241 And after five days came down the chief priest Ananias, with the elders, and a certain orator—Tertullus, and they made manifest to the governor 'the things' against Paul; 2 and he having been called, Tertullus began to accuse 'him', saying, 'Much peace enjoying through thee, and worthy deeds being done to this nation through thy forethought, 3 always, also, and everywhere we receive it, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness; 4 and that I may not be further tedious to thee, I pray thee to hear us concisely in thy gentleness; 5 for having found this man a pestilence, and moving a dissension to all the Jews through the world—a ringleader also of the sect of the Nazarenes— 6 who also the temple did try to profane, whom also we took, and according to our law did wish to judge, 7 and Lysias the chief captain having come near, with much violence, out of our hands did take away, 8 having commanded his accusers to come to thee, from whom thou mayest be able, thyself having examined, to know concerning all these things of which we accuse him;' 9 and the Jews also agreed, professing these things to be 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.