Acts 24:5
For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
Study Note
Study Note
Tertullus's charge before Felix describes Paul as a 'pestilent fellow' (loimos), a mover of sedition throughout the Jewish world, and 'a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes' — the earliest use of this designation for the Christian movement in an official legal context, reflecting how the early church appeared to Roman eyes: a disruptive Jewish faction named after Jesus of Nazareth. The accusation of sedition (stasis) had serious political weight under Roman law and echoes the charges brought against Jesus before Pilate (Luke 23:2), suggesting Luke intends a deliberate parallel between the trials. Paul's opponents are forced to use Roman legal categories, inadvertently testifying to the reach of the gospel mission 'throughout the world' (oikoumenē).
Other Translations
For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
for having found this man a pestilence, and moving a dissension to all the Jews through the world--a ringleader also of the sect of the Nazarenes--
For this man, in our opinion, is a cause of trouble, a maker of attacks on the government among Jews through all the empire, and a chief mover in the society of the Nazarenes:
Cross References
Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give …
Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of …
And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?
And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the …
Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, …
And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made …
Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out …
And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all …
Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he …