Acts 23:16

And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. And when Paul's sister's son (see the note at ) Heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. If this lad was then residing at Jerusalem for his education, like Paul himself, he may have gotten at the schools those hints of the conspiracy on which he so promptly acted....

− 16._Paul’s sister’s son. _We see in this place how the Lord doth cross the purposes of the ungodly. He permitteth them to attempt many things, and he suffereth their wicked endeavors, but at length he showeth even in the twinkling of an eye − (549) that he doth from heaven deride whatsoever men go about upon earth. − “There is no wisdom,” saith Solomon, “there is no counsel against the Lord,” ( Proverbs 21:30). Whereto that of Isaiah doth answer, − “Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought: speak the word, and it shall not stand,” ( Isaiah 8:10). − This is set before our eyes to be considered, in this present history, as in a glass. The matte

12-24 False religious principles, adopted by carnal men, urge on to such wickedness, as human nature would hardly be supposed capable of. Yet the Lord readily disappoints the best concerted schemes of iniquity. Paul knew that the Divine providence acts by reasonable and prudent means; and that, if he neglected to use the means in his power, he could not expect God's providence to work on his behalf. He who will not help himself according to his means and power, has neither reason nor revelation to assure him that he shall receive help from God. Believing in the Lord, we and ours shall be kept from every evil work, and kept to his kingdom. Heavenly Father, give us by thy Holy Spirit, for Christ's sake, this precious faith....

Verse Acts 23:16. _PAUL'S SISTER'S SON_] This is all we know of Paul's family. And we know not how this young man got to Jerusalem; the family, no doubt, still resided at Tarsus....

PAUL’S SISTER’S SON - This is all that we know of the family of Paul. Nor do we know for what purpose he was at Jerusalem. It is possible that Paul might have a sister residing there; though, as Paul himself had been sent there formerly for his education, it seems more probable that this young man was sent there for the same purpose. ENTERED INTO THE CASTLE - Paul had the privileges of a Roman citizen, and as no well-founded charge had been laid against him, it is probable that he was not very closely confined, and that his friends might have free access to him....

EXPOSITION ACTS 23:1 _Looking steadfastly on _for _earnestly beholding, _A.V.; _brethren _for _men and brethren, _A.V._; I have lived before God, _etc., for _I have lived, _etc., _before God, _A.V. LOOKING STEADFASTLY; ἀτενίσας, as in Acts 1:10; Acts 3:4, Acts 3:12; Acts 6:15; Acts 7:55; Acts 10:4;...

AND WHEN PAUL'S SISTER'S SON HEARD OF THEIR LYING IN WAIT,.... Paul might have a sister living in Jerusalem; or this her son might be there on account of his studies; he might be a pupil to one of the doctors, by which means he might come at this secret, that such a number of men were in ambush, in order to take away his uncle's life: wherefore having got intelligence of it, HE WENT AND ENTERED INTO THE CASTLE; the Alexandrian copy reads, "the synagogue"; but Paul was not there, but in the castle of Antonia; the Ethiopic version renders it, "the prison"; though it is plain that he was not very closely confined, it was easy to have access to him; the reason might be, not only because he was a Roman, but because he was uncondemned, nor was any charge proved against him: AND TOLD PAUL; what he had heard, that such a number of men had entered into a conspiracy to take away his life, and la...

JEWISH PLOT: REMOVAL OF PAUL. The Jews propose what the tribune, in Acts 22:30 to Acts 23:10, has already done on his own initiative; here we are on historical ground. The hated person being removed from their power, they plan an assassination. Forty of them make themselves a curse (so literally), _i.e._ they are to be accursed if they do not carry out their purpose; and they are to fast till it is done. For this end they apply to the high priests and elders to get the tribune to bring Paul down to a meeting for a further inquiry. No doubt is entertained apparently that the leaders will countenance such a plot. The tribune, who is well disposed to Paul since he discovered his citizenship, at once removes him from danger; but 470 men seem a large force for the purpose. Lysias-' motive in all this apparatus was

THE STRATEGY OF PAUL (Acts 23:1-10)...

LYING IN WAIT. Greek. _enedra._ Only here and Acts 25:3. WENT, &C. This may be rendered "having come in upon (them) and entered", suggesting that he made the discovery accidentally. See Revised Version margin But it was of God. Paul was not to be "cut off" at the will of the enemy, any more than the "seed". See Exodus 2:6, and App-23. TOLD. reported (it to). Greek. _apangello._ See note on Acts 4:23....