Acts 10:39

And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: AND WE [ARE] WITNESSES, [ esmen (G2070) is not genuine] - no objects of superstitious reverence, but simply witnesses; yet eye and ear-witnesses to the great historical facts on which the Gospel is based. OF ALL THINGS WHICH HE DID BOTH IN THE LAND OF THE JEWS - including Galilee, of course; because the apostle, addressing Gentiles, speaks in general terms. AND IN JERUSALEM - the metropolis not only of their nationality, but of their whole Religion. WHOM, [ hon (G3739 ) KAI, 'WHOM ALSO'] THEY SLEW AND HANGED ON A TREE, ...

39._And we be witnesses. _That he may make his words to be believed, he saith, that he and his fellows in office saw with their eyes all those things which they spake concerning Christ. (707) Shortly after, he taketh the word witness in another sense, when he saith that they were appointed witnesses (708) by God, (709) and that they are brought forth, as it were, by God, that they might by their preaching bring men unto the faith of Christ. So Paul, in the fifteenth of the First to the Corinthians, (1 Corinthians 15:15,) saith, “We (saith he) should be found false witnesses [of Gods] unless Christ were risen from the dead.” And we have already heard by the mouth of Christ, “Ye shall be my witnesses in Judea, Samaria, and at Jerusalem.” And now Peter calleth himself on

34-43 Acceptance cannot be obtained on any other ground than that of the covenant of mercy, through the atonement of Christ; but wherever true religion is found, God will accept it without regarding names or sects. The fear of God and works of righteousness are the substance of true religion, the effects of special grace. Though these are not the cause of a man's acceptance, yet they show it; and whatever may be wanting in knowledge or faith, will in due time be given by Him who has begun it. They knew in general the word, that is, the gospel, which God sent to the children of Israel. The purport of this word was, that God by it published the good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ. They knew the several matters of fact relating to the gospel. They knew the baptism of repentance which John preached. Let them know that this Jesus Christ, by whom peace is made between God and man, is Lord o...

Verse 39. _WE ARE WITNESSES OF ALL_] In this speech St. Peter may refer, not only to the twelve apostles, but to the six brethren whom he had brought with him. _WHOM THEY SLEW_] As the truth of the _resurrection_ must depend on the reality of the _death_ of Christ, it was necessary that this should be stated, and shown to rest on the most indubitable evidence....

AND WE ARE WITNESSES - We who are apostles. See the notes on Luke 24:48. IN THE LAND OF THE JEWS - In the country of Judea. WHOM THEY SLEW ... - Our translation would seem to imply that there were two separate acts - first executing him, and then suspending him. But this is neither according to truth nor to the Greek text. The original is simply, “whom they put to death, suspending him on a tree.” ON A TREE - On a cross. See the notes on Acts 5:30....

EXPOSITION ACTS 10:1 Now _there was _(two last words in italics) for _there was _(in roman), A.V. and T.R.; _Cornelius by name _for _called Cornelius, _A.V. A glance at the map will show that Caesarea (see note to Acts 9:30) was but a short distance, some thirty miles, from Joppa. It was doubtless with a view to Peter's momentous errand to Caesarea that Luke recorded his previous visit to Lydda and his residence at Joppa, consequent upon the restoring of Dorcas to life: the _origines _of Gentile Christianity being the prime object of the Acts (see Introduction to the Acts). THE ITALIAN BAND; or, _cohort _(σπείρα). The σπείρα, or cohort, was used in two _senses. _When spoken of strictly Roman troops, it meant the ten

AND WE ARE WITNESSES OF ALL THINGS,.... That is, Peter, and the rest of the apostles, were witnesses, even eyewitnesses, of Christ's going about from place to place, and of the good he did every where, and of the miracles which he wrought; and even of every thing WHICH HE DID BOTH IN THE LAND OF THE JEWS; which takes in not only Judea, but Galilee, and beyond Jordan; AND IN JERUSALEM; the metropolis of Judea: WHOM THEY SLEW AND HANGED ON A TREE; whom the Jews put to death; for since it was by their instigation, and at their request, it is ascribed to them; and who not content with any death, desired he might be crucified, or hanged on a tree; partly because of the pain and torture of it, and partly because of the shame and ignominy that attended it; as well as to throw off the scandal of his death from themselves to the Romans, crucifixion being a Roman punishment....

CHAPTER 10 _ 1. Cornelius of Caesarea and his Preparation (Acts 10:1)._ 2. The Trance-vision of Peter (Acts 10:9). 3. Peter with Cornelius at Caesarea (Acts 10:17). 4. Peter Preaching to the Gentiles (Acts 10:34). 5. The Interrupted Message (Acts 10:44). The ending of the preceding chapter tells us that Peter tarried in Joppa in the house of Simon the tanner. Was he breaking with his Jewish law and customs? Tanning as a trade was considered unclean by the Jews. In...

PETER'S SPEECH. Acts 10:34 f. declares that Peter regards the persons before him, though not Jews, as fit to enter the Church and share in the promises. The word for respecter of persons is a new one; for the notion, see Luke 20:21; Romans 2:11; Galatians 2:6; James 2:1. God does not judge of men by their outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7), and their nationality belongs to the outward part of them which God disregards. It is implied that those before Peter belong to a nation which o

A DEVOUT SOLDIER (Acts 10:1-8)...