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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Acts XXI].</TITLE>
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"This site is for those friends and family members who may or may not know Our Lord Jesus Christ, and if not, they may come to know Our Lord through His Prophets."> <meta name="author" content="Brian Duncalfe">
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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<h3><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank">Back to Biblesnet.com Home Page</a>
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<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC44020.HTM">Previous</A>]
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[<A HREF="MHC44022.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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</TD></TR></TABLE>
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>A C T S.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XXI.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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We have, with a great deal of pleasure, attended the apostle in his
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travels throughout the Gentile nations to preach the gospel, and have
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seen a great harvest of souls gathered in to Christ; there we have seen
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likewise what persecutions he endured; yet still out of them all the
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Lord presently delivered him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:11">2 Tim. iii. 11</A>.
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But now we are to attend him to Jerusalem, and there into lasting
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bonds; the days of his service now seem to be over, and nothing to
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remain but days of suffering, days of darkness, for they are many. It
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is a thousand pities that such a workman should be laid aside; yet so
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it is, and we must not only acquiesce, as his friends then did, saying,
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"The will of the Lord be done;" but we must believe, and shall find
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reason to do so, that Paul in the prison, and at the bar, is as truly
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glorifying God, and serving Christ's interest, as Paul in the pulpit
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was. In this chapter we have,
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I. A journal of Paul's voyage from Ephesus to Cæsarea, the next
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sea-port to Jerusalem, some places he touched at, and his landing there,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:1-7">ver. 1-7</A>.
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II. The struggles he had with his friends at Cæsarea, who
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mightily opposed his going up to Jerusalem, but could not prevail,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:8-14">ver. 8-14</A>.
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III. Paul's journey from Cæsarea to Jerusalem, and the kind
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entertainment which the Christians there gave him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:15-17">ver. 15-17</A>.
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IV. His compliance with the persuasions of the brethren there, who
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advised him so far to compliment the Jews as to go and purify that it
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might appear he was no such enemy to the Mosaic rites and ceremonies as
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he was reported to be,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:18-26">ver. 18-26</A>.
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V. The turning of this very thing against him by the Jews, and the
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apprehending of him in the temple as a criminal thereupon,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:27-30">ver. 27-30</A>.
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VI. The narrow escape he had of being pulled to pieces by the rabble,
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and the taking of him into fair and legal custody by the chief captain,
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who permitted him to speak for himself to the people,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:31-40">ver. 31-40</A>.
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And so we have him made a prisoner, and shall never have him otherwise
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to the end of the history of this book.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Ac21_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac21_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac21_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac21_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac21_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac21_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac21_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Paul's Voyage to Cæsarea; Paul's Arrival at Ptolemais.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and
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had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the
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<I>day</I> following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:
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2 And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went
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aboard, and set forth.
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3 Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left
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hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the
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ship was to unlade her burden.
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4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said
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to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to
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Jerusalem.
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5 And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went
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our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and
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children, till <I>we were</I> out of the city: and we kneeled down on
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the shore, and prayed.
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6 And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship;
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and they returned home again.
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7 And when we had finished <I>our</I> course from Tyre, we came to
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Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We may observe here,</P>
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<P>
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I. How much ado Paul had to get clear from Ephesus, intimated in the
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first words of the chapter, <I>after we had gotten from them,</I> that
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is, were drawn from them as by violence. It was a force put upon both
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sides; Paul was loth to leave them, and they were loth to part with
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him, and yet there was no remedy, but so it must be. When good people
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are taken away by death, they are, as it were, gotten from their
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friends here below, who struggled hard to have detained them if
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possible.</P>
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<P>
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II. What a prosperous voyage they had thence. Without any difficulty,
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<I>they came with a straight course,</I> by direct sailing, <I>to
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Coos,</I> a famous Grecian island,--<I>the next day to Rhodes,</I>
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talked of for the Colossus there,--<I>thence to Patara,</I> a famous
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port, the metropolis of Lycia
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>);
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here they very happily <I>found a ship sailing over into Phenicia,</I>
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the very course they were steering,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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Providence must be acknowledged when things happen thus opportunely,
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and we are favoured by some little circumstances that contribute to the
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expediting of our affairs; and we must say, <I>It is God that maketh
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our way perfect.</I> This ship that was bound for Phenicia (that is,
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Tyre) they took the convenience of, <I>went on board, and set sail</I>
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for Tyre. In this voyage <I>they discovered Cyprus,</I> the island that
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Barnabas was of, and which he took care of, and therefore Paul did not
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visit it, but <I>we left it on the left hand</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>),
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<I>sailed</I> upon the coast of <I>Syria, and</I> at length <I>landed
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at Tyre,</I> that celebrated mart of the nations, so it had been, but
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was now reduced; yet something of a trade it had still, <I>for there
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the ship was to unlade her burden,</I> and did so.</P>
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<P>
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III. The halt that Paul made at Tyre; when he had arrived there, he was
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upon the coast of the land of Israel, and found now that he could
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compass the remainder of his journey within the time he had fixed.</P>
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<P>
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1. <I>At Tyre he found disciples,</I> some that had embraced the
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gospel, and professed the Christian faith. Observe, Wherever Paul came,
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he enquired what disciples were there, found them out, and associated
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with them; for we know what is the usage with birds of a feather. When
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Christ was upon earth, though he went sometimes into the coast of Tyre,
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yet he never went thither to preach the gospel there; nor did he think
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fit to afford to Tyre and Sidon the advantages which Chorazin and
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Bethsaida had, though he knew that if they had had them they would have
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made a better improvement of them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+10:13,14">Luke x. 13, 14</A>.
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But, after the enlarging of the gospel-commission, Christ was preached
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at Tyre, and had disciples there; and to this, some think, that
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prophecy concerning Tyre had reference
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+23:18">Isa. xxiii. 18</A>),
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<I>Her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the Lord.</I></P>
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<P>
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2. Paul, <I>finding those disciples at Tyre, tarried there seven
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days,</I> they urging him to stay with them as long as he could. He
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staid seven days at Troas
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+20:6"><I>ch.</I> xx. 6</A>),
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and here so many days at Tyre, that he might be sure to spend one
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Lord's day with them, and so might have an opportunity of preaching
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publicly among them; for it is the desire of good men to do good
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wherever they come, and where we find disciples we may either benefit
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them or be benefited by them.</P>
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<P>
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3. The disciples at Tyre were endowed with such gifts that they could
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by the Spirit foretel the troubles Paul would meet with at Jerusalem;
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for <I>the Holy Ghost witnessed it in every city,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+20:23"><I>ch.</I> xx. 23</A>.
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Being a thing that would be so much talked of when it came to pass, God
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saw fit to have it much prophesied of before, that people's faith,
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instead of being offended, might be confirmed. And withal they were
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endowed with such graces that foreseeing his troubles, out of love to
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him and concern for the church, especially the churches of the
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Gentiles, that could ill spare him, they begged of him <I>that he would
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not go up to Jerusalem,</I> for they hoped the decree was conditional:
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If he go up, he will come into trouble there; as the prediction to
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David <I>that the men of Keilah will deliver him up</I> (that is, if he
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<I>venture himself with them</I>); and therefore they said to him,
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<I>by the Spirit, that he should not go up,</I> because they concluded
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it would be most for the glory of God that he should continue at
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liberty; and it was not at all their fault to think so, and
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consequently to dissuade him; but it was their mistake, for his trial
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would be for the glory of God and the furtherance of the gospel, and he
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knew it; and the importunity that was used with him, to dissuade him
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from it, renders his pious and truly heroic resolution the more
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illustrious.</P>
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<P>
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4. The disciples of Tyre, though they were none of Paul's converts, yet
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showed a very great respect to Paul, whose usefulness in the church
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they had heard so much of when he departed from Tyre. Though they had
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had but seven days' acquaintance with him, yet, as if he had been some
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great man, they all came together, <I>with their wives and
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children,</I> solemnly to take leave of him, to beg his blessing, and
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to bring him as far on his way as the sea would permit them. Note,
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(1.) We should pay respect, not only to our own ministers, that are
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over us in the Lord, and admonish us, and, for their work's sake among
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us, <I>esteem them highly in love,</I> but we must, as there is
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occasion, testify our love and respect to all the faithful ministers of
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Christ, both for his sake whose ministers they are, and for their
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work's sake among others.
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(2.) We must, in a particular manner, honour those whom God hath
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singularly honoured, by making them eminently useful in their
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generation.
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(3.) It is good to train up children in a respect to good people and
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good ministers. This was particularly remarkable at Tyre, which we have
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not met with any where else, that they brought their wives and children
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to attend Paul, to do him the more honour and to receive benefit by his
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instructions and prayers; and as angry notice was taken of the children
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of the idolaters of Bethel, that mocked a prophet, so, no doubt,
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gracious notice was taken of the children of the disciples at Tyre,
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that honoured an apostle, as Christ accepted the hosannas of the little
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children.
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(4.) We should be good husbands of our opportunities, and make the
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utmost we can of them for the good of our souls. <I>They brought Paul
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on his way,</I> that they might have so much the more of his company
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and his prayers. Some refer us to
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+45:12">Ps. xlv. 12</A>,
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as a prediction of this, <I>The daughter of Tyre shall be there with a
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gift;</I> for it is probable that they made some presents to Paul at
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parting, as usual to our friends that are going to sea,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+28:10"><I>ch.</I> xxviii. 10</A>.</P>
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<P>
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5. They parted with prayer, as Paul and the Ephesians elders had done,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+20:36"><I>ch.</I> xx. 36</A>.
