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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 their 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 their heads and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.

25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observed no such thing, save

[to fulfil a vow.

only that they keep themselves from things 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.

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 men 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

EXPOSITION-Chap. XXI. Continued.

ral opinion, that Paul did not fulfil his whole voyage in one ship, but in two or three (as was common in those coasting voyages), as circumstances might require. The chief fact we here wish to remark is, the strong bond of affection that united Christians with their common Lord.Wherever they went the first enquiry seems to have been, Are there here any that love our Lord Jesus? and that circumstance, independent of all others, was a bond "strong as death." Fellow Christians were brothers and sisters in the same family; they were children of the same heavenly Father, bought with the same blood, actuated by the same Spirit; so that they were indeed ONE, not in name and opinion only, but in heart. They also paid a particular attention to the heralds of salvation when any one came preaching the Lord Jesus, they were attracted to him

as by magnetism: they clung together as grapes upon the true vine; and we may believe they seldom parted without kneeling together in prayer, whether it were in the church, or in the house, or "on the sea shore," as at Tyre: and it was this invincible attachment which occasioned the heathen to say proverbially, "See how these Christians love!"

But we must not generalize. When Paul came to Jerusalem he was introduced to the Apostle James and the elders of that church: and when he related "what (wonderful) things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry, they glorified the Lord," and, in return, directed him to observe what, also, the Lord had done among his countrymen, the Jews: "Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe!"

NOTES-Chap. XXI. Con.

Ver. 21. That they ought not to circumcise, &c.St. Paul's conduct, with regard to Timothy, might have been a sufficient answer to this part of the charge. See chap. xvi. 3.

Ver. 24. Be at charges with them.-This may either mean to pay the whole expense, or to unite in it; both which were occasionally practised. See Lardner's Cred. Book 1. ch. ix. 7. Maimonides confirms the testimony of Josephus on this subject, See Doddr. Note (e).

Ver. 25. As touching the Gentiles which believe,

See chap. xv. 19, 20, 28, 29.

Ver. 26. Then Paul took the men.-This has been censured by Voltaire and others, as a weak act of temporising to please the people: but see Findlay's Answer to Voltaire, part ii. ¿ 25.

Ver. 27. When the seven days-Namely, of parification; see verse 24.Were almost ended.Doddr. "Were about to be accomplished." The Jens which were of Asia-From whom he had before met with much opposition. Chap. xix, 9; xx. 3, &c,

The Jews assault Paul,]

CHAP. XXI. [who is rescued by the guard.

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 him 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 which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city 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 them in the Hebrew tongue, saying, (T)

EXPOSITION,

(T) Ver. 21-40. Paul conforming to the customs of the Mosaic law, is set upon by the Jews, but rescued by the Chief Captain. Our last section introduced Paul to his brethren at Jerusalem. At the same time as they joyfully state the number of converted Jews now in Jerusalem, they use this as an argument with him to conform to the Jewish rites, for they were "all zealous of the law." On this account they had been strongly prejudiced against Paul, because they had heard it reported that he had encouraged the Jewish converts, residing among the Gentiles, to neglect circumcision and other rites of the Mosaic law. This his brethren did not believe; but in order to counteract a report

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Ver. 34. The castle-i. e. of Antonia, where was the Roman garrison.

Ver. 38. That Egyptian, &c.-Josephus mentions an Egyptian impostor as coming into Judea while Felix was governor, some years before this tumult. Pretending to be a prophet, he gathered a multitude,

who followed him into the wilderness, but were easily dispersed by Felix.

Ver. 39. A citizen of no mean city. The people of Tarsus boasted their high antiquity from Tarshish, the son of Javan, Gen. x. 4. They also aspired to literary fame (comp. Note on eh. ix. 11), and were rendered eminent by wealth and commerce. See on ver. 28.

Paul's defence]

CHAP. XXII.

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4 And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into

MEN, brethren, and fathers, hear prisons both men and women.

ye my defence which I make

now unto you.

2 (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saitli,)

3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

5 As also the High Priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received let-. ters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.

6 And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus, about noon suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.

7 And I fell unto the ground, and

EXPOSITION-Chap. XXI. Continued.

of sacrifice for others, especially those who were not well able to afford the charge. This some thought a work of great merit; but it is not to be supposed our apostle, who was a great opponent of the doctrine of human merit, undertook it with such views, but merely to abate the prejudices of his Jewish brethren.

Paul's sentiments on the Jewish dispensation are fully explained in his Epistles. He considered the Jewish ritual as no longer obligatory; yet he did not wish to treat it with contempt, nor to offend his Jewish brethren, who did not yet see its abrogation. Infidel writers have abused his conduct in this respect, as trimming and time-serving; but as his object was not worldly interest, but to subserve the cause of Christ, we see not with what propriety it can be condemned. He became "all things to all men," that, by any means, "he might save some." (1 Cor. ix. 22.)

This conciliatory measure, however, had an effect far different from what had been intended. It was not to be supposed that Paul would, or could, refrain from speaking to a Gentile convert in the city; but his being seen to do this was sufficient to raise an alarm, when his old enemies were

on the watch. He had been seen with one "Trophimus, an Ephesian," whom "they supposed he had brought into the temple," probably from seeing there a person somewhat like him. On this ground (whether real or pretended) an alarm was raised : Paul was seized and dragged out of the temple, and the door closed to prevent other Gentiles from going in. The whole city was immediately in an uproar, and they fell to beating Paul, and would doubt. less have killed him, if the Roman power had not interfered. But notice of the riot being given to the chief officer of the Roman band, which kept guard at the outer gates of the temple, to prevent any riot during the public festivals, he came immediately, with soldiers, to his rescue ; and, supposing him some great criminal (particularly the Egyptian, who had made a riot some time before), he ordered him to be bound with two chains, and enquired into the charge against him; but obtaining no satisfaction from his accusers, he commanded him to be brought immediately to the Castle of Antonia, on the stairs (or steps) of which he obtained leave to speak in his own defence.

