Acts 24:1-4

The Accusations Against Paul

24:1 After five days the high priest Ananias ¹  came down with some elders and an attorney ²  named ³  Tertullus, and they ⁴  brought formal charges ⁵  against Paul to the governor. 24:2 When Paul ⁶  had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, ⁷  saying, “We have experienced a lengthy time ⁸  of peace through your rule, ⁹  and reforms ¹⁰  are being made in this nation ¹¹  through your foresight. ¹²  24:3 Most excellent Felix, ¹³  we acknowledge this everywhere and in every way ¹⁴  with all gratitude. ¹⁵  24:4 But so that I may not delay ¹⁶  you any further, I beg ¹⁷  you to hear us briefly ¹⁸  with your customary graciousness. ¹⁹ 

[24:1]  ¹ sn Ananias was in office from a.d. 47-59.

[24:1]  ² tn The term refers to a professional advocate (BDAG 905 s.v. ῥήτωρ).

[24:1]  ³ tn Grk “an attorney, a certain Tertullus.”

[24:1]  ⁴ tn Grk “who” (plural). Because in English the relative pronoun “who” could be understood to refer only to the attorney Tertullus and not to the entire group, it has been replaced with the third person plural pronoun “they.” “And” has been supplied to provide the connection to the preceding clause.

[24:1]  ⁵ tn BDAG 326 s.v. ἐμφανίζω 3 has “ἐ. τινὶ κατά τινος bring formal charges against someone…Ac 24:1; 25:2.”

[24:2]  ⁶ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Paul) has been supplied in the translation for clarity.

[24:2]  ⁷ tn Or “began to bring charges, saying.”

[24:2]  ⁸ tn Grk “experienced much peace.”

[24:2]  ⁹ tn Grk “through you” (“rule” is implied).

[24:2]  ¹⁰ tn This term is used only once in the NT (a hapax legomenon). It refers to improvements in internal administration (BDAG 251 s.v. διόρθωμα).

[24:2]  ¹¹ tn Or “being made for this people.”

[24:2]  ¹² sn References to peaceful rule, reforms, and the governor’s foresight in the opening address by Tertullus represent an attempt to praise the governor and thus make him favorable to the case. Actual descriptions of his rule portray him as inept (Tacitus, Annals 12.54; Josephus, J. W. 2.13.2-7 [2.253-270]).

[24:3]  ¹³ sn Most excellent Felix. See the note on Felix in 23:24.

[24:3]  ¹⁴ tn Grk “in every way and everywhere.”

[24:3]  ¹⁵ tn Or “with complete thankfulness.” BDAG 416 s.v. εὐχαριστία 1 has “μετὰ πάσης εὐ.…with all gratitude Ac 24:3.” L&N 31.26 has “‘we acknowledge this anywhere and everywhere with complete thankfulness’ Ac 24:3.”

[24:4]  ¹⁶ tn Or “may not weary.” BDAG 274 s.v. ἐγκόπτω states, “ἵνα μὴ ἐπὶ πλεῖόν σε ἐγκόπτω Ac 24:4 is understood by Syr. and Armen. versions to mean in order not to weary you any further; cp. ἔγκοπος weary Diog. L. 4, 50; LXX; and ἔγκοπον ποιεῖν to weary Job 19:2; Is 43:23. But impose on is also prob.; detain NRSV.”

[24:4]  ¹⁷ tn Or “request.”

[24:4]  ¹⁸ tn This term is another NT hapax legomenon (BDAG 976 s.v. συντόμως 2). Tertullus was asking for a brief hearing, and implying to the governor that he would speak briefly and to the point.

[24:4]  ¹⁹ tn BDAG 371 s.v. ἐπιείκεια has “τῇ σῇ ἐ. with your (customary) indulgence Ac 24:4.”