THI- / 
 
 FORD .^ CAM m;: !'':■,//. 
 SLHIKS Iv 
 
 \ 
 
 G LkL"S 
 
 \. 
 
 \ 
 
 / 
 
 ACTS 
 
 
 X\\ OF THE APOSTLES/ o / 
 
 & ci\^ 
 
 BS2625 
 .ri367 
 
LIBRARY OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 
 
 PRINCETON, N. J, 
 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 PRINCETON UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 Division "^SlSJo^^S 
 Section. ..M3}p7 
 
f 
 
 ^Aa^vvmC/ 
 
THE 
 
 OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE 
 
 ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 
 
 3ntrobuct(on ant) IRotea 
 
 J^OR THE USE OF STUDENTS PREPARING FOR THE FOLLOWING 
 EXAMINA TIONS : 
 
 THE OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE LOCALS, 
 THE COLLEGE OF PRECEPTORS, etc., etc. 
 
 ^ BY THE 
 
 Rev. F. MARSHALL, M.A. 
 
 HEAD MASTER, ALMONDBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL ; FORMERLY VICE-PRINCIPAL 
 TRAINING COLLEGE, CARMARTHEN 
 
 PART II. 
 Chapters XIIL— XXVIII. 
 
 LONDON 
 
 GEORGE GILL & SONS 
 
 MINERVA HOUSE, WARWICK LANE, E.C. 
 1894 
 
Uniform with this "Work. 
 
 GILL'S OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE GENESIS. 
 
 IS. 
 
 GILL'S OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE ST. MAT- 
 THEW. IS. 
 
 GILL'S OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE ST. MARK. 
 
 GILL'S OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE ST. LUKE. 
 
 IS. 
 
 By the same Atithor. 
 
 GILL'S OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE ACTS. 
 PART I. IS. 
 
 GILL'S OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE CHURCH 
 
 CATECHISM. IS. 6d. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 This Edition of the Acts of the Apostles with Notes has been pro- 
 duced for the use of Students preparing for the Local Examinations 
 of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and those of the 
 College of Preceptors. 
 
 The Text is that of the Authorised Version arranged in para- 
 graphs. The Revised Version has been inserted in the Margin 
 wherever necessary to elucidate the meaning of the passage. 
 
 The present volume treats of the last Sixteen Chapters, a division 
 suggested by the narrative, and also followed by the Universities 
 of Oxford and Cambridge, whose syndicates select the first twelve 
 chapters, and the remaining sixteen for the subjects of examination 
 in alternate years. 
 
 There will be found an Introduction treating of several subjects 
 with which a student of the Acts should be acquainted, but the 
 consideration of which occupies too much space to be inserted as 
 Marginal or Foot Notes. 
 
 As far as possible the Notes have been arranged in such a form 
 as can be reproduced in examination by the student. 
 
 Full Geogra;phical and Biographical Notices will be found in the 
 Introduction, and Maps have been introduced wherever necessary 
 to illustrate the geography of the work. The Notes will be found 
 opposite, or nearly opposite, the words or phrase they are intended 
 to explain. 
 
 The student is referred to Part I. for such subjects as "Title," 
 "Author," "Life of Luke," &c., as it was found impossible to 
 repeat them in the present volume. 
 
 F. M. 
 
 Almondbury, 1 891. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Introduction to the I^tudy of the Acts of the Apostles — 
 
 PAGB 
 
 Geographical Notes 5 
 
 Biographical Notices .19 
 
 Kings and Governors 28 
 
 The Influence of the Holy Spirit 30 
 
 The Acts illustrated by the Epistles 32 
 
 Instances of St. Luke's Accuracy 35 
 
 Instances of Consistency in the Narrative 36 
 
 Chronology of the Acts (Chapters xiii. to xxviii.) .... 37 
 
 Analysis of the Acts of the Apostles (Chapters xiii. to xxviii.) . . 38 
 
 St. Paul's First Missionary Journey (with map) .... 43 
 
 St. Paul's Second Missionary Journey (with map) .... 44 
 
 St. Paul's Third Missionary Journey (with map) .... 44 
 
 St. Paul's Voyage to Rome (with map) 45 
 
 The Epistles of St. Paul 47 
 
 The Acts of the Apostles (Chapters xiii. to xxviii.) with 
 
 LIarginal Notes ... 48 
 
 Appendix of Examination Questions 133 
 
 Maps — 
 
 Athens J8 
 
 Rome 17 
 
 St. Paul's Missionary Journeys . 42 
 
 The Voyage to Rome ,46 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 TO THE STUDY OF 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 GEOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 
 
 Achaia. — A Roman province comprising the whole of Greece 
 south of Macedonia, with the adjacent islands. Its capital was 
 Corinth. Originally (B.C. z'j) under Augustus, it was a senatorial 
 province and governed by a proconsul. Tiberius made it an im- 
 perial province (A.D. i6), and it was then governed by a procurator, 
 but Claudius restored it to the Senate. Gallio is therefore correctly 
 called the " proconsul " (A.V. " deputy") of Achaia. 
 
 Macedonia and Achaia are frequently mentioned together to indi- 
 cate all Greece. 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. Visited by Paul on his second missionary journey, and the Jews rose up against him 
 at Corinth when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia (iviii. 12). 
 
 2. ApoUos visited Achaia, and made Corinth the centre of his labours (xviii. 27 ; six. i) 
 
 3. Visited by Paul on his third missionary journey (xix. 21). 
 
 Adramyttium. — A seaport on the coast of the province of Asia, 
 situated in the district called Mysia. The isle of Lesbos lay at the 
 opening of the gulf on which Adramyttium was situated. In PauFs 
 time it was a port of considerable trade. 
 
 Notice in Acts. 
 The centurion Julius embarked at Caesarea with Paul in a ship of Adramyttium to sail 
 to Italy (xxvii. 2). 
 
 Adria. — The name is derived from the town of Adria near the Po. 
 In the Acts it signifies that part of the Mediterranean which lies 
 
THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 between Greece, Italy, and Africa. The name embraced a much 
 larger expanse of sea than the present Adriatic or Gulf of Venice. 
 
 Notice in Acts. 
 The ship conveying Paul to Italy is said to have been " driven up and down in Adria," 
 and was finally wrecked off the coast of Melita (xxsii. 27). 
 
 Alexandria. — The capital of Egypt, founded by Alexander the 
 Great, B.C. 332. Ptolemy I. removed a great number of Jews to 
 Alexandria, and so numerous did the Jewish residents become that 
 Philo estimates their number at nearly 1,000,000, and adds that two 
 of the five districts of Alexandria were called "Jewish districts." 
 The Septuagint version of the Old Testament was made by Jews at 
 Alexandria. Alexandria was the corn port of Rome. 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. The synagogue of the Alexandrians disputed with Stephen (vi. 9). 
 
 2. Apollos was a native of Alexandria (xviii. 24). 
 
 3. Paul sailed from Myra, on the voyage to Rome, in a ship of Alexandria (xxvii. 6). 
 
 4. Paul sailed from Melita to Rome in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the 
 island (xxviii. 11). ■ ; 
 
 AmphipoliSi — A city of Macedonia, about thirty-three miles south 
 of Philippi on the Egnatian road. It was called Amphipolis because 
 the river Strymon flowed almost round the town. In Paul's time it 
 was a great Roman military station. 
 
 Notice in Acts. 
 Paul and Silas passed through Amphipolis on their way from Philippi to Thessalonica 
 (xvii. I). 
 
 Antioch in Syria.— The capital city of Syria, situated on the river 
 Orontes, about sixteen miles from the sea-coast. It was founded 
 300 B.C. by Seleucus Nicanor. It became a city of great extent and 
 beauty. It was the residence of the Roman proconsul of Asia. 
 Seleucia was the port of Antioch. 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. Nicolas, one of the seven deacons, was a proselyte of Antioch (vi. 5). 
 
 2. The first Gentile Church was founded at Antioch (xi. 20, 21). 
 
 3. At Antioch Agabus prophesied the famine (xi. 27, 28), and from Antioch were sent 
 contributions to the brethren at Jerusalem (xi. 30). 
 
 4. At Antioch the disciples were first called Christians (xi. 26). 
 
 5. It was to Antioch that the Judaizers came, who disturbed the Church there and were 
 the cause of the holding of the first Christian Council (xv. i). 
 
 6. It was the centre and starting point of Paul's missionary work, for — 
 
 (a) At Antioch Paul and Barnabas were ordained for missionary work (xiii. 1—3). 
 
 {h) From Antioch they started on the first missionary journey (xiii. 1—3), and hither 
 
 they returned (xiv. 26). 
 (c) Paul began and ended his second missionary journey at Antioch (xv. 36 ; xviii. 22). 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 (</) Antioch was also the starting point of the third missionary journey (xviii. 23) 
 which was broug^ht to an end by the seizure of the Apostle at Jerusalem and his 
 subsequent imprisonment at Caesarea. 
 
 Antioch in Pisidia. — A city at the extreme north of Pisidia on the 
 borders of Phrygia. It was founded by Seleucus Nicanor. It must be 
 carefully distinguished from Antioch in Syria. 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. Visited by Paul on his first missionary journey. Here he preached his first recorded 
 sermon (xiii. 16 — 41). 
 
 2. This preaching led to the reception of the Gospel by a great number of the Gentiles, 
 The jealousy of the Jews was aroused, and a violent persecution followed, which drove 
 Paul and Barnabas from Antioch to Iconium. On departing, the Apostles "shook the 
 dust off their feet against the Jews " (xiii. 50, 51). 
 