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Thus Paul has taught us by example, as well as rule, to pray always, to
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pray without ceasing. <I>We kneeled down on the shore and prayed.</I>
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Paul prayed for himself, prayed for them, prayed for all the churches;
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as he was much in prayer so he was mighty in prayer. They prayed upon
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the shore, that their last farewell might be sanctified and sweetened
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with prayer. Those that are going to sea should, when they quit the
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shore, commit themselves to God by prayer, and put themselves under his
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protection, as those that hope, even when they leave the <I>terra
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firma,</I> to find firm footing for their faith in the providence and
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promise of God. They kneeled down on the shore, though we may suppose
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it either stony or dirty, and there prayed. Paul would <I>that men
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should pray every where,</I> and so he did himself; and, where he
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|
|
lifted up his prayer, he bowed his knees. Mr. George Herbert says,
|
||
|
|
<I>Kneeling never spoiled silk stockings.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
6. They parted at last
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>When we had taken our leave one of another,</I> with the most
|
||
|
|
affectionate embraces and expressions of love and grief, <I>we took
|
||
|
|
ship</I> to be gone, and <I>they returned home again,</I> each
|
||
|
|
complaining that this is a parting world. Observe how they disposed of
|
||
|
|
themselves: "We, that had a journey before us, took ship, thankful that
|
||
|
|
we had a ship to carry us; and those, who had no occasions to call them
|
||
|
|
abroad returned home again, thankful that they had a home to go to."
|
||
|
|
<I>Rejoice Zebulun in thy going out, and Issachar in thy tents.</I>
|
||
|
|
Paul left his blessing behind him with those that returned home, and
|
||
|
|
those that staid sent their prayers after those that went to sea.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
IV. Their arrival at Ptolemais, which was not far from Tyre
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>We came to Ptolemais,</I> which some think is the same place with
|
||
|
|
Accho, which we find in the tribe of Asher,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+1:31">Judg. i. 31</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Paul begged leave to go ashore there, <I>to salute the brethren,</I> to
|
||
|
|
enquire of their state, and to testify his good will to them; though he
|
||
|
|
could not stay long with them, yet he would not pass by them without
|
||
|
|
paying his respects to them, and he <I>abode with them one day,</I>
|
||
|
|
perhaps it was a Lord's day; better a short stay than no visit.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ac21_8"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ac21_9"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ac21_10"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ac21_11"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ac21_12"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ac21_13"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ac21_14"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Prophecy of Agabus; Paul's Adherence to His Resolution to Visit Jerusalem.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>8 And the next <I>day</I> we that were of Paul's company departed,
|
||
|
|
and came unto Cæsarea: and we entered into the house of Philip
|
||
|
|
the evangelist, which was <I>one</I> of the seven; and abode with him.
|
||
|
|
9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did
|
||
|
|
prophesy.
|
||
|
|
10 And as we tarried <I>there</I> many days, there came down from
|
||
|
|
Judæa a certain prophet, named Agabus.
|
||
|
|
11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and
|
||
|
|
bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy
|
||
|
|
Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth
|
||
|
|
this girdle, and shall deliver <I>him</I> into the hands of the
|
||
|
|
Gentiles.
|
||
|
|
12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that
|
||
|
|
place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
|
||
|
|
13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine
|
||
|
|
heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at
|
||
|
|
Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
|
||
|
|
14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The
|
||
|
|
will of the Lord be done.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We have here Paul and his company arrived at length at Cæsarea, where
|
||
|
|
he designed to make some stay, it being the place where the gospel was
|
||
|
|
first preached to the Gentiles, and <I>the Holy Ghost fell upon
|
||
|
|
them,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+10:1,44"><I>ch.</I> x. 1, 44</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Now here we are told,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. Who it was that entertained Paul and his company <I>at
|
||
|
|
Cæsarea.</I> He seldom had occasion to go to a public house, but,
|
||
|
|
wherever he came, some friend or other took him in, and bade him
|
||
|
|
welcome. Observe, those that had sailed together parted when the voyage
|
||
|
|
was accomplished, according as their business was. "Those that were
|
||
|
|
concerned in the cargo staid where the ship was <I>to unlade her
|
||
|
|
burden</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
others, when they came to Ptolemais, went as their occasions led them;
|
||
|
|
but we that were of Paul's company went where he went, and came to
|
||
|
|
Cæsarea." Those that travel together through this world will separate
|
||
|
|
at death, and then it will appear who are of Paul's company and who are
|
||
|
|
not. Now at Cæsarea.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. They were entertained by Philip the evangelist, whom we left at
|
||
|
|
Cæsarea many years ago, after he had baptized the eunuch
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+8:40"><I>ch.</I> viii. 40</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and there we now find him again.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) He was originally a deacon, one of the seven that were chosen to
|
||
|
|
serve tables,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+6:5"><I>ch.</I> vi. 5</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) He was now and had long been an evangelist, one that went about to
|
||
|
|
plant and water churches, as the apostles did, and gave himself, as
|
||
|
|
they did, <I>to the word and prayer;</I> thus, having <I>used the
|
||
|
|
office of a deacon well, he purchased to himself a good degree;</I>
|
||
|
|
and, having been <I>faithful in a few things, was made ruler over many
|
||
|
|
things.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) He had a house at Cæsarea, fit to entertain Paul and all his
|
||
|
|
company, and he bade him and them very welcome to it; <I>We entered
|
||
|
|
into the house of Philip the evangelist, and we abode with him.</I>
|
||
|
|
Thus does it become Christians and ministers, according as their
|
||
|
|
ability is, to <I>use hospitality one to another, without grudging,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+4:9">1 Pet. iv. 9</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. This Philip <I>had four maiden daughters, who did prophesy,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
It intimates that they prophesied of Paul's troubles at Jerusalem, as
|
||
|
|
others had done, and dissuaded him from going; or perhaps they
|
||
|
|
prophesied for his comfort and encouragement, in reference to the
|
||
|
|
difficulties that were before him. Here was a further accomplishment of
|
||
|
|
that prophecy,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joe+2:28">Joel ii. 28</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
of such a plentiful pouring out of the Spirit upon all flesh that their
|
||
|
|
<I>sons and their daughters should prophesy,</I> that is, foretel
|
||
|
|
things to come.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. A plain and full prediction of the sufferings of Paul, by a noted
|
||
|
|
prophet,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:10,11"><I>v.</I> 10, 11</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Paul and his company tarried many days at Cæsarea, perhaps
|
||
|
|
Cornelius was yet living there, and (though Philip lodged them) yet
|
||
|
|
might be many ways kind to them, and induce them to stay there. What
|
||
|
|
cause Paul saw to tarry so long there, and to make so little haste at
|
||
|
|
the latter end of his journey to Jerusalem, when he seemed so much in
|
||
|
|
haste at the beginning of it, we cannot tell; but we are sure he did
|
||
|
|
not stay either there or any where else to be idle; he measured his
|
||
|
|
time by days, and numbered them.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. <I>Agabus the prophet came to Cæsarea from Judea;</I> this was
|
||
|
|
he of whom we read before, who came <I>from Jerusalem to Antioch,</I>
|
||
|
|
to foretel a general famine,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+11:27,28"><I>ch.</I> xi. 27, 28</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
See how God dispenseth his gifts variously. To Paul was given the word
|
||
|
|
of wisdom and knowledge, as an apostle, by the Spirit, and the gifts of
|
||
|
|
healing; to Agabus, and to Philip's daughters, was given prophecy, by
|
||
|
|
the same Spirit--the foretelling of things to come, which came to pass
|
||
|
|
according to the prediction. See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+12:8,10">1 Cor. xii. 8, 10</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
So that that which was the most eminent gift of the Spirit under the
|
||
|
|
Old Testament, the foretelling of things to come, was under the New
|
||
|
|
Testament quite outshone by other gifts, and was bestowed upon those
|
||
|
|
that were of less note in the church. It should seem as if Agabus came
|
||
|
|
on purpose to Cæsarea, to meet Paul with this prophetic
|
||
|
|
intelligence.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. He foretold Paul's bonds at Jerusalem,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) By a sign, as the prophets of old did, Isaiah
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+20:3"><I>ch.</I> xx. 3</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Jeremiah
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+13:1,27:2"><I>ch.</I> xiii. 1; xxvii. 2</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Ezekiel
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+4:1,12:3"><I>ch.</I> iv. 1; xii. 3</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and many others. <I>Agabus took Paul's girdle,</I> when he laid it by,
|
||
|
|
or perhaps took it from about him, and with it <I>bound</I> first
|
||
|
|
<I>his own hands, and then his own feet,</I> or perhaps bound his hands
|
||
|
|
and feet together; this was designed both to confirm the prophecy (it
|
||
|
|
was as sure to be done as if it were done already) and to affect those
|
||
|
|
about him with it, because that which we see usually makes a greater
|
||
|
|
impression upon us than that which we only hear of.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) By an explication of the sign: <I>Thus saith the Holy Ghost,</I>
|
||
|
|
the Spirit of prophecy, <I>So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man
|
||
|
|
that owneth this girdle, and,</I> as they dealt with his Master
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+20:18,19">Matt. xx. 18, 19</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles,</I> as the Jews in
|
||
|
|
other places had all along endeavoured to do, by accusing him to the
|
||
|
|
Roman governors. Paul had this express warning given him of his
|
||
|
|
troubles, that he might prepare for them, and that when they came they
|
||
|
|
might be no surprise nor terror to him; the general notice given us
|
||
|
|
<I>that through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of
|
||
|
|
God</I> should be of the same use to us.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. The great importunity which his friends used with him to dissuade
|
||
|
|
him from going forward to Jerusalem,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
"Not only those of that place, but we that were of Paul's company, and
|
||
|
|
among the rest Luke himself, who had heard this often before, and seen
|
||
|
|
Paul's resolution notwithstanding, besought him with tears that he
|
||
|
|
would not go up to Jerusalem, but steer his course some other way."
|
||
|
|
Now,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Here appeared a commendable affection to Paul, and a value for him,
|
||
|
|
upon account of his great usefulness in the church. Good men that are
|
||
|
|
very active sometimes need to be dissuaded from overworking themselves,
|
||
|
|
and good men that are very bold need to be dissuaded from exposing
|
||
|
|
themselves too far. <I>The Lord is for the body,</I> and so we must be.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Yet there was a mixture of infirmity, especially in those of Paul's
|
||
|
|
company, who knew he undertook this journey by divine direction, and
|
||
|
|
had seen with what resolution he had before broken through the like
|
||
|
|
opposition. But we see in them the infirmity incident to us all; when
|
||
|
|
we see trouble at a distance, and have only a general notice of it, we
|
||
|
|
can make light of it; but when it comes near we begin to shrink, and
|
||
|
|
draw back. <I>Now that it toucheth thee thou art troubled,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+4:5">Job iv. 5</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
IV. The holy bravery and intrepidity with which Paul persisted in his
|
||
|
|
resolution,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He reproves them for dissuading him. Here is a quarrel of love on
|
||
|
|
both sides, and very sincere and strong affections clashing with each
|
||
|
|
other. They love him dearly, and therefore oppose his resolution; he
|
||
|
|
loves them dearly, and therefore chides them for opposing it: <I>What
|
||
|
|
mean you to weep and to break my heart?</I> They were an offence to
|
||
|
|
him, as Peter was to Christ, when, in a like case, he said, <I>Master,
|
||
|
|
spare thyself.</I> Their weeping about him <I>broke his heart.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) It was a temptation to him, it shocked him, it began to weaken
|
||
|
|
and slacken his resolution, and caused him to entertain thoughts of
|
||
|
|
tacking about: "I know I am appointed to suffering, and you ought to
|
||
|
|
animate and encourage me, and to say that which will strengthen my
|
||
|
|
heart; but you, with your tears, break my heart, and discourage me.
|
||
|
|
What do you mean by doing thus? Has not our Master told us to take up
|
||
|
|
our cross? And would you have me to avoid mine?"
