Acts 24 · Verse 10

Acts 24:10

Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:

Acts 24:10, King James Version

Acts 24:10 in other translations

BSB	When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense.
WEB	When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, “Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense,
ASV	And when the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, Paul answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I cheerfully make my defence:
YLT	And Paul answered--the governor having beckoned to him to speak--‘Knowing that for many years thou hast been a judge to this nation, the more cheerfully the things concerning myself I do answer;
DARBY	But Paul, the governor having beckoned to him to speak, answered, Knowing that for many years thou hast been judge to this nation, I answer readily as to the things which concern myself.
BBE	Then when the ruler had given him a sign to make his answer, Paul said, Because I have knowledge that you have been a judge over this nation for a number of years, I am glad to make my answer:
Webster	Then Paul, after the governor had beckoned to him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been for many years a judge to this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:

What does Acts 24:10 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

10. thou hast been many years a judge to this nation--He had been in this province for six or seven years, and in Galilee for a longer period. Paul uses no flattery, but simply expresses his satisfaction at having to plead before one whose long official experience of Jewish matters would enable him the better to understand and appreciate what he had to say.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 10. Had beckoned unto him to speak. Either by a nod or by the hand.

Hast been of many years. Felix and Cumanus had been joint-governors of Judea; but after Cumanus had been condemned for his bad administration of the affairs, the government fell entirely into the hands of Felix. This was about seven years before Paul was arraigned before him, and with might be called many years, as he had been long enough there to become acquainted the customs and habits of the Jews; and it might also be called long in comparison with the short time which any of his immediate predecessors had held the office. See Josephus, Ant. b. xx. ch. vi., vii.

A judge. This word is evidently used here in the sense of magistrate, or one appointed to administer the affairs of government. To determine litigated matters was, however, one part of his office. It is remarkable that Paul did not begin his speech as Tertullus had done, by any flattering address, or by any of the arts of rhetoric. He founded his plea on the justice of his cause, and on the fact, that Felix had had so much experience on the affairs of Judea, that he was well qualified to understand the merits of the case, and to judge impartially. Paul was well acquainted with his character, Acts 24:25 and would not by flattering words declare that which was not strictly true.

I do the more cheerfully, etc. Since you are so well acquainted with the customs and habits of the Jews, I the more readily submit the case to your disposal. This address indicated great confidence in the justice of his cause; and was the language of a man bold, fearless, and conscious of his innocence.

(1) "governor" "Felix, made Procurator over Judea, A.D. 53" (f) "answer" 1Pet 3:15 (+) "myself" "make my defence"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 10 Then Paul - answered - The apostle's defense consists of two parts: - 1. The exordium, which has for its object the praise of his judge, whose qualifications to discern and decide on a question of this nature he fully allows; and expects, from this circumstance, to have a favorable hearing. 2. The tractation, which consists of two parts: I. Refutation: 1. of the charge of polluting the temple; 2. of stirring up sedition; 3. of being a leader of any sect who had a different worship from the God of their fathers. II. Affirmation: 1. that he had lived so as to preserve a good conscience towards God, and towards men; 2. that so far from polluting the temple, he had been purified in it, and was found thus worshipping according to the law of God; 3. that what Tertullus and his companions had witnessed was perfectly false; and he defied them to produce a single proof, and appeals to those who had been witnesses of his conduct in Jerusalem, who should have been there could they have proved any thing against him. Thou hast been of many years a judge - Cumanus and Felix were, for a time, joint governors of Judea; but, after the condemnation of Cumanus, the government fell entirely into the hands of Felix; and from Josephus we learn that this was now the sixth or seventh year of his administration, which might be called many years, when the very frequent removals of the governors of the provinces are considered. a.d. 53, Felix made procurator over Judea, and see Jos. Antiq. lib. xx. 7. A judge - Κριτην, the same here in signification as the Hebrew שפט shophet, which means a ruler or governor. This was the title of the ancient governors of Israel. The more cheerfully - Ευθυμοτερον, With a better heart or courage, because, as thy long residence among us has brought thee to a thorough acquaintance with our customs, I may expect a proper decision in my favor, my cause being perfectly sound.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 24:10-21