 Antipatris.— Ancient name Caphassata. Rebuilt by Herod the 
 Great, who called it Antipatris in honour of his father Antipater. It 
 was on the road from Jerusalem to Caesarea, forty-two miles from 
 Jerusalem and twenty-six from Caesarea. 
 
 Notice in Acts. 
 The soldiers conveyed Paul from Jerusalem to Antipatris by night. The foot-soldiers 
 halted at Antipatris and the horse-soldiers went on with Paul to Caesarea (xxiii. 31, 32). 
 
 Apollonia. — A city of Macedonia, thirty miles from Amphipolis 
 and thirty- seven from Thessalonica. 
 
 Notm in AqU^ 
 Paul and Silas passed through it on the second missionary journey on their way from 
 Philippi and Amphipolis to Thessalonica (xvii. i). 
 
 Appii Forum.— A well-known station on the Appian Way, the 
 great road from Rome to Brundusium, and so called from the famous 
 Roman censor, Appius Claudius. It was at the northern end of a 
 canal which ran parallel to the road. The town is mentioned by 
 Horace as crowded with boatmen and abounding in taverns. It was 
 forty-three miles from Rome. 
 
 Notice in Acts. 
 The brethren went out from Rome as far as Appii Forum to meet Paul (xxviii. 15). 
 [They came no further because they could not tell whether the Apostle would come by the 
 canal or the road.] 
 
 Asia does not express '' the continent of Asia," nor what we now 
 know as " Asia Minor," but the Roman province of that name, 
 governed by a proconsul. It included the districts of Mysia, Lydia, 
 and Caria. Its capital was Ephesus, and amongst other important 
 
THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 cities it contained the seven Churches of the Apocalypse. The 
 province was left by the will of Attains, king of Pergama, to the 
 Roman republic. 
 
 j^^ssos.— A seaport in Mysia on the north side of the gulf of Adra- 
 myttium, connected by a good Roman road with Troas, from which 
 it was distant about twenty miles. 
 
 Notice in Acts. 
 Paul went by road from Troas to Assos, whilst the vessel sailed round Cape Lectum to 
 Assos where Paul again joined the vessel (xx. 13). 
 
 Athens. — Formerly the capital of Attica, and the chief seat of 
 Grecian culture and learning. It stood and stands on a plain 
 between the mountains of Attica and the sea, watered by the rivers 
 Cephissus and Ilissus. 
 
 33~ 
 
 7iV* 
 9 Forum 
 UXarVfl' 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. Areopagus, or Mars Hill, an eminence to the west of the Acropolis. It was famous 
 in classic literature as the meeting place of the Athenian Council of Areopagus, which 
 took its name from the place where it met. Paul delivered his speech to the Athenians 
 from the Hill of Mars (Ares) (xvii. 19, 22). 
 
 2. Paul " disputed daily in the market with them that met with him " (xvii 17). 
 
INTR OD UCTION. 
 
 Market, or Agora, was situated in the valley between the Acropolis, the Areopagus, the 
 Pynx, and the museum. It was the great square of the town. Professor Leathes describes 
 it as a combination of the Stock Exchange and the West End Parks and Clubs. 
 
 3. " The Athenians spent their time in telling or hearing some new thing " (xvii. 21). 
 This character is attested by the unanimous voice of antiquity. Demosthenes rebukes 
 
 his countr>-men for their love of constantly going about in the market and asking one 
 another. What news ? 
 
 4. Paul describes the Athenians as being " too superstitious " (religious) (xvii. 22). 
 This description is confirmed by Pausanias who states that the Athenians surpassed all 
 
 other states in the attention they paid to the gods. Besides the statues of Neptune, 
 Miner\'a, Jupiter, Apollo, the Muses, &c., and the Temples of Bacchus and Ceres, in the 
 centre of the city stood the Parthenon, the grandest of ancient temples, consecrated to 
 ^linerva. A gigantic statue of the goddess stood on the Acropolis. It was made of the 
 armour captured at Marathon. 
 
 5. Mention is made of the philosophical sects of the Epicureans and Stoics (xvii. 18). 
 Four great schools of philosophy had their headquarters at Athens, viz. : — 
 
 The Peripatetics (followers of Aristotle), who met at the Lyceum. 
 The Academicians (followers of Plato), who met at the Academy. 
 The Epicureans (followers of Epicurus), who met at the Garden. 
 Stoics (followers of Zeno), who met at the Porch (stoa in the Greek, hence the name). 
 
 Attalia.— A coast town of Pamphylia, built by Attalus Phila- 
 delphus, and named after that monarch. Paul and Barnabas sailed 
 from Attalia to Antioch in Syria on their return from the first mis- 
 sionary journey (xiv. 25). 
 
 Berea. — Modern Verria, a city of Macedonia at the south-west of 
 Thessalonica. 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. On the persecution at Thessalonica (second missionary journey) the brethren sent 
 Paul and Silas from Thessalonica by night to Berea (xvii. lo). 
 
 2. The Jews of Berea are favourably spoken of: " These were more noble than those in 
 Thessalonica" (xvii. 11). 
 
 3. On the arrival of Jews from Thessalonica and the renewal of the persecution Paul 
 withdrew secretly to Athens, leaving Silas and Timothy at Berea (xvii. 14, 15). 
 
 4. Sopater, one of Paul's missionary companions, was a native of Berea (xx. 4). 
 
 Bithynia. — A Roman province contiguous to the province of Asia 
 on the West, and having the Euxine Sea on the North. 
 
 Notice in Acts. 
 On the second missionary journey Paul and Silas "assa5-ed to go into Bithynia, but the 
 Spirit suffered them not " (xvi. 7). 
 
 Caesarea. — The Caesarea of the Acts is the Caesarea on the sea- 
 coast, known also as Caesarea Sebasto, so called in honour of 
 Augustus (Greek Sebastos) Caesar. It was on the coast of Palestine, 
 on the great road from Tyre to Egypt, and about seventy miles from 
 Jerusalem. It was built by Herod the Great. It was the official 
 
THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 residence of the Herodian kings, and of the Roman governors of 
 Judaea. 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. Philip, passing from Azotus, preached through all cities till he came to Caesarea 
 (viii. 40). 
 
 2. Caesarea was the scene of the conversion and baptism of the centurion Cornelius, the 
 first-fruits of the Gentiles (x. 1—43). 
 
 3. After the miraculous release of Peter from prison, Herod went down to Caesarea, 
 where he died, eaten of worms (xii. 23). 
 
 4. At the close of the second missionary journey Paul sailed from Ephesus, landed at 
 Caesarea, thence went up to Jerusalem (xviii, 22). 
 
 5. At the close of his third missionary journey Paul stayed at Caesarea. Here dwelt 
 Philip the Evangelist, and here also Agabus prophesied the persecutions Paul would suffer 
 at the hands of the Jews (xii. 8—16). 
 
 6. Claudius Lysias, the chief captain, sent Paul from Jerusalem to Felix the Governor 
 It Cassarea (xxiii. 23). 
 
 7. Caesarea was the scene of Paul's two years' imprisonment, his accusation by the Jews 
 through TertuUus, his trials before Felix, Festus, and finally Agrippa II. On Paul 
 appealing to Caesar he was sent to Rome, sailing from Caesarea in the charge of the 
 centurion Julius. ^' 
 
 Cenclll>ea.— The eastern harbour of Corinth on the Saronic gulf, 
 the port for the trade with the Asiatic shores of the Mediterranean. 
 It was distant about seven miles from Corinth. 
 
 Notice in Acts. 
 Paul shaved his head at Cenchrea under a Nazarite vow, and sailed from that port for 
 Sjaia, on his return from the second missionary journey (xviii. 18). 
 
 Chios. — Modern Scio, an island in the ^Egean Sea off the coast of 
 Lydia, and separated from the mainland only by a strait of five 
 miles. Paul passed by Chios on his return from the third missionary 
 journey. 
 
 Cilicia. — A maritime province in the south-east comer of Asia 
 Minor; chief town, Tarsus, the birth-place of St. Paul. It was by 
 its geographical position the high road between Syria and the west. 
 It was twice visited by St. Paul, firstly, soon after his conversion 
 (Gal. i. 21 ; Acts ix. 30), and again on his second apostolical 
 journey (Acts xv. 41). 
 
 Clauda.— A small island (modem Gozzo) to the south of Crete. 
 
 Notice in Acts. 
 During the voyage from Caesarea to Rome the vessel containing Paul and his fellow- 
 voyagers was driven by the north-easter (Euroclydon) from Crete. Under the lee of 
 Clauda the sailors hove the ship to and hoisted on board the boat ; which was towed 
 behind (Acts xxvii. 12—17). 
 
INTRODUCTION. ii 
 
 Cnidus. — A city of some consequence at the extreme south-west of 
 Asia Minor, on a promontory (Cape Crio) projecting between the 
 islands of Cos and Rhodes. 
 
 Notice in Acts. 
 The harbour was passed by St. Paul after leaving Myra, and before running under the 
 lee of Crete (voyage to Rome, Acts zzvii. 7). 
 
 Coos (modem Stanchio or Stancho). — A small island of the Grecian 
 Archipelago, off the coast of Caria. 
 
 Notice in Acts. 
 Paul, on his return from his third missionary journey, passed the night here after sailing 
 from Miletus (Acts xxi. i). 
 
