Prophets. See on Luke 7:26. Lucius of Cyrene. Attempts have been made to identify him with Luke the evangelist; but the name Lucas is an abbreviation of Lucanus, and not of Lucius. It is worth noting, however, that, according to Herodotus (iii., 131), the physicians of Cyrene had the reputation of b... [ Continue Reading ]
Ministered [λ ε ι τ ο υ ρ γ ο υ ν τ ω ν]. See on the kindred noun ministration, Luke 1:23. This noun has passed through the following meanings : 1. A civil service, especially in the technical language of Athenian law. 2. A function or office of any kind, as of the bodily organs. 3. Sacerdotal minis... [ Continue Reading ]
Sailed. On Luke's use of words for sailing, see Introduction.... [ Continue Reading ]
Synagogues. The plural implies that the Jews were numerous in Salamis. Augustus, according to Josephus, made Herod the Great a present of half the revenue of the copper mines of Cyprus, so that numerous Jewish families would be settled in the island. In the reign of Trajan, upon the breaking out of... [ Continue Reading ]
Sorcerer [μ α γ ο ν]. That the man was an impostor is told us in the next word, but not in this term. It is the word used of the wise men who came to the Savior's cradle. See Matthew 2:1; Matthew 2:7; Matthew 2:16. Elymas was a magian; of what kind is shown by false prophet. See on Matthew 2:1. Bar... [ Continue Reading ]
The deputy [α ν θ υ π α τ ω]. Better, Rev., proconsul. See Introduction to Luke, on Luke's accuracy in designating public officers. Sergius Paulus. Di Cesnola relates the discovery at Soli, which, next to Salamis, was the most important city in the island, of a slab with a Greek inscription contain... [ Continue Reading ]
Elymas. An Arabic word, meaning the wise, and equivalent to Magus. See on ver. 6. Withstood. "The position of soothsayer to a Roman proconsul, even though it could only last a year, was too distinguished and too lucrative to abandon without a struggle" (Farrar, " Life and Work of Paul ").... [ Continue Reading ]
Saul - Paul. The first occurrence of the name of Paul in the Acts. Hereafter he is constantly so called, except when there is a reference to the earlier period of his life. Various explanations are given of the change of name. The most satisfactory seems to be that it was customary for Hellenistic J... [ Continue Reading ]
Mischief [ρ α δ ι ο υ ρ γ ι α ς]. Only here in New Testament. Originally, ease or facility in doing; hence readiness in turning the hand to anything, bad or good; and so recklessness, unscrupulousness, wickedness. A kindred word (rJadiourghma, lewdness, Rev., villainy) occurs at ch. 18 14. Right wa... [ Continue Reading ]
Mist [α χ λ υ ς]. Only here in New Testament. The word is used by medical writers as a name for a disease of the eyes. The mention of the successive stages, first dimness, then total darkness, are characteristic of the physician. "The first miracle which Paul performed was the infliction of a judgme... [ Continue Reading ]
Astonished [ε κ π λ η σ σ ο μ ε ν ο ς]. See on Matthew 7:28.... [ Continue Reading ]
Loosed [α ν α χ θ ε ν τ ε ς]. See on Luke 8:22. Paul and his company [ο ι π ε ρ ι τ ο ν π α υ λ ο ν]. Lit., those around Paul. In later writers, used to denote the principal person alone, as John 11:19, came to Mary and Martha; where the Greek literally reads, came to the women around Mary and Mart... [ Continue Reading ]
Exhortation. See on ch. Acts 9:31.... [ Continue Reading ]
Beckoning. See on ch. Acts 12:17. Men of Israel. See on ch. Acts 3:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
People [λ α ο υ]. Restricted in the Acts to the people of Israel.... [ Continue Reading ]
Suffered he their manners [ε τ ρ ο π ο φ ο ρ η σ ε ν]. From propov, fashion or manner, and forew, to bear or suffer. The preferable reading, however, is ejtrofoforhsen; from trofov, a nurse; and the figure is explained by, and probably was drawn from, Deuteronomy 1:31. The American revisers properly... [ Continue Reading ]
Divided by lot [κ α τ ε κ λ η ρ ο ν ο μ η σ ε ν]. The A. V. gives the literal rendering. The Rev., gave them their land for an inheritance, is correct, so far as the meaning inheritance is concerned (see on 1 Peter 1:4), but does not give the sense of distribution which is contained in the word.... [ Continue Reading ]
Before his coming [π ρ ο π ρ ο σ ω π ο υ τ η ς ε ι σ ο δ ο υ α υ τ ο υ]. Lit., before the face of his entrance. A Hebrew form of expression.... [ Continue Reading ]
Think ye [υ π ο ν ο ε ι τ ε]. Originally, to think secretly : hence to suspect, conjecture.... [ Continue Reading ]
To you. The best texts read to us.... [ Continue Reading ]
Hath fulfilled [ε κ π ε π λ η ρ ω κ ε]. Completely fulfilled; force of ejk, out and out.... [ Continue Reading ]
The sure mercies [τ α ο σ ι α τ α π ι σ τ α]. Lit., the holy things, the sure. Rev., the holy and sure blessings.... [ Continue Reading ]
Suffer [δ ω σ ε ι ς]. Lit., give.... [ Continue Reading ]
Was laid unto [π ρ ο σ ε τ ε θ η]. Lit., was added unto. Compare ch. Acts 2:47; Acts 5:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
Perish [α φ α ν ι σ θ η τ ε]. Lit., vanish. Declare [ε κ δ ι η γ η τ α ι]. Only here and ch. 14 3. See on shew, Luke 8:39. The word is a very strong expression for the fullest and clearest declaration : declare throughout.... [ Continue Reading ]
Next [μ ε τ α ξ υ]. The word commonly means intermediate, and hence is explained by some as referring to the intermediate week. But the meaning is fixed by ver. 44; and though the word does not occur in the New Testament elsewhere in the sense of next, it has that meaning sometimes in later Greek.... [ Continue Reading ]
Religious [σ ε β ο μ ε ν ω ν]. Lit., worshipping. Compare ver. 50 and ch. 16 14. Proselytes [π ρ ο σ η λ υ τ ω ν]. Originally, one who arrives at a place; a stranger; thence of one who comes over to another faith.... [ Continue Reading ]
Envy [ζ η λ ο υ]. Rev., jealousy. See on James 3:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
Put [α π ω θ ε ι σ θ ε]. Not strong enough. Better, as Rev., thrust, denoting violent rejection. Lo [ι δ ο υ]. Marking a crisis.... [ Continue Reading ]
Honorable [ε υ σ χ η μ ο ν α ς]. See on Mark 14:43. Women of rank, or, as Rev., of honorable state. Coasts [ο ρ ι ω ν]. Not a good rendering, because it implies merely a sea - coast; whereas the word is a general one for boundaries.... [ Continue Reading ]
Shook off. See on Matthew 10:14. Dust. See on Luke 10:11.... [ Continue Reading ]