Acts 24:18
What does Acts 24:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 24:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 24:18 means
Paul states he was found in the temple purified, with no crowd and no tumult. This directly contradicts the claim that he defiled the temple or stirred up people. He was ceremonially clean and quietly worshiping when certain Jews from Asia appeared. The disturbance traces back to them, not to Paul. By highlighting his purification and the lack of any mob, he demonstrates respect for the temple and the peace of the city. The picture he paints is of an orderly worshiper wrongfully accused by outsiders who failed to appear as proper witnesses.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult: but there were certain Jews from Asia—
KJV
King James Version · 1611Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult: but there were certain Jews from Asia—
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And having been made clean, I was in the Temple, but not with a great number of people, and not with noise: but there were certain Jews from Asia,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862in which certain Jews from Asia did find me purified in the temple, not with multitude, nor with tumult,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752In which I was found purified in the temple: neither with multitude nor with tumult.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Whereupon they found me purified in the temple, with neither crowd nor tumult. But it was certain Jews from Asia,
Context
Having given his motive (verse 17), Paul now details the manner of his presence in the temple. Verse 18 shows his purity and peace. The mention of Jews from Asia prepares for verse 19, where Paul notes that these primary accusers are absent. The narrative is steering toward a legal point: without proper witnesses, the case collapses. Verses 20–21 will press this further, narrowing any supposed wrongdoing to his declaration about the resurrection.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 26:21
For this cause the Jews seized me in the temple, and assayed to kill me.
- Acts 21:26
Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them went into the temple, declaring the fulfilment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them.
- Acts 24:12
and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city.
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