Acts 24:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings.

NIV: After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings.

NASB: Now after several years I came to bring charitable gifts to my nation and to present offerings,

CSB: After many years, I came to bring charitable gifts and offerings to my people.

NLT: After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God.

KJV: Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.

NKJV: “Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation,

Paul is addressing the charges brought against him by the Sanhedrin to Governor Felix. The Sanhedrin's lawyer has accused him of stirring up riots, spreading a cult, and defiling the temple (Acts 24:5–6). Paul has already addressed the first charge by pointing out he'd only been in Jerusalem a few days and they have no proof or witnesses. He's disproved the second by explaining Christianity is not a cult but a different way of interpreting Jewish Scriptures (Acts 24:11–15). Now he talks about the temple.

Twelve days prior, Paul had accompanied several men, including Gentiles, who wished to bring offerings from their churches in modern-day Turkey and Greece for the church in Jerusalem (Acts 20:4; 21:18; Romans 15:25–26). While there, James and the elders asked Paul about a rumor that he taught Jews they didn't have to follow the Mosaic law. Paul denied the charges, and the elders asked him to help four men complete a Jewish ceremony as a show of good faith. Paul agreed (Acts 21:20–26).

While Paul was at the temple fulfilling the requirements for the four men's vows, Jews from the same territory as one of Paul's traveling companions saw him there and assumed he had brought his Gentile friend with him. They incited the crowd to attack Paul and the Roman army tribune had to rescue him by arresting him (Acts 21:27–36). Paul points out that these men aren't even present to give their testimony, inferring that the representative members of the Sanhedrin didn't witness the event (Acts 24:18–20).

We're not entirely sure how long it had been since Paul had been in Jerusalem. He visited after his second missionary journey before spending "some time" in Syrian Antioch. He then started his third trip by revisiting the churches in central modern-day Turkey (Acts 18:22–23). From there, he spent two years in Ephesus (Acts 19:10) and several months traveling around the Aegean Sea.

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.