Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul.
1. Seeing Ananias goeth down to Cesarea to accuse Paul, it maketh the conjecture more probable, which I brought before touching his priesthood. For it was not meet for the highest priest to take such a journey. Therefore some other man was highest priest at that time; and Ananias being one of the chief priests, forasmuch as he was in great authority, and was withal a stout “Strenuus,” active.
Mark how swiftly malice moves: within five days these men abandon all other business to pursue Paul. Ananias himself, the high priest who sat to judge him, now comes down to inform against him, stripping himself of dignity and laying bare his enmity for all to see. When a man of his rank will not play least in sight but openly declares himself Paul's sworn enemy, you see how God makes the priests contemptible when they make themselves so.
AI summary
Commenting on Acts 24:1-9
CHAPTER 24 Verse 1. And after five days. This time was occupied, doubtless, in their receiving the command to go to Caesarea, and in making the necessary arrangements. This was the twelfth day after his arrival at Jerusalem. See . Ananias the High Priest. . Descended. Came down from Jerusalem. This was the usual language when a departure from Jerusalem was spoken of. . With a certain orator named Tertullus.