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Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

IntroIndex©

TERTULLUS

Prosecuting attorney chosen by the Sanhedrin to lead in the trial of Paul before Felix, Roman procurator of Judea (Acts 24:1-2). It is not clear whether Tertullus was a Roman, Greek, or Jew. The chief arguments that he was a Jew come from references to “our law” and to the mention that Lysias had taken Paul from “our hands.” However, these words are part of two verses (vv 6b-7) that are not included in the most ancient manuscripts.

From the speed with which the Jews were able to bring him forward, he was probably a professional attorney who practiced law regularly in the Roman court. His speech (Acts 24:2-8) begins with a word of flattery for Felix. Then he proceeds to charge Paul with being a public nuisance, a disturber of the peace, and a leader of the sect of the Nazarenes. All of these were serious charges in Roman law.