1
Μετὰ δὲ πέντε ἡμέρας κατέβη ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς Ἁνανίας μετὰ πρεσβυτέρων τινῶν καὶ ῥήτορος Τερτύλλου τινός, οἵτινες ἐνεφάνισαν τῷ ἡγεμόνι κατὰ τοῦ Παύλου.
Now after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a certain orator named Tertullus, who presented their case against Paul to the governor.
The 'five days' links back to 23:33–35: Paul has been in Herodian custody at Caesarea; now the Sanhedrin delegation arrives. The delegation combines priestly authority (ἀρχιερεύς), eldership (πρεσβύτεροι), and professional legal rhetoric (ῥήτωρ Τέρτυλλος) — a carefully assembled prosecution team.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
Μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (temporal)
δέnownarrative particle (mild contrast / continuation)
πέντεfivenumeral, object of μετά
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of extent of time (object of μετά)
κατέβηcame downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καταβαίνωmain verb→ constative aorist (single punctiliar descent from Jerusalem to Caesarea)καταβαίνω: 'come/go down'; geographical: Jerusalem is up-country, Caesarea on the coast.
ὁtheNominativearticle
ἀρχιερεύςhigh priestNominativesubject nominativeἀρχιερεύς: 'chief priest'; Ananias son of Nedebaeus, high priest c. AD 47–59, notorious for his pro-Roman pragmatism and personal violence (Josephus, Ant. 20.103).
ἉνανίαςAnaniasNominativeapposition to ἀρχιερεύςἉνανίας: Hebrew חֲנַנְיָה (Hananiah). This is the same high priest who ordered Paul struck in Acts 23:2.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)
πρεσβυτέρωνeldersGenitivegenitive of accompaniment (object of μετά)πρεσβύτερος: 'elder'; Sanhedrin representatives lending institutional weight to the prosecution.
τινῶνsomeGenitivepartitive indefinite pronoun
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ῥήτοροςoratorGenitivegenitive of accompaniment (object of μετά)ῥήτωρ: professional legal advocate or rhetor; Latin-law equivalent of the advocatus. Tertullus (a Latin name, 'little Tertius') is probably a Hellenized Jew or a Roman retained by the Sanhedrin.
ΤερτύλλουTertullusGenitivegenitive of apposition / identificationΤέρτυλλος: a Latin diminutive name, indicating Roman cultural context.
τινόςa certainGenitiveindefinite pronoun (modifying Τερτύλλου)
οἵτινεςwhoNominativerelative pronoun, subject of ἐνεφάνισαν
ἐνεφάνισανpresented / laid informationAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐμφανίζωmain verb (relative clause)→ constative aorist (the legal act of presenting the indictment)ἐμφανίζω: 'make plain, present formally'; a legal/forensic term for presenting an accusation or information to an authority (cf. 23:15, 22).
τῷto theDativearticle
ἡγεμόνιgovernorDativedative of indirect objectἡγεμών: 'governor, leader'; Felix (Antonius Felix) was the freedman procurator of Judea c. AD 52–60, appointed by Claudius and kept on by Nero; his full name and social origin are from Tacitus (Hist. 5.9; Ann. 12.54).
κατὰagainstpreposition + genitive (opposition/adversarial)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ΠαύλουPaulGenitivegenitive of personal reference (object of κατά)Παῦλος: the accused; he had been transferred under armed escort from Jerusalem to Caesarea by the tribune Lysias (23:23–35).
2
Κληθέντος δὲ αὐτοῦ ἤρξατο κατηγορεῖν ὁ Τέρτυλλος λέγων· Πολλῆς εἰρήνης τυγχάνοντες διὰ σοῦ καὶ διορθωμάτων γινομένων τῷ ἔθνει τούτῳ διὰ τῆς σῆς προνοίας,
When he had been called in, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: 'Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since reforms are being brought to this nation through your foresight,
Tertullus's speech begins with the captatio benevolentiae — the standard rhetorical device of flattering the judge before presenting the case. The claim that Felix brought 'much peace' and 'reforms' to Judea is historically ironic: Tacitus and Josephus describe his administration as notably harsh and corrupt.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
Κληθέντοςhaving been calledAor Pass Ptc Gen Sg M · καλέωgenitive absolute (temporal antecedent)→ constative aorist (punctiliar: Paul is summoned before the court)καλέω: 'call, summon'; Paul is called in before the governor to hear the charge.
δέnownarrative particle
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive absolute subject
ἤρξατοbeganAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἄρχωmain verb (inceptive)→ inceptive aorist (the beginning of the speech act)ἄρχω (mid.): 'begin'; inceptive use common in Luke-Acts with an infinitive.
κατηγορεῖνto accusePres Act Inf · κατηγορέωcomplementary infinitive (object of ἤρξατο)→ progressive present (the ongoing speech of accusation)κατηγορέω: 'accuse formally' (κατά + ἀγορά, 'speaking against in the assembly'); the technical legal term throughout the trial narrative.
ὁtheNominativearticle
ΤέρτυλλοςTertullusNominativesubject nominative
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg M · λέγωattendant circumstance participle (introduces direct speech)→ progressive present
ΠολλῆςmuchGenitivegenitive (object of τυγχάνοντες — genitive of content with τυγχάνω)
εἰρήνηςpeaceGenitivegenitive of thing obtained (with τυγχάνω)εἰρήνη: 'peace'; in a Roman administrative context, the pax Romana, order maintained without unrest. Ironically Felix's tenure was marked by violence (Josephus, Ant. 20.182).
τυγχάνοντεςobtaining / enjoyingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl M · τυγχάνωcausal participial phrase (ground for the upcoming compliment)→ progressive present (ongoing enjoyment)τυγχάνω + genitive: 'obtain, attain, enjoy'; a slightly formal expression fitting rhetorical flattery.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (agency/mediation)
σοῦyouGenitivegenitive of personal agent (mediation through Felix)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
διορθωμάτωνreformsGenitivegenitive subject of γινομένωνδιόρθωμα: 'reform, correction, improvement'; NT hapax; the term suggests administrative rectification — flattering Felix as a bringer of good governance.
γινομένωνbeing accomplishedPres Mid Ptc Gen Pl N · γίνομαιattributive participle modifying διορθωμάτων→ progressive present (reforms ongoing)
τῷto theDativearticle
ἔθνειnationDativedative of advantageἔθνος: here 'nation/people' of the Jews, not 'Gentiles'; Tertullus identifies with his clients' people.
τούτῳthisDativedemonstrative adjective attributive
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (agency)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
σῆςyourGenitivegenitive possessive adjective
προνοίαςforesight / providenceGenitivegenitive of source (object of διά)πρόνοια: 'forethought, foresight, providence'; an administrative and philosophical virtue word — attributing quasi-divine forethought to Felix, a standard flattery of Roman officials.
3
πάντῃ τε καὶ πανταχοῦ ἀποδεχόμεθα, κράτιστε Φῆλιξ, μετὰ πάσης εὐχαριστίας.
in every way and in every place we accept this, most excellent Felix, with all gratitude.
Tertullus completes the flattery before turning to the accusation in v.5. The title κράτιστε ('most excellent') is the same honorific used to address Theophilus in Luke 1:3 and Acts 1:1; Paul will use it of Festus (26:25), showing it is the standard address for a Roman governor.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
πάντῃin every wayadverb (manner)
τεandconnective particle (continuing clause)
καὶalsoadverbial particle (strengthening πάντῃ τε καί)
πανταχοῦeverywhereadverb (place)
ἀποδεχόμεθαwe accept / acknowledgePres Mid Indic 1 Pl · ἀποδέχομαιmain verb (apodosis of the participial preamble)→ customary present (ongoing acknowledgment)ἀποδέχομαι: 'accept, receive with approval'; a formal verb of welcome and acknowledgment used in official contexts.
κράτιστεmost excellentVocativevocative of address (honorific title)κράτιστος: superlative of κρατύς, 'strong'; the Roman honorific vir egregius/excellentissimus; used for governors and equestrian officials. Luke uses it for Theophilus (Luke 1:3), Felix (here), and Festus (26:25).
ΦῆλιξFelixVocativevocative (proper name in address)Φῆλιξ: Latin felix, 'fortunate, lucky'; the cognomen of Antonius Felix, freedman and governor — an ironic name given Luke's portrait of his moral equivocation.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (manner)
πάσηςallGenitivegenitive adjective (attributive)
εὐχαριστίαςgratitudeGenitivegenitive (object of μετά — manner)εὐχαριστία: 'thanksgiving, gratitude'; here in the non-theological sense of formal thanks; the captatio closes with an expression of gratitude as calculated as its opening praise.
4
ἵνα δὲ μὴ ἐπὶ πλεῖόν σε ἐγκόπτω, παρακαλῶ ἀκοῦσαί σε ἡμῶν συντόμως τῇ σῇ ἐπιεικείᾳ.
But, so that I may not detain you any further, I beg you to hear us briefly in your indulgence.
Another standard rhetorical convention — the apology for brevity (brevitas) that serves as a bridge from the exordium to the narratio. The courtroom courtesy continues: Tertullus flatters Felix's magnanimity (ἐπιείκεια) even while framing the request.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ἵναso thatpurpose conjunction
δέbutmild adversative particle
μὴnotnegation (with ἐγκόπτω in purpose clause)
ἐπὶtopreposition + accusative (extent)
πλεῖόνfurther / moreAccusativecomparative adverbial accusative (object of ἐπί)
σεyouAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἐγκόπτω
ἐγκόπτωdetain / hinderPres Act Subj 1 Sg · ἐγκόπτωpresent subjunctive in ἵνα μή purpose clause→ conative present subjunctiveἐγκόπτω: literally 'cut into'; metaphorically 'hinder, delay, detain'; a polite way of asking not to waste the governor's time.
