_And Saul, yet_ (ετι _, adhuc, hitherto_, or _still_) _breathing out threatenings and slaughter_ This very emphatical expression refers to what is related of Saul, Acts 8:3; (where see the note;) and it shows that his zeal against the followers of Christ was so outrageous that he could be satisfied... [ Continue Reading ]
_And as he journeyed_ Full of wrath against the Lord's disciples; and _came near to Damascus, suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven_ This, doubtless, was occasioned by the rays of glory which darted from our Lord's body. Some have thought that Saul, being a learned Jew, would eas... [ Continue Reading ]
_And, trembling and astonished_ To find that he whom he had so often affronted and despised, yea, blasphemously and virulently opposed, even Jesus of Nazareth, was such a glorious and powerful person; and yet, that instead of destroying him immediately, as he might have easily done, he had condescen... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the men which journeyed with him_ Who at first fell to the ground, as Saul did: upon recovering themselves and rising up; _stood speechless_ With astonishment and terror; _hearing a voice_ Ακουοντες μεν της φωνης, _hearing indeed the voice;_ namely, the sound of that voice which had spoken to S... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Saul arose from the earth_ When Christ bade him; but probably not without help, the vision having made him faint and weak, like Daniel; when, upon receiving a vision, _no strength remained in him, Daniel 10:16_. _And when his eyes were open, he saw no man_ He was incapable of discerning objects... [ Continue Reading ]
_And there was a disciple named Ananias_ This Ananias, before his conversion to Christianity, had lived so conformably to the law, that he was much esteemed by all the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, Acts 22:12. And after his conversion, his piety being still more conspicuous, he was a person of great n... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then Ananias_ Astonished to hear such a name mentioned in such a connection; _answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man_ What a malicious enemy he is to thy gospel: all those who were scattered upon the late persecution, many of whom are come to Damascus, _tell how much evil he hath done to... [ Continue Reading ]
_But the Lord said, Go thy way_ Do not tell me how bad he has been; I know it well; but go with all speed, and execute that message of mercy with which I have charged thee; _for_ How great and aggravated soever his former transgressions may have been, I assure thee he _is a chosen vessel_ Or instrum... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Ananias went his way_ With all readiness and joy undertook the message, not presuming to object any further; _and entered into the house_ To which he had been so particularly directed; _and putting his hands on him_ According to Christ's direction, Mark 16:18; _said, Brother Saul_ So he terms h... [ Continue Reading ]
_And straightway_ That is, immediately after his conversion; _he preached Christ in the synagogues_ Some writers have given it as their opinion, (see Dr. Wells on the place, and _Script. Geog._, vol. 3. p. 375,) that as soon as Saul had strength to go anywhere abroad, he retired into the desert of A... [ Continue Reading ]
Acts 9:23. _And after many days were fulfilled_ In which several events took place, which are elsewhere hinted at; and particularly after he had made an excursion into Arabia, as is mentioned Galatians 1:16, probably to spread the gospel there, or, as some suppose, that he might have opportunity, in... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when Saul was come to Jerusalem_, &c. It must be observed here, that the history of Paul's preaching at Damascus, going into Arabia, and visiting Jerusalem, is somewhat intricate, and interpreters differ much about it. But the series of it seems most probably to be as Dr. Whitby has stated it;... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then had the churches_ The whole body of Christian believers, with all their congregations, wherever they were dispersed; _throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, rest_ Ειρηνην, _peace;_ their bitterest persecutor being converted. So some. But the peace they now enjoyed, Dr. Doddridge, with man... [ Continue Reading ]
_And as Peter passed through all quarters_ Where the disciples that were dispersed had planted churches; _he came to the saints that were at Lydda_ A town of Phœnicia, situated in the tribe of Ephraim, one day's journey from Jerusalem. It stood in the plain or valley of Sharon, which extended from C... [ Continue Reading ]
_There was at Joppa_ A noted seaport in the neighbourhood, lying on the Mediterranean sea, about forty miles from Jerusalem, and the nearest maritime town to it. It is mentioned in the Old Testament by the name of _Japho_, (see Joshua 19:46,) and was the place to which the materials for building Sol... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then Peter arose and went with them_ Doubtless God inclined him so to do, intending to work an extraordinary miracle by him, for the manifestation of his truth and glory. _And when he was come_ To Tabitha's house; _they brought him into the upper chamber_ Where she was laid out. _And all the widows... [ Continue Reading ]
_And it was known_, &c. The report of this wonderful miracle was immediately spread _throughout all Joppa_ And it being a town of seafaring men, the story of it would soon be carried from thence to many other countries; and though some would not regard it, many, there is reason to suppose, would be... [ Continue Reading ]