Acts 24 · Verse 22

Acts 24:22

And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.

Acts 24:22, King James Version

Acts 24:22 in other translations

BSB	Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.”
WEB	But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, “When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case.”
ASV	But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine your matter.
YLT	And having heard these things, Felix delayed them--having known more exactly of the things concerning the way--saying, ‘When Lysias the chief captain may come down, I will know fully the things concerning you;'
DARBY	And Felix, knowing accurately the things concerning the way, adjourned them, saying, When Lysias the chiliarch is come down I will determine your affair;
BBE	But Felix, who had a more detailed knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, When Lysias, the chief captain, comes down, I will give attention to your business.
Webster	And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.

What does Acts 24:22 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 24:22-23

22-23. having more perfect knowledge of that--"the" way--(See on Ac 19:23; and Ac 24:14). When Lysias ... shall come ... I will how, &c.--Felix might have dismissed the case as a tissue of unsupported charges. But if from his interest in the matter he really wished to have the presence of Lysias and others involved, a brief delay was not unworthy of him as a judge. Certainly, so far as recorded, neither Lysias nor any other parties appeared again in the case. Ac 24:23, however, seems to show that at that time his prepossessions in favor of Paul were strong.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 22. Having more perfect knowledge of that way. Our translation of this verse is very obscure, and critics are divided about the proper interpretation of the original. Many (Erasmus, Luther, Michaelis, Morus, etc.) render it, "Although he had a more perfect knowledge of the Christian doctrine than Paul's accusers had, yet he deferred the hearing of the cause till Lysias had come down." They observe, that he might have obtained this knowledge, not only from the letter of Lysias, but from public rumour, as there were doubtless Christians at Caesarea. They suppose that he deferred the cause, either with the hope of receiving a bribe from Paul, (comp. Acts 24:26,) or to gratify the Jews with his being longer detained as a prisoner. Others, among whom are Beza, Grotius, Rosenmuller, and Doddridge, suppose that it should be rendered, "He deferred them, and said, After I have been more accurately informed concerning this way, when Lysias has come down, I will hear the cause." This is doubtless the true interpretation of the passage, and it is rendered more probable by the fact that Felix sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith of Christ, (Acts 24:24,) evidently with a design to make himself better acquainted with the charges against him, and the nature of his belief.

Of that way. Of the Christian religion. This expression is repeatedly used by Luke to denote the Christian doctrine. Acts 9:2.

He deferred them. He put them off; he postponed the decision of the case; he adjourned the trial.

When Lysias, etc. Lysias had been acquainted with the excitement and its causes, and Felix regarded him as an important witness in regard to the true nature of the charges against Paul.

I will know the uttermost, etc. I shall be fully informed and prepared to decide the cause.

(a) "Lysias" Acts 24:7 (+) "chief captain" "commander" (&) "I will know" "I will determine"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 22 And when Felix heard these things - There is considerable difficulty in this verse. Translators greatly vary concerning the sense; and the MSS. themselves read variously. Mr. Wakefield's translation appears to be as proper as most: Now Felix, upon hearing these things, put them off by saying, When Lysias the captain is come down, after I have gained a more exact knowledge of this doctrine, I will inquire fully into your business. Calmet's translation is nearly to the same sense: - Felix, having heard these things, put them off to another time, saying, When I shall have acquired a more accurate knowledge of this sect, and when the tribune Lysias shall have come from Jerusalem, I will judge of your business. And this mode of interpretation is rendered the more likely from the circumstance, that, previously to the coming down of Lysias, Felix had sent for Paul, concerning the faith of Christ; and this he appears to have done, that he might be the better qualified to judge of the business, when it should come again before him. See on Act 24:20 (note).

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 24:22-27

The apostle reasoned concerning the nature and obligations of righteousness, temperance, and of a judgment to come; thus showing the oppressive judge and his profligate mistress, their need of repentance, forgiveness, and of the grace of the gospel. Justice respects our conduct in life, particularly in reference to others; temperance, the state and government of our souls, in reference to God. He who does not exercise himself in these, has neither the form nor the power of godliness, and must be overwhelmed with the Divine wrath in the day of God's appearing. A prospect of the judgment to come, is enough to make the stoutest heart to tremble. Felix trembled, but that was all. Many are startled by the word of God, who are not changed by it. Many fear the consequences of sin, yet continue in the love and practice of sin. In the affairs of our souls, delays are dangerous. Felix put off this matter to a more convenient season, but we do not find that the more convenient season ever came. Behold now is the accepted time; hear the voice of the Lord to-day. He was in haste to turn from hearing the truth. Was any business more urgent than for him to reform his conduct, or more important than the salvation of his soul! Sinners often start up like a man roused from his sleep by a loud noise, but soon sink again into their usual drowsiness. Be not deceived by occasional appearances of religion in ourselves or in others. Above all, let us not trifle with the word of God. Do we expect that as we advance in life our hearts will grow softer, or that the influence of the world will decline? Are we not at this moment in danger of being lost for ever? Now is the day of salvation; tomorrow may be too late.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Acts 24:22 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἈκούσαςAkousashaving heardG191

ταῦταtautathese thingsG3778

ἈνεβάλετοAnebaletodeferredG306

δὲdethenG1161

αὐτοὺςautousthemG846

ὁho<the>G3588

ΦῆλιξPhēlixFelixG5344

ἀκριβέστερονakribesteronmore preciselyG197

εἰδὼςeidōsknowing

τὰtathe [things]G3588

περὶpericoncerningG4012

τῆςtēstheG3588

ὁδοῦhodouWayG3598

εἴπας·eipashaving said;G2036

ὅτανhotanWhenG3752

ΛυσίαςLusiasLysiasG3079

ὁhotheG3588

χιλίαρχοςchiliarchoscommanderG5506

καταβῇ,katabēamay have come down,G2597

διαγνώσομαιdiagnōsomaiI will examineG1231

τὰtathe [things]G3588

καθ᾽kath᾽as toG2596

ὑμᾶς.humasyou.G4771

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 24:22

Acts 24:6
Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
Acts 18:20
When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;
Deuteronomy 19:18
And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;
Acts 26:3
Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
Acts 24:24
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.
Acts 24:14
But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
Acts 25:26
Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.
Acts 24:10
Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

having.
10,24; 26:3
When.
7; 18:20; 25:26; De 19:18

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Acts 24:21
Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
Acts 24:22
And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.
Acts 24:23
And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.

Read all of Acts 24

Acts 24:22 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Entonces Félix, oídas estas cosas, estando bien informado de esta secta, les puso dilación, diciendo: Cuando descendiere el tribuno Lisias acabaré de conocer de vuestro negocio.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Mais Félix, ayant plus exactement connaissance de ce qui regardait la voie, les ajourna, disant: Quand le chiliarque Lysias sera descendu, je prendrai connaissance de votre affaire,
German Elberfelder 1871	Felix aber, der in betreff des Weges genauere Kenntnis hatte, beschied sie auf weiteres und sagte: Wenn Lysias, der Oberste, herabkommt, so will ich eure Sache entscheiden.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Distulit autem illos Felix, certissime sciens de via hac, dicens: Cum tribunus Lysias descenderit, audiam vos.