Reference: Tertullus
American
A Roman orator or advocate, whom the Jews employed to bring forward their accusation against Paul, before the Roman procurator at Caesarea, probably because they were themselves unacquainted with the modes of proceeding in the Roman courts, Ac 24:1-2.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Easton
a modification of "Tertius;" a Roman advocate, whom the Jews employed to state their case against Paul in the presence of Felix (Ac 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."
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Fausets
A diminutive of Tertius. The Latin professional orator employed by the high priest Ananias to prosecute Paul before Felix at Caesarea (Ac 24:1). As the law proceedings were probably conducted in Latin, Roman or at least Italian advocates were commonly employed in the provinces. Greek may have been used in the Syrian law courts, as indeed the emperors permitted it even at Rome (Dio Cassius, 57:15). Still his address has a Latin tinge. It was a common rhetorical device to conciliate the judge by flattery. (See FELIX by putting down some rebels gave just enough color to Tertullus' eulogy to make its general falsehood the more glaring. (See PAUL.) Ac 24:6-8, "who also hath gone about ... whereof we accuse him," are omitted in the oldest manuscripts, Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, Alexandrinus.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Hastings
This name (a diminutive of Tertius) is that of the advocate hired by the Jews to speak for them against St. Paul before Felix (Ac 24:1). From his name we should judge him to be a Roman; probably he was not a Jew. It has been conjectured (Dean Milman) that his speech is a translation from the Latin, though Greek was allowed in the law courts. It is a gross piece of flattery, for the Jews were in constant opposition to Felix. It accuses St. Paul of stirring up disturbances, of being the ringleader of an unlawful sect, and of profaning the Temple (cf. the reply in Ac 25:8).
A. J. Maclean.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Morish
Tertul'lus
A professional orator or advocate, employed by the Jewish council, to argue the case against Paul before Felix. Ac 24:1-2.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Smith
Tertul'lus
(diminutive from Tertius), "a certain orator,"
who was retained by the high priest and Sanhedrin to accuse the apostle Paul at Caesarea before the Roman procurator Antonius Felix. He evidently belonged to the class of professional orators. We may infer that Tertullus was of Roman, or at all events of Italian, origin. (A.D. 55.)