Acts 24:4
Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
Tertullus stands before Governor Felix asking him to hear a brief statement with gracious courtesy. He frames the request as a desire not to be tedious or to take up more of the governor's time. That polite appeal for a short, favorable hearing is flattery calculated to win Felix's favor. It introduces a speech full of falsehoods and false accusations against Paul.
The plea belongs to the Jews' accusations against Paul at Caesarea. That popular hostile clamor was still standing when Festus arrived to succeed Felix. It was driven by malignant hatred and a fixed determination to take Paul's life. Paul's long imprisonment had neither softened nor shaken that purpose.