John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. Commanding his accusers to come unto thee , etc.] But this was not done till after Paul had set forth his case before the people, upon the stairs leading to the castle: and after he had pleaded his own cause before the sanhedrim; and after the chief captain had had intelligence of the Jews lying in wait to kill him: Tertullus would insinuate that the captain was blameworthy, that he hindered a legal process against Paul; and that it was owing to him, that this trouble was given the governor, as well as the high priest and elders, who by his orders came down from Jerusalem to Caesarea; and that had it not been for him this affair might have been finished with more dispatch, and less trouble. By examining of whom ; not the accusers, but either the chief captain, as some think, or rather Paul: thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him ; so impudent was Tertullus, and of such effrontery and assurance, that he feared not to say, that the governor, by examining Paul himself, would easily come to the knowledge of the things he was accused of, and plainly see that he was guilty of them; so that there would be no need of their attestations, or of producing witnesses against him.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - See here the unhappiness of great men, and a great unhappiness it is to have their services praised beyond measure, and never to be faithfully told of their faults; hereby they are hardened an encouraged in evil, like Felix. God's prophets were charged with being troublers of the land, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that he perverted the nation; the very same charges were brought against Paul. The selfis and evil passions of men urge them forward, and the graces and power of speech, too often have been used to mislead and prejudice men agains the truth. How different will the characters of Paul and Felix appea at the day of judgement, from what they are represented in the speec of Tertullus! Let not Christians value the applause, or be troubled a the revilings of ungodly men, who represent the vilest of the huma race almost as gods, and the excellent of the earth as pestilences an movers of sedition.
Greek Textus Receptus
κελευσας 2753 5660 V-AAP-NSM τους 3588 T-APM κατηγορους 2725 N-APM αυτου 846 P-GSM ερχεσθαι 2064 5738 V-PNN επι 1909 PREP σε 4571 P-2AS παρ 3844 PREP ου 3739 R-GSM δυνηση 1410 5695 V-FDI-2S αυτος 846 P-NSM ανακρινας 350 5660 V-AAP-NSM περι 4012 PREP παντων 3956 A-GPN τουτων 5130 D-GPN επιγνωναι 1921 5629 V-2AAN ων 3739 R-GPN ημεις 2249 P-1NP κατηγορουμεν 2723 5719 V-PAI-1P αυτου 846 P-GSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
8. From whom. Paul. It would refer to Lysias if the omitted passage above were retained.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
24:8 {From whom} (par' hou). Referring to Paul, but in the Textus Receptus referring to Lysias. {By examining him thyself} (autos anakrinas). Not by torture, since Paul was a Roman citizen, but by hearing what Paul has to say in defence of himself. anakrinw is to examine thoroughly up and down as in #Lu 23:14.