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) It was a trouble to him that they should so earnestly press him to
|
||
|
|
that in which he could not gratify them without wronging his
|
||
|
|
conscience. Paul was of a very tender spirit. As he was much in tears
|
||
|
|
himself, so he had a compassionate regard to the tears of his friends;
|
||
|
|
they made a great impression upon him, and would bring him almost to
|
||
|
|
yield to any thing. But now it breaks his heart, when he is under a
|
||
|
|
necessity of denying the request of his weeping friends. It was an
|
||
|
|
unkind kindness, a cruel pity, thus to torment him with their
|
||
|
|
dissuasions, and to add affliction to his grief. When our friends are
|
||
|
|
called out to sufferings, we shall show our love rather by comforting
|
||
|
|
them than by sorrowing for them. But observe, These Christians at
|
||
|
|
Cæsarea, if they could have foreseen the particulars of that
|
||
|
|
event, the general notice of which they received with so much
|
||
|
|
heaviness, would have been better reconciled to it for their own sakes;
|
||
|
|
for, when Paul was made a prisoner at Jerusalem, he was presently sent
|
||
|
|
to Cæsarea, the very place where he now was
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+23:33"><I>ch.</I> xxiii. 33</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and there he continued at least <I>two years</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+24:27"><I>ch.</I> xxiv. 27</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and he was a prisoner at large, as appears
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+24:23"><I>ch.</I> xxiv. 23</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
orders being given that he should have liberty to go among his friends,
|
||
|
|
and his friends to come to him; so that the church at Cæsarea had
|
||
|
|
much more of Paul's company and help when he was imprisoned than they
|
||
|
|
could have had if he had been at liberty. That which we oppose, as
|
||
|
|
thinking it to operate much against us, may be overruled by the
|
||
|
|
providence of God to work for us, which is a reason why we should
|
||
|
|
follow providence, and not fear it.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He repeats his resolution to go forward, notwithstanding: "<I>What
|
||
|
|
mean you to weep thus? I am ready</I> to suffer whatever is appointed
|
||
|
|
for me. I am fully determined to go, whatever comes of it, and
|
||
|
|
therefore it is to no purpose for you to oppose it. I am willing to
|
||
|
|
suffer, and therefore why are you unwilling that I should suffer? Am
|
||
|
|
not I nearest myself, and fittest to judge for myself? If the trouble
|
||
|
|
found me unready, it would be a trouble indeed, and you might well weep
|
||
|
|
at the thoughts of it. But, blessed be God, it does not. It is very
|
||
|
|
welcome to me, and therefore should not be such a terror to you. For my
|
||
|
|
part, <I>I am ready,</I>" <B><I>etoimos echo</I></B>--<I>I have myself
|
||
|
|
in a readiness,</I> as soldiers for an engagement. "I expect trouble, I
|
||
|
|
count upon it, it will be no surprise to me. I was told at first
|
||
|
|
<I>what great things I must suffer,</I>"
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:16"><I>ch.</I> ix. 16</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
"I am <I>prepared</I> for it, by a clear conscience, a firm confidence
|
||
|
|
in God, a holy contempt of the world and the body, a lively faith in
|
||
|
|
Christ, and a joyful hope of eternal life. I can <I>bid it welcome,</I>
|
||
|
|
as we do a friend that we look for, and have made preparation for. I
|
||
|
|
can, through grace, not only bear it, but rejoice in it." Now,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) See how far his resolution extends: You are told that I must be
|
||
|
|
bound at Jerusalem, and you would have me keep away for fear of this. I
|
||
|
|
tell you, "<I>I am ready not only to be bound, but,</I> if the will of
|
||
|
|
God be so, <I>to die at Jerusalem;</I> not only to lose my liberty, but
|
||
|
|
to lose my life." It is our wisdom to think of the worst that may befal
|
||
|
|
us, and to prepare accordingly, that we may <I>stand complete in all
|
||
|
|
the will of God.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) See what it is that carries him out thus, that makes him willing
|
||
|
|
to suffer and die: it is <I>for the name of the Lord Jesus.</I> All
|
||
|
|
that a man has will he give for his life; but life itself will Paul
|
||
|
|
give for the service and honour of the name of Christ.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
V. The patient acquiescence of his friends in his resolution,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. They submitted to the wisdom of a good man. They had carried the
|
||
|
|
matter as far as they could with decency; but, "<I>when he would not be
|
||
|
|
persuaded, we ceased</I> our importunity. Paul knows best his own
|
||
|
|
mind, and what he has to do, and it becomes us to leave it to himself,
|
||
|
|
and not to censure him for what he does, nor to say he is rash, and
|
||
|
|
wilful, and humoursome, and has a spirit of contradiction, as some
|
||
|
|
people are apt to judge of those that will not do just as they would
|
||
|
|
have them do. No doubt, Paul has a good reason for his resolution,
|
||
|
|
though he sees cause to keep it to himself, and God has gracious ends
|
||
|
|
to serve in confirming him in it." It is good manners not to over-press
|
||
|
|
those in their own affairs that will not be persuaded.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. They submitted to the will of a good God: <I>We ceased,</I> saying,
|
||
|
|
<I>The will of the Lord be done.</I> They did not resolve his
|
||
|
|
resolution into his stubbornness, but into his willingness to suffer,
|
||
|
|
and God's will that he should. <I>Father in heaven, thy will be
|
||
|
|
done,</I> as it is a rule to our prayers and to our practice, so it is
|
||
|
|
to our patience. This may refer,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) To Paul's present firmness; he is inflexible, and unpersuadable,
|
||
|
|
and in this they see the will of the Lord done. "It is he that has
|
||
|
|
wrought this fixed resolution in him, and therefore we acquiesce in
|
||
|
|
it." Note, In the turning of the hearts of our friends or ministers,
|
||
|
|
this way or that way (and it may be quite another way than we could
|
||
|
|
wish), we should eye the hand of God, and submit to that.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) To his approaching sufferings: "If there be no remedy, but Paul
|
||
|
|
will run himself into bonds, the will of the Lord Jesus be done. We
|
||
|
|
have done all that we could do on our parts to prevent it, and now we
|
||
|
|
leave it to God, we leave it to Christ, to whom the Father has
|
||
|
|
committed all judgment, and therefore we do, not as we will, but as he
|
||
|
|
will." Note, When we see trouble coming, and particularly that of our
|
||
|
|
ministers' being silenced or removed from us, it becomes us to say,
|
||
|
|
<I>The will of the Lord be done.</I> God is wise, and knows how to make
|
||
|
|
all work for good, and therefore "welcome his holy will." Not only,
|
||
|
|
"The will of the Lord must be done, and there is no remedy;" but, "Let
|
||
|
|
the will of the Lord be done, for his will is his wisdom, and he doeth
|
||
|
|
all according to the counsel of it; let him therefore do with us and
|
||
|
|
ours as seemeth good in his eyes." When a trouble is come, this must
|
||
|
|
allay our griefs, that the will of the Lord is done; when we see it
|
||
|
|
coming, this must silence our fears, that the will of the Lord shall be
|
||
|
|
done, to which we must say, <I>Amen,</I> let it be done.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ac21_15"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ac21_16"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ac21_17"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ac21_18"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ac21_19"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ac21_20"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ac21_21"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ac21_22"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ac21_23"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ac21_24"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ac21_25"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ac21_26"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Paul's Visit to Jerusalem; Paul's Conformity to the Jewish Law.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>15 And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up
|
||
|
|
to Jerusalem.
|
||
|
|
16 There went with us also <I>certain</I> of the disciples of
|
||
|
|
Cæsarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old
|
||
|
|
disciple, with whom we should lodge.
|
||
|
|
17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us
|
||
|
|
gladly.
|
||
|
|
18 And the <I>day</I> following Paul went in with us unto James; and
|
||
|
|
all the elders were present.
|
||
|
|
19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what
|
||
|
|
things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
|
||
|
|
20 And when they heard <I>it,</I> they glorified the Lord, and said
|
||
|
|
unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there
|
||
|
|
are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
|
||
|
|
21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the
|
||
|
|
Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that
|
||
|
|
they ought not to circumcise <I>their</I> children, neither to walk
|
||
|
|
after the customs.
|
||
|
|
22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come
|
||
|
|
together: for they will hear that thou art come.
|
||
|
|
23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men
|
||
|
|
which have a vow on them;
|
||
|
|
24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges
|
||
|
|
with them, that they may shave <I>their</I> heads: and all may know
|
||
|
|
that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee,
|
||
|
|
are nothing; but <I>that</I> thou thyself also walkest orderly, and
|
||
|
|
keepest the law.
