_And Paul, earnestly beholding the council_ At whose bar he was placed; manifesting a clear conscience by his very countenance; and likewise waiting to see whether any of them was minded to ask him any question; _said, Men and brethren_ Though I am brought before you as a malefactor, to be examined... [ Continue Reading ]
_But when Paul perceived_ Γνους δε ο Παυλος, _Paul knowing_, in consequence of his being personally acquainted with many whom he saw sitting round; _that one part_ of the council _were Pharisees, and the other Sadducees, cried out, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee_ I am such both by birth and... [ Continue Reading ]
_And there arose a great cry_ A great clamour and quarrel, so that the edge of their zeal began to turn from Paul against one another. Nor could they go on to act against him, when they could not agree among themselves, or prosecute him for breaking the unity of the church, when there was among them... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when there arose a great dissension_ Some of them urging that he ought to be set at liberty, while others eagerly insisted on his condemnation; _the chief captain, fearing_ On being informed of their disorderly proceedings; _lest he should be pulled in pieces of them_ Amidst the tumult; _comman... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when it was day, certain of the Jews_ Being exceedingly provoked that Paul had been thus rescued from the council; _bound themselves under a curse_ Such execrable vows were not uncommon among the Jews. And if they were prevented from accomplishing what they had vowed, it was an easy matter, as... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they came to the chief priests and elders_ Who were of the sect of the Sadducees, and Paul's greatest enemies, telling them what they had done; and desiring them to ask _the chief captain_ to _bring_ Paul _down_ to _the council_ on the _morrow_, as if they wished to _inquire something more perf... [ Continue Reading ]
_When Paul's sister's son heard_, &c. How privately soever this business was contrived, the providence of God so ordered it, that, for the deliverance of his faithful servant from this inhuman and bloody conspiracy, it came to the ears of Paul's nephew; who _went and entered into the castle_ Where,... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he called two centurions_ In whom he could particularly confide; _saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers_ Thus the chief captain prudently sends Paul away to Cesarea by night, under a strong guard, to the governor Felix. _Provide them beasts_ If a change should be necessary; _to set Paul on_ S... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then the soldiers brought him by night to Antipatris_ But not the same night they set out; for Antipatris was about thirty-eight of our miles north-west of Jerusalem. Herod the Great rebuilt it, and gave it this name, in honour of his father Antipater. Cesarea was near seventy miles from Jerusalem,... [ Continue Reading ]