Acts 24:17

Now after many years He had come to Jerusalem on the return from his second missionary journey in a.d. 53. It was now a.d. 58, so that his absence had lasted four or five years (see note on Acts 24:10).

I came to bring alms to my nation These consisted of the money which had been collected in the churches of Macedonia and Achaia at St Paul's request, and which is often alluded to in his epistles (cp. 1 Corinthians 16:1; Romans 15:26; 2 Corinthians 8:4, &c.). There could be no desire to wound the feelings of the Jews in a man who had come for such a purpose. It is noticeable too that he describes the alms as not for the Christians only, but for his nation, conveying by the word the impression of his great regard for all the Jews.

and offerings These were the sacrifices connected with the vow which he had undertaken. They must be offered in the Temple, and the offered was not likely to be one who thought of profaning the holy place.