Acts 24:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The accusation brought here by the Sanhedrin against Paul consisted solely of what could have significance in the eyes of the Roman government regarding the Jews. They accused Paul of everywhere violating the rights granted to the Jews for peaceful use within the empire. They said that he was causing disturbances and divisions among them, and that recently he had dared to profane the temple. They complained against the tribune, saying that he had hindered the Jews from judging Paul according to the rights granted to them.

After five days Paul's accusers appeared in Caesarea: the high priest Ananias with the elders. They had armed themselves with an advocate, the orator Tertullus, who delivered the accusation against Paul before the procurator (vv. 1-9). Yet the eloquence of this speaker did not achieve its purpose.

After the customary questioning of witnesses, the forensic speeches began, and the first word was given to Tertullus.

Tertullus set forth these particular accusations when the accused himself was summoned. Under Roman law, he had to defend himself against the charges (Acts 25:16).

The journey to Caesarea by the high priest and the elders in order to accuse Paul is more than astonishing. True, in part it was compelled, since the tribune had sent them there.

Yet they could have sent only accusers in the strict sense of the word, as Lysias also seems to have desired (see Acts 23:30). But they themselves evidently wished to support the accusation against Paul, who was so hateful to them.

In order to have greater success, they took with them the best orator, thoroughly acquainted not only with the rules of public speech, but also with the jurisdiction of Roman civil procedure.

His name was Tertullus, or otherwise Tertullian, a Jew who bore a Roman name according to the custom of many young men of that time.