παρακαλῶI requestPres Act Indic 1 Sg · παρακαλέωmain verb (petition)→ instantaneous present (performative: the very act of requesting)παρακαλέω: 'exhort, urge, request'; here formal courtroom petition — softer than demanding, more pressing than merely asking.
ἀκοῦσαίto hearAor Act Inf · ἀκούωinfinitive (object of παρακαλῶ, indirect discourse / indirect petition)→ constative aorist infinitive
σεyouAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive of person heard (object-genitive with ἀκούω)
συντόμωςbrieflyadverb (manner)συντόμως: 'concisely, briefly'; from συντέμνω, 'cut short'; rhetorical brevitas, claiming economy while actually taking the floor.
τῇin theDativearticle
σῇyourDativedative possessive adjective
ἐπιεικείᾳindulgence / clemencyDativedative of manner (sphere in which the hearing is granted)ἐπιείκεια: 'gentleness, reasonableness, clemency'; a virtue word for the tempered, magnanimous exercise of authority; attributing ἐπιείκεια to Felix is calculated flattery.
5
Εὑρόντες γὰρ τὸν ἄνδρα τοῦτον λοιμὸν καὶ κινοῦντα στάσεις πᾶσιν τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις τοῖς κατὰ τὴν οἰκουμένην πρωτοστάτην τε τῆς τῶν Ναζωραίων αἱρέσεως,
For we have found this man to be a plague and one who stirs up dissensions among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,
The speech pivots from the exordium to the charge (narratio/accusatio). Three accusations are leveled: (1) a pest/plague (λοιμός) — a stock insult for an agitator; (2) a stirrer of sedition (κινοῦντα στάσεις) among all Jews of the empire — a political charge implying sedition against Rome; (3) ringleader (πρωτοστάτης) of the Nazarene sect — religious charge. This three-count structure parallels Luke 23:2 (Pilate's accusation of Jesus) and Stephen's trial.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
Εὑρόντεςhaving foundAor Act Ptc Nom Pl M · εὑρίσκωcausal participle (ground for the accusation)→ constative aorist (investigative conclusion reached)εὑρίσκω: 'find, discover'; in the legal context, 'find upon investigation' — presenting the charges as the result of due inquiry.
γάρforexplanatory/causal conjunction
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἄνδραmanAccusativeaccusative direct object of Εὑρόντες
τοῦτονthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (contemptuous pointing)
λοιμὸνa plague / pestAccusativepredicate accusative (with Εὑρόντες + double acc.)λοιμός: literally 'plague, pestilence'; figuratively 'a pest, dangerous agitator' — a standard invective term in both Greek rhetoric and Roman courts for a troublemaker; the LXX uses it of the 'sons of Belial' (1 Sam 2:12 LXX, etc.).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κινοῦνταstirring upPres Act Ptc Acc Sg M · κινέωaccusative attributive participle (second predicate in double accusative)→ progressive present (ongoing agitation)κινέω: 'move, stir'; with στάσεις: 'stir up insurrections/seditions'; the political charge threatening Roman order.
στάσειςdissensions / insurrectionsAccusativeaccusative direct object of κινοῦνταστάσις: 'standing apart, faction, sedition, insurrection'; a serious political-legal term; cf. Luke 23:19, 25 (Barabbas); Acts 15:2; 19:40. The charge implies empire-wide sedition.
πᾶσινallDativedative of reference (among all the Jews)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ἸουδαίοιςJewsDativedative of reference
τοῖςtheDativearticle
κατὰthroughoutpreposition + accusative (distributive — throughout the inhabited world)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
οἰκουμένηνinhabited worldAccusativeaccusative (object of κατά — the Roman empire as 'the world')οἰκουμένη: 'the inhabited world'; the Roman Empire's self-designation (cf. Luke 2:1); Tertullus frames the charge as empire-wide sedition.
πρωτοστάτηνringleaderAccusativepredicate accusative (third charge in double accusative with Εὑρόντες)πρωτοστάτης: NT hapax; 'one who stands first,' a military and political term for a front-rank soldier or leader; here pejoratively, 'ringleader.' It makes Paul constitutively guilty by association with the sect's defining character.
τεandconnective particle (τε … continuing the accusation)
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with Ναζωραίων)
ΝαζωραίωνNazarenesGenitivegenitive of definition (the sect defined by its name)Ναζωραῖος: 'Nazarene,' from Nazareth; the outsider designation for the followers of Jesus of Nazareth; this is the only place in Acts where the Jewish authorities use it as a sect-name (αἵρεσις) for the entire movement.
αἱρέσεωςsectGenitivegenitive (object of τῆς — genitive of apposition / content)αἵρεσις: 'choice, sect, school of thought'; used in Acts without the later pejorative 'heresy' sense: Sadducees (5:17), Pharisees (15:5; 26:5), and the Way (24:5, 14; 28:22) are all called αἵρεσις.
6
ὃς καὶ τὸ ἱερὸν ἐπείρασεν βεβηλῶσαι, ὃν καὶ ἐκρατήσαμεν,
who also tried to desecrate the temple, whom we also seized —
The third charge: attempted profanation of the temple. The sentence breaks off (aposiopesis or continued in v.8 after the Western expansion). The Western text inserts after 'whom we also seized' the Lysias material (v.7) explaining that the tribune intervened; the critical text omits this and the sentence continues at v.8 with 'from whom you yourself…'
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun, subject of ἐπείρασεν
καὶalsoadverbial particle (intensifying)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ἱερὸνtempleAccusativeaccusative direct object of βεβηλῶσαιἱερόν: the entire temple complex (as distinct from ναός, the sanctuary building); the accusation references Paul allegedly bringing Trophimus past the soreg barrier (Acts 21:28–29).
ἐπείρασενtried / attemptedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πειράζωmain verb (conative sense)→ conative aorist (attempted but not necessarily completed action)πειράζω: normally 'test, tempt'; here 'attempt' (a less common but attested sense); the conative force ('tried to') is important — Tertullus stops short of claiming Paul succeeded.
βεβηλῶσαιto profane / desecrateAor Act Inf · βεβηλόωcomplementary infinitive (object of ἐπείρασεν)→ constative aorist infinitiveβεβηλόω: 'profane, desecrate'; from βέβηλος, 'allowed to be stepped on, common, unholy'; bringing a Gentile into the inner courts was a capital offense (cf. 21:28). NT hapax in Acts.
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun, accusative direct object of ἐκρατήσαμεν
καὶalsoadverbial particle
ἐκρατήσαμενwe seizedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · κρατέωmain verb (relative clause)→ constative aorist (the crowd's arrest of Paul in the temple, 21:30–33)κρατέω: 'seize, hold, arrest'; Tertullus presents the mob action (21:30) as a legitimate arrest — a rhetorical whitewashing of the riot.
8
παρ' οὗ δυνήσῃ αὐτὸς ἀνακρίνας περὶ πάντων τούτων ἐπιγνῶναι ὧν ἡμεῖς κατηγοροῦμεν αὐτοῦ.
by examining him yourself you will be able to find out about all these things of which we accuse him.
The sentence resumes after the gap left by the omission of v.7 (Western expansion). Tertullus concludes by directing Felix to examine Paul himself — rhetorically confident that Paul's answers will incriminate him. The verse numbering jumps from 6 to 8 because v.7 is absent from the critical text.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
παρ'frompreposition + genitive (source)
οὗwhomGenitivegenitive relative pronoun (object of παρά)
δυνήσῃyou will be ableFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · δύναμαιmain verb→ predictive futureδύναμαι: 'be able, have power'; the future here is confident prediction — Tertullus is certain Felix will find what he needs.
αὐτὸςyourselfNominativeintensive pronoun (subject emphasis)
ἀνακρίναςhaving examinedAor Act Ptc Nom Sg M · ἀνακρίνωtemporal/means participle (antecedent to ἐπιγνῶναι)→ constative aorist (the judicial examination as a single act)ἀνακρίνω: 'examine thoroughly, conduct a judicial inquiry'; the technical term for preliminary judicial investigation (anákrisis) in Hellenistic legal procedure (cf. Luke 23:14; Acts 4:9; 12:19; 28:18).
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference)
πάντωνallGenitivegenitive adjective
τούτωνtheseGenitivedemonstrative pronoun (modifying the implied matter)
ἐπιγνῶναιto know / ascertainAor Act Inf · ἐπιγινώσκωcomplementary infinitive (object of δυνήσῃ)→ constative aorist infinitiveἐπιγινώσκω: 'know fully, recognize, ascertain'; the ἐπι- prefix adds depth — not merely 'know' but 'come to know thoroughly'; here the goal of the judicial examination.
ὧνof whichGenitiverelative pronoun, genitive of content with κατηγοροῦμεν
ἡμεῖςweNominativeemphatic subject pronoun
κατηγοροῦμενaccusePres Act Indic 1 Pl · κατηγορέωmain verb (relative clause — legal accusation)→ customary present (standing accusation)κατηγορέω: repeated from v.2; the formal legal term for accusation — Luke frames the whole scene as a court proceeding.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive of person accused (object of κατηγοροῦμεν)
9
Συνεπέθεντο δὲ καὶ οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι φάσκοντες ταῦτα οὕτως ἔχειν.
The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.
