Acts 24:12

12 and neither in the temple they found me disputing with any man, neither making concourse of the people, neither in the synagogues, neither in city;

Acts 24:12 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 24:12

And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any
man
Either about civil or religious affairs: not that it was criminal to dispute in the temple; it was a common thing for the doctors to dispute about matters of religion, in the porches, and courts, and chambers of the temple, as it may be observed they often did with Christ; but the apostle mentions this to show, that he was so far from moving sedition among the people of the Jews, that he never so much as entered into any conversation with them, upon any subject whatever: true indeed, he was in the temple, and was found there, but not disputing with any, but purifying himself according to the law of Moses:

neither raising up the people;
stirring them up to sedition, and tumult, to rebel against the Roman government:

neither in the synagogues;
where there were the greatest concourse of people, and the best opportunity of sowing seditious principles, and of which there were many in the city of Jerusalem. The Jews say

---

FOOTNOTES:

F16 there were four hundred and sixty synagogues in Jerusalem; some say ^F17 four hundred and eighty:

nor in the city;
of Jerusalem, in any of the public streets or markets, where there were any number of people collected together; the apostle mentions the most noted and public places, where any thing of this kind might most reasonably be thought to be done.

F16 T. Hieros. Cetubot, fol. 35. 3.
F17 Ib. Megilla, fol. 73. 4.

Acts 24:12 In-Context

10 And Paul answered, when the president granted [to] him to say, Of many years I know thee, that thou art doomsman to this folk, and I shall do enough for me with good reason.

11 For thou mayest know, for to me be not more than twelve days [for to me be no more than twelve days], since I came up [for] to worship in Jerusalem;

12 and neither in the temple they found me disputing with any man, neither making concourse of the people, neither in the synagogues, neither in city;

13 neither they be able to prove to thee, of the which things they now accuse me. [neither they may prove to thee, of which things they now accuse me.]

14 But I acknowledge to thee this thing, that after the sect which they say heresy, so I serve to God the Father, believing to all things that be written in the law and prophets;