Acts 24:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

See how at the very beginning he presents Paul as an innovator and disturber, and by praises inclines the judge to his side. See how Tertullus tries through flattery to secure the judge's goodwill from the outset. He wants to portray Paul as a rebel seeking upheaval. See how he hurries, as though he had much to say.

"Through you we enjoy much peace." Do you see how, from the very beginning, he disposes the judge in his own favor with praises? And do you see how he tries to present Paul as an innovator and disturber?

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 pouring out many flattering courtesies upon Felix, Tertullus began to accuse the prisoner.

The speech of Tertullus begins with the flattering compliments to the governor customary among rhetors. Their aim was to win the favor of the man on whom the decision of the case depended.

The rhetor says that all the Jews, or at least the representatives of the country’s national authority, always and everywhere acknowledge that they owe the peace of the land to Felix, and indeed a deep peace.

That is, they both think this within themselves and testify to it before others. He also says that they owe the good ordering of this people to the procurator’s care or solicitude.

Of course, this assumes his wisdom and other excellent qualities. By “good ordering” he means every kind of improvement in all parts, and general good administration.

The beginning of the speech by the defender of Jewish interests is full of exaggerated flattery toward the governor and judge Felix.

The impartial historian Tacitus says of Felix precisely the opposite of what the hired orator said about him, in order to incline him by flattery toward an unjust decision.

He praised his care for the people, whom Felix was ruining by his greed. Felix was impatient and cruel, but the orator praises his gentleness.

“Greedy and sensual, with the spirit of a slave in a high office, Felix was careless. Under him the robberies of the Sicarii increased in Palestine, though when they openly rebelled under the leadership of the Egyptian, he did succeed in striking them down.”