24:5-8
Having buttered up the governor, the specific charges are now laid out. First, they say they have found him to be a troublemaker and to be guilty of stirring up riots among Jews “all over the world”. He was accused of being a ringleader of the Nazarene sect. This may have been a way of referring to the followers of Jesus of Nazareth. Then he was accused of seeking to desecrate the temple, this latter accusation was a complete fabrication. They finished by saying that Felix would find that these claims were indeed true if he examined Paul himself.
24:9-13
Other Jews joined in the accusations, adding their own tuppence worth. Paul was then allowed to answer the accusations. So we see here God using the state authorities to ensure that justice is done. Paul too begins by speaking well of Felix. Paul then refers to the actual facts of that matter, and that in no way had he stirred up the crowds. It had been, of course, the Jews who had stirred up the crowds. This tactic of stirring up a riot and blaming the other side is a long established technique. It has been used throughout history, and is used today, eg it is used by the opponents of Israel herself. Paul declares that his accusers could not prove their claims, other than to make assertions.
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