 Corinth.— Situated on the isthmus of that name. The metropolis 
 of the Roman province of Achaia. It was a place of great com- 
 mercial importance. Its wealth and the vice and profligacy of its 
 inhabitants were proverbial. 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. Visited by Paul on his second missionary journey, where he joined Aquila and 
 Priscilla, with whom he worked as tentmakers (xviii. i — 3). 
 
 2. Paul remained at Corinth a year and a half, and at the conclusion of the period the 
 Jews raised a tumult and accused Paul before Gallio (xviii, 12—17). 
 
 3. ApoUos visited Corinth, and his powerful teaching made great impression there 
 (six. i). 
 
 St. Paul wrote two epistles to the Corinthians. 
 
 Crete (modern Candia).— An island extending about one hundred 
 and forty miles in length, and closing in the Grecian Archipelago on 
 the south. 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. There are Ci^etans at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (ii. 11). 
 
 2. The wind being contrary the ship was forced to run from Cnidus down to Cape 
 Salmone, and thence under the lee of Crete to Fair Havens, near Lasaea. Thence, having 
 obtained a favourable wind, they tried to reach Phenice, but were driven into the Sea of 
 Adria by a storm (xxvii. 8 — 15). 
 
 Crete was subsequently visited by Paul and Titus (Titus i. 5). 
 
 Cyprus.— An island situated in the extreme eastern corner of the 
 Mediterranean, due east of Syria, and south of Cilicia. 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. Barnabas the Apostle was a native of Cyprus (iv. 36). 
 
 2. Men of Cyprus and Cyrene preached the Gospel first to Gentiles at Antioch (xi. 20). 
 
 3. Paul and Barnabas visited Cyprus on the first missionary journey, landing at Salamis 
 and going through the island to Paphos, where the deputy, Sergius Paulus, was converted, 
 and Elymas the sorcerer smitten with blindness (xiii. 4 — 12). 
 
12 THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 4. When Barnabas separated from Paul he took Mark with him and visited Cyprus 
 <xv. 39). 
 
 ramascus. — One of the most ancient and most important of the 
 cities of Syria. It is situated in an extensive and fertile plain east 
 of the chain of Anti-Libanus. The fertility of the plain is due to 
 streams flowing from Lebanon and Hermon. These streams are 
 called Abana and Pharpar in Scripture. 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. Saul of Tarsus was journeying to Damascus, commissioned to arrest the Christians 
 there when, near the city, he met with the vision that converted him (ix. i — 8). 
 
 2. At Damascus Ananias restored Paul's sight and baptized him (ix. 9 — 18). 
 
 3. Saul preached at Damascus, and the Jews laid a plot to kill him. Saul was saved by 
 being let down from the wall in a basket (ix. 20 — 25). 
 
 4. From 2 Cor. xi. 32 we learn that King Aretas was the ruler over Damascus at that 
 time. 
 
 Derbe.— A town of Lycaonia visited by Paul on his first and second 
 missionary journeys. Gaius was a native of Derbe. 
 
 Ephesus. — An important city in the district of Ionia, nearly oppo- 
 site the island of Samos, and about the centre of the western coast 
 of Asia Minor. It was the capital of the Roman province of Asia, 
 and the great emporium of all the south-western part of Asia Minor. 
 It was famous for the magnificent temple of Diana, one of the seven 
 wonders of the world. In consequence of the worship of Diana the 
 city was called the " temple -keeper " (R.V.) of Diana. A large 
 trade was carried on in silver shrines of the goddess which pilgrims 
 to the temple carried home with them. Ephesus was also celebrated 
 for its magicians and wizards. " Ephesian letters '^ were well known 
 charms, composed of magic words and worn as amulets. 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. It was visited for a brief period by Paul at the conclusion of his second missionary 
 journey ; and here he left Aquila and Priscilla (xviii. 19—21). 
 
 2. ApoUos arrived at Ephesus from Alexandria and, having been instructed by Aquila 
 and Priscilla, preached most powerfully (xviii. 24—26). 
 
 3. Paul, on his third missionary journey, stayed at Ephesus three years (xix). The chief 
 events during this period are : — 
 
 {a) The baptism of the twelve disciples of John the Baptist. 
 
 {b) The particular miracles wrought by Paul. 
 
 (c) The sons of Sceva attempted to cast out an evil spirit, were attacked and put to 
 
 flight by the demoniac. 
 {d) The professors of magic brought their books and publicly burnt them. 
 (e) The tumult raised by Demetrius Ifhe silversmith. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 13 
 
 4. On his return from Greece on the same journey, Paul sent for the elders of Ephesus 
 to meet him at Miletus, where he took a farewell greeting. 
 
 Galatia.— Literally Gallia; deriving the name from the great 
 Celtic invasion in the third century before Christ. The Roman 
 province of Galatia comprised the central region of Asia Minor. 
 
 Notice in Acts. 
 Galatia was visited by Paul both on his second and third missionary journeys (xvi. 6 ; 
 xviii. 23), He also wrote an epistle to the Galatians. 
 
 The Fair Havens. — A harbour on the south coast of the island of 
 Crete, near the town of Lasea. 
 
 Notice in Acts. 
 Paul and his companions sailed round the east coast of Crete, past Cape Salmone, and 
 attained to the harbour of Fair Havens. This harbour being exposed was not convenient 
 for wintering, so they endeavoured to reach Phenice on the south-west of the island. 
 
 Iconium.— Modern Konieh, a city of Lycaonia, of which it was 
 the capital ; visited by Paul with Barnabas on his first missionary 
 journey. The opposition of the Jews forced the apostle to leave 
 Iconium and go to Lystra and Derbe. 
 
 Lasea. — ^A town of Crete near Fair Havens. Its ruins have lately 
 been identified. 
 
 Lycaonia (= Wolf-land). — A dreary plain bare of trees, with scarcity 
 of water, to the north of Cilicia and east of Phrygia and Pamphylia. 
 Iconium was its capital, and amongst its cities are numbered 
 Lystra and Derbe. Its inhabitants spoke a language different 
 from Greek, 
 
 Lycia.— The name of that south-western portion of the peninsula 
 of Asia Minor which is immediately opposite the island of Rhodes. 
 It was a Roman province with Myra for its capital. 
 
 Lystra.— A town of LyCaonia. Visited by Paul on his first and 
 second missionary journeys. 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. Paul healed the cripple, and, in consequence, the inhabitants would have worshipped 
 the Apostles as gods, calling Barnabas Jupiter, and Paul Mercury (xiv. 8—18). 
 
 2. The Jews, coming from Antioch and Iconium, persuaded the people and they stoned 
 Paul (xiv. 19, 20). 
 
 3. It was the home of Timothy. Paul, on his second missionary journey, visited Lystra 
 and took Timothy as his companion and fellow missionary (xvi. 1—3). 
 
14 THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 Macedonia. — The north-eastern of the three Roman provinces, 
 Illyricum, Achaia, and Macedonia, into which the country between 
 the basin of the Danube and Cape Matapan was divided. 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. Paul, after the vision of the man of Macedonia, saying, "Come over into Macedonia 
 and help us," crossed over into Europe on his second missionary journey (xvi. 9 — 10). 
 
 2. On the second missionary journey Paul preached at Philippi, Thessalonica, and 
 Berea, towns of Macedonia, returning into Asia from Corinth by sea (xvi., xvii., xviii.) 
 
 3. On the third missionary journey Paul went and returned through Macedonia. His 
 return through that province was occasioned by a plot of the Jews, who lay in wait for 
 him at Corinth "as he was about to sail into Syria" (xx. 3). 
 
 The towns of Macedonia mentioned in Acts are Neapolis, Philippi, Amphipolis, 
 Apollonia, Thessalonica, and Berea. 
 
 Macedonia was well intersected by Roman roads, especially by the great Via Egnatia, 
 which connected Philippi and Thessalonica. 
 
 Melita.— Modem Malta. See notes on Chap, xxviii. 
 
 Miletns. — A town on the western coast of Asia Minor to the 
 south of Ephesus. Here Paul met the elders of Ephesus (xx. 17). 
 
 Mitylene.— The chief town of Lesbos, and situated on the east 
 coast of the island. Mitylene is the intermediate place where Paul 
 stopped for the night between Assos and Chios (Acts xx. 14, 15). 
 
 Myra (modern Dembra). — An important port of Lycia. 
 
 Notice in Acts. 
 Here Paul on his voyage to Rome, was removed from the Adramyttian ship which had 
 brought him from Caesarea, and embarked on the Alexandrian ship in which he was 
 wrecked on the coast of Malta (xxvii. 5). 
 
 Mysia.— A region on the frontier of the provinces of Asia and 
 Bithynia (mentioned only xvi. 7, 8). 
 
 Neapolis.— The port of Philippi, the place in Northern Greece 
 where Paul first landed in Europe (xvi. 1 1). 
 
 Pamphylia. — A Roman province on the south coast of Asia 
 Minor, having Cilicia on the east and Lycia on the west. 
 
 Notice in Ads. 
 Paul and Barnabas, on the first missionary journey, first entered Asia Minor at Perga in 
 Pamphylia (xiii. 13), and finally left Pamphylia by its chief seaport, Attalia (xiv. 25), 
 
 Paphos.— The capital of Cyprus, at the western extremity, and the 
 residence of the Roman governor. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 15 
 
 Notice in Acts. 
 Paul, on the first missionary journey, converted Sergius Paulus, the Governor, and 
 ■smote Elymas the sorcerer with blindness for resisting his teaching and for endeavouring 
 to persuade the Governor against the Apostles (xiii. 6 — 12). 
 