A closing note on the prosecution: the Jewish delegation collectively endorses Tertullus's charges. The verb συνεπιτίθεμαι ('join in attacking/asserting') is a vivid term — literally 'pile on together.' Luke presents it as a kind of dogpile confirmation rather than independent testimony.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
Συνεπέθεντοjoined in the attackAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · συνεπιτίθεμαιmain verb→ constative aoristσυνεπιτίθεμαι: 'join in attacking, add one's voice to an attack'; NT hapax; the σύν- prefix captures the pile-on character of the delegation's corroboration.
δέnownarrative particle
καὶalsoadverbial particle
οἱtheNominativearticle
ἸουδαῖοιJewsNominativesubject nominative
φάσκοντεςasserting / claimingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl M · φάσκωattendant circumstance participle (manner of the joining)→ progressive presentφάσκω: 'claim, assert, say'; a slightly assertive word for speech, used in Acts for confident claims (Rom 1:22; Rev 2:2 for false claims). Here neutral but in context it underlines that the Jewish delegation is making confident assertions, not providing evidence.
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativeaccusative subject of ἔχειν (indirect statement)
οὕτωςso / thusadverb (manner — predicate of ἔχειν)
ἔχεινto be / to standPres Act Inf · ἔχωinfinitive in indirect discourse (object of φάσκοντες)→ progressive present infinitive (things being/standing thus)ἔχω (with adverb): 'be in a certain state, stand thus'; οὕτως ἔχειν = 'to be the case, to stand so' — a standard idiom for asserting the truth of a matter.
10
Ἀπεκρίθη δὲ ὁ Παῦλος νεύσαντος αὐτῷ τοῦ ἡγεμόνος λέγειν· Ἐκ πολλῶν ἐτῶν ὄντα σε κριτὴν τῷ ἔθνει τούτῳ ἐπιστάμενος εὐθύμως τὰ περὶ ἐμαυτοῦ ἀπολογοῦμαι,
Paul answered, when the governor had nodded for him to speak: 'Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense regarding myself,
Paul's exordium is deliberately less flattering than Tertullus's — he merely acknowledges Felix's experience (πολλῶν ἐτῶν, 'many years'), not his excellence or benevolence. The contrast is pointed: Paul defends 'cheerfully' (εὐθύμως) — a virtue word suggesting confidence, not servility.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
ἈπεκρίθηansweredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb→ constative aoristἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer, respond'; the standard response verb in Acts' legal/dialogue contexts.
δέnownarrative particle
ὁtheNominativearticle
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativesubject nominative
νεύσαντοςhaving noddedAor Act Ptc Gen Sg M · νεύωgenitive absolute (temporal)→ constative aoristνεύω: 'nod, beckon'; a Roman judicial gesture giving permission to speak; the same gesture in Acts 21:40 (Paul on the steps).
αὐτῷto himDativedative indirect object (to Paul — the permission directed at him)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ἡγεμόνοςgovernorGenitivegenitive absolute subject
λέγεινto speakPres Act Inf · λέγωinfinitive of purpose (object of the nod — giving permission to speak)→ progressive present infinitive
Ἐκforpreposition + genitive (temporal extent, 'for many years')
πολλῶνmanyGenitivegenitive adjective
ἐτῶνyearsGenitivegenitive of time (object of ἐκ, extent)
ὄνταbeingPres Act Ptc Acc Sg M · εἰμίaccusative participle in indirect statement (with ἐπιστάμενος)→ progressive present
σεyouAccusativeaccusative subject of indirect statement
κριτὴνjudgeAccusativepredicate accusative in indirect statementκριτής: 'judge'; Paul uses the formal title, acknowledging Felix's judicial authority without the excessive flattery of Tertullus.
τῷover theDativearticle
ἔθνειnationDativedative of reference ('judge for/over this nation')
τούτῳthisDativedemonstrative adjective
ἐπιστάμενοςknowingPres Mid Ptc Nom Sg M · ἐπίσταμαιcausal participle (ground for Paul's cheerful defense)→ progressive presentἐπίσταμαι: 'know well, be acquainted with'; unlike the Tertullus parallel (ἐπιστάμενος vs. εἰδώς), this choice emphasizes factual, experiential knowledge.
εὐθύμωςcheerfullyadverb (manner)εὐθύμως: 'with good cheer, cheerfully, confidently'; NT hapax here (cf. εὔθυμος at 27:36); Paul's defense is made not from fear but from confidence in his own integrity and in the resurrection hope.
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantivizing τὰ περί)
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (topic of defense)
ἐμαυτοῦmyselfGenitivereflexive pronoun (object of περί)
ἀπολογοῦμαιI make my defensePres Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἀπολογέομαιmain verb (apodosis)→ instantaneous present (the performance of the defense in the act of speaking)ἀπολογέομαι: 'make a defense, speak in one's own defense' (ἀπό + λόγος); the technical term for formal legal self-defense; used of Paul at 19:33; 22:1; 25:8; 26:1, 2, 24.
11
δυναμένου σου ἐπιγνῶναι ὅτι οὐ πλείους εἰσίν μοι ἡμέραι δεκαδύο ἀφ' ἧς ἀνέβην προσκυνήσων εἰς Ἱερουσαλήμ.
since you are able to verify that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.
Paul's first argument: a tight timeline. The twelve days are insufficient for organizing a seditious movement. The purpose participle προσκυνήσων ('to worship') immediately reframes the accusation: Paul went as a worshipper, not a rabble-rouser.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
δυναμένουbeing ablePres Mid Ptc Gen Sg M · δύναμαιgenitive absolute (causal — 'since you are able to verify')→ progressive present
σουyouGenitivegenitive absolute subject
ἐπιγνῶναιto verifyAor Act Inf · ἐπιγινώσκωcomplementary infinitive (object of δυναμένου)→ constative aorist infinitiveἐπιγινώσκω: repeated from v.8 — Paul turns Tertullus's own word back: 'you can ascertain' (v.8) and 'you are able to verify' (v.11) are parallel invitations to judicial inquiry.
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing indirect statement
οὐnotnegation
πλείουςmoreNominativepredicate nominative (comparative)
εἰσίνarePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίlinking verb→ progressive present (current fact)
μοιfor meDativedative of possession
ἡμέραιdaysNominativesubject nominative
δεκαδύοtwelveNominativenumeral (predicate)δεκαδύο: twelve; Paul's count (Acts 21:17 arrival + days in temple, arrest, Sanhedrin, transfer) makes the timeline forensically verifiable.
ἀφ'sincepreposition + genitive (temporal starting point)
ἧςwhichGenitiverelative pronoun, genitive with ἀφ' (temporal: 'since the day when')
ἀνέβηνI went upAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (relative clause)→ constative aoristἀναβαίνω: 'go up'; Jerusalem is always 'going up' geographically and religiously from the rest of Israel.
προσκυνήσωνto worshipFut Act Ptc Nom Sg M · προσκυνέωfuture participle of purpose→ futuristic participle (purpose: he went up for the purpose of worship)προσκυνέω: 'worship, bow down'; the future participle expressing purpose is a classical idiom; Paul reframes his Jerusalem visit as purely devotional, directly countering the sedition charge.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
ἹερουσαλήμJerusalemAccusativeaccusative of goal (object of εἰς)Ἱερουσαλήμ: the Semitic form of the city's name (contrast the Greek Ἱεροσόλυμα); Luke uses both forms, with Ἱερουσαλήμ often in more devotional/theological contexts.
12
καὶ οὔτε ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ εὗρόν με πρός τινα διαλεγόμενον ἢ ἐπίστασιν ποιοῦντα ὄχλου οὔτε ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς οὔτε κατὰ τὴν πόλιν,
and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or throughout the city,
Paul provides a triple negative: no disturbance in the temple, the synagogues, or the city. The three locations precisely mirror the places a seditious agitator would operate. The triple οὔτε… οὔτε… οὔτε is emphatic forensic denial.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὔτεneithercorrelative negative conjunction (first of a triple)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
τῷtheDativearticle
ἱερῷtempleDativedative of place
εὗρόνfoundAor Act Indic 3 Pl · εὑρίσκωmain verb (subject = his accusers implicitly)→ constative aorist (the result of their search: nothing found)εὑρίσκω: 'find'; the subject is unspecified — 'they' (the accusers) found Paul doing none of these things. The same verb used in v.5 ('we found him a pest') is now negated.
μεmeAccusativeaccusative direct object
πρόςwithpreposition + accusative (person disputed with)
τιναanyoneAccusativeindefinite pronoun (object of πρός)
διαλεγόμενονdisputingPres Mid Ptc Acc Sg M · διαλέγομαιaccusative participle complementary to εὗρόν (predicate of the object)→ progressive presentδιαλέγομαι: 'reason, dispute, argue'; in Acts typically of synagogue debate (17:2, 17; 18:4, 19; 19:8–9; 20:7, 9); here as the kind of contentious disputation that could incite a crowd.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
ἐπίστασινstirring up / incitementAccusativeaccusative direct object of ποιοῦνταἐπίστασις: 'concourse, gathering, incitement'; from ἐφίστημι; here the act of raising a crowd or commotion; cf. 2 Cor 11:28 ('pressure of all the churches'). A technical term for public incitement.
ποιοῦνταmaking / causingPres Act Ptc Acc Sg M · ποιέωaccusative participle (second predicate complement to εὗρόν)→ progressive present
ὄχλουof a crowdGenitivegenitive of content (the crowd that would constitute the incitement)
οὔτεnorcorrelative negative (second member)
ἐνinpreposition + dative
ταῖςtheDativearticle
συναγωγαῖςsynagoguesDativedative of placeσυναγωγή: 'synagogue, assembly'; the second location — the centers of Jewish community life where Tertullus's 'stirring of all the Jews' could most plausibly happen.
