Acts 24:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem,

NIV: You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

NASB: since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

CSB: You can verify for yourself that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.

NLT: You can quickly discover that I arrived in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago to worship at the Temple.

KJV: Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.

NKJV: because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

Accused of causing riots around the Roman Empire (Acts 24:5), Paul stands before Governor Felix. He explains that this has nothing to do with anything that happened within Felix's jurisdiction, particularly since Paul's accusers are inferring he is a danger to the peace in Jerusalem.

Paul only arrived in Jerusalem twelve days prior, and he's spent the last five days in Caesarea Maritima (Acts 24:1). Of the seven days he was in Jerusalem, depending on how one counts the days, he had between three and five days of freedom before he was arrested, and he spent those days meeting with the leaders of the church in Jerusalem and preparing to help four men complete a vow (Acts 21:23–26). It is true that his ministry has led to social unrest. In Philippi, he expelled a fortune-telling demon from a slave girl. Her owners incited a crowd to beat Paul and his ministry partner Silas (Acts 16:16–23). In Ephesus, so many Artemis-worshipers came to faith in Jesus that the idol-makers formed a protest that nearly became a riot (Acts 19:23–41).

The occasion most relevant to Paul's case happened in Jerusalem about a week prior. He had arrived with several Gentiles to deliver support to the church (Acts 20:4). When Paul came to the temple, men from the same province as one of his friends assumed he'd brought that friend to the temple (Acts 21:27–32). It was against the Mosaic law for a non-proselyte Gentile to enter the temple and it was against Roman law to desecrate a religious structure. A melee ensued and a mob badly beat Paul, but, as Paul points out, the people involved aren't even at the trial to accuse him (Acts 24:18–19).

Acts 24:10–21 is Paul's defense against the Sanhedrin's testimony before Governor Felix. The Sanhedrin's lawyer has accused Paul of starting riots and trying to profane the temple (Acts 24:5–6). Paul points out they have no proof and no witnesses. The issue is about the fact that he follows Jesus as the Jewish Messiah and believes in the resurrection of the dead. Felix, who knows quite a bit about Christianity, understands, but he doesn't want to upset the Jewish leaders, so he keeps Paul in custody for the remainder of his term (Acts 24:27).

Acts 24 covers Paul's trial before Governor Felix. The Sanhedrin claim he is a menace and a cult leader who tried to desecrate the temple. Paul explains the real conflict: he believes in the resurrection of the dead and the Sadducees don't. Felix knows the charges are spurious but doesn't want to upset Jewish leaders. He holds Paul under house arrest, hoping Paul will offer him money and make the inconvenience worth his while.

Acts 24 is a transition period for Paul from freedom to captivity. For several years, he has traveled around Judea, Syria, modern-day Turkey, Macedonia, and Greece, spreading the good news about Jesus' offer of salvation. Through a series of misunderstandings and outright lies, he is now in custody in Caesarea Maritima. He will remain there for two years before demanding his case be sent to Caesar (Acts 25:11). Once he arrives in Rome, he will spend another two years in custody (Acts 28:30). Despite his confinement, his message will reach a king and the household of Nero.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.