WHEN THEY HEARD HIM SPEAKING TO THEM IN HEBREW. The Aramaic or Chaldee dialect of Hebrew was the standard language which every Jew could speak and understand. Even though their "native language" (_see_ Acts 2:8_ and note_) might be different, all were taught Hebrew in the synagogue schools. I AM A J... [ Continue Reading ]
I PERSECUTED to THE DEATH. He did this because he thought his loyalty to God demanded it! THE HIGH PRIEST AND THE WHOLE COUNCIL. A different man was high priest now, than when Paul had been "deputized," but he knew the facts, as did the council. Probably most of the crowd also knew these facts.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND COMING NEAR DAMASCUS. See notes on Acts 9:3-9. The bright light flashed at the time the sun was the brightest, and was much brighter than the sun (Acts 26:13). SAUL, SAUL. The voice spoke in Hebrew (Acts 26:14). WHY DO YOU PERSECUTE ME? By persecuting the messianic community, he was persecuting... [ Continue Reading ]
A MAN NAMED ANANIAS. He was a Christian (Acts 9:10), but kept the Law strictly. BROTHER SAUL, SEE AGAIN! See Acts 9:17-18 and notes. THE GOD OF OUR ANCESTORS. Compare Acts 7:32; 1 Peter 1:1-2. He says this to show they both worship the One True God. TO SEE HIS RIGHTEOUS SERVANT. Jesus Christ. Paul h... [ Continue Reading ]
I WENT BACK TO JERUSALEM. This was three years after he became a Christian (Galatians 1:17-18). He goes on to show that God himself had sent him to the Gentiles. I HAD A VISION. Compare Acts 10:10. Some think this vision might be the one mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:2-3. THE PEOPLE HERE WILL NOT AC... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTIL HE SAID THIS. As the Jews were crushed by foreign powers and occupation troops, they took comfort in the thought that when the Messiah came, the Gentile would be struck down and the Jew would stand with his foot on their neck. At this time the fires smoldered that would break out in the Jewish... [ Continue Reading ]
AND TOLD THEM TO WHIP HIM. Whether the Roman commander had understood a word Paul had said to the people (since it was in Hebrew), he could see from their actions that they considered him a dangerous man. It had long been a common practice to torture prisoners to make them tell the truth. The whip h... [ Continue Reading ]