 Patara.— A city of Lycia on the south-westem shore, not far from 
 ;the river Xanthus. The island of Rhodes is immediately opposite. 
 
 /Notice in Acts. 
 Here Paul, on his way to Jerusalem at the end of the third missionary journey, changed 
 vessels, quitting the one by which he had voyaged from Greeee for one sailing from Patara 
 to Phoenicia (xxi. 2). 
 
 Perga-— A city of Pamphylia, situated on the river Cestrus. 
 
 Notice in Acts. 
 
 Here Paul and Barnabas, on the first missionary journey, first entered Asia Minor 
 ^xiii. T3). 
 
 Here John Mark, who had accompanied them from Antioch, departed firom them and 
 returned to Jerusalem (xiii. 13). 
 
 Phcenice = Phoenicia, a tract of country of which Tyre and Sidon 
 were the chief cities, in the north of Palestine, along the coast of the 
 IVIediterranean Sea, bounded by that sea on the west, and by the 
 -mountain range of Lebanon on the east. The native name of 
 Phoenicia was Kenaan (Canaan), signifying lowland. Thus " the 
 woman of Canaan " (Matt. xv. 22), whose daughter was vexed with a 
 devil, is termed by Mark *' a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation" 
 (Mark vii. 26). 
 
 Phenice or Phoenix, the name of a haven of Crete, on the western 
 ,side of the southern coast. 
 
 Notice in Acts. 
 It was to this harbour (looking to the north-east and south-east) that the sailing master 
 , tried to reach from Fair Havens on the voyage to Rome (xxvii. 12). 
 
 Philippi.— A city of Macedonia, about nine miles from the sea, 
 having Neapolis for its port. In Paul's time it was a Roman colony. 
 It was famous by reason of the neighbouring gold mines. In the 
 neighbourhood were fought the two battles of Philippi, in which 
 Brutus and Cassius were defeated by Antony and Octavius, B.C. 43. 
 
 Notice in Acts. 
 On his second missionary ioumey (his first visit to Europe), Paul converted and baptized 
 I.ydia ; cast out the spirit of divination from a damsel ; was brought before the magistrates. 
 
I6 
 
 THE A CTS OF TlfK APOSTLES. 
 
 beaten and put in prison. Here the jailor was converted, and Paul claimed the privileges 
 of his Roman citizenship (xvi. 12, &c.). privileges 
 
 way back to Europe at the conclusion of the third missionary journey (xx. 6). 
 
 Phrygia.-No exact district, but rather ethnological than political 
 denoting in a vague manner the western part of the central region of 
 Asia Minor. ^ 
 
 Pisidia.-A district of Asia Minor to the north of Pamphylia 
 Antioch, m Pisidia, was the chief town. 
 
 Pontus.-A large district of Asia Minor, bordering on the Euxine j 
 Sea. Aquila and Priscilla were natives of Pontus (xviii. 2). 
 
 Ptolemais.-The ancient Accho, the modem St. Tean d'Acre or 
 simply Acre. ' 
 
 Notice in Acts. \ 
 
 Paul landed here from Tyre on his last journey to Jerusalem (xxi. 7). 
 There was a Christian Church there (xxi. 7). 
 
 Puteoli.-The modern Pozzuoli, near Naples, the great landino-- ' 
 place of travellers to Italy from the Levant, and the harbour to whi?h 
 the Alexandrian corn-ships brought their cargoes. Here Paul 
 landed on his journey to Rome (xxviii. 13). 
 
 Rhegium.-Modem Reggio, on the southern point of Italy on the 
 straits of Rhegium Paul touched at Rhegium in his voyage from 
 Mehta to Italy (xxviii. 13). ^ 
 
 Rhodes.-The famous island at the north-west extremity of Asia 
 Minor, off the coast of Caria and Lycia. Celebrated for the great 
 Temple of the Sun, and for the great statue, the Colossus (one of 
 the seven, wonders of the world), in the harbour. It has been 
 famous in the world's history, and was the last place where the 
 Christians of the East held out against the advancing Saracens: 
 and subsequently it was once more famous as the home and fortress 
 of the Knights of St. John. 
 
 Notice in Acts. 
 (xTi^O *°''''^^^ *^"^ °° ^" ''^*"" """^^^^ *° ^^"^ *''°°' '^^ '^''■'^ missionary journey 
 
lATR OD UCTION'. 
 
 17 
 
 Rome. — For a description of the city and history see Classical Dic- 
 tionary. 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. By a decree of Claudius Caesar all Jews were commanded to depart from Rome 
 (xviii. 2). 
 
 2. Paul appealed to Caesar, and in consequence was sent by Festus to Rome (xxvii., xxviii.). 
 The impartial administration and firm rule of Rome were ot great assistance to the 
 
 Apostles in the first preaching of the Gospel. Tbeir military roads also rendered travel 
 easy and safe, and materially furthered the rapid spread ot Christianity. Thus — 
 
 (i) P;)ul followed the great Egnatian road from Philippi through Thessalonica to 
 Athens and Corinth (xvi., xvii.). 
 
 (2) The privilege of Roman citizenship preserved Paul at Philippi (xvi. 37), and at 
 Jerusalem (xxii. 25). 
 
 (3) Roman impartiality caused Gallic to take no notice of the charge against Paul 
 at Corinth (xviii. 14). 
 
 (4) Roman rule rescued Paul from the fanatical Jews at Jerusalem (xxii. 31—32). 
 
 (5) Roman rule again preserved Paul at Caesarea, and the appeal to Caesar compelled 
 Festus to abandon the design of taking Paul to Jerusalem, and rendered it 
 imperative to send the Apostle to Rome (xxv. 9—12). 
 
 c 
 
i8 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 Salamis.— A city at the eastern end of the island of Cyprus, in the 
 bay which is now called Famagousta. It was the first place visited 
 by Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey on leaving the 
 mainland at Seleucia (xiii. 5). 
 
 Salmone. — The east point of the island of Crete. 
 
 Samos.— An island off that part of Asia Minor where Ionia touches 
 Caria. It has been famous in both ancient Greek and modern 
 European history. 
 
 Paul sailed by it from Chios to Trogj'llium on his last journey to Jerusalem (xx. 15). 
 
 Samothracia. — An island in the north of the ^gean Sea, in the 
 direct route from Troas across to Neapolis. 
 
 On the second missionary journey Paul crossed from Troas to Neapolis in two days, 
 calling at Samothracia at the end of the first day (xvi. 11). 
 
 Seleucia. — Near the mouth of the Orontes and sixteen miles from 
 Antioch, of which city it was the seaport. 
 
 Paul and Barnabas sailed from Seleucia starting on their first missionary journey (xiii. 4) 
 
 Sidon.— The well-known seaport on the coast of Phoenicia. 
 
 On leaving Caesarea for Rome the vessel called at Sidon where Paul went on shore by 
 leave of the centurion Julius (xxvii. 3). 
 
 Syracuse. — The celebrated city on the east coast of Sicily. 
 
 Paul arrived thither in an Alexandrian ship from Melita on his voyage to Rome. He 
 stayed there three days (xxviii. 12). 
 
 Tarsus. — The capital of CiUcia, situated in a mild and fertile plain 
 on the banks of the Cydnus. Augustus made it a " free city," but 
 that did not constitute its inhabitants Roman citizens. The schools 
 of Tarsus were held in high reputation. 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. It was the birthplace of Paul who styles himself "a Jew of Tarsus, a'city in Cilicia, a 
 citizen of no mean city" (xxi. 39). 
 
 2. When Paul went up from Damascus to Jerusalem, the Grecian Jews sought to slay 
 him, so the brethren sent him down to Caesarea, and thence to Tarsus (ix. 3o\ 
 
 3. Paul remained at Tarsus until Barnabas came to Tarsus to seek him after the Gospel 
 had been preached to the Gentiles at Antioch (xi. 25), 
 
 Thessalonica.— The modern Saloniki, ancient Therma. Called 
 Thessalonica by Cassander, after the name of his wife, the sister of 
 Alexander the Great. For several centuries this city was a great 
 bulwark of Oriental Christendom against the Saracens. 
 
INTRODUCTION. j^ 
 
 Notice in Acts. 
 
 It was visited by Paul and Silas on the second missionary journey. They stayed there 
 some time and were compelled to leave through the hostility of the Jews, who raised a 
 tumult and brought Jason and others before the magistrates (xvii. i — 9). 
 
 Paul wrote two epistles to the Thessalonians. 
 
 Thyatira.— A town on the river Lycus in Lydia. Dyeing was one 
 of the staple trades of Thyatira. 
 
 Lydia, converted by Paul at Philippi, Avas a seller of purple from Thyatira (xvi. 14). 
 
 Troas. — A seaport on the coast of Mysia. 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. The city from which Paul first sailed, in consequence of his vision of the man of 
 Macedonia appearing unto him, to carry the Gospel from Europe to Asia (xvi. 8, 11). 
 
 2. Paul called here on his way from Europe to Jerusalem on his last journey to that city. 
 He stayed seven days. Here he raised Eutychus to life (xx. 5, 6). 
 
 Further Notice. 
 From 2 Tim. iv. 13 we gather that Paul again visited Troas during the period between 
 his first and second imprisonments at Rome. 
 
 Trogyllium.— A promontory of Caria on the mainland of Asia 
 Minor, separated from Samos by a channel about a mile in width. 
 It was the last station before Miletus on the last voyage to Jerusalem. 
 
 Tyre — The well-known seaport of Phoenicia. 
 
