JEWISH ACCUSATIONS AGAINST PAUL

Acts 24:1 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.

Being taken in custody as a prisoner, and protected from Jewish extremists by the Roman militia, Paul was then taken to Caesarea to appear before, and be heard by, the proper Roman government official. As a prisoner, he was kept in Herod's judgment-hall (Acts 23:35), which was a palace built by Herod the Great as his own residence, but now occupied by Felix. The lesson text, and the following eight verses, relate the accusations brought against Paul by the Jewish leaders before the judgment seat of Felix, the Roman governor of Judea. History reveals the corrupt moral character of Felix, his three wives, his appointment as governor over Palestine by the Roman emperor Claudius Caesar, and his evil, unscrupulous tenure as ruler over the Jewish nation.

The lesson text tells us that after five days, Paul's accusers arrived to present their charges against Paul before Felix. These Jewish accusers included Ananias, the high priest, and the elders of the Sanhedrin, who, no doubt, were of the anti-Christian Sadducees sect of Judaism that had opposed Paul without any concession. Among this number of accusers was also a certain orator named Tertullus. Bible scholars disagree over the nationality and allegiance of this individual. Since "Tertullus" is a Roman name, some think he was born a Roman but was now a Jewish proselyte. Others think the he was born a Roman and remained a Roman. However, all seem to think that he was trained in Roman law, was thoroughly knowledgeable with the Roman judicial system, and was capable of presenting their case in the Latin language used in Roman hearings such as this. Naturally it was, not only expedient to use such a Roman lawyer, but it seemed to be advantageous in obtaining a favorable ruling against Paul by his accusers. Tertullus, then, was the Roman educated attorney that the Jewish high priest and elders hired to present their accusations to the governor against Paul.

With Paul being called forth, and with Felix as the Roman judge, the hearing opens, and the orator, Tertullus began to accuse him (Paul). As was the custom is such trials, Tertullus begins by complimenting Felix with much praise and flattering remarks in order to find as much favor as possible from his judgment. Felix, although noted for his corrupt disposition of law and order, was given credit for the great quietness enjoyed by the people of Judea. Historians tell us the he was, indeed, responsible for the prosecuting, imprisoning, and expelling bandits and robbers that had infested the land for many previous years. Tertullus credited Felix's providential and watchful vigilance that brought about this peace and rest that the people Judea enjoyed (See Vs. 2). Not only was Felix praised for his governorship, but also Tertullus employed more flattery by telling him that it was accepted with all thankfulness (Vs. 3). Through their Roman counselor, Tertullus, the Jewish accusers were seeking to find favor in Felix's judgment and find their charges against him as worthy of death. Indicating that he did not want to waste Felix's time and burden him with further oratory, Tertullus said that he would present the accusations made by his "clients" against Paul in a few words (Vs. 4).

The next two verses contain the charges brought against Paul by the Jewish leaders. For we have found this man a pestilent fellow. This accusation charges Paul with being one that unrelentingly corrupted the minds and morals of the Jewish people. In doing so, he was accused of being a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world. Not only within Judea, but also in all parts of the world, Paul was accused of creating an uprising against Jews by teaching a doctrine that they contended was contrary to the Law of Moses. In doing so, they accused Paul of being a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, a contemptuous term used by the Jews in referring to followers of Jesus Christ. Paul was accused of profaning the temple of God in which Jewish worship was carried out. According to Jewish law, this action was punishable by death. In the next three verses Tertullus relates to Felix the actions taken by Claudius Lysais, the chief captain, saying that with great violence he took Paul from them so they could not punish him for his seditious ways, and secured him with his soldiers. It was the chief captain that took it upon himself to require that they bring their accusations against Paul before the judgment seat of Felix. These were the charges made by Tertullus, and the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so. Since these Jews were charging Paul of seditious acts, they were undoubtedly required to give their assent.