Acts 24:24

KJV

And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} after {G3326} certain {G5100} days {G2250}, when Felix {G5344} came {G3854} with {G4862} his {G846} wife {G1135} Drusilla {G1409}, which was {G5607} a Jewess {G2453}, he sent for {G3343} Paul {G3972}, and {G2532} heard {G191} him {G846} concerning {G4012} the faith {G4102} in {G1519} Christ {G5547}.

Complete Jewish Bible

After some days, Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Sha’ul and listened to him as he spoke about trusting in the Messiah Yeshua.

Berean Standard Bible

After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.

American Standard Version

But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 24:24 details a significant private audience granted to the imprisoned Apostle Paul by the Roman governor Felix and his wife Drusilla in Caesarea. During this encounter, Felix, despite his corrupt character, initiated a discussion with Paul specifically "concerning the faith in Christ," providing Paul yet another providential opportunity to proclaim the gospel message, even from chains, to those in positions of authority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse follows Paul's initial defense before Governor Felix in [Acts 24:1-21](/acts/24-1-21 "Paul's Defense Before Felix"). After hearing Paul, Felix, who had some knowledge of "the Way" (early Christianity), deferred judgment, keeping Paul under relatively lenient house arrest in Caesarea, hoping for a bribe ([Acts 24:26](/acts/24-26 "Felix's Hope for a Bribe")). The narrative then shifts from the public hearing to a more intimate, private setting, highlighting Felix's continued, albeit complex, interest in Paul and his message. This particular meeting sets the stage for Paul's subsequent discourse on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment in [Acts 24:25](/acts/24-25 "Paul's Preaching to Felix and Drusilla"), revealing the profound impact Paul's testimony had, even on his captors.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Felix was the Roman procurator of Judea, appointed by Emperor Claudius. Historical accounts portray him as a notoriously corrupt, cruel, and licentious ruler, known for his administrative abuses and moral failings. His wife, Drusilla, was the youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I, making her part of the infamous Herodian dynasty. She was renowned for her beauty but also for her scandalous life; she had abandoned her first husband, Azizus, king of Emesa, to marry Felix, who had used a magician to persuade her. As a "Jewess," her background would have given her a unique perspective and potential interest in Paul's teachings, particularly how they related to Jewish prophecy and tradition. Caesarea Maritima, the Roman administrative capital of Judea, was a bustling port city with a diverse population, serving as a strategic location for such encounters between Roman authority and Jewish religious figures.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within Acts and Paul's ministry. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Opportunity for Witness**. Even in imprisonment, God orchestrates opportunities for Paul to bear witness to Christ before rulers, fulfilling the prophecy in [Acts 9:15](/acts/9-15 "Paul chosen to bear Christ's name before kings"). Secondly, it highlights the **Nature of the Gospel Message**, specifically "the faith in Christ," which encompasses not just intellectual assent but a transformative belief in Jesus as Messiah and Savior. This faith invariably leads to discussions of righteousness, temperance, and judgment, as seen in the subsequent verse. Lastly, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **Mixed Motives and Human Response to the Gospel**. While Paul's mission is clear, Felix's and Drusilla's reasons for listening were likely complex—ranging from genuine curiosity (Drusilla) to political expediency, legal assessment, or even personal gain (Felix, as suggested by his hope for a bribe in [Acts 24:26](/acts/24-26 "Felix hoping for a bribe")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **wife (Greek, _gynḗ'_):** This term refers to a woman, specifically a wife, emphasizing Drusilla's marital status with Felix. Her presence as Felix's wife, a Jewess, adds a layer of complexity to the encounter, given her background and the circumstances of her marriage to Felix.
* **heard (Greek, _akoúō'_):** This verb means "to hear" in various senses, from simply perceiving sound to understanding or giving audience. In this context, it implies that Felix and Drusilla actively listened to Paul, indicating a deliberate engagement with his message, even if their motives were mixed.
* **faith (Greek, _pístis'_):** This crucial term signifies persuasion, credence, or moral conviction, particularly reliance upon Christ for salvation. It encompasses not merely intellectual assent to facts about Jesus but a deep, trusting commitment and personal reliance "into" Christ, forming the core of the Christian message Paul was proclaiming.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla":** This phrase establishes the timing of the event, indicating it occurred some time after Paul's initial hearing, and introduces the key figures. Felix, the Roman governor, is accompanied by his wife, Drusilla, signaling a private, perhaps more informal, audience than the previous public trial.
* **"which was a Jewess":** This descriptive clause highlights Drusilla's ethnic and religious background. As a Jewess, she would have been familiar with the Old Testament prophecies and the Jewish expectation of a Messiah, making Paul's message about Jesus as the Christ particularly relevant and potentially intriguing to her.
* **"he sent for Paul":** This action indicates that the initiative for this meeting came from Felix. His decision to summon Paul suggests a continued interest in the prisoner and his teachings, perhaps driven by curiosity, a desire for further understanding, or even ulterior motives like the hope of a bribe.
* **"and heard him concerning the faith in Christ":** This final clause specifies the subject of their discussion. Paul was not merely recounting his personal history or legal defense, but was actively proclaiming the core tenets of Christian belief, centered on Jesus Christ as the object of saving faith. This demonstrates Paul's unwavering commitment to evangelism regardless of his circumstances.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Characterization** to quickly establish the key players: Felix, the Roman governor, and Drusilla, his wife, notably identified as a "Jewess." This detail immediately highlights the cultural and religious intersection at play. There is also an element of **Irony** present, as the powerful Roman governor, who holds Paul captive, is the one who initiates the request to "hear him concerning the faith in Christ," effectively turning the tables by placing himself in the position of a listener to a prisoner's spiritual truth. Furthermore, the phrase "the faith in Christ" serves as a **Metonymy**, representing the entire body of Christian doctrine and the salvific message centered on Jesus.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 24:24 powerfully illustrates the sovereign work of God in opening doors for the gospel, even in the most unlikely circumstances. Paul, a prisoner, becomes an ambassador for Christ to the highest Roman authority in the region, demonstrating that no human power or confinement can hinder the spread of God's Word. The specific focus on "the faith in Christ" underscores that the essence of Christianity is not a philosophy or a set of rituals, but a personal, transformative trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This encounter serves as a reminder that the gospel message is meant for all people, regardless of their status, background, or moral standing, and that God uses His servants to confront individuals with the demands of His kingdom.