 On his last journey to Jerusalem Paul landed at Tyre, for the ship had to unlade, and 
 stayed seven days with the disciples there (xxi. 3). 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 Aga"bus. See page 34, Part I. 
 
 Alexander, a Jew at Ephesus, whom his countrymen put forward 
 during the tumult raised by Demetrius the silversmith, to plead their 
 cause with the mob, as being unconnected with the attempt to over- 
 throw the worship of Diana (xix. ■^■^). 
 
 Note. — It has been suggested that Alexander was Alexander the coppersmith mentioned 
 (2 Tim. iv. 14) as having " done much evil" to the Apostle. If so, he may have had some 
 trade connection with Demetrius. 
 
 Ananias, son of Nebedacus, nominated to the office of high priest 
 by Herod, King of Chalcis, A.D. 48. He was conspicuous for cruelty 
 and injustice, and had been sent to Rome to take his trial before 
 Claudius on a charge of oppression, brought by the Samaritans, A.D. 
 
20 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 52. He resumed office on his return, but was deposed shortly before 
 the recall of Felix. He was assassinated by the Sicarii at the begin- 
 ning ot the last Jewish war. 
 
 Notice in Acts. 
 When Paul was brought by the chief captain before the Sanhedrim, Ananias presided 
 and bade the officers " smite Paul on the mouth " (xxiii. 2). 
 
 —A polios. 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. A Jew born in Alexandria, eloquent and mighty in the Scriptures. He was instructed 
 in the way of the Lord knowing only the baptism or doctrine of John the Baptist. He 
 came to Ephesus in the interval between Paul's second and third missionary journeys, 
 and was more perfectly taught by Aquila and Priscilla (xviii. 24, 25, 26). 
 
 2. He then became a preacher of the Gosp el, first in Achaia, then at Corinth (xviii. 27), 
 where he is said to have watered that which Paul planted (i Cor. iii. 6). He eame to be 
 regarded by some Corinthians as the equal of Paul, and there arose a strong party 
 feeling in that Church which is rebuked by Paul in his First Epistle to the Corinthians. 
 
 Aquila and Priscilla (his wife). 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. A Jew, a native from Pontus, who had fled with his wife Priscilla from Rome, in con- 
 sequence of the decree of Claudius commanding all Jews to quit the city (xviii. 2). 
 
 2. Paul found him at Corinth on his arrival from Athens, on his second missionary 
 journey (xviii. 2). 
 
 3. He became acquainted with the Apostle and they abode together and wrought at 
 their common trade of tent-making (xviii. 3). 
 
 4. On the departure of Paul from Corinth a year and six months later, Priscilla and 
 Aquila accompanied him to Ephesus (xviii. 18). 
 
 5. There Paul left them ; and when Apollos came to Ephesus they took him and taught 
 liim the way of the law more perfectly (xviii. 26). 
 
 Further Notices. 
 
 1. When the First Epistle to the Corinthians was written, Aquila and his wife were still 
 at Ephesus. "Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord " (i Cor. xvi. 19). 
 
 2. Later we find them at Rome, and their house a place of assembly for Christians. 
 They are there described as having endangered their lives for that of the Apostle (Rom. 
 ^i. 3, 4, 5)- 
 
 3. In 2 Tim. iv. 10, Paul sends salutation to them "as being with Timothy, probably at 
 Ephesus. 
 
 Aristarchus. 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. A Tbessalonian who accompanied Paul on his third missionary journey (xix. 29). 
 
 2. He was with the Apostle on his return to Asia fxx. 4). 
 
 3. He was a companion of Paul on the vo}'age to Rome (xxvii. 2). 
 
 Further Notice. 
 He was afterwards Paul's fellow-prisoner at Rome (Col. iv. 10 ; Phllcm. 24). 
 
IMTR OD UCtlON, 2 1 
 
 — Barnabas. 
 
 A name signifying " son of proph ecy " or '* exhortati on " (or, but 
 not so probably, " consolation," as A.V.), given by the Apostles to 
 Joses or Joseph, a Levite, of the island of Cyprus, one of the early 
 disciples of Christ. 
 
 He had a sister Mary, mother of John Mark, living in Jerusalem 
 (Acts xii. 12). 
 
 His relationship to Mark is recorded (Col, iv. 10), " Marcus, 
 sister's son to Barnabas." 
 
 Notices III Ach. 
 
 1. As selling land and giving the price to the common fund (iv, 37), 
 
 2. We find him (Acts ix. 27) introducing the newly-converted Saul of Tarsus to the 
 Apostles at Jerusalem, in a way which seems to imply previous acquaintance between 
 himself and Saul, (Possibly Barnabas, of Cyprus, had visited the famous schools of Tar- 
 sus, and there met Saul.) 
 
 3. When tidings came to the Church at Jerusalem that men from Cyprus and Cyrcne 
 had been preachin g to Gentiles at Antioch, Barnabas (a native of Cyprus) was sent there 
 (xi, 19, 22), 
 
 4. From Antioch he went to Tarsus, to seek Saul, and having found him he brought him 
 to Antioch (xi, 25, 26). 
 
 5. With Saul he went up to Jerusalem from Antioch, with the relief collected there for 
 the brethren in Judaea during the famine prophesied by Agabus (xi. 29, 30). 
 
 6. On their return to Antioch Saul and Barnabas were ordained by the Church for mis- 
 sionary work, and sent forth (xiii. i — 3). 
 
 From this time Barnabas and Paul are acknowledged as Apostles. Their first missionary 
 journey was confined to Cyprus and Asia Minor, and there is no special mention of Bar- 
 nabas save that he was called "Jupiter " by the people of Lycaonia, who gave to Paul the 
 name of '* Mercurius." 
 
 7. Some time after their return from the first jjiisslonary journey they were sent to Jeru- 
 salem to settle the difficult question respecting the necessity of circumcision for Gentile 
 converts (xv. i— 31). 
 
 8. After a stay at Antioch, on their return, a variance arose between Paul and Barnabas 
 on the question of taking with them, on a second missionary journey, John Mark, sister's 
 son to Barnabas. " The contention was so sharp between them that they parted asunder," 
 and Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus (xv, 36—39). 
 
 In Gal.ii. 13, it is mentioned that Barnabas was induced by the example of Peter and 
 others to separate himself from the Gentiles. 
 
 Tradition states that he went to Milan, and became first bishop there. 
 
 Elymas the Sorcerer, or Bar Jesus (son of Jesus), a magician 
 found by Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey as 
 living with Sergius Paulus, the governor of Cyprus, at Paphos. He 
 endeavoured to withstand the preaching of the Apostles, and was 
 smitten with blindness by Paul (xiii, 6 — 12). 
 
 Claudius Lysias, chief captain or prefect of the garrison at Jeru- 
 salem at the time of the last visit of Paul to that city. He rescued 
 
22 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 Paul from the violence of the JeVs, and finding that the Apostle's 
 life was in danger through a plot of the Jews to assassinate him, sent 
 him to Felix at Caesarea. 
 
 Crispus, ruler of the Jewish synagogue at Corinth (xviii. 8). He 
 was one of the few converts that Paul personally baptized (i Cor. 
 i. 14). 
 
 Damaris, an Athenian woman, converted by Paul's preaching 
 (xvii. 34). Tradition makes her to have been the wife of Dionysius 
 the Areopagite. 
 
 Demetrius, a maker of silver shrines of Diana at Ephesus. 
 These shrines were small models of the great temple of the Ephesian 
 Diana, with her statue, which it was customary to carry on journeys, 
 and place in houses, as charms. 
 
 Notice in Acts. 
 Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen, in fear of their t.ade, raised a tumult against Paul 
 and his missionary companions (xix. 24 — \x). 
 
 Diana, a Roman goddess, corresponding to the Greek Artemis, 
 the tutelary goddess of the Ephesians. The Ephesian Diana was, 
 however, regarded as invested with very different attributes, and 
 made the object of a different worship from the ordinary Diana of 
 the Greeks, and is rather, perhaps, to be identified with Astarte 
 and other female divinities of the East. 
 
 A'ofices in Acts. 
 
 1. At Ephesus there was a temple to her honour (xix. 27). 
 
 2. In this temple was an image of Diana, reported to have fallen from Jupiter (xix. 35). 
 
 3. Pilgrimages were made to this temple, and there was a great sale of silver shrines, 
 i.e., models of the temple and the image (xix. 24). 
 
 4. The goddess was universally worshipped, especially in the province of Asia, "whom 
 all Asia and the world worshippeth " (xix. 27). 
 
 Pausanias confirms this statement, and says " that the Ephesian Diana was honoured 
 probably more than any other deity." 
 
 5. Demetrius and the silversmiths, finding the sale of shrines falling off in consequence 
 of the prea«ching of Paul, raised a tumult against the Apostle and his companions 
 (xix. 24— 41). 
 
 Games were celebrated at Ephesus annually in honour of Diana, and were controlled by 
 the Asiarchs— the chief of Asia (xix. 31). 
 
 Dionysius the Areopagite, an eminent Athenian, a member of the 
 council of Areopagus, converted to Christianity by Paul (xvii. 34). 
 Tradition makes him to have been the first bishop of Athens. 
 
 Erastus, one of the attendants of Paul at Ephesus. He was sent 
 
INTRODUCTION. 23 
 
 forward with Timothy into Macedonia, while Paul remained in Asia 
 (xix. 22). Probably the same Erastus mentioned as being at Corinth. 
 " Erastus abode at Corinth " (2 Tim. iv. 20), but not Erastus the 
 chamberlain (Rom. xvi. 2^^. 
 
