CHAPTER 23 PAUL BEFORE THE SANHEDRIM—AN INTERRUPTED TRIAL § 1. The Scene in the Council Chamber; or, Paul’s Doubtful Strategy (vers.1–11). § 2. The Conspiracy of the Forty; or, Paul’s Life Endangered (Acts 23:12). § 3. Paul’s Midnight Ride to Cæsarea; or, Paul’s Safety Ensured (Acts 23:23).... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL REMARKS_ Acts 23:1. EARNESTLY BEHOLDING, or _looking steadfastly on,_ describes the eager, anxious gaze with which the apostle was accustomed to scan those to whom he spoke—perhaps arising from his infirmity of sight (Alford), but more from the intense emotion of his spirit (see Acts 14:9,... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL REMARKS_ Acts 23:12. The Jews (rather than CERTAIN OF THE JEWS) who banded themselves together UNDER A CURSE to kill Paul were not the members of the Sanhedrim, who had forgotten their opinions in the council (Acts 23:6), and were again united as one man against the apostle (Holtzmann), bu... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL REMARKS_ Acts 23:23. TWO.—Not one or two (Howson), but _some_ or certain _two—i.e._, two or three (Hackett) of the centurions. Compare “some two of the disciples” (Luke 7:19). SOLDIERS.—Heavy armed, as distinguished from the “horsemen.” The SPEARMEN, δεξιολάβοι, “right hand graspers”—an o... [ Continue Reading ]