οὔτεnorcorrelative negative (third member)
κατὰthroughoutpreposition + accusative (distributive — throughout the city)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
πόλινcityAccusativeaccusative (object of κατά — the city)
13
οὐδὲ παραστῆσαί σοι δύνανται περὶ ὧν νῦν κατηγοροῦσίν μου.
nor are they able to prove to you the things of which they now accuse me.
Paul issues a direct evidentiary challenge: the accusers cannot produce proof. The legal term παρίστημι ('present, prove') shifts from mere denial to an affirmative assertion that the prosecution has no case.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
οὐδὲnorcoordinating negative conjunction
παραστῆσαίto prove / demonstrateAor Act Inf · παρίστημιcomplementary infinitive (object of δύνανται)→ constative aorist infinitiveπαρίστημι: 'place beside, present, prove'; in legal contexts 'produce evidence, demonstrate'; παραστῆσαι here is the technical legal idiom for adducing proof.
σοιto youDativedative of indirect object (to the judge)
δύνανταιthey are ablePres Mid Indic 3 Pl · δύναμαιmain verb→ customary present (present inability as a standing fact)
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference)
ὧνwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (genitive with περί, antecedent implied)
νῦνnowadverb (temporal — 'the present charges')
κατηγοροῦσίνthey accusePres Act Indic 3 Pl · κατηγορέωmain verb (relative clause)→ customary presentκατηγορέω: third use in the chapter (vv.2, 8, 13); Luke's repetition of the legal term frames the whole scene as a formal proceeding.
μουmeGenitivegenitive of person accused
14
ὁμολογῶ δὲ τοῦτό σοι ὅτι κατὰ τὴν ὁδὸν ἣν λέγουσιν αἵρεσιν οὕτως λατρεύω τῷ πατρῴῳ θεῷ, πιστεύων πᾶσιν τοῖς κατὰ τὸν νόμον καὶ τοῖς ἐν τοῖς προφήταις γεγραμμένοις,
But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, so I worship the God of our ancestors, believing everything that is written in the law and in the prophets,
Paul's boldest move: he concedes the charge of belonging to 'the Way' while reframing it as not a deviation from but a fulfillment of ancestral Judaism. 'The Way' (ἡ ὁδός) is Luke's own term for Christianity within Acts, now placed in Paul's lips as a self-designation; the accusers' term 'sect' (αἵρεσις) is contrasted with Paul's lived worship of the ancestral God.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
ὁμολογῶI confess / admitPres Act Indic 1 Sg · ὁμολογέωmain verb→ instantaneous present (performative — the act of confession in the moment of speaking)ὁμολογέω: 'confess, acknowledge, agree'; here not a guilty plea but a frank acknowledgment of the truth — Paul will not deny belonging to the Way.
δέbutmild adversative particle
τοῦτόthisAccusativeaccusative direct object (anticipatory, resumed by ὅτι clause)
σοιto youDativedative indirect object
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing the content of the confession
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (conformity/standard)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ὁδὸνWayAccusativeaccusative (object of κατά — the standard by which Paul worships)ὁδός: 'road, way, manner'; Luke's term for the early Christian movement (9:2; 18:25–26; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22). The term may echo Isa 40:3 ('prepare the way of the LORD'), Jesus' 'I am the way' (John 14:6), and/or the Qumran community's self-designation as 'the Way.'
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun, accusative object of λέγουσιν
λέγουσινthey callPres Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (relative clause — their pejorative label)→ customary present
αἵρεσινa sectAccusativepredicate accusative (double-accusative with λέγουσιν)αἵρεσις: the accusers' word from v.5, now quoted back — Paul accepts the label 'the Way' but rejects the pejorative connotation of αἵρεσις as deviation.
οὕτωςso / thuscorrelative adverb (resuming κατὰ τὴν ὁδόν)
λατρεύωI worship / servePres Act Indic 1 Sg · λατρεύωmain verb (apodosis of the κατά phrase)→ customary present (habitual/ongoing worship)λατρεύω: 'serve, worship'; the LXX word for the cultic service of Israel (Exod 3:12; 4:23); Paul uses it of his own life-pattern, linking the Way to Israel's ancestral worship rather than separating from it.
τῷtheDativearticle
πατρῴῳancestralDativedative adjective (modifying θεῷ)πατρῷος: 'ancestral, of the fathers'; NT and Acts hapax usage (here and 22:3; 28:17 related); a politically significant word claiming continuity with Jewish ancestral tradition — Paul is no innovator.
θεῷGodDativedative of indirect object / recipient of worship
πιστεύωνbelievingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg M · πιστεύωattendant circumstance participle (describing the character of Paul's worship)→ progressive present (continuous believing)πιστεύω: 'believe, trust'; the content of the believing is specified in the following datives — law and prophets.
πᾶσινeverythingDativedative direct object of πιστεύων
τοῖςthe thingsDativearticle (substantivizing the participial clause)
κατὰinpreposition + accusative (reference/location — the law as a collection)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
νόμονlawAccusativeaccusative (object of κατά)νόμος: the Torah; Paul claims belief in everything the Torah teaches.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τοῖςthe thingsDativearticle (second dative object of πιστεύων)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location in the prophets)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
προφήταιςprophetsDativedative of place (ἐν + dative, the prophetic writings as location)προφήτης: the Prophets — the second division of the Hebrew canon; 'law and prophets' is the standard shorthand for the entire Hebrew scriptures (cf. Matt 5:17; 7:12; Luke 16:16; Acts 13:15; 28:23).
γεγραμμένοιςwrittenPerf Pass Ptc Dat Pl N · γράφωattributive participle (modifying τοῖς … ἐν τοῖς προφήταις)→ intensive perfect (the standing written record)γράφω: the perfect passive participle γεγραμμένος ('that which stands written') is the standard citation formula for Scripture in Luke-Acts and the Epistles.
15
ἐλπίδα ἔχων εἰς τὸν θεόν, ἣν καὶ αὐτοὶ οὗτοι προσδέχονται, ἀνάστασιν μέλλειν ἔσεσθαι δικαίων τε καὶ ἀδίκων.
having a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.
Paul's appeal to shared Pharisaic hope is strategic: the accusers (led by the high priest, a Sadducee) include Pharisees who do accept the resurrection. Paul widens the hope beyond the Pharisaic version: 'both righteous and unrighteous' echoes Dan 12:2 and points to an eschatological judgment that grounds his ethical life (v.16).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ἐλπίδαa hopeAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἔχωνἐλπίς: 'hope'; in Paul's speeches in Acts, ἐλπίς is consistently the resurrection hope (cf. 23:6; 26:6–8; 28:20); it is the theological core of his defense.
ἔχωνhavingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg M · ἔχωattendant circumstance / causal participle (continuing the portrait of Paul's faith from v.14)→ progressive present
εἰςinpreposition + accusative (directed-at / object of hope)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
θεόνGodAccusativeaccusative (object of εἰς — God as the object of hope)
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun, accusative object of προσδέχονται
καὶalsoadverbial particle (intensifying — 'even they themselves')
αὐτοὶthemselvesNominativeintensive pronoun (emphatic subject)
οὗτοιtheseNominativedemonstrative pronoun (the accusers)
προσδέχονταιaccept / awaitPres Mid Indic 3 Pl · προσδέχομαιmain verb (relative clause)→ customary presentπροσδέχομαι: 'receive, accept, await'; the word can mean both 'accept as a belief' and 'await as an expectation' — both senses are ironically apt: the Pharisees in the delegation both believe in the resurrection and await it.
ἀνάστασινa resurrectionAccusativeaccusative subject of indirect statement (with μέλλειν ἔσεσθαι)ἀνάστασις: 'resurrection, rising'; the theological core of the chapter's controversy (cf. 23:6–9; 24:15, 21; 26:23). Paul's widening of the resurrection to include both just and unjust echoes Dan 12:2.
μέλλεινto be about to bePres Act Inf · μέλλωinfinitive in indirect statement (object of ἔχων [ἐλπίδα])→ futuristic presentμέλλω: 'be about to'; with infinitive expresses imminent or certain futurity; the hope is for an event that is 'coming,' not merely possible.
ἔσεσθαιto beFut Mid Inf · εἰμίcomplementary infinitive (object of μέλλειν)→ predictive future infinitive
δικαίωνof the righteousGenitivegenitive (partitive — resurrection of [both] righteous)δίκαιος: 'righteous, just'; the resurrection of the righteous is the standard Pharisaic expectation; Paul adds the 'unrighteous' — a less comfortable claim implying eschatological judgment for all.
τεbothcorrelative particle (τε … καί = 'both … and')
καὶandcorrelative (completing τε … καί)
ἀδίκωνof the unrighteousGenitivegenitive (partitive — resurrection of the unrighteous)ἄδικος: 'unrighteous, unjust'; the inclusion of the ἄδικοι in the resurrection marks Paul's eschatology as Danielic (Dan 12:2: 'some to everlasting life, some to shame and contempt'), not merely Pharisaic.
16
ἐν τούτῳ δὲ καὶ αὐτὸς ἀσκῶ ἀπρόσκοπον συνείδησιν ἔχειν πρὸς τὸν θεὸν καὶ τοὺς ἀνθρώπους διὰ παντός.
In this hope, therefore, I also exercise myself to have a clear conscience before God and before people always.
