Drusilla is a minor biblical figure who is mentioned briefly in the Acts of the Apostles. She was the youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I and the sister of Herod Agrippa II. Here is what the Bible tells us about Drusilla:
Her Family Background
Drusilla came from the Herodian dynasty that ruled Judea under the authority of the Roman Empire. She was the daughter of Herod Agrippa I and Cypros. Herod Agrippa I was the grandson of Herod the Great, who tried to kill the baby Jesus (Matthew 2:13-18). Her brother was Herod Agrippa II, who heard the apostle Paul’s defense (Acts 25:13-26:32). So Drusilla came from a powerful, but evil family that opposed Jesus and the early Christians.
She Was Married to Felix
The Bible mentions that Drusilla was married to the Roman governor Felix: “After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus” (Acts 24:24). Felix ruled Judea from AD 52-60. Drusilla was his third wife. She was very young when they married, probably in her teens. Felix convinced Drusilla to divorce her first husband Azizus, king of Emesa, to marry him.
She Heard Paul Preach
The main biblical detail about Drusilla was that she joined her husband Felix in listening to the apostle Paul talk about his faith in Jesus Christ:
“And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, ‘Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.’ At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.” (Acts 24:25-27)
Paul’s preaching made Felix afraid, but it apparently did not lead Felix or Drusilla to repent and believe the gospel. They kept Paul imprisoned during Felix’s term as governor.
Her Evil Character
Although the Bible does not say much directly about Drusilla’s character, the little information given indicates she was an evil, immoral woman:
1. She came from an evil family line opposed to Jesus Christ.
2. She divorced her husband Azizus to marry the pagan Roman Felix.
3. She heard the gospel from Paul but rejected it.
4. She participated in Felix’s corrupt administration by allowing him to keep Paul imprisoned for two years.
So while the Bible does not give many details about her, the brief mention of Drusilla shows her opposition to God’s work through the apostle Paul. As part of the Herodian dynasty, she continued her family’s corrupt rule and rejection of the gospel.
References to Drusilla in the Bible
Here are the only two verses in the Bible that mention Drusilla:
Acts 24:24 – “After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.”
Acts 24:25 – “And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.”
So the Bible contains little information about her. But it does provide a brief glimpse into her character and role during New Testament times as part of the Herodian dynasty that opposed the gospel message.
Non-Biblical Traditions about Drusilla
In addition to the brief biblical references, there are some extra-biblical traditions about Drusilla’s life:
– She was born around AD 38.
– She may have perished in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. The Roman historian Tacitus mentions that Felix and Drusilla viewed the eruption from a friend’s home in Pompeii, which was destroyed.
– She was reputed to be very beautiful. The Roman historian Suetonius called her “supremely lovely.”
– Ancient Jewish traditions depict her negatively as a shameless, immoral woman.
However, these extra-biblical traditions should be viewed cautiously since they may not be historically accurate. The biblical text contains the most reliable information about Drusilla’s life and character.
Lessons We Can Learn from Drusilla
Though she is only briefly mentioned, Drusilla’s life provides some important lessons:
1. Sin and unbelief can persist across family generations. Drusilla followed in the evil pattern of her ancestors in the Herodian dynasty.
2. Rejecting God’s Word leads to bad life decisions. Drusilla made unwise choices in leaving her husband and marrying the pagan Felix.
3. Outward beauty does not reflect inward character. Drusilla was apparently beautiful on the outside but morally corrupt on the inside.
4. Hearing the gospel requires a response. Drusilla heard Paul but did not repent. We need to respond rightly to the message of salvation in Christ.
5. Evil company corrupts good character. Drusilla kept the apostle Paul imprisoned with her husband Felix. She bears some responsibility for persecuting the early church.
While Scripture does not provide many details about her life, Drusilla remains an example of what happens when people reject God’s Word and oppose His work in the world.
Conclusion
In summary, here is what the Bible teaches about Drusilla:
– She was the youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I and sister of Herod Agrippa II from the Herodian royal dynasty.
– She married the Roman governor Felix.
– Along with Felix, she heard the apostle Paul speak about faith in Jesus Christ.
– Paul’s preaching alarmed Felix but did not lead to repentance for Drusilla or her husband.
– Drusilla participated in Felix’s corrupt rule and his imprisonment of Paul in Caesarea.
– The brief biblical references indicate she was an evil woman who rejected the gospel.
– Extra-biblical traditions provide additional historical context, but the Scriptural text remains the most reliable source about her life.
Though only briefly mentioned, Drusilla serves as an example of what happens when people adamantly reject the Word of God and oppose the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.