Acts 24 17

Acts 24:17 kjv

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

Acts 24:17 nkjv

"Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation,

Acts 24:17 niv

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

Acts 24:17 esv

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

Acts 24:17 nlt

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

Acts 24 verses

Acts 24 17 Meaning

In Acts 24:17, Paul, in his defense before Governor Felix, declares that after a significant period away, his primary purpose for returning to Jerusalem was to bring charitable contributions (alms) and other spiritual gifts or funds for religious observances (offerings) to his fellow Jews. This statement directly refutes the accusations against him, asserting that his intentions were benevolent and in keeping with Jewish custom, not subversive or profane. He was motivated by compassion and solidarity for his own people, demonstrating his continued connection to his Jewish heritage and the Jerusalem church.

Acts 24 17 Context

Paul's statement in Acts 24:17 is made during his defense before Governor Felix in Caesarea. He had been arrested in Jerusalem after an uproar, falsely accused of profaning the Temple and stirring up riots (Acts 21:28, Acts 24:5-6). Paul had gone to Jerusalem specifically at the close of his third missionary journey, carrying the financial collection for the impoverished Jewish Christians in Judea from Gentile churches (Acts 20:16, Rom 15:25-27). He also undertook a Nazirite vow with several men, paying for their temple offerings, to demonstrate his continued adherence to Jewish law and respect for the Temple, countering the rumors that he taught Jews to abandon Moses (Acts 21:20-26). His statement here directly refutes the hostile intentions ascribed to him by his accusers, affirming his genuine benevolence towards his "nation." The historical context involves the tense political atmosphere between Rome and the Jewish people, the growing sectarian divisions within Judaism, and the burgeoning Christian movement facing accusations of being a subversive new sect.

Acts 24 17 Word analysis

• Now (δέ - de): A transitional particle, marking a continuation or shift in thought, here moving from addressing past accusations to stating his current and benevolent purpose for his recent visit. It connects this positive statement to the preceding defensive posture.

• after (διά - dia): Through, across, or after a lapse of time. It emphasizes the significant duration of time that passed since his last specific, official visit to Jerusalem bringing resources, aligning with the extensive period of his Gentile missionary work.

• many (πλειόνων - pleionōn): A significant number, more than a few. Indicates a long interval, not a recent or frequent visit, highlighting the exceptional nature of his current visit's specific purpose. This distinguishes it from general or fleeting visits.

• years (ἐτῶν - etōn): Refers to the temporal duration. It underscores the considerable time Paul spent focused on Gentile missions before returning to Jerusalem with this specific charitable endeavor, illustrating the scope of his wider ministry.

• I came (παρεγενόμην - paregenomēn): A past tense verb, meaning "I arrived," or "I was present." It denotes his concrete, recent act of arriving in Jerusalem, setting the stage for his explanation of why he came. It refers to the end of his third missionary journey.

• to bring (οἴσων - oisōn): A future participle indicating purpose or intention: "being about to bring," "for the purpose of bringing." It clearly states his motive and the main reason for his journey, directly challenging the false accusations of hostile intent.

• alms (ἐλεημοσύνας - eleēmosynas): Refers specifically to charitable donations or acts of mercy for the poor. This is a key term, referring to the collection Paul meticulously gathered from Gentile churches to aid the impoverished Jewish believers in Jerusalem (Rom 15:25-27, 2 Cor 8-9). It emphasizes his compassion and generosity.

• and (καί - kai): A simple conjunctive, joining the two stated purposes or types of contributions.

• offerings (προσφοράς - prosphoras): Literally means "things brought to" or "presentations." This can refer broadly to gifts, donations, or religious sacrifices/oblations. In context with Acts 21:23-26, it very likely refers to funds for temple sacrifices associated with his vow and the vows of others, proving his adherence to Jewish custom and negating any claim of disrespect for the Temple. It may also refer to additional contributions beyond pure charity for general temple maintenance or support.