The resurrection hope (v.15) grounds an ethical program: an 'undamaged conscience' (ἀπρόσκοπος συνείδησις) before both God and humanity. The conjunction 'before God and people' is the two-table summary of the commandments — love of God and love of neighbor — without the Mosaic language.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/ground)
τούτῳthisDativedemonstrative pronoun (anaphoric — referring to the hope of v.15)
δέnownarrative particle
καὶalso / myself tooadverbial particle (intensifying αὐτός)
αὐτὸςI myselfNominativeintensive pronoun (subject emphasis)
ἀσκῶI exercise / trainPres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀσκέωmain verb→ customary present (habitual self-discipline)ἀσκέω: 'exercise, train, practice'; NT hapax; the athletic metaphor of disciplined training for virtue — Paul frames his ethical life as continuous effort, not passive achievement.
ἀπρόσκοπονblameless / untrippingAccusativepredicate accusative (with ἔχειν — 'have [it] blameless')ἀπρόσκοπος: 'not causing stumbling, without offense'; α-privative + προσκόπτω, 'strike against'; the conscience that neither trips up others nor is itself damaged — used of Paul's ethic at 1 Cor 10:32; Phil 1:10.
συνείδησινconscienceAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἔχεινσυνείδησις: 'conscience, moral consciousness'; from σύν + οἶδα, 'knowing together with oneself'; a Hellenistic-Jewish moral term developed extensively by Paul (cf. Rom 2:15; 9:1; 1 Cor 8:7–12; 2 Cor 1:12).
ἔχεινto havePres Act Inf · ἔχωcomplementary infinitive (object of ἀσκῶ)→ progressive present infinitive (the continual possession of a clear conscience)
πρὸςtoward / beforepreposition + accusative (relational — before God and people)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
θεὸνGodAccusativeaccusative (object of πρός — vertical dimension)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἀνθρώπουςpeopleAccusativeaccusative (object of πρός — horizontal dimension)
διὰalways / throughoutpreposition + genitive (temporal: idiom διὰ παντός = 'always, continually')
παντόςall / everyGenitivegenitive (object of διά — temporal idiom 'throughout all [time]')διὰ παντός: fixed idiom for 'always, continually, at all times'; found throughout LXX and NT (Mark 5:5; Luke 24:53; Acts 2:25; Heb 9:6 etc.).
17
δι' ἐτῶν δὲ πλειόνων ἐλεημοσύνας ποιήσων εἰς τὸ ἔθνος μου παρεγενόμην καὶ προσφοράς,
Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to make offerings,
Paul provides a crucial biographical statement: he came to Jerusalem not to agitate but to bring alms (the collection, cf. Rom 15:25–27; 1 Cor 16:1–4; 2 Cor 8–9; Gal 2:10) and make temple offerings. This directly addresses the charge of seditious intent and frames his visit as an act of piety and solidarity with his nation.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
δι'afterpreposition + genitive (temporal: διὰ + genitive of time = 'after, through a span of')
ἐτῶνyearsGenitivegenitive of time (object of διά — through a span of years)
δὲnownarrative particle
πλειόνωνseveral / moreGenitivegenitive adjective (modifying ἐτῶν)
ἐλεημοσύναςalmsAccusativeaccusative direct object of ποιήσων (future participle of purpose)ἐλεημοσύνη: 'alms, charitable gift'; Luke-Acts' characteristic term for relief-giving (Luke 11:41; 12:33; Acts 3:2–3, 10; 9:36; 10:2, 4, 31); here the great collection Paul organized from his Gentile churches for the Jerusalem poor (cf. Rom 15:26).
ποιήσωνto bringFut Act Ptc Nom Sg M · ποιέωfuture participle of purpose (Paul's intent in coming)→ futuristic participleποιέω: 'do, make, bring'; with ἐλεημοσύνας, 'give alms'; the future participle (classical idiom) expresses the purpose of the journey — to do charitable work, not sedition.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction/beneficiary)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ἔθνοςnationAccusativeaccusative (object of εἰς — beneficiary of the alms)ἔθνος: 'nation'; Paul calls Israel 'my nation' (τὸ ἔθνος μου), the same self-identification used by Tertullus (τῷ ἔθνει τούτῳ, vv.2, 10) — Paul does not distance himself from his people.
μουmyGenitivegenitive possessive
παρεγενόμηνI cameAor Mid Indic 1 Sg · παραγίνομαιmain verb→ constative aoristπαραγίνομαι: 'come, arrive, appear'; a common Lukan arrival verb (cf. 9:39; 13:14; 14:27; 17:10; 20:18; 21:18; 23:16, 35; 24:17, 24; 25:7, 23).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
προσφοράςofferingsAccusativeaccusative (second object — parallel to ἐλεημοσύνας, also with ποιήσων)προσφορά: 'offering, oblation'; the temple offerings associated with the Nazirite vow completion (Acts 21:26) — the very act Tertullus has twisted into an accusation of temple profanation.
18
ἐν αἷς εὗρόν με ἡγνισμένον ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ, οὐ μετὰ ὄχλου οὐδὲ μετὰ θορύβου, τινὲς δὲ ἀπὸ τῆς Ἀσίας Ἰουδαῖοι,
in the course of which they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from Asia —
The antecedent 'in these [offerings]' returns to the circumstances of Paul's arrest (21:27–30). Paul points to two facts: he was in the temple purified (ἡγνισμένον), not desecrating; and there was no crowd or uproar until the Asian Jews started it. The sentence breaks off — an aposiopesis — pointing to those absent accusers in v.19.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ἐνinpreposition + dative (circumstantial — 'in the course of which')
αἷςwhichDativerelative pronoun, dative (antecedent = the offerings)
εὗρόνfoundAor Act Indic 3 Pl · εὑρίσκωmain verb (subject = accusers implicitly)→ constative aoristεὑρίσκω: the same word used in v.5 ('they found him a pest') and v.12 ('they did not find him'). The irony is deliberate: what they actually found was a purified worshipper, not a rioter.
μεmeAccusativeaccusative direct object
ἡγνισμένονhaving been purifiedPerf Pass Ptc Acc Sg M · ἁγνίζωpredicate accusative (with εὗρόν — found me in a state of purification)→ intensive perfect (the completed rite of purification, with its present state of cleanness)ἁγνίζω: 'purify, consecrate'; the ritual purification required for sponsoring a Nazirite vow (Acts 21:24, 26); the perfect participle underlines that the purification was completed and its effect ongoing — Paul was ritually clean.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
τῷtheDativearticle
ἱερῷtempleDativedative of place
οὐnotnegation
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment — negated)
ὄχλουa crowdGenitivegenitive of accompaniment (object of μετά)
οὐδὲnorcoordinating negative conjunction
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment — second negation)
θορύβουuproarGenitivegenitive of accompanimentθόρυβος: 'uproar, noise, tumult'; the word used for the crowd scene in Matt 27:24; Acts 20:1; 21:34; the direct counter to the στάσεις ('seditions') alleged in v.5.
τινὲςsomeNominativeindefinite pronoun (subject of the broken-off clause — v.19 completes the thought)
δὲbutcontrastive particle
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (origin)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἈσίαςAsiaGenitivegenitive of origin (object of ἀπό)Ἀσία: the Roman province of Asia (western Asia Minor, capital Ephesus); the 'Asian Jews' are the actual initiators of the riot (21:27–29), and they are now conspicuously absent from the accusation.
ἸουδαῖοιJewsNominativesubject nominative (of the broken-off clause — aposiopesis)
19
οὓς ἔδει ἐπὶ σοῦ παρεῖναι καὶ κατηγορεῖν εἴ τι ἔχοιεν πρὸς ἐμέ.
who ought to be present before you and to make their accusation, if they have anything against me.
Paul's pointed legal argument: the actual witnesses of the alleged temple incident are absent. Roman law required the accuser to confront the accused (cf. Felix's own statement at 25:16). The conditional εἴ τι ἔχοιεν (optative — 'if they have anything') implies he doubts they have a viable charge.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
οὓςwhoAccusativerelative pronoun, accusative subject of infinitive (with ἔδει)
ἔδειit was necessaryImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · δεῖmain verb (impersonal, expressing legal obligation)→ progressive imperfect (the ongoing legal obligation that was not met)δεῖ: 'it is necessary'; the imperfect ἔδει expresses an obligation that was due but unfulfilled — 'they ought to have been here (but are not)'; a pointed legal argument.
ἐπὶbeforepreposition + genitive (presence before a person — judicial context)
σοῦyouGenitivegenitive of person (before you, the judge)
παρεῖναιto be presentPres Act Inf · πάρειμιcomplementary infinitive (object of ἔδει)→ progressive present infinitiveπάρειμι: 'be present'; the Roman legal requirement that accusers appear in person (cf. Pliny, Ep. 10.96; Acts 25:16).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κατηγορεῖνto bring their accusationPres Act Inf · κατηγορέωcomplementary infinitive (second object of ἔδει)→ progressive present infinitiveκατηγορέω: fourth occurrence (vv.2, 8, 13, 19); Luke's insistence on this legal term throughout the chapter frames Acts 24 as a formal juridical proceeding.
εἴifconditional conjunction (introducing the 4th class condition — remote)
τιanythingAccusativeindefinite pronoun (object of ἔχοιεν)
ἔχοιενthey havePres Act Opt 3 Pl · ἔχωverb of 4th class conditional (optative without ἄν — remote possibility)→ remote conditional optativeἔχω: 'have'; the present optative in a simple/remote condition (εἴ + optative) expresses Paul's doubt that the Asian Jews have anything legitimate to charge — a rhetorical minimization.
