ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 23:3 Paul, like Jesus, used the metaphor of whitewash for hypocrisy (see Matthew 23:27). Ananias was a particularly bad high priest. For the illegal nature of Ananias’s action, see Leviticus 19:15. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.l... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 23:5 I DID NOT KNOW. Paul possibly did not recognize the high priest because he had not been to Jerusalem for many years. He also may have had poor eyesight (see Galatians 4:12). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 23:14 THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND ELDERS were the dominant forces on the Sanhedrin. Most were Sadducees, the group most opposed to Paul. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 23:16 THE SON OF PAUL’S SISTER. Nothing is known of Paul’s family. They possibly moved to Jerusalem when Paul was young (see note on 22:3). HE... ENTERED THE BARRACKS. As a Roman citizen Paul was probably given generous visitation privileges. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElement... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 23:18 The military showed great respect to their Roman prisoner. Note the quick response of both the centurion and the tribune (Lysias) to Paul and his nephew. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 23:21 By rabbinic law, if a vow became impossible to fulfill, those under it were released from its terms. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 23:23 Lysias sends approximately half the Roman soldiers in Jerusalem to protect Paul. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 23:24 FELIX was governor of Judea A.D. 52–59. He was a weak leader (see Acts 24:24). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 23:25 Lysias’s letter follows standard Greek form: sender (LYSIAS), to recipient (FELIX), followed by GREETINGS. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 23:27 Lysias had no charges to list. All complaints against Paul had to do with “their [Jewish] law” (v. Acts 23:29) and not Roman law. Throughout the rest of Acts 1:1, all the Roman officials testify to Paul’s innocence of any charges against him. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getE... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 23:31 ANTIPATRIS was 35 of the 62 miles (56 of the 100 km) by road from Jerusalem to Caesarea (v. Acts 23:33). This was a difficult but not impossible distance for soldiers to march in the cool of the night. Only the 70 “horsemen” (v. Acts 23:32) continued to Caesarea. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var i... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 23:34 At this time Judea and CILICIA were both part of the Roman province of Syria. Since Felix administered a portion of that PROVINCE and Paul’s home was within it, he determined that Paul’s case was within his jurisdiction. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 23:35 HEROD’S PRAETORIUM served as the Roman governor’s quarters. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]