Paragraph 24:10–16

24:10a

When the governor motioned for Paul to speak: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as motioned refers either to nodding the head or gesturing with the hand. The motion indicated to Paul that he was now allowed to speak. Translate with a gesture in your culture that indicates permission to speak or translate generally. Other ways to translate this clause are:

When the governor motioned to him to speak (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
When the governor had nodded for him to speak (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
When the governor gestured for him to speak (NET Bible)

he began his response: The New International Version and some English versions translate the Greek clause literally here. For example:

Paul responded (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
Paul replied (New International Version)

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as response indicates that Paul responded to the gesture that allowed him to speak. But Felix did not say anything to Paul, so in some languages it is not natural to translate the Greek word as response or “responded” or “replied.” For example:

Paul said (New Living Translation (2004))

24:10b

Paul spoke respectfully to the judge. Indicate in your translation that Paul spoke respectfully. In some languages a respectful term of address such as “Sir” is needed to show respect. Other languages have other ways to show respect.

you have been a judge over this nation: Felix, as governor, made decisions regarding laws and legal issues, and judged criminal cases.

this nation: This refers to Israel. Felix ruled over the province of Judea. This province included most of the people of Israel. He did not rule other regions in Israel like Galilee.

many years: Felix had ruled Judea for about three years by this time, but probably served the previous governor for some years as well. For example:

a long time (New Century Version)

24:10c

I gladly make my defense: Some languages must translate gladly using a verb. For example:

I am glad/happy to make my defense
-or-
I will now make my defense and that makes me glad/happy

make my defense: The phrase make…defense refers to responding to accusations and explaining that the person had not done what he was accused of doing. Paul would explain that he was not a troublemaker, had not caused riots, and did not try to desecrate the temple (24:5–6). Other ways to translate this phrase are:

defend myself (Good News Translation)
-or-
speak…in my defence (New Jerusalem Bible)

© 2001, 2021 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.