• to my nation (τῷ ἔθνει μου - tō ethnei mou): Paul's declaration of his ongoing identity and allegiance. Despite being the "apostle to the Gentiles," he deeply identified as a Jew and cared profoundly for his Jewish kin (Rom 9:1-5, Rom 10:1). This phrase reinforces that his benevolent actions were directed toward his own people.

• "after many years": This phrase emphasizes the significant period that had elapsed since Paul's previous notable visit to Jerusalem bearing gifts or conducting substantial business related to the wider church. This interval underscores his focus on evangelizing the Gentile world (Gal 2:1) while demonstrating that his return to Jerusalem was not a spontaneous or disruptive act but a planned, purposeful endeavor.

• "I came to bring alms and offerings": This is a direct counter-argument to the accusations that he came to cause trouble or profane the Temple. Paul presents his true motive: acts of benevolence and spiritual solidarity. "Alms" (collection for the poor) showed practical care, while "offerings" likely encompassed his support for temple rituals (Acts 21:23-26) to demonstrate respect for his heritage and counter rumors.

• "alms and offerings": This combination highlights both the practical, material support (alms) and the religious or symbolic support (offerings). It illustrates the comprehensive nature of the help he was bringing, aimed at meeting physical needs and showing spiritual communion and respect for sacred practices, effectively bridging the Gentile and Jewish Christian communities.

• "to my nation": This phrase is a poignant affirmation of Paul's Jewish identity and his enduring love and loyalty to his people, even as he ministered primarily to Gentiles. It clarifies that his acts of generosity were aimed at his own heritage, undermining any accusation that he was a foreign agitator or an apostate seeking to undermine Judaism.

Acts 24 17 Bonus section

• Paul's defense here is not merely pragmatic but also profoundly theological. His bringing "alms and offerings" from the Gentiles to Jerusalem can be seen as a partial fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the nations bringing gifts to Jerusalem and participating in Israel's restoration (Isa 60:6-7, Zech 14:14). This Gentile material contribution for spiritual blessings (Rom 15:27) demonstrated God's redemptive plan unfolding, where diverse peoples become one in Christ.
• The use of "alms" (ελεημοσύνας) points to an established Christian practice of caring for the poor (Gal 2:10), rooted in Jewish traditions of tzedakah. This act was not merely social welfare but an expression of brotherly love within the new covenant community, extending across ethnic and geographic lines.
• By specifying "offerings," Paul likely emphasized contributions for services directly associated with the Temple (Acts 21:23-26), which would have been particularly pertinent in light of the accusation of temple profanation (Acts 24:6). This serves as a powerful refutation: his actions were in support of Jewish religious practice, not against it.
• This verse stands as a testament to Paul's commitment to Jewish evangelism, even amidst his primary mission to the Gentiles. His acts of benevolence were not only for existing Jewish believers but also a testimony to unbelieving Jews of the reality of Christian love and truth, hopefully breaking down prejudices.

Acts 24 17 Commentary

Acts 24:17 presents Paul's concise and potent defense, countering the baseless accusations of sedition and temple desecration with a clear statement of his charitable and unifying intent. The "many years" signifies the long period dedicated to Gentile missions, highlighting that his current return to Jerusalem was a deliberate journey with a specific, benevolent purpose, not an impromptu visit to incite discord. His "alms" specifically refers to the collection gathered from the Gentile churches for the impoverished believers in Jerusalem, demonstrating the unity and love fostered between Jewish and Gentile Christians (Rom 15:25-27). The "offerings" likely pertains to the financial support he provided for temple rituals, especially the Nazirite vow purifications (Acts 21:23-26), proving his adherence to Jewish customs and undermining the charge of profaning the temple. By emphasizing his giving "to my nation," Paul affirmed his unwavering Jewish identity and love for his people, despite being the apostle to the Gentiles. This verse encapsulates Paul's character: a minister driven by love and spiritual generosity, faithfully upholding God's truth, rather than the antagonist portrayed by his accusers. It shows Paul acting as a peacemaker, bridging gaps, not stirring trouble.