MEN, BRETHREN, AND FATHERS - This defense was addressed to the Jews, and Paul commenced it with an expression of sincere respect for them. Stephen began his defense with the same form of address. See the notes on Acts 7:2. MY DEFENCE - Against the charges brought against me. Those charges were, tha... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HEBREW TONGUE - See the notes on Acts 21:40.... [ Continue Reading ]
BORN IN TARSUS - See the notes on Acts 9:11. BROUGHT UP IN THIS CITY - In Jerusalem, sent there for the advantage of more perfect instruction in the Law. AT THE FEET OF GAMALIEL - As a scholar or disciple of Gamaliel. The phrase to sit at the feet of one is expressive of the condition of a disciple... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I PERSECUTED - Acts 8:3. THIS WAY - Those who were of this mode of worshipping God; that is, Christians. See the notes on Acts 9:2. UNTO THE DEATH - Intending to put them to death. He did not probably put any to death himself, but he committed them to prison; he sought their lives; he was the... [ Continue Reading ]
AS ALSO THE HIGH PRIEST ... - See the notes on Acts 9:2. ALL THE ESTATE OF THE ELDERS - Greek: all the presbytery; that is, the whole body of the Sanhedrin, or Great Council of the nation. UNTO THE BRETHREN - The Jewish brethren who were at Damascus. Paul here speaks as a Jew, and regards his coun... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes on Acts 9:3. Acts 22:6 AS I MADE MY JOURNEY - As I was on my journey. ABOUT NOON - Acts 26:13, “at mid-day.” This circumstance is omitted by Luke in his account in Acts 9: Paul mentions it as being the more remarkable since it occurred at mid-day, to show that he was not deluded by... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes on Acts 9:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHOULDEST KNOW HIS WILL - His will in the plan of salvation, and in regard to your future life. AND SEE THAT JUST ONE - The Messiah. See the notes on Acts 3:14. As Paul was to be an apostle, and as it was the special office of an apostle to bear witness to the person and deeds of the Lord Jesus (se... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THOU SHALT BE HIS WITNESS ... - As an apostle - to testify to all people that the Messiah has come, that he has died, that he has risen, and that he is the Saviour of the world. OF WHAT THOU HAST SEEN AND HEARD - Of the remarkable proof which has been furnished you of the divine mission and cha... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NOW WHY TARRIEST THOU? - Why dost thou delay, or wait any longer? These words are not recorded by Luke in Acts 9, where he has given an account of the conversion of Paul; but there is nothing here contradictory to his statement. AND WASH AWAY THY SINS - Receive baptism as emblematic of the washi... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN I WAS COME AGAIN TO JERUSALEM - That is, three years after his conversion. See Galatians 1:17. WHILE I PRAYED IN THE TEMPLE - Paul, like other converts to Christianity from among the Jews, would naturally continue to offer his devotions in the temple. We meet with repeated instances of their c... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SAW HIM - Evidently, the Lord Jesus, Acts 22:14. He had received his commission from him, and he now received a distinct command to go to the Gentiles. FOR THEY WILL NOT RECEIVE - The inhabitants of Jerusalem, probably including both Jews and Christians. The Jews would not listen to him because... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I SAID, LORD - This shows that it was the Lord Jesus whom Paul saw in a trance in the temple. The term “Lord” is usually applied to him in the Acts . See the notes on Acts 1:24. THEY KNOW - Christians know; and they will therefore be not likely to receive to their fellowship their former enemy... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BLOOD OF THY MARTYR STEPHEN WAS SHED - See Acts 7:58; Acts 8:1. I ALSO WAS STANDING BY - Acts 7:58. AND CONSENTING UNTO HIS DEATH - Acts 8:1. AND KEPT THE RAIMENT - The outer robes or garments, which were usually laid aside when they engaged in running or labor. See Acts 7:58. All this showed... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID UNTO ME, DEPART - Because the Christians at Jerusalem would not receive him. FAR HENCE - Paul traveled far in the pagan nations. A large part of his ministry was spent in remote countries, and in the most distant regions then known. See Romans 15:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY GAVE HIM AUDIENCE - They heard him patiently. UNTO THIS WORD - The word “Gentile.” AWAY WITH SUCH A FELLOW - Greek: “take such a man from the earth,” that is, “put him to death.” It is language of strong indignation and abhorrence. The reasons of their induction were, not that they suppos... [ Continue Reading ]
CAST OFF THEIR CLOTHES - Their outer garments. Probably they did it now intending to stone him, Acts 7:58. AND THREW DUST INTO THE AIR - As expressive of them abhorrence and indignation. This was a striking exhibition of rage and malice. Paul was guarded by Roman soldiers so that they could not inj... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CASTLE - The castle of Antonia. He would be there removed entirely from the wrath of the Jews. SHOULD BE EXAMINED - ἀνετάζεσθαι anetazesthai.” The word “examine” with us commonly means “to inquire, to question, to search for, to look carefully into a subject.” The word used here is commonly ap... [ Continue Reading ]
BOUND HIM WITH THONGS - With cords, preparatory to scourging. IS IT LAWFUL ... - It was directly contrary to the Roman law to bind and scourge a Roman citizen. See the notes on Acts 16:36.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH A GREAT SUM OBTAINED I THIS FREEDOM - The freedom or privilege of Roman citizenship. From this it would seem that the privilege of being a Roman citizen might be purchased, unless perhaps he refers to the expenses which were necessarily attendant in passing through the proper forms of becoming... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN STRAIGHTWAY - Immediately. They saw that by scourging him they would have Violated the Roman law, and exposed themselves to its penalty. WHICH SHOULD HAVE EXAMINED HIM - Who were about to torture him by scourging him, Acts 22:24. BECAUSE HE HAD BOUND HIM - Preparatory to scourging him. The act... [ Continue Reading ]
ON THE MORROW - After he had arrested Paul. Paul was still a prisoner; and if suffered to go at liberty among the Jews, his life would have been in danger. AND COMMANDED THE CHIEF PRIESTS ... - Summoned a meeting of the Sanhedrin, or Great Council of the nation. He did this, as he was prevented fro... [ Continue Reading ]