Paul and Felix

Q: Who kept Paul imprisoned, hoping Paul would try to bribe him for release?

A: Felix kept Paul in prison, at least in part because he thought Paul might buy his way out (Acts 24:26). He also did it to placate the Jewish leaders and we know that his successor Festus continued this practice (verse 27). Even more, Paul remained in prison because God desired it, since this would lead the apostle to Rome, where he would proclaim the Gospel in the heart of the Roman Empire (Acts 23:11). The account begins in Acts 21:15 and runs through the end of the book.

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Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of the book What Do Lutherans Believe.