Acts 24:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

“After an absence of several years, I came to Yerushalayim to bring a charitable gift to my nation and to offer sacrifices.

Berean Standard Bible:

After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.

American Standard Version:

Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Now^{G1161} after^{G1223} many^{G4119} years^{G2094} I came^{G3854} to bring^{G4160} alms^{G1654} to^{G1519} my^{G3450} nation^{G1484}, and^{G2532} offerings^{G4376}.

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Commentary for Acts 24:17

Acts 24:17 is a verse in the New Testament where the Apostle Paul is defending himself before the Roman governor, Felix. At this point in the narrative, Paul has been accused by the Jewish leaders of being a troublemaker and a threat to the peace in Jerusalem. In his defense, Paul recounts his recent activities, stating that after many years, he returned to Jerusalem to bring aid (alms) to his people and to make offerings.

The historical context of this verse is crucial. Paul, a Jew and a Roman citizen, was a follower of Jesus Christ and had been actively spreading the Christian faith among the Gentiles. His return to Jerusalem was marked by controversy, as he faced opposition from Jewish authorities who were threatened by his message and his influence. The "many years" mentioned likely refer to the time since his conversion on the road to Damascus and his subsequent missionary journeys.

The themes present in this verse include Paul's commitment to his Jewish heritage, despite his conversion to Christianity, as evidenced by his desire to support his nation financially and religiously. It also highlights the tension between Paul's Jewish identity and his Christian faith, a tension that was a central issue in the early church's relationship with Judaism. Additionally, the verse underscores Paul's innocence of the charges against him, emphasizing that his intentions were charitable and pious rather than seditious.

In summary, Acts 24:17 captures a moment in Paul's trial where he articulates his benevolent intentions towards his own people, the Jews, demonstrating his ongoing connection to his heritage while also navigating the complexities of his role as a leading figure in the early Christian movement. This verse reflects the broader themes of religious identity, charity, and the early church's struggle for legitimacy within the Roman Empire.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G1223
   There are 580 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: διά
   Transliteration: diá
   Pronunciation: dee-ah'
   Description: a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) … fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.
   
3. Strong's Number: G4119
   There are 55 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πλείων
   Transliteration: pleíōn
   Pronunciation: pleh'-on
   Description: comparative of πολύς; more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion:--X above, + exceed, more excellent, further, (very) great(-er), long(-er), (very) many, greater (more) part, + yet but.
   
4. Strong's Number: G2094
   There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔτος
   Transliteration: étos
   Pronunciation: et'-os
   Description: apparently a primary word; a year:--year.
   
5. Strong's Number: G3854
   There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: παραγίνομαι
   Transliteration: paragínomai
   Pronunciation: par-ag-in'-om-ahee
   Description: from παρά and γίνομαι; to become near, i.e. approach (have arrived); by implication, to appear publicly:--come, go, be present.
   
6. Strong's Number: G4160
   There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ποιέω
   Transliteration: poiéō
   Pronunciation: poy-eh'-o
   Description: apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct):--abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Compare πράσσω.
   
7. Strong's Number: G1654
   There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐλεημοσύνη
   Transliteration: eleēmosýnē
   Pronunciation: el-eh-ay-mos-oo'-nay
   Description: from ἔλεος; compassionateness, i.e. (as exercised towards the poor) beneficence, or (concretely) a benefaction:--alms(-deeds).
   
8. Strong's Number: G1519
   There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἰς
   Transliteration: eis
   Pronunciation: ice
   Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
   
9. Strong's Number: G3450
   There are 471 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μοῦ
   Transliteration: moû
   Pronunciation: moo
   Description: the simpler form of ἐμοῦ; of me:--I, me, mine (own), my.
   
10. Strong's Number: G1484
    There are 152 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἔθνος
    Transliteration: éthnos
    Pronunciation: eth'-nos
    Description: probably from ἔθω; a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan):--Gentile, heathen, nation, people.
    
11. Strong's Number: G2532
    There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καί
    Transliteration: kaí
    Pronunciation: kahee
    Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
    
12. Strong's Number: G4376
    There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: προσφορά
    Transliteration: prosphorá
    Pronunciation: pros-for-ah'
    Description: from προσφέρω; presentation; concretely, an oblation (bloodless) or sacrifice:--offering (up).