Here we have observable the apostle's sober and ingenuous profession and protestation, Ananias's insolent and injurious injunction, St. Paul's zealous answer and contestation. Observe, 1. The apostle's sober and ingenuous profession and protestation, ver. 1. I HAVE LIVED IN ALL GOOD CONSCIENCE UNTO... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, That Ananias the high-priest having commanded the apostle unheard and uncondemned to be smitten, the apostle denounces the just judgments of God upon him for the same; yet not in. way of imprecation, but prediction; rather foretelling what would come, than wishing or desiring that it s... [ Continue Reading ]
Several interpretations are given by expositors of these words, I WIST not, brethern, that he was the high-priest. 1. SOME THINK THAT ST. PAUL DID NOT REALLY KNOW THE HIGH-PRIEST, HAVING BEEN GONE SO LONG FROM JERUSALEM; AND THE HIGH-PRIEST BEING MADE YEARLY. Others say, 2. That there being. great... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, The innocent policy which the apostle uses for his own preservation: he, perceiving that the council before whom he stood were not all of. piece, but patched up of Pharisees and Sadducees, he publicly professes himself. Pharisee by education, and of that persuasion now in point of the... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. How sad. state, and how bad. condition, was the Jewish church now in, when in the Sanhedrin, or great council, men had power and authority, who believed in no life but this; and what hypocrites were the Pharisees, who could thus incorporate and embody with damnable heretics, the Sad... [ Continue Reading ]
St. Paul was now in the midst of difficulty and danger; but observe how seasonably God steps in for his succour and deliverance: First, he stirs up that heathen tribune, the chief captain Lysias, who was present at the trial, to see his prisoner have fair play; the Lord stirs up this man to rescue t... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. barbarous and bloody plot,. cursed combination and conspiracy, against the life of the innocent and useful apostle: no sooner was it daylight, but the wicked Jews bind themselves by an oath, never to eat or drink more, until they eat the apostle's flesh, and drink his blood. Thus TH... [ Continue Reading ]
Note here, 1. That no conspiracies are or can be kept secret from God, who can both detect them, and defeat them at his pleasure. Note, The remarkable providence of God in bringing this conspiracy to the knowledge of St. Paul's sister's son: he was perhaps by, when the conspirators were contriving... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. How wonderfully God overruled the heart of the chief captain, in that he took care both of St. Paul, and the young man also: he bids the young man depart; for had it been known that he had discovered the conspiracy, they had conspired against his life; and had not the chief captain... [ Continue Reading ]
The chief captain Lysias having sent St. Paul under. strong guard to Cesarea by night, where Felix the Roman governor resided, he writes. letter to acquaint Felix with the accusation laid to the prisoner's charge. In which letter observe, 1. The title given to the Roman governor, MOST EXCELLENT: CL... [ Continue Reading ]
The apostle being brought before Felix the Roman governor, although he was an heathen, yet he showed the apostle far more favour than his own countrymen the Jews: for, observe, 1. His affability to St. Paul, IN ASKING HIM OF HIS COUNTRY. 2. His justice; he would not judge him till he had his accuse... [ Continue Reading ]