Five days later presumably is the time from the first interview that Paul had with Felix (23.34). Very little is known about Tertullus except that he was a lawyer acting in behalf of the Jews. He could possibly have been Roman, Greek, or Jewish. In verse 3, 4, and 6, by the use of we and our, he seems to identify himself with his clients, the Jewish people. On the other hand, in verse 2 he refers to “this country” (Good News Translation our country), and in verse 5 to the Jews, as if to imply that he was not one of the Jews himself. In the last part of verse 6 he does refer to our own Law but this part of the verse is not secure in the Greek text. All of this is to say that the identity of Tertullus is not definite, though the Good News Translation suggests that he was one of the Jews.

The term lawyer is not be understood in the sense of a “specialist in the Jewish law.” He was rather a “specialist in Roman law” or “an interpreter of the laws of the country.” In some languages, however, the term for lawyer is rendered as “an accuser of people” or, in other contexts, as “a defender of people.” In some instances some reference to the law may be attached to such words as “accuser” or “defender”—for example, “one who accuses according to the law” or “one who defends another using the law.”

Went to Caesarea in the Greek text is literally “went down,” but this is a normal term used when referring to travel from Jerusalem to some other city, and Caesarea is the city of destination.

Appeared before Governor Felix must be understood in the sense of “appeared before Governor Felix in court” or “stood before Governor Felix as he was judging the case.”

Made their charges against Paul may be rendered as “accused Paul” or “listed their accusations against Paul.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .