William Burkitt's Expository Notes

Acts 21:31

Note here, 1. How the great and gracious God provideth seasonable rescues for his persecuted and perplexed saints and servant: When they went about to kill Paul, God raises him up. deliverer.

Note, 2. The unexpected instrument of the apostle's deliverance, and that was an heathen governor. The Romans never durst trust such vast multitudes at Jewish festivals without. strong garrison to be. check upon them; accordingly the governor, having tidings of the tumult, brings down. band of soldiers, to see the peace kept; he rescues the injured apostle out of their hands, commands him to be bound with two chains, as Agabas had foretold, and the soldiers bear him up in their arms from the violence of the people.

Hence we learn, 1. That. bad government, even an heathenish government, is better than anarchy. Under. tyrannical government many may be uneasy, but under popular rage none can be long at rest.

Learn, 2. That heathens are oftentimes the protectors of Christians against the blind rage of those that profess to worship the same God. St. Paul and thest believing Jews worshipped the same God, and yet the heathen soldiers were fain by force to carry and guard the apostle from the fury of the bloody unbelieving Jews.

Thus God raiseth up what instruments he pleaseth to subserve his own gracious ends and designs in the preservation of his people. The barbarous heathen soldiers protect St. Paul, and keep him from being torn in pieces by the Jews, who worshipped the same God with him.

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William Burkitt's Expository Notes

Acts 21:31

Old Testament

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