Acts 24 1

Acts 24:1 kjv

And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.

Acts 24:1 nkjv

Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul.

Acts 24:1 niv

Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor.

Acts 24:1 esv

And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul.

Acts 24:1 nlt

Five days later Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the Jewish elders and the lawyer Tertullus, to present their case against Paul to the governor.

Acts 24 verses

Acts 24 1 Meaning

Acts 24:1 records the swift and determined arrival of the Jewish high court's delegation in Caesarea, led by the high priest Ananias and prominent elders, accompanied by a skilled Roman advocate named Tertullus. Their immediate purpose was to formally present comprehensive accusations against Paul before Governor Felix, thereby escalating Paul's recent arrest in Jerusalem into a full-scale legal proceeding within the Roman judicial system.

Acts 24 1 Context

Acts 24:1 opens the next crucial phase of Paul's imprisonment narrative. Paul has just been swiftly transferred by Roman cohort from Jerusalem to Caesarea, following a severe mob assault, his defense before the Sanhedrin, and discovery of a plot to assassinate him (Acts 21-23). The commander Claudius Lysias sent him to Governor Felix to ensure a proper legal hearing. This verse signifies the prompt follow-up by the Jewish religious elite, underscoring their unwavering resolve to prosecute Paul. Their journey from Jerusalem to Caesarea for this specific purpose highlights the high stakes involved in their view: Paul was a profound threat to their religious authority and traditional way of life. They leveraged the Roman legal system to achieve what they could not through local religious means.

Acts 24 1 Word analysis

• And after five days: (Καὶ μετὰ πέντε ἡμέρας, Kai meta pente hēmeras) This precise temporal marker emphasizes the swiftness and determination of Paul's accusers. It suggests careful calculation and rapid assembly of their legal strategy and delegation. They acted without delay, indicating the perceived urgency and seriousness of the matter.
• Ananias the high priest: (Ἀνανίας ὁ ἀρχιερεύς, Ananias ho archiereus)
  • Ananias: The specific high priest, Ananias son of Nedebaeus, held office roughly A.D. 47–59. Historical sources outside the Bible, such as Josephus, portray him as corrupt, greedy, violent, and highly unpopular. His presence elevates the accusation from a mere individual complaint to an official, grave indictment from the highest Jewish religious authority.
  • the high priest: This title denotes the spiritual and political head of the Jewish nation, president of the Sanhedrin. His direct involvement underscores the Sanhedrin's unified and powerful stance against Paul.
• descended: (κατέβη, katebē) This verb denotes geographical movement from the higher elevation of Jerusalem to the coastal city of Caesarea. It suggests purposeful travel to confront Paul in the seat of Roman power.
• with the elders: (μετὰ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων, meta tōn presbyterōn) These "elders" refer to leading members of the Sanhedrin, representatives of the various factions (Pharisees and Sadducees) within the supreme Jewish council. Their inclusion signifies the Sanhedrin's collective resolve and authority backing the charges against Paul, making it a powerful, official delegation.
• and with a certain orator: (καὶ μετὰ ῥήτορος τινὸς, kai meta rhētoros tinos)
  • orator: (ῥήτωρ, rhētōr) A professional public speaker, a rhetorician, or a trained advocate/lawyer. This indicates that the Jewish leaders understood the complexities of Roman law and felt the need to employ someone skilled in its intricacies and rhetoric to present their case effectively to the Roman governor. This was a significant strategic move.
• named Tertullus: (ὀνόματι Τέρτυλλον, onomati Tertullon) A Latinized name, suggesting he was either a Roman citizen, a Hellenized Jew, or a Gentile Roman lawyer. His Roman name implies his expertise in the Roman legal system, language (Latin), and procedures, which was essential for a case tried before a Roman magistrate. His employment demonstrates the high value placed on securing a conviction.
• who informed the governor: (ὅστις ἐνεφανίσεν τῷ ἡγεμόνι, hostis enephanisen tō hēgemonos)
  • informed: (ἐνεφανίσεν, enephanisen) This is more than merely telling; it signifies "to formally bring a charge," "to make a public or official accusation," or "to present an indictment." It implies a formal legal presentation, outlining specific charges against the accused.
  • the governor: (τῷ ἡγεμόνι, tō hēgemonos) Refers to Marcus Antonius Felix, the Roman procurator (governor) of Judea, under whose jurisdiction Paul's case fell. He had the final legal authority in the province.
• against Paul: (κατὰ τοῦ Παύλου, kata tou Paulou) The clear and direct target of this powerful, organized legal assault. Paul is explicitly the focus of this concerted effort to condemn him.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Ananias the high priest descended with the elders": This grouping emphasizes the full official weight and institutional power of the Jewish religious leadership being brought to bear on Paul's case. It highlights the direct, personal involvement of the Sanhedrin's highest members in prosecuting Paul, signifying how seriously they viewed his "threat."
• "and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor": This phrase reveals the strategic and sophisticated approach taken by Paul's accusers. By hiring a professional advocate well-versed in Roman law, they demonstrated their commitment to securing a legal conviction rather than just a religious condemnation, understanding the need to operate within Felix's jurisdiction. This also signifies the transition from popular tumult to formal legal procedure.

Acts 24 1 Bonus section

The composition of the delegation—the corrupt High Priest Ananias, respected elders of the Sanhedrin, and a Roman-trained orator—underscores the multi-faceted nature of the charges to be leveled against Paul. They intended to prosecute Paul on religious grounds before the Roman authorities, implying an attempt to paint Paul's actions as a disturbance of the peace, sedition, or a violation of Roman-sanctioned Jewish customs. This verse showcases the often uncomfortable alliance formed between religious power and secular authority when seeking to suppress a perceived threat. The rapid response also implies their anxiety about Paul continuing to spread his message; they aimed for swift judicial action to neutralize him.

Acts 24 1 Commentary

Acts 24:1 encapsulates the persistent and institutionalized opposition faced by the early Church, specifically by Paul, from the Jewish religious establishment. The prompt "after five days" underscores the relentless zeal of Ananias and the elders; they were not deterred by Paul's safe transfer to Caesarea but immediately sought to continue their prosecution. Their choice to include a professional Roman orator like Tertullus reveals a shrewd understanding of Roman legal procedure and their determination to present a convincing, legally defensible case. This wasn't merely a religious squabble but an orchestrated attempt to use the imperial power against what they perceived as a dangerous, heretical movement disrupting their order and traditions. This verse sets the stage for Paul's defense, highlighting the stark contrast between the accusers' well-resourced, legally advised offensive and Paul, a single prisoner, relying on divine providence. This narrative foreshadows that true righteousness often stands alone against powerful, well-organized adversaries but relies on God's sovereignty.