Bible Commentaries

Descended; to Cesarea.--Orator, advocate. Tertullus, judging from his name, was a Roman: and he was employed probably on account of his acquaintance with the language and forms of procedure used at the Roman tribunals.

Acts 24:2,3. Contemporaneous history represents Felix as base and tyrannical, though efficient in his government. The obsequiousness of this orator's introduction contrasts strongly with the honest dignity of that of Paul. (Acts 24:10.)

Twelve days. In carefully reckoning the days enumerated in the course of the narrative, from the time of Paul's arrival at Jerusalem, we make more than twelve, unless we consider the five mentioned Acts 24:1 as commencing, not at the time of Paul's arrival at Cesarea, but at that of his apprehension by Lysias.

This is in reply to the charge made by Tertullus. (Acts 24:5.)

After many years; after an absence of many years.

Purified; engaged in the duties pertaining to ceremonial purification.

Who ought, &c.; meaning the Jews from Asia who made the original charge.

Having more perfect knowledge of that way. The connection of this expression with the other clauses of the verse is not apparent even in the original.

To let him have liberty; that is, not to keep him in close confinement.--To minister--unto him; to attend upon him, and administer to his comfort.

Drusilla; the daughter of Herod Agrippa. Felix had enticed her away from her husband, who was still living, as is related by the historians of those times.

Communed with; conversed with;--intimating to him, in these conversations, that he or his friends, by paying a sum of money, might secure his release.

Into Felix's room; as his successor in the government.