 Eut-ychus, a youth at Troas who, sitting in a wmdow and having 
 fallen asleep while Paul was discoursing far into the night, fell from 
 the third story, and being taken up dead was miraculously restored 
 to life by the Apostle (xx. 9). 
 
 Gams of Derbe accompanied Paul from Europe to Asia on his 
 return from the third missionary journey (xx. 4). He has no connec- 
 tion with any other Gains mentioned in the New Testament (xix. 29). 
 
 Gains of Macedonia, a travelling companion of Paul. With Aris- 
 tarchus he was seized and carried by the mob into the temple at 
 Ephesus during the riot created by Demetrius the silversmith (xix. 29). 
 
 Jason of Thessalonica, who entertained Paul and Silas, and was 
 in consequence attacked by the Jewish mob (xvii. 5, 6, 7 — 9). Pro- 
 bably the same Jason mentioned as joining with Paul in his salutation 
 to the Roman brethren (Rom. xvi. 21). 
 
 James, the son of Alphseus. The President of the first Christian 
 Council at Jerusalem (xv.), and first Bishop of Jerusalem is ^ames, 
 who may have been either, 
 
 (a) T\v& Brother of our Lord ; or, 
 {p) The So7i of Alphceus. 
 Most probably the Brother of our Lord, for Paul styles the James 
 whom he saw on his visit to Jerusalem, as "the Lord's Brother" 
 (Gal. i. 19). He also alludes to the same James as "a pillar of the 
 Church " (Gal. ii. 9). 
 
 John Mark is probably the same as Mark the Evangelist. 
 
 Notice in the Gospels. 
 None, unless he were the young man with the linen garment mentioned by Mark alone 
 on the night of our Lord's betrayal (Markxiv. 51, 52). 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. His mother's name was Mary, and she had a house in Jerusalem, to which Peter 
 came, as to a familiar place, after his miraculous deliverance from prison (Acts xll 12). 
 The deduction from this event is that Peter was an intimate friend of the family. 
 
 2. Mark accompanied Paul and Barnabas as their " minister" on their first missionary 
 journey, but only proceeded as far as Perga, where he turned back (Acts xiii. 5 ; xiii. 13). 
 
 3. On the second journey he was the occasion of a sharp contention between Paul and 
 Barnabas. " Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. 
 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pam- 
 
24 THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 phylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between 
 them that they departed asunder one from the other ; and so Barnabas took Mark, and 
 sailed unto Cyprus. And Paul chose Silas, and went through Syria and Cilicia " (Acts 
 XV. 37—41)- 
 
 Notices in the Epistles. 
 
 1. " Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas " (Col. iv. lo). 
 
 This passage shows that Mark was the nephew of Barnabas ; the 
 relationship will account for the indulgent treatment he received 
 from Barnabas. As Paul speaks of Mark as being with him it is 
 clear that the estrangement was not of long duration. As the Epistle 
 to the Colossians was written from Rome, it is evident that Mark was 
 Paul's companion during his imprisonment there. 
 
 2. "Marcus, my fellow-labourer" (Philem. 24). 
 
 This passage furnishes a further proof of his reconciliation to Paul, 
 and of his being the companion of the Apostle at Rome during his 
 first imprisonment. 
 
 3. "Take Mark, and bring him with thee, for he is profitable to me for tbe ministry " 
 (2 Tim. iv. 11). 
 
 Therefore, he was with Timothy at Ephesus when Paul wrote to 
 the latter during his second imprisonment at Rome. 
 
 4. " The Church which is at Babylon saluteth you, and so doth Marcus, my son " 
 (I Pet. V. 13). 
 
 Therefore, later he was with Peter at Babylon. This passage 
 confirms the familiar relationship between Peter and the family of 
 Mark, and supports the theory that Mark was converted by Peter. 
 
 It also confirms the universal tradition of the Church that Mark 
 wrote the Gospel which bears his name under the superintendence of 
 Peter. 
 
 Tradition asserts that he was the companion of Peter at Rome, and that he was sent 
 by Peter on a mission to Egypt. Here he founded the Church of Alexandria, of which 
 Church he was the first Bishop, and where he suffered martyrdom. His body is reported 
 to have been conveyed to Venice, and to have been deposited in the Cathedral of that city 
 which bears his name. The symbol of Mark is " a Lion " (Rev. iv. 7), and the standard of 
 Venice is still " The Lion of St. Mark." 
 
 ^Judas surnamed Barsabas, a leading member of the apostolic 
 church at Jerusalem. He was endued with the gift of prophec y. 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 I. Judas and Silas were chosen as delegates to accompany Paul and Barnabas to 
 
INTRO D VCTION. 25 
 
 Antioch to make known and explain the decree of the Council at Jerusalem concerning 
 the terms of admission of Gentile converts (xv. 22). 
 
 2. After using his prophetical gifts to confirm the brethren at Antioch Judas returned 
 to Jerusalem (xv. 32). 
 
 It has been suggested that he was the brother of Joseph, surnamed Barsabas (i. 2j). 
 
 Julius, the centurion of " Augustus' " band, to whose charge Paul 
 was delivered when he was sent prisoner from Caesarea to Rome 
 (xxvii. i). From his treatment of Paul he seems to have been of a 
 kindly, courteous disposition. 
 
 Justus, a Christian at Corinth, to whose house Paul had recourse 
 when the Jews would hear his preaching no longer (xviii. 7). 
 -Lucius of Cyrene, a prophet and teacher of the Church at An- 
 tioch ; one of those who, instructed by the Holy Ghost, consecrated 
 Paul and Barnabas for their missionary work (xiii, i). 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 I. He was very possibly one of " the men of Cyrene " who being " scattered abroad upon 
 the persecution that arose about Stephen " went to Antioch preaching the Lord Jesus (xi. 
 19, 20). 
 
 • 2. It is supposed he is the Lucius mentioned as joining with Paul in his salutation to the 
 Roman brethren. 
 
 There is no reason for regarding him as identical with Luke the Evangelist (Part I., p. lo). 
 
 Lydia.— The first Roman convert of St. Paul, converted at Philippi. 
 
 1. She was a Jewish proselyte, and was converted by the Apostle at the Jewish Sabbath 
 worship at the proseuche or place of prayer by the river side. 
 
 2. She was a native of the city of Thyatira, which was famous for its dyeing works. 
 Lydia was a seller either of dye or of djed goods. 
 
 3. After her conversion she became the hostess of Paul. From this it is inferred that 
 she was a woman of considerable means (xvi. 14 — 15). 
 
 Manaen, one of the teachers and prophets at the church of Anti- 
 och, at the time of the appointment of Saul and Barnabas as mis- 
 sionaries to the Gentiles (xiii. i). 
 
 He is described as the foster-brother ot Herod, " brought up with He.od the tetrarch." 
 
 Mnason, a native of Cyprus, one of the early disciples. He was 
 the host of Paul on his last visit to Jerusalem (xxi. i6). 
 
 Publius. — (i.) The chief man — probably the governor of Melita, 
 who received and lodged Paul and his companions when they were 
 shipwrecked off that island (xxviii. 7). 
 
 (2.) Paul healed the father of Publius, who was suffering from 
 fever and dysentery (xxviii. 8). 
 
 (3.) He evidently possessed property in the island (xxviii. 7). 
 
26 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 Sceva. — (i.) A Jew, described as a "high priest," residing at 
 Ephesus at the time of Paul's second visit to that city (xix. 14 — 16). 
 
 (2.) His sons attempted to exorcise an evil spirit by calling the 
 name of Jesus over the man possessed. The demoniac attacked them 
 and put them to flight (xix. 14 — t6). 
 
 (3.) Sceva may have exercised the office of high priest at Jeru- 
 salem, or have been the head of one of the twentj'^-four courses. 
 
 Secimdus, a Thessalonian, who accompanied Paul from Corinth 
 to Asia on his return to Jerusalem from his third missionary journey 
 (xx. 4). 
 
 Sergius Paulus, the proconsul of Cyprus when Paul and Barnabas 
 visted that island on the first missionary journey. He is described 
 as an intelligent man and a seeker after truth. Though opposed by 
 Elymas the sorcerer, the teaching of the apostles convinced and 
 converted the governor (xiii. 7). 
 ^^ Silas.— The name (from silva, a wood) indicates a Hellenistic Jew. 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. A prophet and teacher at Jerusalem ; sent with Judas, sumamed Barsabas, to convey 
 the letter of the Council from Jerusalem to Antioch (xv. 22, 32). 
 
 2. He remained at Antioch, and, on the quarrel between Paul and Barnabas, was chosen 
 by Paul as his companion on the second missionary journey (xv. 40). 
 
 3. Was imprisoned with Paul at Philippi, and like the Apostle claimed the Roman 
 franchise (xvi. 37). Hence we conclude that Silas was a Roman citizen. 
 
 4. At Berea he was left behind with Timothi' while Paul proceeded to Athens (xvii. 14). 
 
 5. He afterwards rejoined the Apostle at Corinth (xviii. 5). 
 
 Under the name of Silvanus he is mentioned frequently in the Epistles as being at 
 Corinth. Tradition represents him as having become bishop of Corinth. 
 
 ■^ Simeon called Niger, one of the teachers and prophets of the 
 Church at the time of the appointment of Paul and Barnabas as 
 missionaries to the Gentiles (xiii. i). 
 
 Sopater of Berea, one of the companions of Paul from Greece to 
 Asia on his return to Jerusalem from his third missionary journey 
 (xx. 4). Probably the same as Sosipater mentioned as joining with 
 Paul in his salutation to the Roman brethren (Rom. xvi. 21). 
 
