Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 24

CHAPTER 24

And after five days. This time was occupied, undoubtedly, in their receiving the command to go to Caesarea, and in making the necessary arrangements. This was the twelfth day after his arrival at Jerusalem. See Acts 24:11.

Ananias the High Priest. See Barnes "Acts 23:2".

Descended. Came down from Jerusalem. This was the usual language when a departure from Jerusalem was spoken of. See Barnes "Acts 15:1".

With a certain orator named Tertullus. Appointed to accuse Paul. This is a Roman name, and this man was undoubtedly a Roman. As the Jews were, to a great extent, ignorant of the Roman customs and laws, and of their mode of administering justice, it is not improbable that they were in the habit of employing Roman lawyers to plead their causes.

Who informed the governor against Paul. Who acted as the accuser, or who managed their cause before the governor.

And when he was called forth. When Paul was called forth from prison. See Acts 23:35.

We enjoy great quietness. This was said in the customary style of flatterers and orators to conciliate his favor, and is strikingly in contrast with the more honest and straightforward introduction in Paul’s reply (Acts 24:10).

Though it was said for flattery, and though Felix was in many respects an unprincipled man, it was nevertheless true that his administration had been the means of producing much peace and order in Judea, and that he had done many things that tended to promote their welfare.

In particular, he had arrested a band of robbers, with Eleazar at their head, whom he had sent to Rome to be punished (Josephus, Antiquities, Book 20, Chapter 8). He had also arrested the Egyptian false prophet, who had led out four thousand men into the wilderness and who threatened the peace of Judea (see the notes on Acts 21:38). Furthermore, he had repressed a sedition that arose between the inhabitants of Caesarea and of Syria (Josephus, Jewish Wars, Book 2, Chapter 13, Section 2).

Very worthy deeds. These were acts that did much to promote the peace and security of the people. He referred to those actions that have just been mentioned as having been accomplished by Felix, particularly his success in suppressing riots and seditions. And, as the Jews considered Paul’s case to be another instance of a similar kind, he appealed to Felix with greater confidence that he would suppress that also.

By thy providence. By your foresight, skill, vigilance, and prudence.

We accept it always. We admit that it is due to your vigilance, and we accept your intervention to promote peace, with gratitude.

Always, and in all places. Not merely in your presence, but we always acknowledge that it is due to your vigilance that the land is secure. "What we now do in your presence, we do also in your absence; we do not commend you merely when you are present." (Wetstein.)

Most noble Felix. This was the title of office.

With all thankfulness. In this, there was probably sincerity, for there was no doubt that the peace of Judea was due to Felix. But at the same time that he was an energetic and vigilant governor, it was also true that he was proud, and avaricious, and cruel. Josephus charges him with injustice and cruelty in the case of Jonathan, the high priest, (Antiquities Book 20, Chapter 8, Section 5), and Tacitus, (Histories Book 5, Chapter 9), and Suetonius, (Life of Claudius Chapter 28), concur in the charge.

Let me not be further tedious to you. By taking up your time with an introduction, and with commendation.

We have found this man a pestilent fellow. loimon. This word is commonly applied to a plague, or pestilence; and then to a man who corrupts the morals of others, or who is turbulent, and an exciter of sedition. Our translation somewhat weakens the force of the original expression. Tertullus did not say that he was a pestilent fellow, but that he was the very pestilence itself. In this he referred to their belief, that he had been the cause of extensive disturbances everywhere among the Jews.

And a mover of sedition. An exciter of tumult. This they pretended he did by preaching doctrines contrary to the laws and customs of Moses, and exciting the Jews to tumult and disorder.

Throughout the world. Throughout the Roman empire, and thus leading the Jews to violate the laws, and to produce tumults, riots, and disorder.

And a ringleader. prwtostathn. This word occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It is properly a military word, and denotes one who stands first in an army, a standard-bearer, a leader, or commander. The meaning is, that Paul had been so active, and so prominent in preaching the gospel, that he had been a leader, or the principal person, in extending the sect of the Nazarenes.

Of the sect. The original word here airesewv is the word from which we have derived the term heresy. It is, however, properly translated sect, or party, and should have been so translated in Acts 24:14. See Barnes "Acts 5:17".

Of the Nazarenes. This was the name usually given to Christians by way of contempt. They were so called because Jesus was of Nazareth.

The term "sedition" can also mean "insurrection."