|
||
|
|
25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written
|
||
|
|
<I>and</I> concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that
|
||
|
|
they keep themselves from <I>things</I> offered to idols, and from
|
||
|
|
blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
|
||
|
|
26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself
|
||
|
|
with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment
|
||
|
|
of the days of purification, until that an offering should be
|
||
|
|
offered for every one of them.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
In these verses we have,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. Paul's journey to Jerusalem from Cæsarea, and the company that went
|
||
|
|
along with him.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. They <I>took up their carriages,</I> their bag and baggage, and as
|
||
|
|
it should seem, like poor travellers or soldiers, were their own
|
||
|
|
porters; so little had they of change of raiment. <I>Omnia mea mecum
|
||
|
|
porto--My property is all about me.</I> Some think they had with them
|
||
|
|
the money that was collected in the churches of Macedonia and Achaia
|
||
|
|
for the poor saints at Jerusalem. If they could have persuaded Paul to
|
||
|
|
go some other way, they would gladly have gone along with him; but if,
|
||
|
|
notwithstanding their dissuasive, he will go to Jerusalem, they do no
|
||
|
|
say, "Let him go by himself then;" but as Thomas, in a like case, when
|
||
|
|
Christ would go into danger at Jerusalem, <I>Let us go and die with
|
||
|
|
him,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+11:16">John xi. 16</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Their resolution to cleave to Paul was like that of Ittai to cleave to
|
||
|
|
David
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+15:21">2 Sam. xv. 21</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>In what place my Lord the king shall be, whether in death or life,
|
||
|
|
there also will thy servant be.</I> Thus Paul's boldness emboldened
|
||
|
|
them.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Certain of the disciples of Cæsarea went along with them.
|
||
|
|
Whether they designed to go however, and took this opportunity of going
|
||
|
|
with so much good company, or whether they went on purpose to see if
|
||
|
|
they could do Paul any service and if possible prevent his trouble, or
|
||
|
|
at least minister to him in it, does not appear. The less while that
|
||
|
|
Paul is likely to enjoy his liberty the more industrious they are to
|
||
|
|
improve every opportunity of conversation with him. Elisha kept close
|
||
|
|
to Elijah when he knew the time was at hand that he should be taken up.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. They brought with them an honest old gentleman that had a house of
|
||
|
|
his own at Jerusalem, in which he would gladly entertain Paul and his
|
||
|
|
company, <I>one Mnason of Cyprus</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>with whom we should
|
||
|
|
lodge.</I> Such a great concourse of people there was to the feast that
|
||
|
|
it was a hard matter to get lodgings; the public houses would be taken
|
||
|
|
up by those of the better sort, and it was looked upon as a scandalous
|
||
|
|
thing for those that had private houses to let their rooms out at those
|
||
|
|
times, but they must freely accommodate strangers with them. Every one
|
||
|
|
then would choose his friends to be his guests, and Mnason took Paul
|
||
|
|
and his company to be his lodgers; though he had heard what trouble
|
||
|
|
Paul was likely to come into, which might bring those that entertained
|
||
|
|
him into trouble too, yet he shall be welcome to him, whatever comes of
|
||
|
|
it. This Mnason is called an <I>old disciple</I>--a disciple <I>from
|
||
|
|
the beginning;</I> some think, one of the seventy disciples of Christ,
|
||
|
|
or one of the first converts after the pouring out of the Spirit, or
|
||
|
|
one of the first that was converted by the preaching of the gospel in
|
||
|
|
Cyprus,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+13:4"><I>ch.</I> xiii. 4</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
However it was, it seems he had been long a Christian, and was now in
|
||
|
|
years. Note, It is an honourable thing to be an old disciple of Jesus
|
||
|
|
Christ, to have been enabled by the grace of God to continue long in a
|
||
|
|
course of duty, stedfast in the faith, and growing more and more
|
||
|
|
prudent and experienced to a good old age. And with these old disciples
|
||
|
|
one would choose to lodge; for the multitude of their years will teach
|
||
|
|
wisdom.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. Paul's welcome at Jerusalem.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Many of the brethren there <I>received him gladly,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
As soon as they had notice that he was come to town, they went to his
|
||
|
|
lodgings at Mnason's house, and congratulated him on his safe arrival,
|
||
|
|
and told him they were glad to see him, and invited him to their
|
||
|
|
houses, accounting it an honour to be known to one that was such an
|
||
|
|
eminent servant of Christ. Streso observes that the word here used
|
||
|
|
concerning the welcome they gave to the apostles, <B><I>asmenos
|
||
|
|
apodechein,</I></B> is used concerning the welcome of the apostles'
|
||
|
|
doctrine,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:41"><I>ch.</I> ii. 41</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
They <I>gladly received his word.</I> We think if we had Paul among us
|
||
|
|
we should gladly receive him; but it is a question whether we should or
|
||
|
|
no it, having his doctrine, we do not gladly receive that.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. They paid a visit to James and the elders of the church, at a
|
||
|
|
church-meeting
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
"<I>The day following, Paul went unto James,</I> and took us with him,
|
||
|
|
that were his companions, to introduce us into acquaintance with the
|
||
|
|
church at Jerusalem." It should seem that James was now the only
|
||
|
|
apostle that was resident at Jerusalem; the rest had dispersed
|
||
|
|
themselves to preach the gospel in other places. But still they
|
||
|
|
forecasted to have an apostle at Jerusalem, perhaps sometimes one and
|
||
|
|
sometimes another, because there was a great resort thither from all
|
||
|
|
parts. James was now upon the spot, and all the elders or presbyters
|
||
|
|
that were the ordinary pastors of the church, both to preach and
|
||
|
|
govern, were present. Paul saluted them all, paid his respects to them,
|
||
|
|
enquired concerning their welfare, and gave them the right hand of
|
||
|
|
fellowship. He <I>saluted them,</I> that is, he wished them all health
|
||
|
|
and happiness, and prayed to God to bless them. The proper
|
||
|
|
signification of salutation is, wishing salvation to you: <I>salve,</I>
|
||
|
|
or <I>salus tibi sit;</I> like <I>peace be unto you.</I> And such
|
||
|
|
mutual salutations, or good wishes, very well become Christians, in
|
||
|
|
token of their love to each other and joint regard to God.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. The account they had from him of his ministry among the Gentiles,
|
||
|
|
and their satisfaction in it.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He gave them a narrative of the success of the gospel in those
|
||
|
|
countries where he had been employed, knowing it would be very
|
||
|
|
acceptable to them to hear of the enlarging of Christ's kingdom: <I>He
|
||
|
|
declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by
|
||
|
|
his ministry,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Observe how modestly he speaks, not what things he had wrought (he was
|
||
|
|
but the instrument), but what God had wrought by his ministry. It was
|
||
|
|
<I>not I, but the grace of God which was with me.</I> He planted and
|
||
|
|
watered, but God gave the increase. He declared it particularly, that
|
||
|
|
the grace of God might appear the more illustrious in the circumstances
|
||
|
|
of his success. Thus David will tell others what God has done for his
|
||
|
|
soul
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+66:16">Ps. lxvi. 16</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
as Paul here what God has done by his hand, and both that their friends
|
||
|
|
may help them to be thankful.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Hence they took occasion to give praise to God
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>When they heart it, they glorified the Lord.</I> Paul ascribed it
|
||
|
|
all to God, and to God they gave the praise of it. They did not break
|
||
|
|
out into high encomiums of Paul, but left it to his Master to say to
|
||
|
|
him, <I>Well done, good and faithful servant;</I> but they gave glory
|
||
|
|
to the grace of God, which was extended to the Gentiles. Note, The
|
||
|
|
conversion of sinners ought to be the matter of our joy and praise as
|
||
|
|
it is of the angels'. God had honoured Paul more than any of them, in
|
||
|
|
making his usefulness more extensive, yet they did not envy him, nor
|
||
|
|
were they jealous of his growing reputation, but, on the contrary,
|
||
|
|
<I>glorified the Lord.</I> And they could not do more to encourage Paul
|
||
|
|
to go on cheerfully in his work than to glorify God for his success in
|
||
|
|
it; for, if God be praised, Paul is pleased.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
IV. The request of James and the elders of the church at Jerusalem to
|
||
|
|
Paul, or their advice rather, that he would gratify the believing Jews
|
||
|
|
by showing some compliance with the ceremonial law, and appearing
|
||
|
|
publicly in the temple to offer sacrifice, which was not a thing in
|
||
|
|
itself sinful; for the ceremonial law, though it was by no means to be
|
||
|
|
imposed upon the Gentile converts (as the false teachers would have it,
|
||
|
|
and thereby endeavoured to subvert the gospel), yet it was not become
|
||
|
|
unlawful as yet to those that had been bred up in the observance of it,
|
||
|
|
but were far from expecting justification by it. It was dead, but not
|
||
|
|
buried; dead, but not yet deadly. And, being not sinful, they thought
|
||
|
|
it was a piece of prudence in Paul to conform thus far. Observe the
|
||
|
|
counsel they give to Paul herein, not as having authority over him, but
|
||
|
|
an affection for him.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. They desired him to take notice of the great numbers there were of
|
||
|
|
the Jewish converts: <I>Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of the
|
||
|
|
Jews there are who believe.</I> They called him brother, for they
|
||
|
|
looked upon him as a joint-commissioner with them in gospel-work.
