Note 2 at Acts 23:24: History records that Felix was originally a slave who, for unknown reasons, was appointed procurator (or governor v. 26) of Judea by Claudius Caesar (see note 3 at Acts 11:28, p. 639) around 53 A.D.. It is reported that Felix felt a license to commit any crime and often indulged himself in all manner of cruelty and lust (Tacitus-History Annals xi, 54).

Felix desired Drusilla, who was the daughter of Herod Agrippa I (see note 3 at Lk. 3:1, p. 70) to be his wife while she was still married to Azizus, the king of Emesa. He accomplished this with the aid of Simon, a magician.

It is also reported that Felix had Jonathan, a high priest not mentioned in scripture, assassinated by villains who mingled among the crowds going up to worship at Jerusalem (Unger's Bible Dictionary, pp. 348-349).

Felix resided in Caesarea (see note 2 at Acts 8:40, p. 620) where Paul was brought to him for safety. Paul defended himself to Felix in front of his Jewish accusers (Acts 24:1-21) but Felix left Paul bound for two years (Acts 24:27). Paul was not in chains but was kept by a centurion who allowed his friends to come to him freely.

During this time, Felix called for Paul and trembled as Paul reasoned with him of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come (Acts 24:25). Felix left Paul bound to do the Jews a favor (Acts 24:27) and also because he hoped Paul would offer him money for his release (Acts 24:26).

During Paul's imprisonment in Caesarea, Felix was summoned to Rome to answer questions about the increasing unrest in Judea. Felix avoided physical punishment through the intercession of his brother Pallas, but he was replaced as procurator of Judea by Porcius Festus (Acts 24:27).