Acts - 24:4



4 But, that I don't delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Acts 24:4.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
But, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I entreat thee to hear us of thy clemency a few words.
But that I be no further tedious to thee, I desire thee of thy clemency to hear us in few words.
But that I may not too much intrude on thy time, I beseech thee to hear us briefly in thy kindness.
Notwithstanding, that I may not be further tedious to thee, I pray thee, that thou wouldst of thy clemency hear us a few words.
and that I may not be further tedious to thee, I pray thee to hear us concisely in thy gentleness;
Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious to you, I pray you that you would hear us of your clemency a few words.
But - not to detain you too long - I beg you in your forbearance to listen to a brief statement from us.
But, so that I may not make you tired, I make a request to you of your mercy, to give hearing to a short statement.
But lest I speak at too great a length, I beg you, by your clemency, to listen to us briefly.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

Be not further tedious unto thee - By taking up your time with an introduction and with commendation.

That I be not farther tedious unto thee - That I may neither trespass on thy time, by dwelling longer on this subject, nor on thy modesty, by thus enumerating thy beneficent deeds.
Hear us of thy clemency - Give us this farther proof of thy kindness, by hearkening to our present complaint. The whole of this exordium was artful enough, though it was lame. The orator had certainly a very bad cause, of which he endeavored to make the best. Felix was a bad man and bad governor; and yet he must praise him, to conciliate his esteem. Paul was a very good man, and nothing amiss could be proved against him; and yet he must endeavor to blacken him as much as possible, in order to please his unprincipled and wicked employers. His oration has been blamed as weak, lame, and imperfect; and yet, perhaps, few, with so bad a cause, could have made better of it.

Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee,.... Suggesting, that he could say a great deal more under this head, but, for brevity sake, should omit it; and because he would not tire his patience, and hinder business going forward:
I pray thee, that thou wouldst hear us of thy clemency a few words; he praises him for his humanity and good nature, and for his patience in hearing causes, and promises him great conciseness in the account he should give him; and entreats that, according to his wonted goodness, he would condescend to hear what he had to lay before him; all which was artfully said to engage attention to him.

But that I may not trouble thee any farther - By trespassing either on thy patience or modesty. The eloquence of Tertullus was as bad as his cause: a lame introduction, a lame transition, and a lame conclusion. Did not God confound the orator's language?

*More commentary available at chapter level.


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