|
||
|
|
Though they were of the circumcision and he the apostle of the
|
||
|
|
Gentiles, though they were conformists and he a nonconformist, yet they
|
||
|
|
were brethren, and owned the relation. Thou hast been in some of our
|
||
|
|
assemblies, and seest how numerous they are: <I>how many myriads of
|
||
|
|
Jews believe.</I> The word signifies, not thousands, but <I>ten
|
||
|
|
thousands.</I> Even among the Jews, who were most prejudiced against
|
||
|
|
the gospel, yet there were great multitudes that received it; for the
|
||
|
|
grace of God can break down the strongest holds of Satan. The number of
|
||
|
|
the names at first was but one hundred and twenty, yet now many
|
||
|
|
thousands. Let none therefore despise the day of small things; for,
|
||
|
|
though the beginning be small, God can make the latter end greatly to
|
||
|
|
increase. Hereby it appeared that God had not quite cast away his
|
||
|
|
people the Jews, for among them there was a remnant, an election, that
|
||
|
|
obtained (see
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+11:1,5,7">Rom. xi. 1, 5, 7</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>many thousands that believed.</I> And this account which they could
|
||
|
|
give to Paul of the success of the gospel among the Jews was, no doubt,
|
||
|
|
as grateful to Paul as the account which he gave them of the conversion
|
||
|
|
of the Gentiles was to them; for his heart's desire and prayer to God
|
||
|
|
for the Jews was <I>that they might be saved.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. They informed him of a prevailing infirmity these believing Jews
|
||
|
|
laboured under, of which they could not yet be cured: <I>They are all
|
||
|
|
zealous of the law.</I> They believe in Christ as the true Messiah,
|
||
|
|
they rest upon his righteousness and submit to his government; but they
|
||
|
|
know the law of Moses was of God, they have found spiritual benefit in
|
||
|
|
their attendance on the institutions of it, and therefore they can by
|
||
|
|
no means think of parting with it, no, nor of growing cold to it. And
|
||
|
|
perhaps they urged Christ's being <I>made under the law,</I> and
|
||
|
|
observing it (which was designed to be our deliverance from the law),
|
||
|
|
as a reason for their continuance under it. This was a great weakness
|
||
|
|
and mistake, to be so fond of the shadows when the substance was come,
|
||
|
|
to keep their necks under a yoke of bondage when Christ had come to
|
||
|
|
make them free. But see,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) The power of education and long usage, and especially of a
|
||
|
|
ceremonial law.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) The charitable allowance that must be made in consideration of
|
||
|
|
these. These Jews that believed were not therefore disowned and
|
||
|
|
rejected as no Christians because they were for the law, nay, were
|
||
|
|
zealous for it, while it was only in their own practice, and they did
|
||
|
|
not impose it upon others. Their being zealous of the law was capable
|
||
|
|
of a good construction, which charity would put upon it; and it was
|
||
|
|
capable of a good excuse, considering what they were brought up in, and
|
||
|
|
among whom they lived.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. They gave him to understand that these Jews, who were so zealous of
|
||
|
|
the law, were ill-affected to him,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Paul himself, though as faithful a servant as any Christ ever had, yet
|
||
|
|
could not get the good word of all that belonged to Christ's family:
|
||
|
|
"<I>They are informed of thee</I> (and form their opinion of thee
|
||
|
|
accordingly) that thou not only dost not teach the Gentiles to observe
|
||
|
|
the law, as some would have had thee (we have prevailed with them to
|
||
|
|
drop that), but <I>dost teach all the Jews who are</I> dispersed
|
||
|
|
<I>among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, not to circumcise their
|
||
|
|
children nor to walk after the customs</I> of our nation, which were of
|
||
|
|
divine appointment, so far as they might be observed even among the
|
||
|
|
Gentiles, at a distance from the temple,--not to observe the fasts and
|
||
|
|
feasts of the church, not to wear their phylacteries, nor abstain from
|
||
|
|
unclean meats." Now,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) It was true that Paul preached the abrogation of the law of Moses,
|
||
|
|
taught them that it was impossible to be justified by it, and therefore
|
||
|
|
we are not bound up any longer to the observance of it. But,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) It was false that he taught them to forsake Moses; for the
|
||
|
|
religion he preached tended not to destroy the law, but to fulfil it.
|
||
|
|
He preached Christ (<I>the end of the law for righteousness</I>), and
|
||
|
|
repentance and faith, in the exercise of which we are to make great use
|
||
|
|
of the law. The Jews among the Gentiles whom Paul taught were so far
|
||
|
|
from forsaking Moses that they never understood him better, nor ever
|
||
|
|
embraced him so heartily as now when they were taught to make use of
|
||
|
|
him as a <I>schoolmaster to bring them to Christ.</I> But even the
|
||
|
|
believing Jews, having got this notion of Paul, that he was an enemy to
|
||
|
|
Moses, and perhaps giving too much regard to the unbelieving Jews too,
|
||
|
|
were much exasperated against him. Their ministers, the elders here
|
||
|
|
present, loved and honoured him, and approved of what he did, and
|
||
|
|
called him brother, but the people could hardly be induced to entertain
|
||
|
|
a favourable thought of him; for it is certain the least judicious are
|
||
|
|
the most censorious, the weak-headed are the hot-headed. They could not
|
||
|
|
distinguish upon Paul's doctrine as they ought to have done, and
|
||
|
|
therefore condemned it in the gross, through ignorance.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
4. They therefore desired Paul that he would by some public act, now
|
||
|
|
that he had come to Jerusalem, make it to appear that the charge
|
||
|
|
against him was false, and that he did not teach people to forsake
|
||
|
|
Moses and to break the customs of the Jewish church, for he himself
|
||
|
|
retained the use of them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) They conclude that something of this kind must be done: "<I>What
|
||
|
|
is it therefore?</I> What must be done? The <I>multitude will hear that
|
||
|
|
thou art come</I> to town." This is an inconvenience that attends men
|
||
|
|
of fame, that their coming and going are taken notice of more than
|
||
|
|
other people's, and will be talked of, by some for good-will and by
|
||
|
|
others for ill-will. "When they hear thou art come, <I>they must needs
|
||
|
|
come together,</I> they will expect that we call them together, to
|
||
|
|
advise with them whether we should admit thee to preach among us as a
|
||
|
|
brother or no; or, they will come together of themselves expecting to
|
||
|
|
hear thee." Now something must be done to satisfy them that Paul does
|
||
|
|
not teach the people to forsake Moses, and they think it necessary,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] For Paul's sake, that his reputation should be cleared, and that
|
||
|
|
so good a man may not lie under any blemish, nor so useful a man labour
|
||
|
|
under any disadvantage which may obstruct his usefulness.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] For the people's sake, that they may not continue prejudiced
|
||
|
|
against so good a man, nor lose the benefit of his ministry by those
|
||
|
|
prejudices.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[3.] For their own sake, that since they knew it was their duty to own
|
||
|
|
Paul their doing it might not be turned to their reproach among those
|
||
|
|
that were under their charge.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) They produce a fair opportunity which Paul might take to clear
|
||
|
|
himself: "<I>Do this that we say unto thee,</I> take our advice in this
|
||
|
|
case. <I>We have four men,</I> Jews who believe, of our own churches,
|
||
|
|
and <I>they have a vow on them,</I> a vow of Nazariteship for a certain
|
||
|
|
time; their time has now expired
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and they are to offer their offering according to the law, when they
|
||
|
|
shave the head of their separation, a he-lamb for a burnt-offering, a
|
||
|
|
ewe-lamb for a sin-offering, and a ram for a peace-offering, with other
|
||
|
|
offerings pertinent to them,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+6:13-20">Num. vi. 13-20</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Many used to do this together, when their vow expired about the same
|
||
|
|
time, either for the greater expedition or for the greater solemnity.
|
||
|
|
Now Paul having so far of late complied with the law as to take upon
|
||
|
|
him the vow of a Nazarite, and to signify the expiration of it by
|
||
|
|
shaving his head at Cenchrea
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+18:18"><I>ch.</I> xviii. 18</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
according to the custom of those who lived at a distance from the
|
||
|
|
temple, they desire him but to go a little further, and to join with
|
||
|
|
these four in offering the sacrifices of a Nazarite: <I>'Purify thyself
|
||
|
|
with them</I> according to the law; and be willing not only to take
|
||
|
|
that trouble, but to be at charges with them, in buying sacrifices for
|
||
|
|
this solemn occasion, and to join with them in the sacrifice." This,
|
||
|
|
they think, will effectually stop the mouth of calumny, and every one
|
||
|
|
will be convinced that the report was false, that Paul was not the man
|
||
|
|
he was represented to be, did not teach the Jews to forsake Moses, but
|
||
|
|
that he himself, being originally a Jew, walked orderly, and kept the
|
||
|
|
law; and then all would be well.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
5. They enter a protestation that this shall be no infringement at all
|
||
|
|
of the decree lately made in favour of the Gentile converts, nor do
|
||
|
|
they intend by this in the least to derogate from the liberty allowed
|
||
|
|
them
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
"<I>As touching the Gentiles</I> who <I>believe, we have written and
|
||
|
|
concluded,</I> and resolve to abide by it, <I>that they observe no such
|
||
|
|
things;</I> we would not have them to be bound up by the ceremonial law
|
||
|
|
by any means, but only that they keep themselves from <I>things offered
|
||
|
|
to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from
|
||
|
|
fornication;</I> but let not them be tied to the Jewish sacrifices or
|
||
|
|
purifications, nor any of their rites and ceremonies." They knew how
|
||
|
|
jealous Paul was for the preservation of the liberty of the converted
|
||
|
|
Gentiles, and therefore expressly covenant to abide by that. Thus far
|
||
|
|
is their proposal.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
V. Here is Paul's compliance with it. He was willing to gratify them in
|
||
|
|
this matter. Though he would not be persuaded not to go to Jerusalem,
|
||
|
|
yet, when he was there, he was persuaded to do as they there did,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Then Paul took the men,</I> as they advised, and the very <I>next
|
||
|
|
day, purifying himself with them,</I> and not <I>with multitude nor
|
||
|
|
tumult,</I> as he himself pleads
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+24:18"><I>ch.</I> xxiv. 18</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
he <I>entered into the temple,</I> as other devout Jews that came upon
|
||
|
|
such errands did, to signify the accomplishment of the days of
|
||
|
|
purification to the priests; desiring the priest would appoint a time
|
||
|
|
when the offering should be offered for every one of them, one for
|
||
|
|
each. Ainsworth, on
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+6:18">Num. vi. 18</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
quotes out of Maimonides a passage which gives some light to this:
|
||
|
|
<I>If a man say, Upon me behalf the oblations of a Nazarite,</I> or,
|
||
|
|
<I>Upon me be half the shaving of a Nazarite, them he brings half the
|
||
|
|
offerings by what Nazarite he will, and that Nazarite pays his offering
|
||
|
|
out of that which is his.</I> So Paul did here; he contributed what he
|
||
|
|
vowed to the offerings of these Nazarites, and some think bound himself
|
||
|
|
to the law of Nazariteship, and to an attendance at the temple with
|
||
|
|
fastings and prayers for seven days, not designing that the offering
|
||
|
|
should be offered till them, which was what he signified to the priest.
|
||
|
|
Now it has been questioned whether James and the elders did well to
|
||
|
|
give Paul this advice, and whether he did well to take it.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Some have blamed this occasional conformity of Paul's, as indulging
|
||
|
|
the Jews too much in their adherence to the ceremonial law, and a
|
||
|
|
discouragement of those who stood fast in the liberty wherewith Christ
|
||
|
|
had made them free. Was it not enough for James and the elders of
|
||
|
|
Jerusalem to connive at this mistake in the Jewish converts themselves,
|
||
|
|
but must they wheedle Paul to countenance them in it? Had it not been
|
||
|
|
better, when they had told Paul how zealous the believing Jews were for
|
||
|
|
the law, if they had desired, whom God had endued with such excellent
|
||
|
|
gifts, to take pains with their people to convince them of their error,
|
||
|
|
and to show them that they were made free from the law by their
|
||
|
|
marriage to Christ?
