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

ACTS 24:18KJV
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Acts 24:18 (KJV)

What does Acts 24:18 mean?

Acts 24:18 describes how Paul was found in the temple in Jerusalem by some Jews from Asia, while he was purified and not causing any disturbance or gathering a crowd. Paul is explaining that he was peacefully carrying out a religious ritual and was not involved in any public disorder.

Paul is speaking in his own defense before the Roman governor Felix, responding to accusations that he had stirred up trouble among the Jews. He points out that when he was discovered in the temple, he was alone and ritually clean, not leading a group or causing a riot. This detail supports Paul's claim that he was not guilty of the charges brought against him.

The Greek behind Acts 24:18

  • "Purified" (ἡγνισμένον, hēgnismenon): This word means ritually cleansed or made ceremonially clean. Paul emphasizes that he was following Jewish law and customs, not violating them.
  • "Multitude" (ὄχλος, ochlos): This word refers to a crowd or large group of people. Paul stresses that he was not with a crowd, countering the accusation that he was inciting a mob.
  • "Tumult" (θορύβῳ, thorubō): This word means an uproar, disturbance, or commotion. Paul’s use of this term underlines that there was no chaos or disorder connected to his actions in the temple.

Why Acts 24:18 matters

  • Acts 24:18 clarifies that Paul was not acting as an agitator or troublemaker in the temple, which is important for understanding the fairness of the accusations against him.
  • The verse highlights Paul's respect for Jewish customs, showing that his faith in Jesus did not lead him to disrespect the temple or Jewish law.
  • This statement fits into Paul's larger defense, showing that the charges against him were based on misunderstanding or false reports, not on any real wrongdoing.

Where else these words appear

“purified” Greek G48 · used in 7 verses

  • John 11:55 And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.
  • 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.
  • 1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

“tumult” Greek G2351 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 26:5 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.
  • Mark 5:38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.
  • Acts 20:1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.

“Asia” Greek G773 · used in 19 verses

  • Acts 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
  • Acts 19:27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.
  • 1 Corinthians 16:19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

“temple” Greek G2411 · used in 67 verses

  • Matthew 4:5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
  • Luke 19:45 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;
  • Acts 3:2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;