* [Acts 9:15](/acts/9-15 "Paul chosen to bear Christ's name before kings")
* [Philippians 1:12-14](/philippians/1-12-14 "Paul's imprisonment advances the gospel")
* [2 Timothy 4:2](/2_timothy/4-2 "Preach the word in season and out of season")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This passage offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. Paul's readiness to share "the faith in Christ," even while imprisoned and facing an uncertain future, challenges us to consider our own commitment to evangelism. Are we as eager to speak of Christ in our daily lives, regardless of our circumstances or the perceived receptiveness of our audience? The fact that Felix and Drusilla "heard" Paul reminds us that the opportunity to hear the gospel is a divine privilege, one that demands a response beyond mere intellectual curiosity. Felix's subsequent procrastination and failure to embrace the truth, despite hearing it, serve as a solemn warning against delaying a decision for Christ. We are called not just to hear, but to respond in faith and obedience, understanding that every encounter with the gospel is an invitation to eternal life and a call to live righteously.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Paul's example of witnessing in imprisonment challenge my own willingness to share my faith in difficult or uncomfortable situations?**
* **What does "the faith in Christ" mean to me personally, and how effectively do I articulate its core tenets to others?**
* **In what ways might I be like Felix, hearing the truth but procrastinating on a full commitment to Christ or His commands?**
* **How can I pray for opportunities to share the gospel with those in authority or influence in my own sphere?**

### FAQ
**Why was Drusilla's Jewish background specifically mentioned?**

Answer: Drusilla's identification as a "Jewess" ([Acts 24:24](/acts/24-24 "Acts 24:24 - Felix and Drusilla Hear Paul")) is significant because it highlights her cultural and religious heritage, which would have given her a unique lens through which to hear Paul's message. As a Jew, she would have been familiar with the Old Testament prophecies, the Law, and the expectation of the Messiah. This background meant that Paul could connect his message about Jesus Christ directly to her existing understanding of God's covenant with Israel, potentially making his arguments more compelling or at least understandable to her, unlike a purely Gentile audience. Her presence alongside Felix also suggests a broader interest in Jewish matters, perhaps influencing Felix's decision to hear Paul.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 24:24, though centered on Paul's witness, profoundly points to Christ as the ultimate subject and fulfillment of all faith. Paul's message concerning "the faith in Christ" is not merely about a historical figure, but about the living Lord who is the object of saving trust. This encounter foreshadows the universal reach of the gospel, proclaimed even from a prisoner's cell to Roman authority, demonstrating that Christ's kingdom transcends all earthly power structures. The "faith in Christ" that Paul preached is the very faith by which humanity is reconciled to God, a faith rooted in Jesus's atoning death and victorious resurrection, as described in [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "The Gospel: Christ died for our sins and rose again"). Paul, as an ambassador in chains, embodies the Spirit of Christ who empowers His followers to bear witness to Him "to the ends of the earth" ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - You shall be my witnesses")). Ultimately, this verse serves as a testament to the enduring power and centrality of Jesus Christ, whose transformative message continues to be proclaimed and demands a response from all who hear it, just as it did for Felix and Drusilla.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 20:21

Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Galatians 2:16

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Galatians 3:2

This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Acts 16:31

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Luke 23:8

And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long [season], because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.

Mark 6:20

For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

Jude 1:3

¶ Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.