Acts 24:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul.

NIV: Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor.

NASB: Now after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney named Tertullus, and they brought charges against Paul to the governor.

CSB: Five days later Ananias the high priest came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. These men presented their case against Paul to the governor.

NLT: Five days later Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the Jewish elders and the lawyer Tertullus, to present their case against Paul to the governor.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul.

Jewish religious leadership wants Paul dead. They've even joined an assassination plot against him; that scheme failed because Paul's nephew overheard it (Acts 23:12–24). The tribune in Jerusalem can't figure out why the Sanhedrin wants Paul destroyed and can't protect Paul anymore, so he's sent him and the Sanhedrin to face the governor in Caesarea Maritima (Acts 23:26–30).

Paul took only two days to travel the sixty-five miles from Jerusalem to Caesarea because the tribune sent him on horseback (Acts 23:24); his accusers probably had to walk. Ananias was the high priest from AD 48 to 58; he is not the husband of Sapphira (Acts 5:1–11) or the man in Damascus who led Paul to the Lord (Acts 9:10–19). Elders were respected men of the city who helped resolve legal disputes; these elders are also members of the Sanhedrin. Nothing more is known about Tertullus—it is a common name, but he's no relation to the Christian theologian Tertullian who was born in 160.

As the next verses show, the accusers need a lawyer because the Greek court has a particular format, involving a great deal of flattery. Tertullus goes on to accuse Paul of causing dissension among Jews throughout the Roman Empire and attempting to desecrate the temple (Acts 24:5–6). Felix sees through the accusations and knows they're baseless, but he holds Paul just to make the Jews happy (Acts 24:27).

Verse 2

Acts 24:1–9 describes an attempt by members of the Sanhedrin to convince Governor Felix to convict Paul of capital offenses. They accuse Paul of inciting mayhem among Jews around the empire and leading a cult. Most damning, they accuse him of desecrating a religious structure. Their words sound condemning until Paul speaks and points out the charges are unfounded and unwitnessed. The truth is these accusers are just angry he believes in the resurrection of the dead.

Acts 24 covers Paul's trial before Governor Felix. The Sanhedrin claim he is a menace and a cult leader who tried to desecrate the temple. Paul explains the real conflict: he believes in the resurrection of the dead and the Sadducees don't. Felix knows the charges are spurious but doesn't want to upset Jewish leaders. He holds Paul under house arrest, hoping Paul will offer him money and make the inconvenience worth his while.

Acts 24 is a transition period for Paul from freedom to captivity. For several years, he has traveled around Judea, Syria, modern-day Turkey, Macedonia, and Greece, spreading the good news about Jesus' offer of salvation. Through a series of misunderstandings and outright lies, he is now in custody in Caesarea Maritima. He will remain there for two years before demanding his case be sent to Caesar (Acts 25:11). Once he arrives in Rome, he will spend another two years in custody (Acts 28:30). Despite his confinement, his message will reach a king and the household of Nero.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.