The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Ver. 1. _Of all that Jesus began, &c._] If Hen. Stephanus could say of Laertius, that he wrote the lives of the philosophers _aureo libello illo_ in that golden book of his; and (as another hath it) _opere... [ Continue Reading ]
Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: Ver. 2. _Had given commandments_] As the Church's Lawgiver, Isaiah 33:22; 1 Corinthians 11:23 .... [ Continue Reading ]
To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: Ver. 3. _Speaking of the things_] Those that are leaving the world should leave wholesome counsel to those that survive them.... [ Continue Reading ]
And, being assembled together with _them_, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, _saith he_, ye have heard of me. Ver. 4. _Wait for the promise_] And put it in suit by their daily prayers, Luke 11:13 .... [ Continue Reading ]
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. Ver. 5. _Shall be baptized_] SeeMatthew 3:11 .... [ Continue Reading ]
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? Ver. 6. _Restore again_] They dreamt of a distribation of honours and offices here on earth as in the days of David and Solomon.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. Ver. 7. _It is not for you_] This key God carries under his own girdle.... [ Continue Reading ]
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Ver. 8. _After that the Holy Ghost is come upon you_] Montanus the heresiarch wickedly affirmed t... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. Ver. 9. _And a cloud_] Look not therefore for revelations from heaven (saith Aretius), but search the Scriptures, for those are they that testify of Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Ver. 10. _Looked stedfastly_] Or intently, ατενιζοντες : wistly, as taken with that sweet sight. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 28:7 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Ver. 11. _Shall so come_] _De tempore ne quire, _ not a word of the time when, in answer to that overly c... [ Continue Reading ]
Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. Ver. 12. _From the mount_] Near unto which he had been apprehended, viz. at Bethany, and from whence he had thus triumphantly ascended up on high, leading captivity captive, &c., Ephesia... [ Continue Reading ]
And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James _the son_ of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas _the brother_ of James. Ver. 13. _They went into an upper room_] _a_ As most... [ Continue Reading ]
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. Ver. 14. _With the women_] Who might make masculine prayers, having eyes like the pools in Heshbon, Song of Solomon 7:4 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) Ver. 15. _The number of names_] _Nominum, id est, hominum, _ or of the chieftains that were fit to act in the election.... [ Continue Reading ]
Men _and_ brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. Ver. 16. _Brethren_] Not underlings, as Popish bishops, who must say _Placet_ It is pleasing, to that which in the po... [ Continue Reading ]
For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. 18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. Ver. 18. _And all his bowels gushed out_] Because he had no bowels of compassion t... [ Continue Reading ]
And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. Ver. 19. _In their proper tongue_] _i.e._ In the Syriac tongue; for the Jews in the Babylonish captivity lost their language.... [ Continue Reading ]
For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. Ver. 20. _In the book of Psalms_] That common magazine of wholesome lessons, as Basil hath it. _a_ a κοινον ταμειον αγαθων διδαγματων... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Ver. 21. _Wherefore of these_] To make up the breach again; like as the crowned saints fill up the room in heaven of the apostate angels.... [ Continue Reading ]
Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. Ver. 22. _Must one be ordained_] To answer the ancient types.... [ Continue Reading ]
And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. Ver. 23. _Joseph called Barsabas_] The centurists think that this Joseph Barsabas was the same with that Joses called Barnabas afterwards by the apostles, Acts 4:36. This Joseph, seeing it was God's mind not to m... [ Continue Reading ]
And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all _men_, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, Ver. 24. _Which knowest the hearts_] _Thales Milesius, qui sapientissimus inter septem fuisse creditur, interrogatus num lateret Deos iniuste agens? respondit, Ne cogitans quide... [ Continue Reading ]
That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. Ver. 25. _Go to his own place_] A place of his own providing; and that he had purchased with that wages of wickedness, Acts 1:18. Bellarmine tells us of a desperate adv... [ Continue Reading ]
And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. Ver. 26. _They gave forth their lot_] Either into the bosom, Proverbs 16:23, or lap, or pot, or some other vessel in use for that purpose.... [ Continue Reading ]