Acts 21:1
Coos and Rhodes are islands in the Archipelago.... [ Continue Reading ]
Coos and Rhodes are islands in the Archipelago.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean, to the east of Patara and Rhodes._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Not go up to Jerusalem. St. Paul says in the foregoing chapter that he was pressed by the Holy Ghost to go to Jerusalem; and do these prophets now advise him to stay away, and disobey the inspiration? No: their dissuasion was not the effect of inspiration, but the expression of their tenderness and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Philip, the evangelist, so called from his preaching the gospel, though he was one of the seven, that is, of the seven deacons. (Witham)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Prophecy. It is supposed that these daughters of St. Philip had made a vow of virginity, or at least remained in that state our of a motive of religion. St. Jerome thinks in reward of this they were gifted with a prophetic spirit. (Lib. i. chap. 24. cont. Jov.) --- Others think that by prophesying... [ Continue Reading ]
_To James, the bishop of Jerusalem, where all the seniors, that is, the bishops and priests, had assembled. (Witham)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_How many thousands. In the Greek, how many ten thousands. (Witham)_... [ Continue Reading ]
To forsake Moses. In the Greek, to depart or apostatize from Moses and the law. This is more than was true. For St. Paul circumcised Timothy, (chap. xvi.) and did not absolutely hinder converts who had been Jews, from practising the Jewish ceremonies. (Witham) --- There is a manifest falsity in this... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who have a vow upon them. On which account they will have sacrifices offered for them in the temple. (Witham)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Bestow on them. It was thought a merit among the Jews to bear the expenses of any vow which another had made. They thus became partakers of it; in the same manner as at present those, who have not the courage to forsake the world by solemn vows, seek to have some share in the merits of those who do... [ Continue Reading ]
_The doors were shut, lest the temple should be profaned by Gentiles entering into it. (Witham) --- The temple was an asylum, but not for those men who were justly pursued. Hence the Jews looking upon Paul as a blasphemer, they did not think they violated this asylum by forcibly removing Paul from t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Two chains, for his hands and feet; or perhaps one chain was put on each hand, which was likewise tied to a soldier on each side of him, who led him. This was the Roman custom of binding prisoners. See Seneca, ep. v. et lib. de tranquil. animi. x. See Acts xii. 6, 7._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Into the castle. [1] Neither the Latin nor the Greek word signifies a castle, but rather a camp, or a place walled, or with a trench about it. It is true, we may here understand the tower, called Antonia; but within its court might be tents for soldiers, where there was so great a number: for we se... [ Continue Reading ]
_Canst thou speak Greek? We cannot doubt but St. Paul had in Greek spoke already to the tribune: upon which he said, dost thou speak Greek? and then asked him, if he were not that seditious Egyptian, who had headed so many murderers? (Witham)_... [ Continue Reading ]
This Egyptian coming to Jerusalem, and professing himself to be a prophet, had persuaded the people to accompany him to Mount Olivet, pretending he would throw down the walls of the city only by a word. Felix, the Roman governor, attacked the deluded multitude, and killed 400. The leader escaped, an... [ Continue Reading ]
_I am indeed a Jew, by birth and education. (Witham)_... [ Continue Reading ]
He spoke in the dialect of the country, which was partly Hebrew and partly Syriac, but the Syriac greatly prevailed; and fro the steps, _Greek: epi tous anastathmous, which led to the fortress of Antonia. Here a Roman cohort was lodged; it was situated to the north-west, and joined the temple. The f... [ Continue Reading ]