Acts 24:5

For we have found this man a pestilent fellow The Greek literally says "a pestilence." The same word in the plural is translated "pestilent fellows" in 1Ma 10:61, and it is further explained there by "men of a wicked life." When they say "we have found" it is implied that they have already spent some pains in detecting the evil ways of the prisoner.

and a mover of sedition ( insurrections, with oldest MSS. and Rev. Ver.). The first charge had been one of general depravity. On coming to particulars Tertullus puts that first which would most touch the Roman power, and against which Felix had already shewn himself to be severe. Insurrections were of such common occurrence that one man might at this time be readily the prime mover in many.

among all the Jews throughout the world We must bear in mind that Paul had been assailed at a time when Jerusalem was full of strangers come to the feast. It is not improbable that from some of the Jewish visitors particulars had been gathered about the Apostle's troubles at Philippi, Corinth, Ephesus and elsewhere, which in the minds and on the lips of his accusers would be held for seditious conduct, conduct which had brought him at times under the notice of the tribunals. This Tertullus would put forward in its darkest colours. "The world" at this time meant "the whole Roman Empire." Cp. Cæsar's decree (Luke 2:1) that "all the world" should be taxed.

a ringleader The word is used in classical Greek of the front-rank men in an army.

of the sect of the Nazarenes The adjective is used as a term of reproach equivalent to "the followers of him of Nazareth," which origin was to the mind of the Jews enough to stamp Jesus as one of the many false Messiahs. Cp. on the despised character of Nazareth, John 1:46.