Acts 24:26
What does Acts 24:26 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 24:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 24:26 means
Felix often summons Paul, not from love of truth but hoping Paul would give him money. Corruption distorts justice and conversation alike. Yet even mixed motives cannot silence the gospel; repeated meetings mean repeated opportunities to hear. Paul remains consistent, not buying his freedom nor softening his message. The verse shows how worldly calculations coexist uneasily with divine truth. Felix seeks personal gain, but God still places His servant before him time and again, making the most of captivity for witness, though the legal outcome remains stalled.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000He hoped withal that money would be given him of Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He hoped withal that money would be given him of Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For he was hoping that Paul would give him money: so he sent for him more frequently and had talk with him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and at the same time also hoping that money shall be given to him by Paul, that he may release him, therefore, also sending for him the oftener, he was conversing with him;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Hoping also withal that money should be given him by Paul: for which cause also oftentimes sending for him, he spoke with him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890hoping at the same time that money would be given him by Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener and communed with him.
Context
After Felix’s fearful postponement, verse 26 unveils his ulterior motive. The frequent summons are tied to greed, not sincere inquiry. This explains the ongoing delay and sets up the final verse. Two years will pass under this pattern, as verse 27 notes, until a new governor arrives. The chapter’s close will emphasize the political nature of Paul’s continued imprisonment, even as God uses the pause for ongoing testimony.
v.25And as he reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me.
v.26This passage
v.27But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Micah 7:3
Their hands are upon that which is evil to do it diligently; the prince asketh, and the judge is ready for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth the evil desire of his soul: thus they weave it together.
- 1 Corinthians 6:9
Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men,
- 1 Samuel 12:3
Here I am: witness against me before Jehovah, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I taken a ransom to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.
- Ephesians 5:5
For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
- Micah 3:11
The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet they lean upon Jehovah, and say, Is not Jehovah in the midst of us? no evil shall come upon us.
- Acts 24:2
And when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy much peace, and that by thy providence evils are corrected for this nation,
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