NOTES.

CHAP. XXII. Ver. 1. My defence.-Gr. apologia. Mr. Scott says, "The sacred writers never use this word, or the corresponding verb, except when the person spoken of defended himself from some charge brought against him. .... They never call the preaching of the gospel an apology."

Ver. 2. In the Hebrew tongue-That is, as then spoken, which the learned are pretty well agreed was the Syro-Chaldaic-a mixed dialect.

Ver. 3. Born in Tarsus.-See Note on chap. xxi.

30.-Brought up ...... at the feet of Gamaliel.The Jewish students used to sit on the ground before the feet of their Rabbins.

Ver. 4. Unto the death.-Unto death. Bp. Lowth. Ver. 5. The High Priest-Of that time, namely, Caiaphas (as Doddridge supposes) — With the elders doth bear me witness-By the official letters which they gave him.

Ver. 6. As I made my journey, &c.-See chap. ix. 3, &c.

Another tumult]

CHAP. XXII.

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9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.

12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,

13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.

14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.

15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

17 And it came to pass, that, when

[raised by the Jews,

I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;

18 And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.

19 And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: 20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.

21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.

22 And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

23 And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,

24 The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.

25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to Scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.

NOTES.

Ver. 9. Heard not the voice of him that spake.Compare Note on chap. ix. 7.

Ver. 12. And one Ananias.-Compare chap. ix. 10, et seq.

Ver. 14. That Just One-Namely, Jesus Christ. See chap. iii. 14; vii. 52.

Ver. 16. And wash away thy sins.-See chap. ii. 38, and compare 1 Peter iii. 21.

Ver. 17. When I was come again to Jerusalem— After he had been to Damascus and Arabia-then while he was in the temple-perhaps in a portico, and at a time when no one was with him.

Ver. 19. Lord, they know.-Paul is understood here to plead for the probability of his success among the Jews, on the ground of his having been

formerly a persecutor.

Ver. 20. Consenting unto his death. -So chap. viii. 1. Mr. Scott thinks this version much too weak. The word rendered consenting," implies a complacency in the deed; and the word rendered "death," implies "murder."

Ver. 23. Cast off their clothes.-Sir J. Chardin mentions, that the Persians, when they complain to their Sovereign, go in numbers, with strange cries, tearing their garments, and casting dust into the air. Harmer's Obs. vol. iv. p. 203.

Ver. 24. Examined by scourging.-This is the cruel method by which evidence was formerly extorted; but it was not applicable to a Roman citizen. See Note on chap. xvi. 37.

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27 Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.

28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, but I was free born.

29 Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him. 30 On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the

[rescued by the guard.

Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the Chief Priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them. (U)

CHAP. XXIII.

AND Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

2 And the High Priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

CHAP. XXII.

EXPOSITION.

(U) Ver. 1-30. Paul's defence to his brethren, in the Hebrew tongue.-Having obtained permission of the Roman commander, Paul now addresses his countrymen in their own dialect, which, for some time, procured their attention. The account of his birth, education, persecuting zeal, and extraordinary conversion, having been before narrated, will require but little observation here, especially as the narrative will again come under our notice in his speech before Agrippa.

The only new fact here developed in relation to St. Paul, is the trance which he had in the temple, when the Lord Jesus appeared to him, and warned him to leave Jerusalem, and go and preach unto the Geutiles. In this case Paul seems to have had too much confidence in his own strength, and but a slight acquaintance with the obduracy of the human heart. He thought the narrative he could unfold would be so affecting and convincing such an appeal to facts within their own knowledge, as must be irresistible: that when they saw a man who had been brought up in the same religious principles, and had been actuated by the same persecuting zeal as themselves; that such a man had been so completely changed, that he was now ready to die in the behalf of that Jesus whom he so bitterly had persecuted, that his ministry must have been here abund

antly successful. So it is said of the celebrated Melancthon, when he first began to preach, that he thought his arguments and his eloquence would be irresistible; but a little experience convinced him, as himself expressed it, "that old Adam was indeed too strong for young Melancthon." Paul was not left, however, thus to waste his strength by "going a war fare," as it were, "at his own expense." He was directed whither to go, and a power went with him that insured success. But when his countrymen heard it avowed that his commission was to the Gentiles, they (as on former occasions) would not hear another word, but "lifted up their voices" in one continued cry-" Away with such a fellow from the earth."

It is probable that the chief captain did not well understand this speech, which was in Hebrew, from his having previously asked the apostle (ch. xxi. 37), Canst thou speak Greek? He was therefore about to have recourse to the barbarous custom of that age, of extorting con fession by the torture of the whip, but Paul's privilege as a Roman citizen again saved him from it; and finding with whom he now had to do, the chief captain loosed his bands, and ordered all his accusers to appear before him ou the following day, when Paul was set before them, again to make his own defence.

NOTES.

Ver. 28. I was free born.-Commentators are not exactly agreed by what means this could be. Some think Tarsus was a Roman colony; but Lardner denies this. Doddridge thinks that some one of Paul's ancestors must have been rewarded for his military services. See Lardner, bk. 1. ch. x. § 6.

CHAP. XXIII. Ver. 2. To smite him on the mouth. Mr. Hanway mentions, that when a rebel Persian chief was brought before one of Nadir Shah's generals, his answers not pleasing him, he ordered him to be struck across the mouth, to silence him, which was done with such violence, that the blood

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