Acts 24 · Verse 17

Acts 24:17

Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
Acts 24:17, King James Version

Acts 24:17 in other translations

BSBAfter several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.
WEBNow after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings;
ASVNow after some years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings:
YLT‘And after many years I came, about to do kind acts to my nation, and offerings,
DARBYAnd after a lapse of many years I arrived, bringing alms to my nation, and offerings.
BBENow after a number of years I came to give help and offerings to my nation:
WebsterNow after many years, I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.

What does Acts 24:17 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
17. Now after many--several years absence from Jerusalem--I came to bring alms to my of Macedonia and Greece, which he had taken such pains to gather. This only allusion in the Acts to what is dwelt upon so frequently in his own Epistles (Ro 15:25, 26; 1Co 16:1-4; 2Co 8:1-4), throws a beautiful light on the truth of this History. (See Paley's Horæ Paulinæ). and offerings--connected with his Jewish vow: see Ac 24:18.

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 17. Now after many years. After many years' absence. Paul here commences a reply to the charges of Tertullus, that he had endeavoured to profane the temple, Acts 24:6. He begins by saying that his design in coming up to Jerusalem was to bring to them needed aid in a time of distress. It would be absurd to suppose, therefore, that his object in coming was to violate the customs of the temple, and to defile it.

I came to bring. See Acts 11:29,30. Rom 15:25.

Alms. Charities; the gift of the churches.

To my nation. Not to all the nation; but to the poor saints or Christians who were in Judea, and who were suffering much by persecutions and trials.

And offerings. The word used here properly denotes an offering or gift of any kind; but it is usually applied to an oblation, or offering made to God in the temple--a thank-offering, a sacrifice. This is probably its meaning here. He came to bring aid to his needy countrymen, and an offering to God; and it was, therefore, no part of his purpose to interfere with, or to profane the worship of the temple.

(h) "to bring alms" Acts 11:29,30, 20:16, Rom 15:25

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 17 Now, after many years, etc. - And as a full proof that I act according to the dictates of this Divine and beneficent creed, though I have been many years absent from my own country, and my political relation to it is almost necessarily dissolved, yet, far from coming to disturb the peace of society, or to injure any person, I have brought Alms to my nation, the fruits of my own earning and influence among a foreign people, and Offerings to my God and his temple, proving hereby my attachment to my country, and my reverence for the worship of my country's God.

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…

Read the full comment on Acts 24:10-21 →

Acts 24:17 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.

δι᾽di᾽AfterG1223
ἐτῶνetōnyearsG2094
δὲdenowG1161
πλειόνωνpleionōnmanyG4119
ἐλεημοσύναςeleēmosunasalmsG1654
ποιήσωνpoiēsōnto then bringG4160
εἰςeistoG1519
τὸtotheG3588
ἔθνοςethnosnationG1484
μουmouof mineG3165
παρεγενόμηνparegenomēnI cameG3854
καὶkaiandG2532
προσφοράς,prosphorasofferings,G4376

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

Cross references for Acts 24:17

  • Galatians 2:10

    Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

  • Romans 15:25-28

    But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.

  • 1 Corinthians 16:1-4

    Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:1-4

    Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

  • Acts 11:29-30

    Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea: Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:9

    For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

  • Romans 15:31

    That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;

  • 2 Corinthians 9:12

    For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

  • Acts 20:16

    For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.

  • 2 Corinthians 9:1-2

    For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.

  • Acts 21:26

    Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

  • Acts 20:31

    Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
to bring.
11:29,30; 20:16; Ro 15:25,26; 1Co 16:1,2; 2Co 8:9; Ga 2:10
offerings.
21:26

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

Context

  • Acts 24:16

    And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

  • Acts 24:17

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

  • Acts 24:18

    Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.

Read all of Acts 24

Acts 24:17 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Mas pasados muchos años, vine á hacer limosnas á mi nación, y ofrendas,
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Or, après plusieurs années, je suis venu pour faire des aumônes à ma nation et des offrandes.
German
Elberfelder 1871
Nach vielen Jahren aber kam ich her, um Almosen für meine Nation und Opfer darzubringen,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Post annos autem plures eleemosynas facturus in gentem meam, veni, et oblationes, et vota,