The Accusation against Paul

24 Five days later Ananias(A) the high priest came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. These men presented their case against Paul to the governor.(B) When Paul was called in, Tertullus began to accuse him and said, “We enjoy great peace because of you, and reforms are taking place for the benefit of this nation because of your foresight. We acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent(C) Felix, with utmost gratitude. But, so that I will not burden you any further, I request that you would be kind enough to give us a brief hearing. For we have found this man to be a plague,(D) an agitator(E) among all the Jews throughout the Roman world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.(F) He even tried to desecrate the temple, and so we apprehended him.[a] By examining him yourself you will be able to discern the truth about these charges we are bringing against him.” The Jews also joined in the attack, alleging that these things were true.

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Footnotes

  1. 24:6 Some mss include vv. 6b-8a: and wanted to judge him according to our law. But Lysias the commander came and took him from our hands with great force, commanding his accusers to come to you.

Paul before Felix at Caesarea

24 Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney, a certain Tertullus, and they reported their case against Paul to the governor.(A) When Paul[a] had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:

“Because of you, most excellent Felix, we have long enjoyed peace, and reforms have been made for this people because of your foresight. In every way and everywhere we welcome this with utmost gratitude.(B) But, to detain you no further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness. We have, in fact, found this man a pestilent fellow, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.[b](C) He even tried to profane the temple, so we seized him.[c](D) By examining him yourself you will be able to learn from him concerning everything of which we accuse him.”

The Jews also joined in the charge by asserting that all this was true.(E)

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Footnotes

  1. 24.2 Gk he
  2. 24.5 Gk Nazoreans
  3. 24.6 Other ancient authorities add and we would have judged him according to our law. But the chief captain Lysias came and with great violence took him out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come before you.