He was a friend of Lucius Vitellius, who appointed him after sending Pontius Pilate to Rome (in 36 or 37) to render account.
It may be assumed, however, that Marcellus was not really a governor of Judea, but only a subordinate official of appointed by Vitellius to make sure that taxes continued to be collected for the Empire.
However, some insight into the changed situation in Jerusalem after the departure of Pilate is seen in the contrast between the trial and execution of Jesus and that of the first Christian martyr Saint Stephen (Acts 7).
In the case of Stephen, the Romans were ignored and the hurried execution was by the old Jewish method of stoning.
It would appear that a temporary overseer may have preferred to stay in Caesarea and turn a blind eye to the growing confidence and aggression of the Jewish leaders.