Tertullus

AI summary: Tertullus matters because his cross references place him at the polished public edge of the opposition to Paul. His speech shows how the gospel's messengers are framed as political threats and religious agitators within Roman judicial settings. Taken together, the material presents Tertullus as the professional voice of accusation in one of Paul's key trials.¹

A modification of “Tertius;” a Roman advocate, whom the Jews employed to state their case against Paul in the presence of Felix (Acts 24:1-9). The charges he adduced against the apostle were, “First, that he created disturbances among the Romans throughout the empire, an offence against the Roman government (crimen majestatis). Secondly, that he was a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes; disturbed the Jews in the exercise of their religion, guaranteed by the state; introduced new gods, a thing prohibited by the Romans. And thirdly, that he attempted to profane the temple, a crime which the Jews were permitted to punish.” ³