 Sosthenes, a Jew, the chief ruler of the synagogue at Corinth, who 
 was seized and beaten in the presence of Gallic (xviii. 12 — 17). 
 Either (j), a Christian and ill-treated by the Jews as being a friend 
 of Paul ; or (2), a bigoted Jew, and the crowd being Greeks, and ever 
 ready to show their contempt of the Jews, took advantage of the 
 indifference of Gallio and turned their indignation against Sosthenes. 
 If so he was the successor of Crispus as chief of the synagogue. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 27 
 
 Tertullus, '* a certain orator," who was retained by the high priest 
 and Sanhedrim to accuse Paul at Csesarea before the Roman Pro- 
 curator Fehx. He evidently belonged to the class of professional 
 orators (xxiv. i). 
 
 Trophimus. 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. He was one of those cbmpaniorft who travelled with Paul from Greece to Asia on his 
 return to Jerusalem from the third missionary journey (xx. 4). 
 
 2. The others remained in Asia but Trophimus went on with the Apostle to Jerusalem. 
 There he was the innocent cause of the tumult in which Paul was apprehended (xxi. 
 27—29). 
 
 3. He was a native of Ephesus and a Gentile, for his supposed presence in the Temple 
 was looked upon as sacrilege (xxi. 27 — 29). 
 
 Further Notices. 
 
 He was probably one of the two brethren (Tychicus being the other) who with Titus 
 conveyed the Second Epistle to the Corinthians (2 Cor. viii. 16 — 24). 
 
 He is mentioned in the Second Epistle to Timothy. "Trophimus have I left at Miletum 
 sick " {2 Tim. iv, 20). 
 
 TycMcus.— (i.) He was one of those companions who travelled 
 with Paul from Greece to Asia on his return to Terusalem from the 
 third missionary journey (xx. 4). 
 
 He is said to have been "of Asia " (xx. 4), and therefore it has been 
 conjectured that, like Trophimus, he was of PIphesus. 
 
 (2.) While Trophimus went on with Paul to Jerusalem, Tychicus 
 was left in Asia, probably at Miletus (xx, 15). 
 
 He was with Paul during his first imprisonment at Rome, and was 
 the bearer of the Epistle to the Colossians (Col. iv. 7, 8). 
 
 He was also with Paul during his second imprisonment at Rome, 
 and was sent by him to Ephesus (2 Tim. iv. 12). 
 
 It is probable that Tychicus was one of the two brethren (Trophi- 
 mus being the other) who with Titus conveyed the Second Epistle to 
 the Corinthians (2 Cor. viii. 16—24). 
 
 Tyrannns— The name of the man in whose school or lecture 
 room Paul taught for two years during his stay at Ephesus (xix. 9). 
 
 He was probably a Greek, and a public teacher of philosophy or 
 rhetoric. 
 
 -Timothy. 
 
 1. The son of a Greek (Gentile) father and a Jewish mother. His family lived at Lystra 
 or Derbe (Acts xvi. 1—3). 
 
 2. His mother's name was Eunice, and his grandmother's Lois (2 Tim. i. 5). 
 
 3. Of a child he had learnt to know the Holy Scriptures (2 Tim. iii. 15). 
 
28 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 4. On Paul's second visit to Lystra he took Timothy, circumcised hira, and made 
 him his companion on his second missionary journey along with Silas (xvi. 3). 
 
 5. He accompanied Paul as far as Berea where he and Silas remained whilst the 
 Apostle went on to Athens (xvii. 14). He rejoined the Apostle at Athens, 
 
 6. From Athens he was sent to Thessalonica with the First Epistle to the Thessalouians 
 (i Thess. iii, 2). 
 
 7. From Thessalonica he rejoined Paul at Corinth. 
 
 8. He was sent on in advance from Ephesus into Macedonia and Greece (xix. 22). 
 
 9. He was one of the band of friends who accompanied Paul from Greece to Asia on his 
 return to Rome from his third missionary journey (xx. 4), but does not appear to have 
 gone further than Miletus. 
 
 10. He must have joined the Apostle at Rome for he was with him when the Epistles to 
 the Philippians, to the Colossians, and to Philemon were written. 
 
 11. From I Tim. i. 3 we learn that on the release of Paul from imprisonment Timothy 
 accompanied him to Asia, and staj'ed at Ephesus while Paul went on to Macedonia. 
 
 According to tradition he was the first bishop of Ephesus and is said to have suffered 
 martyrdom at the hands of the populace. 
 
 KINGS AND GOVERNORS. 
 
 HEROD THE GREAT. 
 
 I 
 
 Aristobulus Herod Philip, Archelaus, Herod Antipas, Philip, 
 
 I first husband of ethnarch of tetrarch of tetrarch of 
 
 I I Herodias. Judaea, Samaria, Galilee, second Trachonitis 
 
 Herod Agrippa I. Herodias.^ I and Iturea. husband of and Iturea. 
 
 (Actsxii. 1.) Salome. Herodias. 
 
 Herod Agrippa II. Bemice. Drusilla. 
 
 (Acts XXV. 13.) (Acts XXV. 13.) (Acts xxiv. 24.) 
 
 Herod Agrippa II., son of Herod Agrippa 1., was only seventeen 
 at the death of his father, and was not allowed to succeed him at 
 once, the kingdom being placed under procurators. Later on he 
 received the principality of Chalcis, and subsequently the tetrarchy 
 of Trachonitis, and was called King by courtesy. He never suc- 
 ceeded to his father's kingdom of Judaea. When the last war broke 
 out he attached himself to the Romans, and after the fall of Jeru- 
 salem retired to Rome with his sister Bernice, and there died A.D. 
 100. He was the last of the Herods. He is mentioned in the Acts 
 as coming to Caesarea with his sister Bernice " to salute" Festus, 
 who had succeeded Felix as procurator. Festus availed himself of 
 the opportunity of consulting Agrippa and obtaining his advice qp 
 
INTRODUCTfON. 29 
 
 Jewish law, and so consulted him on the case of Paul. It was before 
 this King that Paul made his defence as recorded in chap. xxvi. 
 
 Bernice, eldest daughter of Herod Agrippa I., sister of Herod 
 Agrippa II., and of Drusilla. She was one of the most unprin- 
 cipled women of the time. She was first married to her uncle 
 Herod, King of Chalcis. After his death she lived with her brother 
 Agrippa II. She subsequently married Polemon, King of Cilicia. 
 The marriage was, however, soon dissolved, and she returned to her 
 brother. She was afterwards the mistress of Vespasian and of 
 Titus. 
 
 In the Acts she is mentioned as accompanying Agrippa II. *'to 
 salute " Festus. She sat with Agrippa II., and heard the defence of 
 Paul (chap. xxvi.). 
 
 Brasilia was daughter of Herod Agrippa I., and so sister of 
 Agrippa II. and of Bernice. She married Azizus, King of Emesa. 
 Felix, being enamoured of her beauty, persuaded her to leave her 
 husband and live with him. She bore him a son Agrippa, and both 
 mother and son perished in an eruption of Vesuvius in the reign of 
 Titus. 
 
 Before Felix and his wife Drusilla Paul " reasoned of righteous- 
 ness, temperance, and judgment to come" (Acts xxiv. 24, 25). 
 
 Gallio, deputy (proconsul) of Achaia, before whom at Corinth Paul 
 was accused by the Jews of " persuading men to worship God con- 
 trary to the law." Gallio refused to have anything to do in deciding 
 on matters connected with the Jewish law, and drove the Jews from 
 his judgment-seat (Acts xviii. 12 — 17). 
 
 Gallio was the brother of the famous philosopher Seneca, who de- 
 scribes him as a most good-natured, popular, and affectionate man. 
 Originally Gallio was called Marcus Annaeus Novatus, but, having 
 been adopted by the orator Lucius Junius Gallio, he took the name 
 Junius Annaeus Gallio. 
 
 Felix, governor (procurator) of Judaea, to whom Paul was sent by 
 the chief captain, Lysias. The Jews, through the orator Tertullus, 
 accused Paul before him. Felix kept Paul a prisoner for two years, 
 during which time the Apostle preached to the governor and his wife 
 Drusilla. At the end of his procuratorship Felix "willing to show 
 the Jews a pleasure left Paul bound " (Acts xxiii. 26— xxiv. 2^\ 
 
 His name was Antonius Felix, and he was the brother of Pallas, 
 the freedman and favourite of the Emperor Claudius, by whom he 
 was appointed procurator A.D. 52—53. He induced Drusilla, the 
 
30 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 daughter of Herod Agrippa I. and sister of Herod Agrippa H. and 
 of Bernice, to leave her husband and become his wife. He is repre- 
 sented as an avaricious, profligate, and servile man. His avarice 
 was shown by his continuing Paul as a prisoner in the hope, " that 
 money should have been given him of Paul that he might loose 
 him " ; his profligacy in persuading Drusilla to leave her husband 
 and be his wife ; his slavish temperament by his leaving Paul bound 
 in order to win the favour of the Jews. In this he did not succeed, 
 for on the appointment of his successor Festus, A.D. 60, the Jews of 
 Caesarea followed Felix to Rome, and accused him. He was saved 
 by the influence of his brother Pallas with Nero. 
 
 Festus. — Porcius Festus, the successor of Felix in the procurator- 
 ship of Judaea. When he, "willing to do the Jews a pleasure," 
 suggested to Paul that he should go up to Jerusalem and be judged 
 there before him, the Apostle appealed to Caesar. Subsequently, 
 when Agrippa H. and Bernice came to Caesarea, Paul made a 
 defence before the King and the Governor (Acts xxv., xxvi.). 
 
