Acts 24:2 Meaning and Explanation
“And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Tertullus opens the prosecution with flattery, crediting Felix's rule for the nation's peace and prosperity.
What Does Acts 24:2 Mean?
Court convenes, the prisoner is called in, and Tertullus opens for the prosecution. Following the custom of winning a judge's goodwill at the outset, he praises Felix lavishly for the 'great quietness' the nation enjoys under him. The praise stretched the record: Felix's years in Judea were marked by unrest and harsh reprisals, and everyone in the room knew it.
Flattery is the orator's first tool, and its emptiness sets the tone for the whole case — a prosecution longer on rhetoric than on evidence. Scripture warns that 'a flattering mouth worketh ruin' (Proverbs 26:28). Against this polished insincerity, Paul's plain, truthful defense will shine the brighter. Truth needs no varnish; it can afford to speak simply.
Acts 24:2 in the Original Language
pronoia (πρόνοια), 'providence' -- forethought, the watchful care that plans ahead for another's good.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 24:2
What does Acts 24:2 mean?
Tertullus opens the prosecution with flattery, crediting Felix's rule for the nation's peace and prosperity.