πρὸςagainstpreposition + accusative (adversarial — 'against me')
ἐμέmeAccusativeaccusative (object of πρός)
20
ἢ αὐτοὶ οὗτοι εἰπάτωσαν τί εὗρον ἀδίκημα στάντος μου ἐπὶ τοῦ συνεδρίου,
Or else let these men themselves say what wrong they found when I stood before the council,
Paul turns to the present accusers (οὗτοι): if the Asian Jews are absent, then let those who are here say what wrongdoing they found at the Sanhedrin hearing (23:1–10). The implicit point: all the Sanhedrin found was a theological dispute about the resurrection — not sedition or temple profanation.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
ἢordisjunctive conjunction (either the absent witnesses or the present accusers)
αὐτοὶthese men themselvesNominativeintensive pronoun (emphatic subject)
οὗτοιtheseNominativedemonstrative pronoun (the present accusers — Ananias's delegation)
εἰπάτωσανlet them sayAor Act Imper 3 Pl · λέγωthird-person imperative (challenge / command)→ constative aorist imperative (challenge to produce testimony)λέγω: 'say, tell'; the aorist imperative εἰπάτωσαν is a sharp challenge — 'let them declare' (if they can).
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (direct object of εἰπάτωσαν, indirect question)
εὗρονthey foundAor Act Indic 3 Pl · εὑρίσκωmain verb (indirect question)→ constative aoristεὑρίσκω: now the fifth use in the defense (vv.5, 12, 12, 18, 20) — the word for 'finding' Paul guilty or innocent dominates the chapter, and each occurrence cuts against the prosecution.
ἀδίκημαwrongdoingAccusativeaccusative direct objectἀδίκημα: 'wrongful act, crime, injustice' (ἄδικος + suffix); the legal term for an actionable offense; Paul implies they found none.
στάντοςwhen I stoodAor Act Ptc Gen Sg M · ἵστημιgenitive absolute (temporal — when Paul stood before the Sanhedrin)→ constative aoristἵστημι: 'stand'; the aorist participle is constative — Paul's appearance before the Sanhedrin in ch.23 is the event in view.
μουmyGenitivegenitive absolute subject
ἐπὶbeforepreposition + genitive (presence before a body)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
συνεδρίουcouncilGenitivegenitive of place (before the council)συνέδριον: 'Sanhedrin, council'; the supreme Jewish council in Jerusalem; Paul's hearing before it is narrated in Acts 23:1–10, where the Sanhedrin split over the resurrection question.
21
ἢ περὶ μιᾶς ταύτης φωνῆς ἧς ἐκέκραξα ἐν αὐτοῖς ἑστὼς ὅτι Περὶ ἀναστάσεως νεκρῶν ἐγὼ κρίνομαι σήμερον ἐφ' ὑμῶν.
or else regarding this one statement which I cried out when I stood among them: 'It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.'
Paul's brilliant forensic reduction: the only 'crime' the Sanhedrin could identify is Paul's one statement about the resurrection (cf. 23:6). This reduces Tertullus's three-count indictment to an intra-Jewish theological dispute — precisely the sort of case Felix cannot adjudicate and should dismiss.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
ἢordisjunctive conjunction (second alternative — the single contested statement)
περὶregardingpreposition + genitive (reference)
μιᾶςoneGenitivegenitive numeral (attributive — 'this one statement')
ταύτηςthisGenitivedemonstrative adjective
φωνῆςstatement / voiceGenitivegenitive (object of περί)φωνή: 'voice, sound, utterance'; here a specific utterance — the one statement about the resurrection at the Sanhedrin hearing.
ἧςwhichGenitiverelative pronoun, genitive of content (ἐκέκραξα takes genitive of content)
ἐκέκραξαI cried outPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · κράζωmain verb (relative clause)→ intensive perfect (the cry still rings out — its effect persists)κράζω: 'cry out, shout'; the perfect ἐκέκραξα preserves the dramatic force of the Sanhedrin moment (23:6) — the word is still ringing in the court's ears.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere/location — among them)
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative of place (the Sanhedrin members)
ἑστὼςstandingPerf Act Ptc Nom Sg M · ἵστημιattendant circumstance participle→ intensive perfect (standing as a maintained posture)
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing the direct quotation
Περὶregardingpreposition + genitive (topic — fronted for emphasis)
ἀναστάσεωςresurrectionGenitivegenitive (object of περί — the topic placed emphatically first)ἀνάστασις: 'resurrection'; the third occurrence (vv.15, 21) — the word is the theological spine of the whole chapter; it is what Paul was accused of proclaiming (23:6) and what divides his accusers.
νεκρῶνof the deadGenitivegenitive (subjective — 'resurrection that the dead undergo')
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic subject pronoun
κρίνομαιI am on trialPres Mid/Pass Indic 1 Sg · κρίνωmain verb (the quoted statement)→ progressive present (ongoing juridical process)κρίνω (pass.): 'be judged, be on trial'; Paul uses the passive to say he is being tried — not by the court alone, but by the question of the resurrection itself.
σήμερονtodayadverb (temporal)
ἐφ'beforepreposition + genitive (before you, the judges)
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive of person (before the judges)
22
Ἀνεβάλετο δὲ αὐτοὺς ὁ Φῆλιξ, ἀκριβέστερον εἰδὼς τὰ περὶ τῆς ὁδοῦ, εἴπας· Ὅταν Λυσίας ὁ χιλίαρχος καταβῇ, διαγνώσομαι τὰ καθ' ὑμᾶς·
But Felix adjourned them, knowing the Way with some precision, saying, 'When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.'
Felix's decision is legally motivated but practically evasive: he knows 'the Way' with precision (ἀκριβέστερον) — perhaps from his Jewish wife Drusilla, or from prior cases — and uses the need for Lysias as a pretext. The adjournment leaves Paul indefinitely in custody without a verdict.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
ἈνεβάλετοadjournedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀναβάλλωmain verb→ constative aoristἀναβάλλω: 'throw back, adjourn, postpone'; NT hapax; the technical legal term for postponing/adjourning a case — Felix defers, neither acquitting nor convicting.
δέbutcontrastive particle
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative direct object
ὁtheNominativearticle
ΦῆλιξFelixNominativesubject nominative
ἀκριβέστερονmore accurately / with more precisionadverb (comparative — manner)ἀκριβής: 'exact, precise'; the comparative ἀκριβέστερον signals that Felix's knowledge of the Way exceeds the superficial. Luke uses ἀκρίβεια language for precision in legal and scholarly matters (cf. Luke 1:3; Acts 18:25, 26; 22:3; 26:5).
εἰδὼςknowingPerf Act Ptc Nom Sg M · οἶδαcausal participle (ground for the adjournment)→ intensive perfect (knowing as a settled state of knowledge)οἶδα: 'know' (a perfect form with present meaning); Felix's knowledge of 'the Way' explains why he recognizes Paul's arguments but is unwilling to act on them — politically convenient ignorance.
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantivizing τὰ περί)
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ὁδοῦWayGenitivegenitive (object of περί)ὁδός: 'the Way'; last occurrence (24:14, 22) of Luke's term for Christianity in this chapter; Felix's knowledge of it is the ironic counterpoint to his moral paralysis — knowing, he defers.
εἴπαςsayingAor Act Ptc Nom Sg M · λέγωattendant circumstance participle (introducing direct speech)→ constative aorist
Ὅτανwhentemporal conjunction (ὅταν + subjunctive = indefinite temporal clause)
ΛυσίαςLysiasNominativesubject nominativeΛυσίας: Claudius Lysias, the tribune (χιλίαρχος) who rescued Paul from the mob (21:31–33) and sent him to Felix; his report to Felix is in 23:26–30.
ὁtheNominativearticle
χιλίαρχοςtribuneNominativenominative (apposition to Λυσίας)χιλίαρχος: 'commander of a thousand, military tribune' (χίλιοι + ἄρχω); the Roman officer in charge of the cohort at Jerusalem; his testimony would clarify the chain of custody.
καταβῇcomes downAor Act Subj 3 Sg · καταβαίνωsubjunctive in temporal clause (ὅταν + subjunctive — indefinite future)→ futuristic subjunctiveκαταβαίνω: 'come down' from Jerusalem to Caesarea (the same verb used in v.1 for Ananias's descent).
διαγνώσομαιI will decideFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · διαγινώσκωmain verb (apodosis of the temporal clause)→ predictive futureδιαγινώσκω: 'determine fully, decide a case, adjudicate'; NT hapax here (cf. διαγνῶναι at 23:15 for investigation); the legal sense of rendering a definitive judgment.
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantivizing τὰ καθ' ὑμᾶς)
καθ'concerningpreposition + accusative (reference — 'your case')
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative (object of κατά — 'the things concerning you all')
23
διαταξάμενος τῷ ἑκατοντάρχῃ τηρεῖσθαι αὐτὸν ἔχειν τε ἄνεσιν καὶ μηδένα κωλύειν τῶν ἰδίων αὐτοῦ ὑπηρετεῖν αὐτῷ.
And he ordered the centurion to keep him in custody, yet to allow him some freedom and not to prevent any of his own people from attending to him.
Felix's order is a 'custodia militaris' — open arrest under military supervision, not prison. The 'certain freedom' (ἄνεσιν) and access to friends is a notable leniency that will allow Paul to receive Luke, Aristarchus, and others during the two-year detention — the period in which Paul likely dictated some of his letters.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
διαταξάμενοςhaving orderedAor Mid Ptc Nom Sg M · διατάσσωattendant circumstance participle→ constative aoristδιατάσσω: 'order, give instructions'; a command-verb used for official directives (cf. 7:44; 18:2; 20:13; 23:31).
τῷtheDativearticle
ἑκατοντάρχῃcenturionDativedative indirect objectἑκατοντάρχης: 'centurion, commander of a hundred'; the officer responsible for Paul's custody.
τηρεῖσθαιto be keptPres Pass Inf · τηρέωinfinitive in indirect command (object of διαταξάμενος)→ progressive present infinitiveτηρέω: 'keep, guard, maintain in custody'; the standard custody term.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive
ἔχεινto havePres Act Inf · ἔχωinfinitive (second indirect command — coordinate with τηρεῖσθαι)→ progressive present infinitive
τεandconnective particle
ἄνεσινfreedom / relaxationAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἔχεινἄνεσις: 'relaxation, relief, freedom'; from ἀνίημι, 'release, let go'; the 'custodia libera' concession — Paul is under guard but not in a cell; cf. 2 Cor 8:13; 2 Thess 1:7.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μηδέναno oneAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive κωλύειν
κωλύεινto preventPres Act Inf · κωλύωinfinitive (third indirect command)→ progressive present infinitiveκωλύω: 'prevent, hinder'; a key Lukan verb in Acts (8:36; 10:47; 11:17; 16:6; 27:43; 28:31) — always associated with the inability to 'hinder' the advance of the gospel.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἰδίωνhis own / friendsGenitivegenitive (partitive — 'any of his own people')ἴδιος: 'one's own'; οἱ ἴδιοι = 'his own people, his associates'; the term covers fellow believers like Luke, Aristarchus, and Timothy who would have attended to Paul during his Caesarean captivity.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive possessive
ὑπηρετεῖνto serve / attendPres Act Inf · ὑπηρετέωcomplementary infinitive (object of κωλύειν)→ progressive present infinitiveὑπηρετέω: 'serve, assist, minister to'; used in Luke-Acts for the practical service of attendants (Luke 1:2; Acts 13:5; 20:34); the permission to have such service is a significant concession.
αὐτῷhimDativedative indirect object of ὑπηρετεῖν
24
Μετὰ δὲ ἡμέρας τινὰς παραγενόμενος ὁ Φῆλιξ σὺν Δρουσίλλῃ τῇ ἰδίᾳ γυναικὶ οὔσῃ Ἰουδαίᾳ μετεπέμψατο τὸν Παῦλον καὶ ἤκουσεν αὐτοῦ περὶ τῆς εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν πίστεως.
Now after some days Felix arrived with Drusilla his own wife, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and listened to him about faith in Christ Jesus.
The scene shifts from public courtroom to private audience. Drusilla is the youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:1–23) and great-granddaughter of Herod the Great; she left her first husband Azizus of Emesa to marry Felix (Josephus, Ant. 20.141–144). Her Jewish identity explains Felix's familiarity with 'the Way' and his curiosity about Messianic faith. The phrase 'faith in Christ Jesus' (εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν πίστις) is a defining Pauline formulation.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
Μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (temporal)
δέnownarrative particle
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of time (object of μετά)
τινὰςsomeAccusativeindefinite pronoun
παραγενόμενοςhaving comeAor Mid Ptc Nom Sg M · παραγίνομαιtemporal participle (antecedent to μετεπέμψατο)→ constative aoristπαραγίνομαι: 'come, arrive'; repeated from v.17; Felix arrives at Caesarea (or at Paul's place of custody).
ὁtheNominativearticle
ΦῆλιξFelixNominativesubject nominative
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (accompaniment)
ΔρουσίλλῃDrusillaDativedative of accompaniment (object of σύν)Δρουσίλλα: a Roman name (Drusilla, diminutive of Drusus); the youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12), born c. AD 38, who left her first husband Azizus to marry Felix, according to Josephus (Ant. 20.141–144). Her Jewish identity makes her interested in Paul's message.
τῇtheDativearticle
ἰδίᾳhis ownDativeattributive adjective (modifying γυναικί)ἴδιος: 'one's own'; the adjective emphasizes that Drusilla is his legitimate wife, not a concubine — a mildly ironic note, given that she was obtained through a prior divorce.
γυναικὶwifeDativedative (in apposition to Δρουσίλλῃ)γυνή: 'woman, wife'.
οὔσῃwho wasPres Act Ptc Dat Sg F · εἰμίattributive participle (modifying γυναικί)→ progressive present (her ongoing Jewish identity)
ἸουδαίᾳJewishDativepredicate dative (with οὔσῃ — 'being Jewish')Ἰουδαία: 'Jewish woman'; Drusilla's Jewishness is Luke's explanation for Felix's knowledge of 'the Way' (v.22) and the private theological audience.
μετεπέμψατοsent forAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · μεταπέμπωmain verb→ constative aoristμεταπέμπω: 'send for, summon'; used in Acts for formal summons by officials (10:5, 22; 11:13; 20:1; 24:24, 26; 25:3); here Felix summons Paul privately — not for the official hearing but for personal conversation.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ΠαῦλονPaulAccusativeaccusative direct object
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἤκουσενlistened toAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear, listen to'; Felix listens — not as judge but as a curious private auditor. The irony is that he already knows the Way (v.22) yet seeks more.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive of person heard (with ἀκούω — listen to him)
περὶaboutpreposition + genitive (topic of the discourse)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
εἰςinpreposition + accusative (object/direction of faith — faith directed toward Christ)
ΧριστὸνChristAccusativeaccusative (object of εἰς — faith toward/in Christ)Χριστός: 'Anointed, Messiah'; the Messianic title relevant to both Drusilla's Jewish background and Paul's argument about 'the Way' as fulfillment of the prophets.
ἸησοῦνJesusAccusativeaccusative (apposition to Χριστόν — the personal name)Ἰησοῦς: the personal name; 'faith in Christ Jesus' is a characteristically Pauline formulation.
πίστεωςfaithGenitivegenitive (object of περί — the topic of the discourse)πίστις: 'faith, trust, faithfulness'; the theological center of Pauline soteriology; in Acts 24:24 it appears as a summary concept for what the Way requires.
25
διαλεγομένου δὲ αὐτοῦ περὶ δικαιοσύνης καὶ ἐγκρατείας καὶ τοῦ κρίματος τοῦ μέλλοντος ἔσεσθαι, ἔμφοβος γενόμενος ὁ Φῆλιξ ἀπεκρίθη· Τὸ νῦν ἔχον πορεύου, καιρὸν δὲ μεταλαβὼν μετακαλέσομαί σε.
And as he was discoursing about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became alarmed and answered, 'Go away for now; when I find an opportune time I will summon you.'
The three topics Paul raises — righteousness (δικαιοσύνη), self-control (ἐγκράτεια), and the coming judgment (τὸ κρίμα τὸ μέλλον) — are precisely the three areas where Felix is most vulnerable: he is a notorious bribe-taker, lives in sexual immorality (having induced Drusilla to leave her husband), and faces a judgment he is deferring. The gospel dismantles his comfortable adjournment. His fear (ἔμφοβος) is the same response Luke records for Herod about John (Mark 6:20).
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
διαλεγομένουas he was discoursingPres Mid Ptc Gen Sg M · διαλέγομαιgenitive absolute (temporal)→ progressive present (the ongoing speech of Paul)διαλέγομαι: 'reason, argue, discourse'; the same verb used in v.12 for the disputing Paul denied doing; here the positive sense — engaging in reasoned moral-theological discourse.
δέnownarrative particle
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive absolute subject
περὶaboutpreposition + genitive (topic — triple listing)
δικαιοσύνηςrighteousnessGenitivegenitive (first topic — object of περί)δικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness, justice'; the first topic is the most general and most threatening to Felix, whose administration was marked by injustice (Tacitus, Ann. 12.54); it also picks up the δίκαιος/ἄδικος language of the resurrection in v.15.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐγκρατείαςself-controlGenitivegenitive (second topic — object of περί)ἐγκράτεια: 'self-control, temperance' (ἐν + κράτος, 'power within oneself'); a cardinal Greek virtue; in context directly applicable to Felix's sexual life (the manner of his marriage to Drusilla) and his financial corruption. NT rare (cf. Gal 5:23; 2 Pet 1:6).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
κρίματοςjudgmentGenitivegenitive (third topic — object of περί)κρίμα: 'judgment, verdict'; the coming eschatological judgment — Felix has spent the chapter judging others while Paul quietly implies that the judge himself stands under a greater judgment.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
μέλλοντοςcoming / about to bePres Act Ptc Gen Sg N · μέλλωattributive participle (modifying κρίματος)→ futuristic present (the certainty of the impending judgment)μέλλω: 'be about to'; the participial form here is virtually an adjective — 'the coming judgment'; cf. the 'day of judgment' language Paul preaches (Acts 17:31).
ἔσεσθαιto beFut Mid Inf · εἰμίcomplementary infinitive (with μέλλοντος)→ predictive future infinitive
ἔμφοβοςalarmed / frightenedNominativepredicate adjective (with γενόμενος)ἔμφοβος: 'filled with fear, terrified' (ἐν + φόβος); used in Luke-Acts for the fear that grips witnesses of the divine or divine messengers (Luke 24:5; Acts 10:4; 22:9; 26:25). Felix's 'fear' echoes Herod's in Mark 6:20 — the ruler who 'feared' John.
