Acts 24:1-9·~1 min

Tertullus Prosecutes Paul

Five days later the high priest Ananias comes down with elders and the lawyer Tertullus to present their case against Paul. Tertullus begins with polished praise of Felix’s rule and asks that the governor hear them briefly.

F¹ive days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul. ²When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to this nation. ³In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude. ⁴But in order not to delay you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.

Tertullus says Paul is a pest who stirs up dissension among Jews everywhere, leads the sect of the Nazarenes, and even tried to desecrate the temple. He urges Felix to examine Paul for himself, and the Jews present agree that the accusations are true.

⁵We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, ⁶and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. ⁸By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.” ⁹The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true.

Section summaryFive days later Paul’s accusers arrive with Tertullus, who begins with elaborate praise of Felix and then recasts Paul as a public menace: a disturber of the Jews, a Nazarene leader, and a temple profaner. The charges are sweeping, but they rest on accusation and assent rather than proof.

Role in the chapterThis opening section translates the Jerusalem hostility into formal Roman rhetoric. It shows how Paul’s case is framed politically before Felix.