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+7:4">Rom. vii. 4</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
To urge him to encourage them in it by his example seems to have more
|
||
|
|
in it of fleshly wisdom than of the grace of God. Surely Paul knew what
|
||
|
|
he had to do better than they could teach him. But,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Others think the advice was prudent and good, and Paul's following
|
||
|
|
it was justifiable enough, as the case stood. It was Paul's avowed
|
||
|
|
principle, <I>To the Jews became I as a Jew, that I might gain the
|
||
|
|
Jews,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:20">1 Cor. ix. 20</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He had circumcised Timothy, to please the Jews; though he would not
|
||
|
|
constantly observe the ceremonial law, yet, to gain an opportunity of
|
||
|
|
doing good, and to show how far he could comply, he would occasionally
|
||
|
|
go to the temple and join in the sacrifices there. Those that are weak
|
||
|
|
in the faith are to be borne with, when those that undermine the faith
|
||
|
|
must be opposed. It is true, this compliance of Paul's sped ill to him,
|
||
|
|
for this very thing by which he hoped to pacify the Jews did but
|
||
|
|
provoke them, and bring him into trouble; yet this is not a sufficient
|
||
|
|
ground to go upon in condemning it: Paul might do well, and yet suffer
|
||
|
|
for it. But perhaps the wise God overruled both their advice and Paul's
|
||
|
|
compliance with it to serve a better purpose than was intended; for we
|
||
|
|
have reason to think that when the believing Jews, who had endeavoured
|
||
|
|
by their zeal for the law to recommend themselves to the good opinion
|
||
|
|
of those who believed not, saw how barbarously they used Paul (who
|
||
|
|
endeavoured to oblige them), they were by this more alienated from the
|
||
|
|
ceremonial law than they could have been by the most argumentative or
|
||
|
|
affecting discourses. They saw it was in vain to think of pleasing men
|
||
|
|
that would be pleased with nothing else but the rooting out of
|
||
|
|
Christianity. Integrity and uprightness will be more likely to preserve
|
||
|
|
us than sneaking compliances. And when we consider what a great trouble
|
||
|
|
it must needs be to James and the presbyters, in the reflection upon
|
||
|
|
it, that they had by their advice brought Paul into trouble, it should
|
||
|
|
be a warning to us not to press men to oblige us by doing any thing
|
||
|
|
contrary to their own mind.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ac21_27"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ac21_28"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ac21_29"> </A>
|
||
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<A NAME="Ac21_30"> </A>
|
||
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<A NAME="Ac21_31"> </A>
|
||
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<A NAME="Ac21_32"> </A>
|
||
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<A NAME="Ac21_33"> </A>
|
||
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<A NAME="Ac21_34"> </A>
|
||
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<A NAME="Ac21_35"> </A>
|
||
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<A NAME="Ac21_36"> </A>
|
||
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<A NAME="Ac21_37"> </A>
|
||
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<A NAME="Ac21_38"> </A>
|
||
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<A NAME="Ac21_39"> </A>
|
||
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<A NAME="Ac21_40"> </A>
|
||
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||
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<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
||
|
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Paul Seized in the Temple; The Tumult at Jerusalem.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>27 And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which
|
||
|
|
were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the
|
||
|
|
people, and laid hands on him,
|
||
|
|
28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that
|
||
|
|
teacheth all <I>men</I> every where against the people, and the law,
|
||
|
|
and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple,
|
||
|
|
and hath polluted this holy place.
|
||
|
|
29 (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an
|
||
|
|
Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the
|
||
|
|
temple.)
|
||
|
|
30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and
|
||
|
|
they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the
|
||
|
|
doors were shut.
|
||
|
|
31 And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the
|
||
|
|
chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
|
||
|
|
32 Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down
|
||
|
|
unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers,
|
||
|
|
they left beating of Paul.
|
||
|
|
33 Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and
|
||
|
|
commanded <I>him</I> to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he
|
||
|
|
was, and what he had done.
|
||
|
|
34 And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude:
|
||
|
|
and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he
|
||
|
|
commanded him to be carried into the castle.
|
||
|
|
35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was
|
||
|
|
borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.
|
||
|
|
36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away
|
||
|
|
with him.
|
||
|
|
37 And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the
|
||
|
|
chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak
|
||
|
|
Greek?
|
||
|
|
38 Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest
|
||
|
|
an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men
|
||
|
|
that were murderers?
|
||
|
|
39 But Paul said, I am a man <I>which am</I> a Jew of Tarsus, <I>a
|
||
|
|
city</I> in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee,
|
||
|
|
suffer me to speak unto the people.
|
||
|
|
40 And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs,
|
||
|
|
and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was
|
||
|
|
made a great silence, he spake unto <I>them</I> in the Hebrew tongue,
|
||
|
|
saying,
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We have here Paul brought into a captivity which we are not likely to
|
||
|
|
see the end of; for after this he is either hurried from one bar to
|
||
|
|
another, or lies neglected, first in one prison and then in another,
|
||
|
|
and can neither be tried nor bailed. When we see the beginning of a
|
||
|
|
trouble, we know not either how long it will last or how it will
|
||
|
|
issue.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. We have here Paul seized, and laid hold on.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He was seized in the temple, when he was there attending the days of
|
||
|
|
his purifying, and the solemn services of those days,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Formerly he had been well known in the temple, but now he had been so
|
||
|
|
long in his travels abroad that he had become a stranger there; so that
|
||
|
|
it was not till <I>the seven days were almost ended</I> that he was
|
||
|
|
taken notice of by those that had an evil eye towards him. In the
|
||
|
|
temple, where he should have been protected, as in a sanctuary, he was
|
||
|
|
most violently set upon by those who did what they could to have his
|
||
|
|
blood mingled with his sacrifices--in the temple, where he should have
|
||
|
|
been welcomed as one of the greatest ornaments of it that ever had been
|
||
|
|
there since the Lord of the temple left it. The temple, which they
|
||
|
|
themselves pretended such a mighty zeal for, yet did they themselves
|
||
|
|
thus profane. Thus is the church polluted by none more than by popish
|
||
|
|
persecutors, under the colour of the church's name and interest.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The informers against him were the Jews of Asia, not those of
|
||
|
|
Jerusalem--the Jews of the dispersion, who knew him best, and who were
|
||
|
|
most exasperated against him. Those who seldom came up to worship at
|
||
|
|
the temple in Jerusalem themselves, but contentedly lived at a distance
|
||
|
|
from it, in pursuit of their private advantages, yet appeared most
|
||
|
|
zealous for the temple, as if thereby they would atone for their
|
||
|
|
habitual neglect of it.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. The method they took was to raise the mob, and to incense them
|
||
|
|
against him. They did not go to the high priest, or the magistrates of
|
||
|
|
the city, with their charge (probably because they expected not to
|
||
|
|
receive countenance from them), but <I>they stirred up all the
|
||
|
|
people,</I> who were at this time more than ever disposed to any thing
|
||
|
|
that was tumultuous and seditious, riotous and outrageous. Those are
|
||
|
|
fittest to be employed against Christ and Christianity that are
|
||
|
|
governed least by reason and most by passion; therefore Paul described
|
||
|
|
the Jewish persecutors to be not only wicked, but absurd unreasonable
|
||
|
|
men.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
4. The arguments wherewith they exasperated the people against him were
|
||
|
|
popular, but very false and unjust. They cried out, "<I>Men of Israel,
|
||
|
|
help.</I> If you are indeed men of Israel, true-born Jews, that have a
|
||
|
|
concern for your church and your country, now is your time to show it,
|
||
|
|
by helping to seize an enemy to both." Thus <I>they cried after him as
|
||
|
|
after a thief</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+30:5">Job xxx. 5</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
or after a mad dog. Note, The enemies of Christianity, since they could
|
||
|
|
never prove it to be an ill thing, have been always very industrious,
|
||
|
|
right or wrong, to put it into an ill name, and so run it down by
|
||
|
|
outrage and outcry. It had become men of Israel to help Paul, who
|
||
|
|
preached up him who was so much the <I>glory of his people Israel;</I>
|
||
|
|
yet here the popular fury will not allow them to be men of Israel,
|
||
|
|
unless they will help against him. This was like, <I>Stop thief,</I> or
|
||
|
|
Athaliah's cry, <I>Treason, treason;</I> what is wanting in right is
|
||
|
|
made up in noise.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
5. They charge upon him both bad doctrine and bad practice, and both
|
||
|
|
against the Mosaic ritual.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) They charge upon him bad doctrine; not only that he holds corrupt
|
||
|
|
opinions himself, but that he vents and publishes them, though not here
|
||
|
|
at Jerusalem, yet in other places, nay in all places, he teaches all
|
||
|
|
men, every where; so artfully is the crime aggravated, as if, because
|
||
|
|
he was an itinerant, he was a ubiquitary: "He spreads to the utmost of
|
||
|
|
his power certain damnable and heretical positions,"
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] Against the people of the Jews. He had taught that Jews and
|
||
|
|
Gentiles stand on the same level before God, <I>and neither
|
||
|
|
circumcision avails any thing nor uncircumcision;</I> nay, he had
|
||
|
|
taught against the unbelieving Jews that they were rejected (and
|
||
|
|
therefore had separated from them and their synagogues), and this is
|
||
|
|
interpreted to be speaking against the whole nation, as if no doubt but
|
||
|
|
<I>they were the people, and wisdom must die with them</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+12:2">Job xii. 2</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
whereas God, though he had cast them off, yet had not <I>cast away his
|
||
|
|
people,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+11:1">Rom. xi. 1</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
They were <I>Lo-ammi, not a people</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+1:9">Hos. i. 9</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and yet pretended to be the only people. Those commonly seem most
|
||
|
|
jealous for the church's name that belong to it in name only.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] Against the law. His teaching men to believe the gospel as the end
|
||
|
|
of the law, and the perfection of it, was interpreted his preaching
|
||
|
|
against the law; whereas it was so far from making void the law that it
|
||
|
|
established it,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+3:31">Rom. iii. 31</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[3.] Against <I>this place,</I> the temple. Because he taught men to
|
||
|
|
pray every where, he was reproached as an enemy to the temple, and
|
||
|
|
perhaps because he sometimes mentioned the destruction of Jerusalem and
|
||
|
|
the temple, and of the Jewish nation, which his Master had foretold.