γενόμενοςhaving becomeAor Mid Ptc Nom Sg M · γίνομαιattendant circumstance / resultant participle→ ingressive aorist (becoming afraid — the onset of fear)
ὁtheNominativearticle
ΦῆλιξFelixNominativesubject nominative
ἀπεκρίθηansweredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb→ constative aorist
ΤὸFor theAccusativearticle (adverbial accusative idiom — τὸ νῦν ἔχον = 'for the present')
νῦνnowadverb (part of the idiom τὸ νῦν ἔχον)
ἔχονholding / beingPres Act Ptc Acc Sg N · ἔχωparticipial idiom (τὸ νῦν ἔχον = 'as matters now stand, for the present')→ progressive presentτὸ νῦν ἔχον: a fixed Greek idiom (literally 'the now-holding [thing]') = 'for the present, for now'; used for politely deferring a matter.
πορεύουgo awayPres Mid Imper 2 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (imperative of dismissal)→ progressive present imperative (continuous going — ongoing dismissal)πορεύομαι: 'go, proceed, depart'; a mild but firm dismissal — the same verb used for apostolic journeys in Acts; here Felix sends Paul away rather than receive the gospel.
καιρὸνan opportune timeAccusativeaccusative direct object of μεταλαβὼνκαιρός: 'opportunity, right/appointed time'; Felix seeks a 'better time' that never comes — a pointed Lukan irony, since the καιρός of salvation is the very thing Paul has been proclaiming.
δὲandnarrative particle
μεταλαβὼνhaving gottenAor Act Ptc Nom Sg M · μεταλαμβάνωtemporal/conditional participle→ constative aorist (when/if he obtains an opportunity)μεταλαμβάνω: 'obtain, get a share of'; here 'when I find an opportunity'; the verb implies Felix hopes to control the timing — never committing to when.
μετακαλέσομαίI will summonFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · μετακαλέωmain verb (apodosis)→ predictive future (a promise Felix never fulfills)μετακαλέω: 'summon, call for'; used in Acts for official summons (7:14; 10:32; 20:17; 24:25); the promise 'I will send for you' is ironic — he does send for Paul repeatedly, but for money, not for decision.
σεyouAccusativeaccusative direct object
26
ἅμα δὲ καὶ ἐλπίζων ὅτι χρήματα δοθήσεται αὐτῷ ὑπὸ τοῦ Παύλου· διὸ καὶ πυκνότερον αὐτὸν μεταπεμπόμενος ὡμίλει αὐτῷ.
At the same time also he was hoping that money would be given to him by Paul; therefore he also sent for him frequently and conversed with him.
Luke's editorial aside exposing Felix's corrupt motivation: the repeated private interviews are driven by hope for a bribe (χρήματα, 'money/funds'). The hope of a bribe is explicitly a violation of Roman law (lex repetundarum). The irony is complete: Felix summons Paul hoping to receive, when Paul has offered only the gospel — and the collection he mentioned in v.17 is the closest he has come to financial discussion.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ἅμαat the same timeadverb (simultaneous action)ἅμα: 'at the same time, simultaneously'; here both the dismissals and the bribe-hope co-exist.
δέnownarrative particle
καὶalsoadverbial particle
ἐλπίζωνhopingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg M · ἐλπίζωcausal / attendant circumstance participle→ progressive present (continuous hoping)ἐλπίζω: 'hope, expect'; the ironic parallel with Paul's ἐλπίς in v.15 — Paul hopes in God for the resurrection; Felix hopes in Paul for money.
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing indirect statement
χρήματαmoneyNominativenominative subject of indirect statement (subject of the passive δοθήσεται)χρήμα: 'money, resources, wealth'; (plural χρήματα = 'funds'); the naked word for a bribe payment — no euphemism from Luke. The mention of Paul's alms collection in v.17 may have planted the idea in Felix's mind.
δοθήσεταιwill be givenFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (indirect statement)→ predictive future (Felix's corrupt expectation)δίδωμι: 'give'; the passive future 'will be given' is politely impersonal — the bribe-hope expressed without naming the giver directly.
αὐτῷto himDativedative indirect object (Felix as recipient of the hoped-for payment)
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agent with passive verb)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ΠαύλουPaulGenitivegenitive of agent (object of ὑπό)
διὸthereforeinferential conjunctionδιό: 'therefore, for which reason'; from διά + ὅ; the logical conclusion drawn from the bribe-hope.
καὶalsoadverbial particle
πυκνότερονmore frequentlycomparative adverb (manner)πυκνός: 'frequent, dense'; the comparative πυκνότερον = 'more frequently, rather often'; the repeated summons expose the depth of Felix's avarice.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative direct object of μεταπεμπόμενος
μεταπεμπόμενοςsending forPres Mid Ptc Nom Sg M · μεταπέμπωattendant circumstance participle (manner of the ὡμίλει)→ progressive present (the repeated sending)μεταπέμπω: 'send for, summon'; repeated from v.24 — the official summons has now become a habit driven by greed.
ὡμίλειconversed / talked withImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁμιλέωmain verb→ progressive imperfect (repeated / ongoing conversations)ὁμιλέω: 'converse, talk with, associate with' (cf. ὅμιλος, 'company'); NT rare (Luke 24:14–15; Acts 20:11; 24:26); the imperfect ὡμίλει is iterative — the conversations were multiple and repeated.
αὐτῷwith himDativedative of accompaniment (with ὁμιλέω)
27
Διετίας δὲ πληρωθείσης ἔλαβεν διάδοχον ὁ Φῆλιξ Πόρκιον Φῆστον· θέλων τε χάριτα καταθέσθαι τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις ὁ Φῆλιξ κατέλιπεν τὸν Παῦλον δεδεμένον.
When two years were completed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and wanting to do a favor for the Jews, Felix left Paul in prison.
Luke's transitional summary closes the Caesarean captivity under Felix and opens the door to ch.25. The two years (c. AD 58–60) are consistent with the chronology of Festus's arrival. Felix's parting gesture — leaving Paul bound to curry favor with the Jews (χάριτα καταθέσθαι) — uses the same political calculus that will drive Festus in ch.25. The phrase δεδεμένον ('bound') is a perfect passive participle signaling the completed binding that now defines Paul's legal status at the chapter's end.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
Διετίαςtwo yearsGenitivegenitive absolute subject (with πληρωθείσης)διετία: 'a period of two years' (δύο + ἔτος + -ία); NT rare (Acts 24:27; 28:30); the summary word for Paul's Caesarean imprisonment; approximately AD 57/58–59/60.
δέnownarrative particle
πληρωθείσηςhaving been completedAor Pass Ptc Gen Sg F · πληρόωgenitive absolute (temporal)→ constative aorist (the completion of the two-year term)πληρόω: 'fill, complete, fulfill'; the passive πληρωθείσης marks the time as divinely measured and completed — Luke uses the same verb for prophetic fulfillment and narrative closure (Luke 1:20; 21:24; Acts 13:25).
ἔλαβενreceivedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'receive, take'; with διάδοχον, 'received a successor' = 'was succeeded by'; a standard administrative locution.
διάδοχονa successorAccusativeaccusative direct objectδιάδοχος: 'successor' (δια + δέχομαι, 'receiving through/after'); NT hapax; the official administrative term for the one who receives (δέχομαι) an office through (διά) a transfer.
ὁtheNominativearticle
ΦῆλιξFelixNominativesubject nominative
ΠόρκιονPorciusAccusativeaccusative (first name of the successor — apposition to διάδοχον)Πόρκιος: nomen (gens) Porcius; Porcius Festus was appointed procurator of Judea by Nero c. AD 59/60; little is known of him outside Acts and Josephus; he died in office c. AD 62.
ΦῆστονFestusAccusativeaccusative (cognomen — 'Festus' identifies the specific person)Φῆστος: cognomen Festus; his governorship frames Acts 25–26 and the appeal to Caesar.
θέλωνwantingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg M · θέλωcausal participle (Felix's motive)→ progressive presentθέλω: 'wish, want'; the same verb used of political desire throughout Luke-Acts; here Felix's political calculation, not moral conviction.
τεandconnective particle
χάριταa favorAccusativeaccusative direct object of καταθέσθαιχάρις: 'grace, favor'; in the political sense χάριν (τινι) καταθέσθαι = 'to deposit a favor with someone, to do a kindness' (a Latin idiom: gratiam ponere); Felix wants to leave on good terms with the Jews.
καταθέσθαιto deposit / doAor Mid Inf · κατατίθημιcomplementary infinitive (object of θέλων)→ constative aorist infinitiveκατατίθημι: 'place down, deposit'; with χάριτα: 'lay down a favor, do a courtesy'; the political idiom for obligating someone by a deed of goodwill — Felix's parting gift to the Jewish leaders is Paul's continued imprisonment.
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ἸουδαίοιςJewsDativedative indirect object (beneficiary of the political favor)
ὁtheNominativearticle
ΦῆλιξFelixNominativesubject nominative (repeated for clarity after the participial phrase)
κατέλιπενleftAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καταλείπωmain verb→ constative aoristκαταλείπω: 'leave behind, abandon'; Felix's final act is to leave (καταλείπω) Paul — the contrast with his stated intention to summon Paul again (v.25) is sharp. He leaves Paul as a political chess piece.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ΠαῦλονPaulAccusativeaccusative direct object
δεδεμένονbound / imprisonedPerf Pass Ptc Acc Sg M · δέωpredicate accusative (with κατέλιπεν — 'left him bound')→ intensive perfect (the binding as a completed, ongoing state)δέω: 'bind, imprison'; the perfect passive δεδεμένον underlines that the state of being bound is the continuing legacy of Felix's administration. The chapter that opened with Ananias 'coming down' to bind Paul with accusations ends with Paul left 'bound' — a perfect participle capturing the weight of injustice.