Paul gives a just account of himself, which clears him from crime, and likewise shows the true reason of the violence against him. Let us never be driven from any good way by its having an ill name. It is very comfortable, in worshipping God, to look to him as the God of our fathers, and to set up no other rule of faith or practice but the Scriptures. This shows there will be a resurrection to a final judgment. Prophets and their doctrines were to be tried by their fruits. Paul's aim was to have a conscience void of offence. His care and endeavour was to abstain from many things, and to abound in the exercises of religion at all times; both towards God. and towards man. If blamed for being more earnest in the things of God than our neighbours, what is our reply? Do we shrink from the accusation? How many in the world would rather be accused of any weakness, nay, even of wickedness, than of an earnest, fervent feeling of love to the Lord Jesus Christ, and of devotedness to his service! Can such think that He will confess them when he comes in his glory, and before the angels of God? If there is any sight pleasing to the God of our salvation, and a sight at which the angels rejoice, it is, to behold a devoted follower of the Lord, here upon earth, acknowledging that he is guilty, if it be a crime, of loving the Lord who died for him, with all his heart, and soul, and mind, and strength. And that he will not in silence see God's word despised, or hear his name profaned; he will rather risk the ridicule and the hatred of the world, than one frown from that gracious Being whose love is better than life.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Acts 24:10 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἈπεκρίθηApekrithēAnsweredG611

τεtethenG5037

ὁho<the>G3588

Παῦλος,PaulosPaul,G3972

νεύσαντοςneusantoswhen was signallingG3506

αὐτῷautōto himG846

τοῦtoutheG3588

ἡγεμόνοςhēgemonosgovernorG2232

λέγειν·legeinto speak:G3004

ἐκekForG1537

πολλῶνpollōnmanyG4183

ἐτῶνetōnyearsG2094

ὄνταontaas beingG1510

σεseyouG4771

κριτὴνkritēnjudgeG2923

τῷtō<the>G3588

ἔθνειethneito nationG1484

τούτῳtoutōthisG3778

ἐπιστάμενοςepistamenosknowing [these]G1987

εὐθύμωςeuthumōsencouragingG2115

τὰtathings,G3588

περὶpericoncerningG4012

ἐμαυτοῦemautoumyselfG1473

ἀπολογοῦμαι·apologoumaiI present a defense;G626

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 24:10

1 Peter 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
1 Samuel 2:25
If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the Lord would slay them.
Acts 18:15
But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.
Luke 18:2
Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
Acts 12:17
But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.
Acts 26:1
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:
Acts 13:16
Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
Acts 23:24
And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.
Luke 12:14
And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
Acts 19:33
And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.
Acts 21:40
And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

had.
12:17; 13:16; 19:33; 21:40; 26:1
many."Felix, made procurator over Judea, A.D. 53."
a judge.
18:15; 1Sa 2:25; Lu 12:14; 18:2
I do.
1Pe 3:15

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Acts 24:9
And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
Acts 24:10
Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:
Acts 24:11
Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.

Read all of Acts 24

Acts 24:10 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Entonces Pablo, haciéndole el gobernador señal que hablase, respondió: Porque sé que muchos años ha eres gobernador de esta nación, con buen ánimo satisfaré por mí.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Et Paul, après que le gouverneur lui eut fait signe de parler, répondit: Sachant que depuis plusieurs années tu es juge de cette nation, je fais mon apologie avec plus de courage:
German Elberfelder 1871	Paulus aber antwortete, nachdem ihm der Landpfleger zu reden gewinkt hatte: Da ich weiß, daß du seit vielen Jahren Richter über diese Nation bist, so verantworte ich mich über das mich Betreffende getrost,
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Respondit autem Paulus (annuente sibi præside dicere): Ex multis annis te esse judicem genti huic sciens, bono animo pro me satisfaciam.