having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is actually emphasizing that the resurrection he believes in includes both the righteous and the wicked, a point of common ground with the Pharisees present, but one that would have significant implications for Felix himself. This inclusion of the "unjust" highlights the universal nature of the resurrection, not just for believers but for all humanity facing judgment.
having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is defending himself before Felix, the Roman governor, and a crowd of accusers. He insists he's done nothing wrong, adhering to Jewish law and tradition, and explains that the charges against him stem from a disagreement over the resurrection, a belief shared by the Pharisees in the room. He asserts that his hope in God, including the resurrection of all people, is a common ground he shares with many of his accusers.
In the middle of a heated trial, Paul doesn't just defend himself – he finds common ground! What belief did Paul share with his accusers and even the presiding judge?
When Paul stands before Felix and his accusers, he’s in a tough spot. The charges are serious, and the atmosphere is tense. But instead of getting defensive, Paul takes a strategic turn. He declares, “I believe in God, just as you do, and I have the same hope that the righteous and the wicked will be raised from the dead.”
This wasn't just a clever argument; it was a statement of shared hope rooted in the Jewish faith. The Pharisees, who were present and part of the religious establishment, strongly believed in the resurrection. Even Felix, a Roman governor who presided over Jewish affairs, would have been aware of this core belief. By highlighting this shared hope, Paul immediately defuses some of the hostility and points to a fundamental truth they all, in some way, accepted.
Paul’s mention of a resurrection for BOTH the 'just and unjust' might surprise you. What does this bold declaration reveal about God's ultimate justice?
Paul doesn’t just affirm a resurrection; he specifies a resurrection for both the just and the unjust. This is a profound statement! It points to a future where every single person will stand before God. There will be a final accounting, a day when all deeds are revealed, and justice will be perfectly served.
This isn't about a vague hope; it's about a definitive judgment. It means that even those who have lived wickedly will face a resurrection, not for reward, but for judgment. For Paul, this truth underscored the urgency of living rightly and trusting in God’s final, perfect justice.
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Understand the original words
elpis · Greek Noun
A prophetic expectation or confident trust in God's future promises and faithfulness, anchored in His character rather than human certainty.
anastasis · Greek Noun
The climactic future event in which the dead are brought back to life, body and soul, to face divine judgment or enter into eternal life; a fundamental tenet of the Christian faith.
Paul strategically highlights the resurrection as a shared belief between himself and the Pharisees, thereby undermining his accusers' case and appealing to a fundamental Jewish hope.
c. 150 BC
Pharisaic Influence Grows
The Pharisee movement gains significant traction among the Jewish people, emphasizing observance of the Law and tradition, including belief in resurrection.
c. 63 BC - AD 6
Roman Rule in Judea Begins
Rome establishes dominance over Judea, leading to a complex political landscape and periods of tension with Jewish leadership.
c. AD 20s - 30s
Jesus' Ministry and Crucifixion
Jesus proclaims the kingdom of God, teaching and performing miracles, culminating in his death and resurrection, which forms the core of early Christian belief.
c. AD 30s - 50s
Early Spread of Christianity
The gospel message begins to spread, primarily through Jewish communities, with apostles like Paul initially being seen by many as part of a Jewish sect.
c. AD 50s
Council of Jerusalem
Apostles and elders address whether Gentile converts need to follow all Mosaic Law, establishing a precedent for Gentile inclusion and clarifying Christian identity.
c. AD 58
Paul's Arrest in Jerusalem
Paul is arrested in Jerusalem after being accused of defiling the temple, leading to riots and his subsequent imprisonment.
c. AD 59-60— this verse
Paul's Trial Before Felix
Paul defends himself before the Roman governor Felix in Caesarea, facing charges brought by Jewish leaders. He appeals to shared beliefs, including the resurrection.
This Old Testament passage directly foreshadows the concept of a general resurrection for both righteous and unrighteous, a core element of Paul's statement in Acts.
John 5:28-29Jesus speaks of the 'hour is coming' when all who are in their graves will come out, some to resurrection of life and others to resurrection of judgment, mirroring Paul's assertion of both the just and unjust rising.
1 Corinthians 15:20-23Paul elaborates extensively on the resurrection of Christ as the firstfruits, guaranteeing the resurrection of believers, and implicitly the resurrection of all, which strongly supports his conviction expressed here.
Philippians 3:10-11Paul expresses his deep desire to know Christ and the power of his resurrection, and to attain to the resurrection from the dead, showing the central importance of this hope in his life and ministry.
ellicottActs 24:15: "And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust."
(15) Which they themselves also allow . . . —We have the same tact, perhaps also the same sympathy, as in Acts 23:6 . He identifies himself, on this point, not only with the Pharisees but with the great bulk of the Jewish people.
cambridgeActs 24:15: "And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust."
15 . and have ( R. V. having) hope … which they themselves also allow ] ( R. V. look for). Here the Apostle is of course alluding only to the Pharisees among his own people, but he puts them as representatives of the larger part of the nation. The Rev. Ver. renders “which these also themselves look for.” If the Apostle employed the words in that…
Paul is actually emphasizing that the resurrection he believes in includes both the righteous and the wicked, a point of common ground with the Pharisees present, but one that would have significant implications for Felix himself. This inclusion of the "unjust" highlights the universal nature of the resurrection, not just for believers but for all humanity facing judgment.
Paul is defending himself before Felix, the Roman governor, and a crowd of accusers. He insists he's done nothing wrong, adhering to Jewish law and tradition, and explains that the charges against him stem from a disagreement over the resurrection, a belief shared by the Pharisees in the room. He asserts that his hope in God, including the resurrection of all people, is a common ground he shares with many of his accusers.
Paul is defending himself before Felix, the Roman governor, and a crowd of accusers. He insists he's done nothing wrong, adhering to Jewish law and tradition, and explains that the charges against him stem from a disagreement over the resurrection, a belief shared by the Pharisees in the room. He asserts that his hope in God, including the resurrection of all people, is a common ground he shares with many of his accusers.
"having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust." — Paul is actually emphasizing that the resurrection he believes in includes both the righteous and the wicked, a point of common ground with the Pharisees present, but one that would have significan…
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Last reviewed October 2026