AND AFTER FIVE DAYS - This time was occupied, doubtless, in their receiving the command to go to Caesarea, and in making the necessary arrangements. This was the twelfth day after Paul’s arrival at Jerusalem. See Acts 24:11. ANANIAS, THE HIGH PRIEST - See the notes on Acts 23:2. DESCENDED - Came d... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN HE WAS CALLED FORTH - When Paul was called forth from prison. See Acts 23:35. WE ENJOY GREAT QUIETNESS - This was said in the customary style of flatterers and orators, to conciliate the favor of the judge, and is strikingly in contrast with the more honest and straight forward introduction... [ Continue Reading ]
WE ACCEPT IT ALWAYS - We admit that it is owing to your vigilance, and we accept your interposition to promote peace with gratitude. ALWAYS, AND IN ALL PLACES - Not merely in your presence, but we always acknowledge that it is owing to your vigilance that the land is secure. “What we now do in your... [ Continue Reading ]
BE NOT FURTHER TEDIOUS UNTO THEE - By taking up your time with an introduction and with commendation.... [ Continue Reading ]
WE HAVE FOUND THIS MAN A PESTILENT FELLOW - λοιμὸν loimon This word is commonly applied to a plague or pestilence, and then to a man who corrupts the morals of others, or who is turbulent, and an exciter of sedition. Our translation somewhat weakens the force of the original expression. Tertullus d... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO ALSO HATH GONE ABOUT - Who has endeavored. TO PROFANE THE TEMPLE - This was a serious, but unfounded charge. It arose from the gross calumny of the Jews, when they pretended that he had introduced Greeks into that sacred place, Acts 21:28. To this charge he replies in Acts 24:18. AND WOULD HAV... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THE CHIEF CAPTAIN ... - Tertullus pretends that they would have judged Paul righteously if Lysias had not interposed; but the truth was, that, without regard to law or justice, they would have murdered him on the spot.... [ Continue Reading ]
COMMANDING HIS ACCUSERS ... - Acts 23:30. BY EXAMINING OF WHOM - That is, the Jews who were then present. Tertullus offered them as his witnesses of the truth of what he had said. It is evident that we have here only the summary or outline of the speech which he made It is incredible that a Roman r... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE JEWS ALSO ASSENTED - The Jews who had accompanied Tertullus to Caesarea. They had gone as the accusers of Paul, and they bore testimony, when called upon, to the truth of all that the orator had said. Whether they were examined individually or not is not declared. In whatever way their testi... [ Continue Reading ]
HAD BECKONED UNTO HIM TO SPEAK - Either by a nod or by the hand, HAST BEEN OF MANY YEARS - Felix and Cumanus had been joint governors of Judea; but after Cumanus had been condemned for his bad administration of affairs, the government fell entirely into the hands of Felix. This was about seven year... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE THAT THOU MAYEST UNDERSTAND - Greek: “Thou being able to know.” That is, he could understand or know by taking the proper evidence. Paul does not mean to say that Felix could understand the case because he had been many years a judge of that nation. That fact would qualify him to judge corre... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY NEITHER FOUND ME ... - The first charge of Tertullus against Paul was Acts 24:5 that he was “a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition.” The charge of his being a Test was so general that Paul did not think it necessary to attempt to refute it. To the specification that he was a mover of... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER CAN THEY PROVE THE THINGS ... - That is, that I am a mover of sedition, or a disturber of the peace of the people. This appeal he boldly makes; he challenges investigation; and as they did not offer to specify any acts of disorder or tumult excited by him, this charge falls of course.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THIS I CONFESS ... - The next specification in the charge of Tertullus was Acts 24:5 that he was “a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.” To this, Paul replies in this and the two following verses. Of this reply we may observe: (1) That he does not stoop to notice the contempt implied in th... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HAVE HOPE TOWARD GOD - Having a hope of the resurrection of the dead, which arises from the promises of God. WHICH THEY THEMSELVES ... - That is, the Pharisees. Perhaps he designated in this remark the Pharisees who were present. He held nothing in this great cardinal point which they did not a... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HEREIN - In this, or for this purpose. DO I EXERCISE MYSELF - ἀσκῶ askō. I accustom or employ myself; I make it my constant aim. Paul often appeals to his conscientiousness as the leading habit of his life. Even before his conversion he endeavored to act according to the dictates of conscien... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW AFTER MANY YEARS - After many years’ absence. Paul here commences a reply to the charge of Tentullus, that he had endeavored to profane the temple, Acts 24:6. He begins by saying that his design in coming up to Jerusalem was to bring to his countrymen needed aid in a time of distress. It would b... [ Continue Reading ]
CERTAIN JEWS FROM ASIA - Acts 21:27. FOUND ME PURIFIED IN THE TEMPLE - Acts 21:26. They found me engaged in the sacred service of completing the observance of my vow. NEITHER WITH MULTITUDE - Not having introduced a multitude with me - in a quiet and peaceful manner.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO OUGHT TO HAVE BEEN HERE ... - They were the proper witnesses, and as they had staid away it showed that they were not prepared to undergo a strict examination. They alone could testify as to anything that occurred in the temple; and as they were not present, that charge ought to be dismissed.... [ Continue Reading ]
OR ELSE - Since they are not here to witness against me in regard to what occurred in the temple, let these here present bear witness against me, if they can, in regard to any other part of my conduct. This was a bold appeal, and it showed his full consciousness of innocence. LET THESE SAME HERE SA... [ Continue Reading ]
EXCEPT IT BE FOR THIS ONE VOICE - For this one expression or declaration. This was what Paul had said before the council - the main thing on which he had insisted, and he calls on them to testify to this, and to show, if they could, that in this declaration he had been wrong. Chubb and other infidel... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING MORE PERFECT KNOWLEDGE OF THAT WAY - Our translation of this verse is very obscure, and critics are divided about the proper interpretation of the original. Many (Erasmus, Luther, Michaelis, Morus, etc.) render it, “Although he had a more perfect knowledge of the Christian doctrine than Paul’... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE COMMANDED ... - It is evident from this verse that Felix was disposed to show Paul all the favors that were consistent with his safe keeping. He esteemed him to be a persecuted man, and doubtless regarded the charges against him as entirely malicious. What was Felix’s motive in this cannot be... [ Continue Reading ]
FELIX CAME WITH HIS WIFE DRUSILLA - Drusilla was the daughter of Herod Agrippa the elder, and was engaged to be married to Epiphanes, the son of King Antiochus, on condition that he would embrace the Jewish religion; but as he afterward refused to do that, the contract was broken off. Afterward she... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AS HE REASONED - Greek: “And he discoursing” - διαλεγομένου δὲ αὐτοῦ dialegomenou de autou. No argument should be drawn from the word that is used here to prove that Paul particularly appealed to reason, or that his discourse was argumentative. That it was so is, indeed, not improbable, from... [ Continue Reading ]
HE HOPED ALSO - He thought that by giving him access to his friends, and by often meeting him himself, and showing kindness, Paul might be induced to attempt to purchase his freedom with a bribe. THAT MONEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN HIM OF PAUL - That Paul would give him money to procure a release. Thi... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT AFTER TWO YEARS - Paul was unjustly detained during all this time. The hope of Felix seems to have been to weary his patience, and induce him to purchase his freedom. CAME INTO FELIX’ ROOM - As governor. AND FELIX, WILLING TO SHOW THE JEWS A PLEASURE - Desirous of pleasing them, even at the ex... [ Continue Reading ]