The Jews present at Paul’s examination shared in the general feeling toward Felix; yet so great was their desire to gain his favor in order to secure the condemnation of Paul, that they assented to the flattering words of Tertullus. These men in holy office, robed in the sacerdotal garments, were very exact in the observance of customs and ceremonies, very scrupulous to avoid outward pollution, while the soul-temple was defiled with all manner of iniquity. The outward contact with anything deemed unclean was a great offense in their eyes, while the murder of Paul was considered a justifiable act. What an illustration of the blindness that can come upon the human mind! Here were the representatives of those who claimed to be God’s covenant people. Like the barren fig-tree, they were clothed with pretentious leaves, but destitute of the fruits of holiness; “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” Filled with malice toward a pure and good man, seeking by every means to take his life, and extolling a vindictive profligate!{LP 236.1}

De jøder som var til stede ved Paulus rettergang delte i almindelighed følelser imod Feliks; alligevel var der stort ønske mod at få hans gunst for at få Paulus fordømt, da de samtyggede i Tertullus smigrende ord. Disse mænd med et hellig embede, iklædt præstedragter, var meget nøje med at overholde sæder og ceremonier, meget omhyggelige med at undgå ydre forurening, skønt sjælstemplet var besmittet med al slags urenhed. Denne ydre kontakt med alt der ansås for urent var en stor forhånelse i deres øjne, medens mordet af Paulus blev betragtet som en retfærdig handling. Hvilken illustration på blindhed som kom over det menneskelige sind! Her var repræsentanter af dem, der hævdede at være Guds pagtsfolk. Ligesom det golde figentræ, var de iklædt med pretentiøse blade, men blottet for hellighedens frugter; "de har gudsfrygts skin, men fornægter dens kraft." Fyldt med ondskab imod en ren og god mand, forsøgte de med alle midler at tage hans liv, og fremhæve et ryggesløst menneske.