Acts 24:18
Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
Original Language Analysis
οἷς
G3739
οἷς
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
2 of 20
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἡγνισμένον
purified
G48
ἡγνισμένον
purified
Strong's:
G48
Word #:
5 of 20
to make clean, i.e., (figuratively) sanctify (ceremonially or morally)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἱερῷ
the temple
G2411
ἱερῷ
the temple
Strong's:
G2411
Word #:
8 of 20
a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
10 of 20
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
ὄχλου
multitude
G3793
ὄχλου
multitude
Strong's:
G3793
Word #:
11 of 20
a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
13 of 20
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
ἀπό
from
G575
ἀπό
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
17 of 20
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
The purification ritual Paul was completing demonstrated his respect for Jewish law. The Asian Jews who stirred up the mob were Paul's real accusers, yet Tertullus conspicuously avoided mentioning them or producing them as witnesses.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when peaceful, lawful activity is deliberately misrepresented as criminal or disruptive?
- What does this teach about how the real troublemakers often accuse innocent victims of their own misconduct?
Analysis & Commentary
Paul's account of being found in the temple 'purified, neither with multitude, nor with tumult' directly contradicts accusations of profaning the temple or causing sedition. The detail that 'certain Jews from Asia' instigated trouble points to the real troublemakers. Paul's peaceful temple presence for legitimate religious purposes demolishes the prosecution's case.