|
||
|
|
Paul had himself been active in persecuting Stephen, and putting him to
|
||
|
|
death for words spoken <I>against this holy place,</I> and now the same
|
||
|
|
thing is laid to his charge. He that was then made use of as the tool
|
||
|
|
is now set up as the butt of Jewish rage and malice.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) They charge upon him bad practices. To confirm their charge
|
||
|
|
against him, as teaching people against this holy place, they charge it
|
||
|
|
upon him that he had himself polluted it, and by an overt-act showed
|
||
|
|
his contempt of it, and a design to make it common. He <I>has brought
|
||
|
|
Gentiles also into the temple,</I> into the inner court of the temple,
|
||
|
|
which none that were uncircumcised were admitted, under any pretence,
|
||
|
|
to come into; there was written upon the wall that enclosed this inner
|
||
|
|
court, in Greek and Latin, <I>It is a capital crime for strangers to
|
||
|
|
enter.</I>--Josephus <I>Antiq.</I> 15. 417. Paul was himself a Jew, and
|
||
|
|
had right to enter into the court of the Jews. And they, seeing some
|
||
|
|
with him there that joined with him in his devotions, concluded that
|
||
|
|
Trophimus an Ephesian, who was a Gentile, was one of them. Why? Did
|
||
|
|
they see him there? Truly no; but they had seen him with Paul in the
|
||
|
|
streets of the city, which was no crime at all, and therefore they
|
||
|
|
affirm that he was with Paul in the inner court of the temple, which
|
||
|
|
was a heinous crime. They had seen him with him in the city, and
|
||
|
|
therefore they supposed that Paul had brought him with him into the
|
||
|
|
temple, which was utterly false. See here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] Innocency is no fence against calumny and false accusation. It is
|
||
|
|
no new thing for those that mean honestly, and act regularly, to have
|
||
|
|
things laid to their charge which they know not, nor ever thought of.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] <I>Evil men dig up mischief,</I> and go far to seek proofs of
|
||
|
|
their false accusations, as they did here, who, because they saw a
|
||
|
|
Gentile with Paul in the city, will thence infer that he was with him
|
||
|
|
in the temple. This was a strained innuendo indeed, yet by such unjust
|
||
|
|
and groundless suggestions have wicked men thought to justify
|
||
|
|
themselves in the most barbarous outrages committed upon the
|
||
|
|
<I>excellent ones of the earth.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[3.] It is common for malicious people to improve that against those
|
||
|
|
that are wise and good with which they thought to have obliged them and
|
||
|
|
ingratiated themselves with them. Paul thought to recommend himself to
|
||
|
|
their good opinion by going into the temple, he had not been so
|
||
|
|
maligned by them. This is the genius of ill-nature; <I>for my love,
|
||
|
|
they are my adversaries,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+109:4,Ps+69:10">Ps. cix. 4; lxix. 10</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We have Paul in danger of being pulled in pieces by the rabble. They
|
||
|
|
will not be at the pains to have him before the high priest, or the
|
||
|
|
sanhedrim; that is a roundabout way: the execution shall be of a piece
|
||
|
|
with the prosecution, all unjust and irregular. They cannot prove the
|
||
|
|
crime upon him, and therefore dare not bring him upon a fair trial;
|
||
|
|
nay, so greedily do they thirst after his blood that they have not
|
||
|
|
patience to proceed against him by a due course of law, though they
|
||
|
|
were ever so sure to gain their point; and therefore, as those who
|
||
|
|
neither feared God nor regarded man, they resolved to knock him on the
|
||
|
|
head immediately.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. All the city was in an uproar,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The people, who though they had little holiness themselves, yet had a
|
||
|
|
mighty veneration for the holy place, when they heard a hue-and-cry
|
||
|
|
from the temple, were up in arms presently, being resolved to stand by
|
||
|
|
that with their lives and fortunes. <I>All the city was moved,</I> when
|
||
|
|
they were called to from the temple, <I>Men of Israel, help,</I> with
|
||
|
|
as much violence as if the old complaint were revived
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+79:1">Ps. lxxix. 1</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance, thy holy temple
|
||
|
|
have they defiled.</I> Just such a zeal the Jews here show for God's
|
||
|
|
temple as the Ephesians did for Diana's temple, when Paul was informed
|
||
|
|
against as an enemy to that
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:29"><I>ch.</I> xix. 29</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>The whole city was full of confusion.</I> But God does not reckon
|
||
|
|
himself at all honoured by those whose zeal for him transports them to
|
||
|
|
such irregularities, and who, while they pretend to act for him, act in
|
||
|
|
such a brutish barbarous manner.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. They drew Paul out of the temple, and shut the doors between the
|
||
|
|
outer and inner court of the temple, or perhaps the doors of the outer
|
||
|
|
court. In dragging him furiously out of the temple,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) They showed a real detestation of him as one not fit to be
|
||
|
|
suffered in the temple, nor to worship there, nor to be looked upon as
|
||
|
|
a member of the Jewish nation; as if his sacrifice had been an
|
||
|
|
abomination.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) They pretended a veneration for the temple; like that of good
|
||
|
|
Jehoiada, who would not have Athaliah to be <I>slain in the house of
|
||
|
|
the Lord,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+11:15">2 Kings xi. 15</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
See how absurd these wicked men were; they condemned Paul for drawing
|
||
|
|
people from the temple, and yet, when he himself was very devoutly
|
||
|
|
worshipping in the temple, they drew him out of it. The officers of the
|
||
|
|
temple shut the doors, either,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] Lest Paul should find means to get back and take hold of the horns
|
||
|
|
of the altar, and so protect himself by that sanctuary from their rage.
|
||
|
|
Or rather,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] Lest the crowd should by the running in of more to them be thrust
|
||
|
|
back into the temple, and some outrage should be committed, to the
|
||
|
|
profanation of that holy place. Those that made no conscience of doing
|
||
|
|
so ill a thing as the murdering of a good man for well-doing, yet would
|
||
|
|
be thought to scruple doing it in a holy place, or at a holy time:
|
||
|
|
<I>Not in the temple, as Not on the feast-day.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. They went about to kill him
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
for they fell a beating him
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
resolving to beat him to death by blows without number, a punishment
|
||
|
|
which the Jewish doctors allowed in some cases (not at all to the
|
||
|
|
credit of their nation), and called <I>the beating of the rebels.</I>
|
||
|
|
Now was Paul, like a lamb, thrown into a den of lions, and made an easy
|
||
|
|
prey to them, and, no doubt, he was still of the same mind as when he
|
||
|
|
said, <I>I am ready not only to be bound, but to die at Jerusalem,</I>
|
||
|
|
to die so great a death.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. We have here Paul rescued out of the hands of his Jewish enemies
|
||
|
|
by a Roman enemy.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Tidings were brought of the tumult, and that the mob was up, <I>to
|
||
|
|
the chief captain of the band,</I> the governor of the castle, or,
|
||
|
|
whoever he was, the now commander-in-chief of the Roman forces that
|
||
|
|
were quartered in Jerusalem. Somebody that was concerned not for Paul,
|
||
|
|
but for the public peace and safety, gave this information to the
|
||
|
|
colonel, who had always a jealous and watchful eye upon these
|
||
|
|
tumultuous Jews, and he is the man that must be instrumental to save
|
||
|
|
Paul's life, when never a friend he had was capable of doing him any
|
||
|
|
service.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The tribune, or chief captain, got his forces together with all
|
||
|
|
possible expedition, and went to suppress the mob: <I>He took
|
||
|
|
soldiers</I> and <I>centurions,</I> and <I>ran down to them.</I> Now at
|
||
|
|
the feast, as at other such solemn times, the guards were up, and the
|
||
|
|
militia more within call than at other times, and so he had them near
|
||
|
|
at hand, and <I>he ran down unto the multitude;</I> for at such times
|
||
|
|
delays are dangerous. Sedition must be crushed at first, lest it grow
|
||
|
|
headstrong.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. The very sight of the Roman general frightened them from beating
|
||
|
|
Paul; for they knew they were doing what they could not justify, and
|
||
|
|
were in danger of being called in question for this day's uproar, as
|
||
|
|
the town clerk told the Ephesians. They were deterred from that by the
|
||
|
|
power of the Romans from which they ought to have been restrained by
|
||
|
|
the justice of God and the dread of his wrath. Note, God often makes
|
||
|
|
the earth to help the woman
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+12:16">Rev. xii. 16</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and those to be a protection to his people who yet have no affection
|
||
|
|
for his people; they have only a compassion for sufferers, and are
|
||
|
|
zealous for the public peace. The shepherd makes use even of his dogs
|
||
|
|
for the defence of his sheep. It is Streso's comparison here. See here
|
||
|
|
how these wicked people were frightened away at the very sight of the
|
||
|
|
chief captain; for the <I>king that sitteth on the throne of judgment
|
||
|
|
scattereth away all evil with his eyes.</I> The governor takes him into
|
||
|
|
custody. He rescued him, not out of a concern for him, because he
|
||
|
|
thought him innocent, but out of a concern for justice, because he
|
||
|
|
ought not to be put to death without trial; and because he knew not how
|
||
|
|
dangerous the consequence might be to the Roman government of such
|
||
|
|
tumultuous proceedings were not timely suppressed, nor what such an
|
||
|
|
outrageous people might do if once they knew their own strength: he
|
||
|
|
therefore takes Paul out of the hands of the mob into the hands of the
|
||
|
|
law
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>He took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains,</I> that
|
||
|
|
the people might be satisfied he did not intend to discharge him, but
|
||
|
|
