Drusilla

Drusilla was a daughter of Herod Agrippa I and wife of the Roman governor Felix. Acts records that she was present when Felix listened to Paul speak about faith in Jesus.

Drusilla belonged to the Herodian royal family. She was a daughter of Agrippa I and a sister of Agrippa II and Bernice. Josephus reports that she first married Azizus, king of Emesa, after an earlier proposed marriage to another ruler did not take place.

While Felix governed Judea, Drusilla left Azizus and married Felix. Josephus tells the story with strong personal judgments, which should be distinguished from the basic events he records. Drusilla and Felix had a son named Agrippa.

Acts 24:24 describes Felix arriving with Drusilla, identified as Jewish, and sending for Paul to hear him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. The following verse says Paul spoke about righteousness, self-control, and coming judgment, and that Felix became afraid. The passage does not tell us Drusilla’s reaction.

Drusilla’s life shows the close connections between the Herodian family and Roman government. Her appearance in Acts places a member of the Jewish royal family beside the governor who held Paul in custody.

• Born into the family of Herod Agrippa I.
• Married Azizus, king of Emesa.
• Later married the Roman governor Antonius Felix.
• Was present when Felix heard Paul speak about Christian faith.

Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, Book 20, chapter 7; Acts 24:24-27.

The date and circumstances of Drusilla’s death are not securely established. Josephus reports that her son Agrippa died during the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79, but does not establish that Drusilla herself died there.

Acts identifies Drusilla as the Jewish wife of Felix who was present when Paul discussed faith in Christ Jesus. Her appearance links Paul’s imprisonment to the Herodian dynasty.