241 After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders , with an attorney named Tertullus , and they brought charges to the governor against Paul . 2 After Paul had been summoned , Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the governor, "S ince we have through you attained much peace , and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation , 3 we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere , most excellent Felix , with all thankfulness . 4 "But, that I may not weary you any further e , I beg you to grant us, by your kindness , a brief hearing . 5 "For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world , and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes . 6 "And he even tried to desecrate the temple ; and then we arrested him. [We wanted to judge him according to our own Law . 7 "But Lysias the commander came along , and with much violence took him out of our hands , 8 ordering his accusers to come before you.] By examining him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to ascertain the things of which we accuse him." 9 The Jews also joined in the attack , asserting that these things were so .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 24:1-9
Commentary on Acts 24:1-9
(Read Acts 24:1-9)
See here the unhappiness of great men, and a great unhappiness it is, to have their services praised beyond measure, and never to be faithfully told of their faults; hereby they are hardened and encouraged in evil, like Felix. God's prophets were charged with being troublers of the land, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that he perverted the nation; the very same charges were brought against Paul. The selfish and evil passions of men urge them forward, and the graces and power of speech, too often have been used to mislead and prejudice men against the truth. How different will the characters of Paul and Felix appear at the day of judgement, from what they are represented in the speech of Tertullus! Let not Christians value the applause, or be troubled at the revilings of ungodly men, who represent the vilest of the human race almost as gods, and the excellent of the earth as pestilences and movers of sedition.