Upper coasts [τ α α ν ω τ ε ρ ι κ α μ ε ρ η]. Coasts is a bad rendering. Better, as Rev., "the upper country;" lit., parts or districts. The reference is to districts like Galatia and Phrygia, lying up from the sea - coast and farther inland than Ephesus. Hence the expedition of Cyrus from the sea -... [ Continue Reading ]
Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? The two verbs are in the aorist tense, and therefore denote instantaneous acts. The A. V. therefore gives an entirely wrong idea, as there is no question about what happened after believing; but the question relates to what occurred when they believ... [ Continue Reading ]
Unto what [ε ι ς τ ι]. Rev., more correctly, into. See on Matthew 28:19. John. The last mention of John the Baptist in the New Testament. "Here, at last, he wholly gives place to Christ" (Bengel).... [ Continue Reading ]
Asia. See on ch. Acts 2:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
Special [ο υ τ α ς τ υ χ ο υ σ α ς]. A peculiar expression. Lit., not usual or common, such as one might fall in with frequently.... [ Continue Reading ]
Body [χ ρ ω τ ο ς]. Properly, the surface of the body, the skin; but, in medical language, of the body. Handkerchiefs [σ ο υ δ α ρ ι α]. See on Luke 19:20. Aprons [σ ι μ ι κ ι ν θ ι α]. Only here in New Testament. A Latin word, semicinctia. Lit., something passing half - way round the body : an ap... [ Continue Reading ]
Vagabond [π ε ρ ι ε ρ χ ο μ ε ν ω ν]. Lit., going about. Rev., strolling. Exorcists [ε ξ ο ρ κ ι σ τ ω ν]. Only here in New Testament. The kindred verb, adjure, occurs Matthew 26:63, and means, originally, to administer an oath. These Jewish exorcists pretended to the power of casting out evil spir... [ Continue Reading ]
Did [π ο ι ο υ ν τ ε ς]. The participle denotes a practice.... [ Continue Reading ]
I know - I know [γ ι ν ω σ κ ω - ε π ι σ τ α μ α ι]. There is a purpose in using two different words to denote the demon's recognition of the Divine Master and of the human agent, though it is not easy to convey the difference in a translation. It is the difference between an instinctive perception... [ Continue Reading ]
Prevailed against [ι σ χ υ σ ε]. See on Luke 14:30; Luke 16:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
Was known [ε γ ε ν ε τ ο γ ν ω σ τ ο ν]. More correctly, became known.... [ Continue Reading ]
Confessed and shewed [ε ξ ο μ ο λ ο γ ο υ μ ε ν ο ι κ α ι α ν α γ γ ε λ λ ο ν τ ε ς]. The two words denote the fullest and most open confession. They openly [ε ξ] confessed, and declared thoroughly (ajna, from top to bottom) their deeds. See on Matthew 3:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
Curious arts [τ α π ε ρ ι ε ρ γ α]. The word means, literally, overwrought, elaborate, and hence recondite or curious, as magical practices. Only here and 1 Timothy 5:13, in its original sense of those who busy themselves excessively [π ε ρ ι] : busybodies. The article indicates the practices referr... [ Continue Reading ]
The way. See on ch. Acts 9:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
Silversmith [α ρ γ υ ρ ο κ ο π ο ς]. Lit., a silver - beater. Shrines. Small models of the temple of Diana, containing an image of the goddess. They were purchased by pilgrims to the temple, just as rosaries and images of the virgin are bought by pilgrims to Lourdes, or bronze models of Trajan's co... [ Continue Reading ]
Wealth [ε υ π ο ρ ι α]. See on ability, ch. 11 29. Lit., welfare. Wealth is used by the A. V. in the older and more general sense of weal, or well - being generally. Compare the Litany of the English Church : "In all time of our tribulation, in all time of our wealth.... [ Continue Reading ]
Craft [μ ε ρ ο ς]. Lit., part or department of trade. To be set at nought [ε ι ς α π ε λ ε γ μ ο ν ε λ θ ε ι ν]. Lit., to come into refutation or exposure; hence, disrepute, as Rev. Compare ch. 18 28, and see note there. 'Apelegmov, refutation, occurs only here in New Testament. Diana. Or Artemis.... [ Continue Reading ]
Cried out [ε κ ρ α ζ ο ν]. The imperfect is graphic; they continued crying. This reiteration was a characteristic of the oriental orgiastic rites.... [ Continue Reading ]
The theater. The site of which can still be traced. It is said to have been capable of seating fifty - six thousand persons. Having seized [σ υ ν α ρ π α σ α ν τ ε ς]. Lit., "having seized along with [σ υ ν] :" carried them along with the rush. Companions in travel [σ υ ν ε κ δ η μ ο υ ς]. Only he... [ Continue Reading ]
Of the chief officers of Asia [τ ω ν α σ ι α ρ χ ω ν]. The Asiarchs. These were persons chosen from the province of Asia, on account of their influence and wealth, to preside at the public games and to defray their expenses.... [ Continue Reading ]
They drew [π ρ ο ε β ι β α σ α ν]. More correctly, urged forward. See on before instructed, Matthew 14:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
With one voice cried out. There reverberations of their voices from the steep rock which formed one side of the theater must have rendered their frenzied cries still more terrific.... [ Continue Reading ]
The town - clerk. Or recorder, who had charge of the city - archives, and whose duty it was to draw up official decrees and present them to assemblies of the people. Next to the commander, he was the most important personage in the Greek free cities. Worshipper [ν ε ω κ ο ρ ο ν]. Lit., a temple - s... [ Continue Reading ]
Quiet [κ α τ ε σ τ α λ μ ε ν ο υ ς]. Compare quieted (ver. 35). The verb means to let down or lower; and so is applied, metaphorically, to keeping one's self in check; repressing. Rash [π ρ ο π ε τ ε ς]. Lit., headlong.... [ Continue Reading ]
Robbers of churches [ι ε ρ ο σ υ λ ο υ ς]. The A. V. puts a droll anachronism into the mouth of the town - clerk of a Greek city. Render, rather, as Rev., robbers of temples.... [ Continue Reading ]
The law is open [α γ ο ρ α ι ο ι α γ ο ν τ α ι] Lit., the court - days are being kept. Rev., the courts are open. Compare ch. 17 5. Deputies [α ν θ υ π α τ ο ι] Proconsuls, by whom Asia, as a senatorial province, was governed. See Introduction to Luke.... [ Continue Reading ]
Concourse [σ υ σ τ ρ ο φ η ς]. Lit., a twisting together : hence of anything which is rolled or twisted into a mass; and so of a mass of people, with an underlying idea of confusion : a mob. Compare ch. 28 12.... [ Continue Reading ]