Figures Can't Lie, But Liars Can Figure

Acts 24:6 KJV

Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.

I was impressed with the tactics of Tertullus before Felix this morning. I see first

His gracious words toward Felix 

The fact is that the Jews hated the Roman occupation of their country. Surely the leading Jews employed Tertullus because he was able to act as if he truly did honor Felix and his office.

His deflection of bitterness toward Lysias

I see in this an under the breath way to vent against the Romans. He accuses Lysias of interference in their own affairs. It is as much as saying that they wouldn't have had to bother Felix at all except that Lysias prevented them from killing Paul right then. 

His accusations against Paul

Made out to sound as if they had real evidence against Paul, they neglect to tell Felix that those very Jews who were eyewitnesses to Paul's supposed crimes in the Temple were: one, not from Jerusalem and, two, not present at this proceeding. Those Jews who had assented that the words of Tertullus were so were not even witnesses to the fact. 

All this reminds me of something my father in law used to say; "Figures can't lie, but liars can figure." Lies couched in the right context can be very convincing. Tertullus seems to have been the right man to spin a myriad of lies into a convincing argument.