Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:

Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation. He had been in this province for 6 or 7 years, and in Galilee for a longer period.

I do [the more] cheerfully answer for myself - [ euthumoos ( G2115a) is far better attested than - euthumoteron ( G2115a) of the Received Text.] Paul uses no flattery, but simply expresses his satisfaction at having to plead before one whose long official experience of Jewish matters would enable him the better to understand and appreciate what he had to say.

Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.

Because that thou mayest understand (canst easily learn), that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem - namely, first, the day of his arrival in Jerusalem (Acts 21:15); second, that of the interview with James ( , etc.); third, that of the vow ( ); fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh, days of the vow, ending in the arrest ( etc.); eighth, that of his appearance before the Sanhedrim (; Acts 23:1); ninth, that of the conspiracy and its defeat ( ); tenth, the despatch of Paul from Jerusalem on the evening of the same day ( ; ); and the remaining period referred to in ; . This short period is mentioned to show how unlikely it was that he should have had time to do what was charged against him.

For to worship - a very different purpose from that imputed to him.

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