Acts 24:11 kjv
Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
Acts 24:11 nkjv
because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
Acts 24:11 niv
You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
Acts 24:11 esv
You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem,
Acts 24:11 nlt
You can quickly discover that I arrived in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago to worship at the Temple.
Acts 24 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 24:11 | "since it is not more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship." | Paul's defense in Jerusalem |
| John 5:1 | Jesus goes to Jerusalem for a feast. | Validates going to Jerusalem for worship |
| John 7:10 | Jesus went to the Feast of Tabernacles. | Another instance of lawful pilgrimage |
| Deut 16:16 | Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD. | Old Testament basis for pilgrimage |
| Psalm 122:1 | A Song of Ascents. Of David. I rejoiced when they said to me, | Joy of going to Jerusalem |
| "Let us go to the house of the LORD!" | ||
| Luke 2:41-42 | Jesus at age twelve goes to Jerusalem for Passover. | Youthful example of pilgrimage |
| Acts 18:21 | Paul vows to return to Ephesus after Passover. | Shows Paul's commitment to Jewish feasts |
| Acts 20:16 | Paul hurries to be in Jerusalem by Pentecost. | Emphasis on timing and participation |
| Acts 21:15 | Paul was taken to Caesarea before going to Jerusalem. | Shows Paul was prepared to go to Jerusalem |
| Acts 21:27-33 | Jews in Jerusalem stirred up trouble against Paul. | Context of accusations against Paul |
| Acts 23:12-15 | Conspiracy to kill Paul in Jerusalem. | Details plots against Paul |
| Acts 25:11 | Paul appeals to Caesar. | Further steps in legal proceedings |
| Romans 9:1-5 | Paul's deep sorrow for Israel and his Jewish heritage. | Demonstrates his continued connection |
| Galatians 1:22 | Paul was unknown by face to churches of Judea. | Might imply limited prior disruptive impact |
| 1 Corinthians 7:29 | The appointed time has grown short. | Eschatological perspective of Paul |
| 1 Corinthians 11:28 | Examine yourselves before eating the bread. | Importance of self-examination |
| 2 Corinthians 11:24 | Paul lists his sufferings, implying diligence. | Paul's commitment despite hardship |
| 2 Timothy 2:15 | Work hard so the message of truth is correct. | Paul's diligent ministry |
| Titus 1:13 | Rebuke them sharply. | Paul's assertive correction when needed |
| James 1:2-4 | Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials. | Perseverance through trials |
| James 4:7-10 | Submit yourselves to God. Humble yourselves before the Lord. | Attitude of humility and submission |
Acts 24 verses
Acts 24 11 Meaning
Paul, in his defense before Felix, assures him that it has only been twelve days since he went up to Jerusalem to worship. This is to counter accusations that he had been causing disturbances or seditious activity over a long period. He emphasizes his presence in Jerusalem was for worship, a lawful and pious activity, implying his intentions were pure and religious, not political or rebellious.
Acts 24 11 Context
This verse is part of Paul's defense before Felix, the Roman governor of Judea. Paul has been arrested in Jerusalem based on false accusations brought by the Jews. Tertullus, a legal orator, presented the charges, painting Paul as a troublemaker, a ringleader of the Nazarene sect, and someone who tried to desecrate the temple. Paul's statement here aims to dismantle the premise of long-term sedition by establishing the very short duration of his recent presence in Jerusalem. The eleven days are contrasted with the extensive accusations leveled against him, highlighting the exaggeration and falsity of the charges. This occurs in Caesarea Maritima, the Roman administrative capital of Judea.
Acts 24 11 Word analysis
- since (epei): Conjunction introducing the reason or basis for the previous statement.
- it (esti): Verb "to be," stating a fact.
- not (ou): Negative particle, denying the following clause.
- more (pleio): Comparative adjective meaning "greater" or "more."
- than (ē): Conjunction used in comparisons.
- twelve (dōdeka): The cardinal number twelve.
- days (hēmerai): Noun, plural of day, a unit of time.
- since (aph hoū): A prepositional phrase indicating the point in time from which the counting begins.
- I (egō): First-person singular pronoun, Paul speaking of himself.
- went up (anabebēka): Perfect tense of "anabaino" (to go up, ascend), indicating a completed action with ongoing relevance or state. It specifically refers to the journey from a lower elevation (like Caesarea) to the higher elevation of Jerusalem.
- to (eis): Preposition indicating motion into or destination.
- Jerusalem (Hierosoluma): The holy city, the capital of Judea.
- to worship (proskynēsō): Future aorist subjunctive of "proskyneō" (to do obeisance, worship, bow down to), indicating the purpose of his going up to Jerusalem. The subjunctive mood is used here after the preposition "eis" to express purpose.
Word-group analysis
- "not more than twelve days since": This precise temporal framing is crucial. It’s not just "a few days ago," but a specific, short timeframe. This undercuts the narrative of prolonged agitation.
- "went up to Jerusalem to worship": This phrase links the travel directly to a legitimate and religious purpose. "Going up" (anabaino) carries the connotation of pilgrimage to the holy city. The act of "worship" (proskynēsō) defines his intent, contrasting with the alleged intent to cause sedition.
Acts 24 11 Bonus section
The number "twelve" itself could implicitly carry symbolic weight for a Jewish audience. Twelve is significant in Israel's history (the twelve tribes). Paul's meticulous recall of a specific short duration underscores his commitment to factual accuracy in his defense. The spiritual significance of going to Jerusalem for worship is central to his argument, framing his activity within the legitimate sphere of religious duty rather than civil unrest. His journey "up" to Jerusalem is a well-understood concept for anyone familiar with Jewish tradition, signifying a pilgrimage to the sacred, elevated city.
Acts 24 11 Commentary
Paul’s precise statement of "twelve days" is a calculated defense. It highlights the speed with which the charges of extensive wrongdoing were fabricated or escalated. His emphasis on worship as his purpose reinforces his religious devotion and aims to portray his actions as lawful and in line with Jewish religious practice, thus undermining the claim that he was a disturber of the peace or a desecrator of the temple. This brief, recent visit, for worship, is contrasted with the gravity of the accusations brought against him, making them appear exaggerated and unfounded. It’s a clear strategic move to establish credibility by showing his short, purpose-driven presence, rather than evidence of a prolonged disruptive ministry in Jerusalem.