John Calvin Commentary Acts 24:17

"Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings:" — Acts 24:17 (ASV)

And after many years. His meaning is that he had not been in Jerusalem for a long time but had been residing in other far-distant countries. After a long time, he had now come to bring alms and to offer to God the sacrifice of thanks. This also reveals their lack of good nature and their unthankfulness, because, since he had in every way deserved the goodwill of the entire nation, they repay him so badly.

This passage explains the previous one, where mention was made of worshipping. For it is certain that Paul did not come specifically to offer in the temple, because he intended to do that after he had arrived. But he is only recounting what the Jews observed in him, which was of greatest importance for the matter now at hand.

Finally, when he says that he was found in the temple doing this, and that he did so after first undergoing solemn purification and, secondly, acting quietly without raising any tumult, he again clears himself of both charges. For his purification testified that he did not defile the temple; and secondly, since he did so quietly and without a crowd, there was no suspicion of a disturbance.