

Acts 23:28

And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:

Acts 23:29

Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.

Acts 23:30

And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.

Acts 23:31

Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.

Acts 23:32

On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:

Acts 23:33

Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.

Acts 23:34

And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;

Acts 23:35

I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.

Acts 24:26

He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

Acts 24:27

But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

Acts 25:14

And 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:

From Easton's Bible Dictionary

Matthew George Easton, 1897

Happy, the Roman procurator of Judea before whom Paul “reasoned” (Acts 24:25). He appears to have expected a bribe from Paul, and therefore had several interviews with him. The “worthy deeds” referred to in 24:2 was his clearing the country of banditti and impostors.

At the end of a two years’ term, Porcius Festus was appointed in the room of Felix (A.D. 60), who proceeded to Rome, and was there accused of cruelty and malversation of office by the Jews of Caesarea. The accusation was rendered nugatory by the influence of his brother Pallas with Nero. (See Josephus, Ant. xx. 8, 9.)

Drusilla, the daughter of Herod Agrippa, having been induced by Felix to desert her husband, the king of Emesa, became his adulterous companion. She was seated beside him when Paul “reasoned” before the judge. When Felix gave place to Festus, being “willing to do the Jews a pleasure,” he left Paul bound.

Read the full entry

From Smith's Bible Dictionary

William Smith, 1884

(happy), a Roman procurator of Judea appointed by the emperor Claudius in A.D. 53. He ruled the province in a mean, cruel and profligate manner. His period of office was full of troubles and seditions. St. Paul was brought before Felix in Caesarea. He was remanded to prison, and kept there two years in hopes of extorting money from him. (Acts 24:26,27) At the end of that time Porcius Festus [FESTUS, PORCIUS] was appointed to supersede Felix, who, on his return to Rome, was accused by the Jews in Caesarea, and would have suffered the penalty due to his atrocities had not his brother Pallas prevailed with the emperor Nero to spare him. This was probably about A.D. 60. The wife of Felix was Drusilla, daughter of Herod Agrippa I., who was his third wife and whom he persuaded to leave her husband and marry him.