MEN, BRETHREN, AND FATHERS - This defense was addressed to the Jews,
and Paul commenced it with an expression of sincere respect for them.
Stephen began his defense with the same form of address. See the notes
on Acts 7:2.
MY DEFENCE - Against the charges brought against me. Those charges
were, tha... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HEBREW TONGUE - See the notes on Acts 21:40.... [ Continue Reading ]
BORN IN TARSUS - See the notes on Acts 9:11.
BROUGHT UP IN THIS CITY - In Jerusalem, sent there for the advantage
of more perfect instruction in the Law.
AT THE FEET OF GAMALIEL - As a scholar or disciple of Gamaliel. The
phrase to sit at the feet of one is expressive of the condition of a
disciple... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I PERSECUTED - Acts 8:3.
THIS WAY - Those who were of this mode of worshipping God; that is,
Christians. See the notes on Acts 9:2.
UNTO THE DEATH - Intending to put them to death. He did not probably
put any to death himself, but he committed them to prison; he sought
their lives; he was the... [ Continue Reading ]
AS ALSO THE HIGH PRIEST ... - See the notes on Acts 9:2.
ALL THE ESTATE OF THE ELDERS - Greek: all the presbytery; that is, the
whole body of the Sanhedrin, or Great Council of the nation.
UNTO THE BRETHREN - The Jewish brethren who were at Damascus. Paul
here speaks as a Jew, and regards his coun... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes on Acts 9:3.
Acts 22:6
AS I MADE MY JOURNEY - As I was on my journey.
ABOUT NOON - Acts 26:13, “at mid-day.” This circumstance is
omitted by Luke in his account in Acts 9: Paul mentions it as being
the more remarkable since it occurred at mid-day, to show that he was
not deluded by... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes on Acts 9:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHOULDEST KNOW HIS WILL - His will in the plan of salvation, and in
regard to your future life.
AND SEE THAT JUST ONE - The Messiah. See the notes on Acts 3:14. As
Paul was to be an apostle, and as it was the special office of an
apostle to bear witness to the person and deeds of the Lord Jesus (se... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THOU SHALT BE HIS WITNESS ... - As an apostle - to testify to all
people that the Messiah has come, that he has died, that he has risen,
and that he is the Saviour of the world.
OF WHAT THOU HAST SEEN AND HEARD - Of the remarkable proof which has
been furnished you of the divine mission and cha... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NOW WHY TARRIEST THOU? - Why dost thou delay, or wait any longer?
These words are not recorded by Luke in Acts 9, where he has given an
account of the conversion of Paul; but there is nothing here
contradictory to his statement.
AND WASH AWAY THY SINS - Receive baptism as emblematic of the washi... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN I WAS COME AGAIN TO JERUSALEM - That is, three years after his
conversion. See Galatians 1:17.
WHILE I PRAYED IN THE TEMPLE - Paul, like other converts to
Christianity from among the Jews, would naturally continue to offer
his devotions in the temple. We meet with repeated instances of their
c... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SAW HIM - Evidently, the Lord Jesus, Acts 22:14. He had received
his commission from him, and he now received a distinct command to go
to the Gentiles.
FOR THEY WILL NOT RECEIVE - The inhabitants of Jerusalem, probably
including both Jews and Christians. The Jews would not listen to him
because... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I SAID, LORD - This shows that it was the Lord Jesus whom Paul saw
in a trance in the temple. The term “Lord” is usually applied to
him in the Acts . See the notes on Acts 1:24.
THEY KNOW - Christians know; and they will therefore be not likely to
receive to their fellowship their former enemy... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BLOOD OF THY MARTYR STEPHEN WAS SHED - See Acts 7:58; Acts 8:1.
I ALSO WAS STANDING BY - Acts 7:58.
AND CONSENTING UNTO HIS DEATH - Acts 8:1.
AND KEPT THE RAIMENT - The outer robes or garments, which were usually
laid aside when they engaged in running or labor. See Acts 7:58. All
this showed... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID UNTO ME, DEPART - Because the Christians at Jerusalem
would not receive him.
FAR HENCE - Paul traveled far in the pagan nations. A large part of
his ministry was spent in remote countries, and in the most distant
regions then known. See Romans 15:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY GAVE HIM AUDIENCE - They heard him patiently.
UNTO THIS WORD - The word “Gentile.”
AWAY WITH SUCH A FELLOW - Greek: “take such a man from the earth,”
that is, “put him to death.” It is language of strong indignation
and abhorrence. The reasons of their induction were, not that they
suppos... [ Continue Reading ]
CAST OFF THEIR CLOTHES - Their outer garments. Probably they did it
now intending to stone him, Acts 7:58.
AND THREW DUST INTO THE AIR - As expressive of them abhorrence and
indignation. This was a striking exhibition of rage and malice. Paul
was guarded by Roman soldiers so that they could not inj... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CASTLE - The castle of Antonia. He would be there removed entirely
from the wrath of the Jews.
SHOULD BE EXAMINED - ἀνετάζεσθαι anetazesthai.” The
word “examine” with us commonly means “to inquire, to question,
to search for, to look carefully into a subject.” The word used here
is commonly ap... [ Continue Reading ]
BOUND HIM WITH THONGS - With cords, preparatory to scourging.
IS IT LAWFUL ... - It was directly contrary to the Roman law to bind
and scourge a Roman citizen. See the notes on Acts 16:36.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH A GREAT SUM OBTAINED I THIS FREEDOM - The freedom or privilege of
Roman citizenship. From this it would seem that the privilege of being
a Roman citizen might be purchased, unless perhaps he refers to the
expenses which were necessarily attendant in passing through the
proper forms of becoming... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN STRAIGHTWAY - Immediately. They saw that by scourging him they
would have Violated the Roman law, and exposed themselves to its
penalty.
WHICH SHOULD HAVE EXAMINED HIM - Who were about to torture him by
scourging him, Acts 22:24.
BECAUSE HE HAD BOUND HIM - Preparatory to scourging him. The act... [ Continue Reading ]
ON THE MORROW - After he had arrested Paul. Paul was still a prisoner;
and if suffered to go at liberty among the Jews, his life would have
been in danger.
AND COMMANDED THE CHIEF PRIESTS ... - Summoned a meeting of the
Sanhedrin, or Great Council of the nation. He did this, as he was
prevented fro... [ Continue Reading ]