Felix

Felix (meaning happy or prosperous) was the Roman procurator of Judea who presided over Paul's imprisonment in Caesarea for approximately two years (c. A.D. 57–59). His full name was Marcus Antonius Felix; he was a freedman who rose to the governorship through the influence of his brother Pallas at the court of Emperor Claudius. The Roman historian Tacitus described him as practicing "every kind of cruelty and lust" with the authority of a king but the instincts of a slave.

Paul's hearing before Felix is recorded in Acts 24. When Paul reasoned before him about "righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come," Felix trembled and dismissed him, saying "Go away for now; when I have an opportunity I will summon you." Luke notes that Felix hoped Paul would offer him a bribe, which explains his repeated summonings. When Festus succeeded Felix as procurator, Felix left Paul imprisoned to curry favor with the Jewish leaders — a decision that prolonged Paul's captivity and eventually resulted in his appeal to Caesar.