to examine him, <I>for he demanded of</I> those who were so eager
|
||
|
|
against him <I>who he was, and what he had done.</I> This violent
|
||
|
|
taking of him out of the hands of the multitude, though there was all
|
||
|
|
the reason in the world for it, yet they laid to the charge of the
|
||
|
|
chief captain as his crime
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+24:7"><I>ch.</I> xxiv. 7</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>The chief captain Lysias came with great violence, and took him out
|
||
|
|
of our hands,</I> which refers to this rescue as appears by comparing
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+23:27,28"><I>ch.</I> xxiii. 27, 28</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
where the chief captain gives an account of it to Felix.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
IV. The provision which the chief captain made, with much ado, to bring
|
||
|
|
Paul to speak for himself. One had almost as good enter into a struggle
|
||
|
|
with the winds and the waves, as with such a mob as was here got
|
||
|
|
together; and yet Paul made a shift to get liberty of speech among
|
||
|
|
them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. There was no knowing the sense of the people; for when the chief
|
||
|
|
captain enquired concerning Paul, having perhaps never heard of his
|
||
|
|
name before (such strangers were the great ones to the excellent ones
|
||
|
|
of the earth, and affected to be so), <I>some cried one thing, and some
|
||
|
|
another,</I> among the multitude; so that it was impossible for the
|
||
|
|
chief captain to know their mind, when really they knew not either one
|
||
|
|
another's mind or their own, when every one pretended to give the sense
|
||
|
|
of the whole body. Those that will hearken to the clamours of the
|
||
|
|
multitude will know nothing for a certainty, any more than the builders
|
||
|
|
of Babel, when their tongues were confounded.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. There was no quelling the rage and fury of the people; for when
|
||
|
|
<I>the chief captain commanded that Paul should be carried into the
|
||
|
|
castle,</I> the tower of Antonia, where the Roman soldiers kept
|
||
|
|
garrison, near the temple, the soldiers themselves had much ado to get
|
||
|
|
him safely thither out of the noise, the people were so violent
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:35"><I>v.</I> 35</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>When he came upon the stairs,</I> leading up to the castle, the
|
||
|
|
soldiers were forced to take him up in their arms, and carry him (which
|
||
|
|
they might easily do, for he was a little man, and his bodily presence
|
||
|
|
weak), to keep him from the people, who would have pulled him limb from
|
||
|
|
limb if they could. When they could not reach him with their cruel
|
||
|
|
hands, they followed him with their <I>sharp arrows, even bitter words:
|
||
|
|
They followed, crying, Away with him,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:36"><I>v.</I> 36</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
See how the most excellent persons and things are often run down by a
|
||
|
|
popular clamour. Christ himself was so, with, <I>Crucify him, crucify
|
||
|
|
him,</I> though they could not say what evil he had done. <I>Take him
|
||
|
|
out of the land of the living</I> (so the ancients expound it), chase
|
||
|
|
him out of the world.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. Paul at length begged leave of the chief captain to speak to him
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:37"><I>v.</I> 37</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>As he was to be led into the castle,</I> with a great deal of
|
||
|
|
calmness and composedness in himself, and a great deal of mildness and
|
||
|
|
deference to those about him, <I>he said unto the chief captain, "May I
|
||
|
|
speak unto thee?</I> Will it be no offence, nor construed as a breach
|
||
|
|
of rule, if I give thee some account of myself, since my persecutors
|
||
|
|
can give no account of me?" What a humble modest question was this!
|
||
|
|
Paul knew how to speak to the greatest of men, and had many a time
|
||
|
|
spoken to his betters, yet he humbly begs to leave to speak to this
|
||
|
|
commander, and will not speak till he has obtained leave: <I>May I
|
||
|
|
speak unto thee?</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
4. The chief captain tells him what notion he had of him: <I>Canst thou
|
||
|
|
speak Greek?</I> I am surprised to hear thee speak a learned language;
|
||
|
|
for, <I>Art not thou that Egyptian who made an uproar?</I> The Jews
|
||
|
|
made the uproar, and then would have it thought that Paul had given
|
||
|
|
them occasion for it, by beginning first; for probably some of them
|
||
|
|
whispered this in the ear of the chief captain. See what false mistaken
|
||
|
|
notions of good people and good ministers many run away with, and will
|
||
|
|
not be at the pains to have the mistake rectified. It seems, there had
|
||
|
|
lately been an insurrection somewhere in that country, headed by an
|
||
|
|
Egyptian, who took on him to be a prophet. Josephus mentions this
|
||
|
|
story, that "an Egyptian raised a seditious party, promised to show
|
||
|
|
them the fall of <I>the walls of Jerusalem from the mount of
|
||
|
|
Olives,</I> and that they should enter the city upon the ruins." The
|
||
|
|
captain here says <I>that he led out into the wilderness four thousand
|
||
|
|
men that were murderers</I>--desperadoes, banditti, raparees,
|
||
|
|
cut-throats. What a degeneracy was there in the Jewish nation, when
|
||
|
|
there were found there so many that had such a character, and could be
|
||
|
|
drawn into such an attempt upon the public peace! But Josephus says
|
||
|
|
that "Felix the Roman president went out against them, killed four
|
||
|
|
hundred, and took two hundred prisoners, and the rest were
|
||
|
|
dispersed."--<I>Antiq.</I> 20. 171; <I>Wars</I> 2. 263. And Eusebius
|
||
|
|
speaks of it, <I>Hist.</I> 2. 20. It happened in the thirteenth year of
|
||
|
|
Claudius, a little before those days, about three years ago. The
|
||
|
|
ringleader of this rebellion, it seems, had made his escape, and the
|
||
|
|
chief captain concluded that one who lay under so great an odium as
|
||
|
|
Paul seemed to lie under, and against whom there was so great an
|
||
|
|
outcry, could not be a criminal of less figure than this Egyptian. See
|
||
|
|
how good men are exposed to ill-will by mistake.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
5. Paul rectifies his mistake concerning him, by informing him
|
||
|
|
particularly what he was; not such a vagabond, a scoundrel, a rake, as
|
||
|
|
that Egyptian, who could give no good account of himself. No: <I>I am a
|
||
|
|
man who is a Jew</I> originally, and no Egyptian--a Jew both by nation
|
||
|
|
and religion; <I>I am of Tarsus, a city of Cilicia,</I> of honest
|
||
|
|
parents and a liberal education (Tarsus was a university), and, besides
|
||
|
|
that, <I>a citizen of no mean city.</I> Whether he means Tarsus or Rome
|
||
|
|
is not certain; they were neither of them mean cities, and he was a
|
||
|
|
freeman of both. Though the chief captain had put him under such an
|
||
|
|
invidious suspicion, that he was that Egyptian, he kept his temper, did
|
||
|
|
not break out into any passionate exclamations against the times he
|
||
|
|
lived in or the men he had to do with, did not render railing for
|
||
|
|
railing, but mildly denied the charge, and owned what he was.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
6. He humbly desired a permission from the chief captain, whose
|
||
|
|
prisoner he now was, to speak to the people. He does not demand it as a
|
||
|
|
debt, though he might have done so, but sues for it as a favour, which
|
||
|
|
he will be thankful for: <I>I beseech thee, suffer me to speak to the
|
||
|
|
people.</I> The chief captain rescued him with no other design than to
|
||
|
|
give him a fair hearing. Now, to show that his cause needs no art to
|
||
|
|
give it a plausible colour, he desires he may have leave immediately to
|
||
|
|
defend himself; for it needed no more than to be set in a true light;
|
||
|
|
nor did he depend only on the goodness of his cause, but upon the
|
||
|
|
goodness and fidelity of his patron, and that promise of his to all his
|
||
|
|
advocates, <I>that it should be given them in that same hour what they
|
||
|
|
should speak.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
7. He obtained leave to plead his own cause, for he needed not to have
|
||
|
|
counsel assigned him, when the Spirit of the Father was ready to
|
||
|
|
dictate to him,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+10:20">Matt. x. 20</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>The chief captain gave him license</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:40"><I>v.</I> 40</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
so that now he could speak with a good grace, and with the more
|
||
|
|
courage; he had, I will not say that favour, but that justice, done him
|
||
|
|
by the chief captain, which he could not obtain from his countrymen the
|
||
|
|
Jews; for they would not hear him, but the captain would, though it
|
||
|
|
were but to satisfy his curiosity. This licence being obtained,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) The people were attentive to hear: <I>Paul stood on the
|
||
|
|
stairs,</I> which gave a little man like Zaccheus some advantage, and
|
||
|
|
consequently some boldness, in delivering himself. A sorry pulpit it
|
||
|
|
was, and yet better than none; it served the purpose, though it was
|
||
|
|
not, like Ezra's pulpit of wood, made for the purpose. There he
|
||
|
|
<I>beckoned with the hand unto the people,</I> made signs to them to be
|
||
|
|
quiet and to have a little patience, for he had something to say to
|
||
|
|
them; and so far he gained his point that every one cried hush to his
|
||
|
|
neighbour, and there was made a profound silence. Probably the chief
|
||
|
|
captain also intimated his charge to all manner of people to keep
|
||
|
|
silence; if the people were not required to give audience, it was to no
|
||
|
|
purpose at all that Paul was allowed to speak. When the cause of Christ
|
||
|
|
and his gospel is to be pleaded, there ought to be a great silence,
|
||
|
|
that we may <I>give the more earnest heed,</I> and all little enough.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Paul addressed himself to speak, well assured that he was serving
|
||
|
|
the interest of Christ's kingdom as truly and effectually as if he had
|
||
|
|
been preaching in the synagogue: he <I>spoke unto them in the Hebrew
|
||
|
|
tongue,</I> that is, in their own vulgar tongue, which was the language
|
||
|
|
of their country, to which he hereby owned not only an abiding
|
||
|
|
relation, but an abiding respect.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<!-- (End Body) -->
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