What does Acts 24:3 mean?

The lawyer Tertullus is introducing his case in the traditional Roman way: by flattering the judge, Governor Felix. To do so he needs to generously reframe the man's characteristics. Tacitus, a secular historian, describes Felix as a "cruel, licentious, and base" man who brought the land "much peace" (Acts 24:2) through unjust violence.

In a large way, however, Tertullus's words are sincere. They are at court because the Sanhedrin considers Paul an insurrectionist—the exact type of person Felix would normally treat with great prejudice. Further, the Sanhedrin emulated Felix by joining in a plot to assassinate Paul (Acts 23:12–15). They unfortunately have much in common.

The Sanhedrin has two significant problems. First, their charges are baseless. Paul is no threat to the Roman Empire, or even their own control over the Jews. Contrary to their accusations, he didn't start an insurrection and he didn't defile a religious structure (Acts 24:5–6). Second, he's a Roman citizen who hasn't broken a Roman law. Felix will hold Paul under house arrest in his compound in Caesarea Maritima for the remainder of his appointment (Acts 24:27), but he has nothing to charge him with, let alone of which to convict or execute him.