Act 24:5-8 | RWP | e4.org | For we have found ( ευροντες γαρ ). Second aorist active participle of ευρισκω , but without a principal verb in the sentence. Probably we have here only a "summary of the charges against Paul" (Page). A pestilent fellow ( λοιμον ). An old word for pest, plague, pestilence, Paul the pest. In N.T. only here and ( λοιμο κα λιμο , pestilences and famines) which see. Latin pestis . Think of the greatest preacher of the ages being branded a pest by a contemporary hired lawyer. A mover of insurrections ( κινουντα στασεις ). This was an offence against Roman law if it could be proven. "Plotted against at Damascus, plotted against at Jerusalem, expelled from Pisidian Antioch, stoned at Lystra, scourged and imprisoned at Philippi, accused of treason at Thessalonica, haled before the proconsul at Corinth, cause of a serious riot at Ephesus, and now finally of a riot at Jerusalem" (Furneaux). Specious proof could have been produced, but was not. Tertullus went on to other charges with which a Roman court had no concern (instance Gallio in Corinth). Throughout the world ( κατα την οικουμενην ). The Roman inhabited earth ( γην ) as in . A ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes ( πρωτοστατην της των Ναζωραιων αιρεσεως ). Πρωτοστατης is an old word in common use from πρωτος and ιστημ , a front-rank man, a chief, a champion. Here only in the N.T. This charge is certainly true. About "sect" ( αιρεσις ) see on . Ναζωραιο here only in the plural in the N.T., elsewhere of Jesus ( ; ; ; , ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ). The disciple is not above his Master. There was a sneer in the term as applied to Jesus and here to his followers.

‏ Acts 24:5-8

For we have found ( ευροντες γαρ ). Second aorist active participle of ευρισκω, but without a principal verb in the sentence. Probably we have here only a "summary of the charges against Paul" (Page).

A pestilent fellow ( λοιμον ). An old word for pest, plague, pestilence, Paul the pest. In N.T. only here and Lu 21:11 ( λοιμο κα λιμο, pestilences and famines) which see. Latin pestis. Think of the greatest preacher of the ages being branded a pest by a contemporary hired lawyer.

A mover of insurrections ( κινουντα στασεις ). This was an offence against Roman law if it could be proven. "Plotted against at Damascus, plotted against at Jerusalem, expelled from Pisidian Antioch, stoned at Lystra, scourged and imprisoned at Philippi, accused of treason at Thessalonica, haled before the proconsul at Corinth, cause of a serious riot at Ephesus, and now finally of a riot at Jerusalem" (Furneaux). Specious proof could have been produced, but was not. Tertullus went on to other charges with which a Roman court had no concern (instance Gallio in Corinth).

Throughout the world ( κατα την οικουμενην ). The Roman inhabited earth ( γην ) as in 17:6.

A ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes ( πρωτοστατην της των Ναζωραιων αιρεσεως ). Πρωτοστατης is an old word in common use from πρωτος and ιστημ, a front-rank man, a chief, a champion. Here only in the N.T. This charge is certainly true. About "sect" ( αιρεσις ) see on 5:17. Ναζωραιο here only in the plural in the N.T., elsewhere of Jesus (Mt 2:23; 26:71; Lu 18:37; Joh 18:5, 7; 19:19; Ac 2:22; 3:6; 4:10; 6:14; 22:8; 26:9). The disciple is not above his Master. There was a sneer in the term as applied to Jesus and here to his followers.

Assayed to profane ( επειρασεν βεβηλωσα ). A flat untruth, but the charge of the Asian Jews (21:28-30). Verbum optum ad calumnian (Bengel).

We seized ( εκρατησαμεν ). As if the Sanhedrin had arrested Paul, Tertullus identifying himself with his clients. But it was the mob (21:28-31) that attacked Paul and Lysias who rescued him (21:32ff.).

This whole verse with some words at the end of verse 6 and the beginning of verse 8 in the Textus Receptus ("And would have judged according to our law. But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come unto thee") is absent from Aleph A B H L P 61 (many other cursives) Sahidic Bohairic. It is beyond doubt a later addition to the incomplete report of the speech of Tertullus. As the Revised Version stands, verse 8 connects with verse 6. The motive of the added words is clearly to prejudice Felix against Lysias and they contradict the record in Ac 21. Furneaux holds them to be genuine and omitted because contradictory to Ac 21. More likely they are a clumsy attempt to complete the speech of Tertullus.

From whom ( παρ' ου ). Referring to Paul, but in the Textus Receptus referring to Lysias.

By examining him thyself ( αυτος ανακρινας ). Not by torture, since Paul was a Roman citizen, but by hearing what Paul has to say in defence of himself. Ανακρινω is to examine thoroughly up and down as in Lu 23:14.