Then the soldiers, as they were commanded, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. The next day they left the horsemen to go on with him, and returned to the barracks. When they came to Caesarea and had delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. And when the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. And when he understood that he was from Cilicia, he said, "I will hear you when your accusers also have come." And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's Praetorium.
Acts 23:31-35

Paul arrived in Caesarea, and Felix was handed the letter from Claudius explaining why Paul was being remanded to him. Felix wanted to know where Paul was from—probably in hopes that he could shuffle Paul off to another court in that locale. But Felix decided to hear the case himself. Why? Probably because Paul was from far away. The distance would make it burdensome to transport him so far, and to demand that Paul’s accusers travel so far themselves.

Felix likely saw this as a small matter since Claudius had assured him that Paul was not guilty of any serious crime. The wheels of justice were grinding slowly and with much bureaucratic red tape.

Paul was to remain imprisoned until his accusers could come from Jerusalem.

Why so many delays? We who are familiar with the rest of the story know that it was God’s will that Paul end up in Rome, and these were all part of a series of steps to get Paul there—on Rome’s dime.

When will I learn that God’s will does not depend on or promise my convenience?