Acts 16:3
To go forth [ε ξ ε λ θ ε ι ν]. The word is used of going forth as a missionary in Luke 9:6; 3 John 1:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
To go forth [ε ξ ε λ θ ε ι ν]. The word is used of going forth as a missionary in Luke 9:6; 3 John 1:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
Were established [ε σ τ ε ρ ε ο υ ν τ ο]. Rather, were strengthened. Another word is used for established. See ch. Acts 14:22; Acts 14:32; Acts 14:41; Acts 18:23. There is a difference, moreover, between being strengthened and established. See 1 Peter verse 10.... [ Continue Reading ]
Asia. See on ch. Acts 2:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
Passing by Mysia. Not avoiding, since they could not reach Troas without traversing it; but omitting it as a preaching - place. Came down. From the highlands to the coast.... [ Continue Reading ]
We sought. Note the introduction, for the first time here, of the first person, intimating the presence of the author with Paul. Assuredly gathering [σ υ μ β ι β α ζ ο ν τ ε ς]. See on proving, ch. 9 22.... [ Continue Reading ]
Came with a straight course [ε υ θ υ δ ρ ο μ η σ α μ ε ν]. Lit., we ran a straight course. A nautical term for sailing before the wind.... [ Continue Reading ]
Chief [π ρ ω τ η]. Some explain, the first city to which they came in Macedonia. A colony [κ ο λ ω ν ι α]. Roman towns were of two classes : municipia, or free towns, and colonies. The distinction, however, was not sharply maintained, so that, in some cases, we find the same town bearing both names... [ Continue Reading ]
Out of the city [ε ξ ω τ η ς π ο λ ε ω ς]. The best texts read pulhv, the gate. River. Probably the Gangas or Gangites. Where prayer was wont to be made [ο υ ε ν ο ν ι ζ ε τ ο π ρ ο σ ε υ χ η ε ι ν α ι]. The best texts read ejnomizomen proseuchn, where we supposed there was a place of prayer. The... [ Continue Reading ]
Lydia. An adjective : the Lydian; but as Lydia was a common name among the Greeks and Romans, it does not follow that she was named from her native country. A seller of purple. On purple, see note on Luke 16:19. Thyatira. The district of Lydia, and the city of Thyatira in particular, were famous f... [ Continue Reading ]
Constrained [π α ρ ε β ι α σ α τ ο]. Only here and Luke 24:29, on which see note. The constraint was from ardent gratitude.... [ Continue Reading ]
Damsel. See on ch. Acts 12:13. Spirit of divination [π ν ε υ μ α π υ θ ω ν α]. Lit., a spirit, a Python. Python, in the Greek mythology, was the serpent which guarded Delphi. According to the legend, as related in the Homeric hymn, Apollo descended from Olympus in order to select a site for his shr... [ Continue Reading ]
Grieved [δ ι α π ο μ η θ ε ι ς]. Not strong enough. Rather, worn out. Both grieved at the sad condition of the woman, and thoroughly annoyed and indignant at the continued demonstrations of the evil spirit which possessed her. Compare ch. 4 2.... [ Continue Reading ]
Was gone [ε ξ η λ θ ε ν]. Went out with the evil spirit.... [ Continue Reading ]
Magistrates [σ τ ρ α τ η γ ο ι ς]. Their usual name was duumviri answering to the consuls of Rome; but they took pride in calling themselves strathgoi, or praetors, as being a more honorable title. This is the only place in the Acts where Luke applies the term to the rulers of a city. See Introducti... [ Continue Reading ]
Being Romans. The Romans granted absolute toleration to conquered nations to follow their own religious customs, and took the gods of these countries under their protection. Otho, Domitian, Commodus, and Caracalla were zealous partisans of the worship of Isis; Serapis and Cybele were patronized at R... [ Continue Reading ]
Rent off their clothes [π ε ρ ι ρ ρ η ξ α ν τ ε ς]. Only here in New Testament. By the usual formula of command to the lictors : Go, lictors; strip off their garments; let them be scourged! To beat [ρ α β δ ι ζ ε ι ν]. From rJabdov, a rod. Rev. properly adds, with rods.... [ Continue Reading ]
Prison. See on ch. verse 21.... [ Continue Reading ]
The inner prison. Some have supposed this to be the lower prison, being misled by the remains of the Mamertine prison at Rome, on the declivity of the Capitoline, and near the Arch of Septimius Severus. This consists of two chambers, one above the other, excavated in the solid rock. In the center of... [ Continue Reading ]
Prayed and sang praises [π ρ ο σ ε υ χ ο μ ε ν ο ι υ μ ν ο υ ν]. Lit., praying, they sang hymns. The praying and the praise are not described as distinct acts. Their singing of hymns was their prayer, probably Psalms.... [ Continue Reading ]
Would have killed [ε μ ε λ λ ε ν α ν α ι ρ ε ι ν]. Rev., more correctly, was about to kill. Knowing that he must suffer death for the escape of his prisoners.... [ Continue Reading ]
A light [φ ω τ α]. Rev., more correctly, lights. Several lamps, in order to search everywhere. Sprang in. See on ran in, ch. 14 14.... [ Continue Reading ]
He took [π α ρ α λ α β ω ν]. Strictly, "took them along with [π α ρ α] him :" to some other part of the prison. Washed their stripes [ε λ ο υ σ ε ν α π ο τ ω ν π λ η γ ω ν]. Properly, "washed them from [α π ο] their stripes." The verb louein expresses the bathing of the entire body (Hebrews 10:23; A... [ Continue Reading ]
Brought [α ν α γ α γ ω ν]. Lit., "brought up [α ν α]." His house would seem to have been above the court of the prison where they were. See on took, verse 33. Believing [π ε π ι σ τ ε υ κ ω ς]. More correctly, having believed; assigning the reason for his joy : "in that he had believed.... [ Continue Reading ]
Serjeants [ρ α β δ ο υ χ ο υ ς]. Lit., those who hold the rod. The Roman lictors. They were the attendants of the chief Roman magistrates. "Ho, trumpets, sound a war - note! Ho, lictors, clear the way! The knights will ride, in all their pride, Along the streets today." MACAULAY, Lays of Ancient Ro... [ Continue Reading ]
They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men that are Romans. Hackett remarks that "almost every word in this reply contains a distinct allegation. It would be difficult to find or frame a sentence superior to it in point of energetic brevity." Cicero in his oration against Verres relates that the... [ Continue Reading ]
They went out. Note that Luke here resumes the third person, implying that he did not accompany them.... [ Continue Reading ]