 Festus was appointed Governor by Nero A.D. 60, and died in about 
 two years. His character contrasts favourably with that of his pre- 
 decessor, Felix. 
 
 THE INFLUENCE OP THE HOLY SPIRIT, 
 
 1. It is recorded that during the period between His Resurrection 
 and Ascension, Jesus, " through the HOLY GHOST, had given com- 
 mandment unto the apostles whom he had chosen " (i. 2). 
 
 2. Jesus had declared of His Apostles — 
 
 a. "Ye shall be baptized with the HOLY Ghost not many 
 days hence " (i. 5). 
 
 b. "Ye shall receive power after that the HoLY Ghost is 
 come upon you " (i. 8). 
 
 3. Peter declares that the fate of Judas was declared beforehand 
 by " the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David " (i. 16). 
 
 4. On the day of Pentecost the Apostles " were all filled with the 
 Holy Ghost " (ii. 4). 
 
 5. Peter declares that this outpouring of the HOLY Ghost is the 
 fulfilment of the prophecy of Joel, " I will pour out of MY SPIRIT 
 upon all flesh " (ii. 17). 
 
INTRODUCTION. 31 
 
 6. Peter declares that Jesus has " received of the Father the 
 promise of the HOLY GHOST " (ii. }^t^). 
 
 7. When the Apostles Peter and John were dismissed by the San- 
 hedrim and the Church prayed to God, it is recorded that "they 
 were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of 
 God with boldness " (iv. 31). 
 
 8. Peter describes the sin of Ananias as " having lied to the HOLY 
 Ghost" (v. 3), and charges his wife Sapphira as having agreed 
 with her husband " to tempt the Spirit of the Lord " (v, 9). 
 
 g. Peter declares that the Holy Ghost is a witness that Christ is 
 exalted at the right hand of God, "and we are his witnesses of 
 these things ; and so is also the HoLY Ghost" (v. 31,32). 
 
 10. The Seven Deacons are required to be " men of honest report, 
 full of the Holy Ghost" (vi. 3). 
 
 11. Stephen is " a man full of faith, and of the Holy Ghost" 
 
 (vi. 5). 
 
 12. Stephen declares of the priests and the Jewish nation, "Ye 
 do always resist the Holy Ghost ; as your fathers did so do ye " 
 (vii. 51). 
 
 13. Stephen " being full of the Holy Ghost .... saw Jesus 
 standing on the right hand of God " (vii. 55). 
 
 14. Peter and John go down to Samaria to the disciples baptized 
 by Philip that, " they might receive the HOLY Ghost " (viii. 15). 
 
 15. The sin of the sorcerer Simon consisted in his offering money 
 that, " on whomsoever he might lay hands, he should receive the 
 Holy Ghost " (viii. 18—20).* 
 
 16. Philip joined himself to the Ethiopian eunuch through the 
 promptings of the Spirit : '* Then the Spirit said unto Philip, go 
 near, and join thyself to this chariot" (viii. 29). 
 
 17. Ananias is sent to lay hands on Saul of Tarsus that he "may 
 be filled with the Holy Ghost " (ix. 17). 
 
 18. The Churches in Judaea and Galilee and Samaria are declared 
 to have had rest, and to be " walking in the fear of the Lord and 
 the comfort of the HOLY Ghost " (ix. 31). 
 
 19. At the admission of Cornelius into the Church, "the HOLY 
 Ghost fell on all them which heard the word " (x. 44 — 47). 
 
 20. Peter justifies the baptism of Cornelius by the fact of the 
 descent of the Holy Ghost, ** and as I began to speak the HOLY 
 Ghost fell on them " (xi. 15). 
 
 21. Barnabas, when sent from Jerusalem to preach at Antioch 
 
32 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 is described as a man "full of the Holy Ghost and of faith" 
 
 (xi. 24). 
 
 22. It is by the Holy Ghost that Barnabas and Saul are selected 
 for missionary work among the Gentiles. " The Holy Ghost said, 
 Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have 
 called them " (xiii. 2). They are said to have departed for this work 
 " sent forth by the HoLY Ghost " (xiii. 4). 
 
 2-^. Elymas the sorcerer is rebuked by Paul, who was "filled with 
 the Holy Ghost" (xiii. 9). 
 
 24. The decision of the Council at Jerusalem is declared to be by 
 the guidance of the Holy Ghost, " it seemed good to the Holy 
 Ghost" (xv. 28). 
 
 25. The missionary journey of Paul and Silas was under the con- 
 trol of the Spirit, for "they were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to 
 preach the word in Asia" (xvi. 6), and they "assayed to go into 
 Bithynia but the Spirit suffered them not" (xvi. 7). 
 
 26. When Paul laid his hands on those disciples at Ephesus who 
 had been baptized with the baptism of John, " the Holy Ghost 
 came on them " (xix. 6). 
 
 27. Paul is said to have gone up to Jerusalem, "bound in the 
 Spirit" (xx. 22). 
 
 28. The bonds and imprisonment that awaited Paul in Jerusalem 
 are foretold by the Spirit, "the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every 
 city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me " (xx. 23). 
 
 29. The Holy Ghost had appointed the elders of Ephesus over- 
 seers over the Church of God, " over the which the Holy Ghost 
 hath made you overseers " (xx. 28). 
 
 30. Agabus through the Spirit prophesied the arrest of Paul by 
 the Jews. "Thus saith the HoLY GHOST, so shall the Jews at 
 Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle " (xxi. 11). 
 
 31. To the Jews at Rome Paul applies the words of Esaias, " well 
 spake the HOLY Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers" 
 (xxviii. 25). 
 
 THE ACTS ILLUSTRATED BY THE EPISTLES. 
 Acts. Epistles. 
 
 Provision for the maintenance I '' Let not a widow be taken into the number 
 „r -J / • .\ under three score years old, having been tne wire 
 
 of widows (Vl. I). I of one man "(I Tim. V. 9). 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 ?>i 
 
 Acts. 
 The Persecutor converted (ix. 
 I — lo). 
 
 Paul's escape from Damas- 
 cus (ix. 23 — 25). 
 
 Paul's visit to Peter and James 
 after his conversion (ix. 28). 
 
 James the head of the Church 
 at Jerusalem (xii. 17 ; xv. 
 13 ; xxi. 18). 
 
 Persecutions at Antioch, 
 Iconium, Lystra (xiii. 
 45—50; xiv. 2—7, 19,20). 
 
 The stoning at Lystra (xiv. 
 19). 
 
 The journey with Barnabas 
 to Jerusalem (xv. 2). 
 
 The mother of Timothy 
 (" which was a Jewess and 
 believed " xvi. i). 
 
 The education of Timothy 
 (xvi. 2). 
 
 Paul becoming to Jews as a 
 Jew. 
 
 1. Circumcising Timothy (xvi. 3). 
 
 2. Nazarite vow at Cenchrea (xviii, 
 18). 
 
 3. Nazante vow at Jerusalem (xxi. 
 23—26). 
 
 The women of Philippi (" and 
 we sat down and spake 
 unto the women which re- 
 sorted thither" xvi. 13). 
 
 Paul's ill-treatment at Phi- 
 lippi (xvi. 22, 23). 
 
 Paul's sufferings at Thessa- 
 lonica (xvii. 5). 
 
 Epistles. 
 
 " Who was before a blasphemer and a perse- 
 cutor and injurious; but I obtained mercy, be. 
 cause I did it ignorantiy in unbelict" (i Tim. i. 13). 
 
 " In Damascus the Governor, under Axetas the 
 king-, kept the city of the Damascenes with a par- 
 rison, desirous to apprehend me : and through a 
 window in a basket was I let down by the wall, 
 and escaped his hands " (2 Cor. xi. 32, 33). 
 
 " Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem 
 to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. 
 But other of the Apostles saw I none, save James 
 the Lord's brother" (Gal. i. 17, 18, 19). 
 
 "And when James, Cephas, and John who 
 seemed to be pillars " (Gal. ii. 9). 
 
 " But thou hast fully known my doctrine . . . 
 persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at 
 Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra ; what persecutions 
 I endured : but out of them all the Lord delivered 
 me" (2 Tim. iii. 10, ii). 
 
 " Once was I stoned " (2 Cor. xi. 25). 
 
 " Then fourteen years after I went up again to 
 Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with 
 me also" (Gal. ii. i). 
 
 " When I call to remembrance the unfeigned 
 faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy 
 grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice" (2 
 Tim.i.5). 
 
 " And that from a child thou hast known the 
 Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee 
 wise unto salvation through faith which is in 
 Christ Jesus." (2 Tim. iii. 15.) 
 
 " And unto the Jews I became as a Jew that I 
 might gain the Jews ; to them that are under the 
 law, as under the law, that I might gain them 
 that are under the law " (i Cor. ix. 20). 
 
 " I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyclie, 
 that they be of the same mind in the Lord. 
 And I entreat thee also, true yoke-fellow, help 
 those women which laboured with me in the 
 Gospel" (Phil. iv. 2, 3). 
 
 "And were shamefully entreated as ye know at 
 Philippi" (i Thess. ii. 2). 
 
 " For verily, when we were with you, we told 
 you before that we should suffer tribulation ; even 
 as it came to pass and ye know "(i Thess. iii. 4). 
 
34 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 Acts. 
 
 The Christians at Thessa- 
 lonica attacked by their 
 fellow-countrymen (xvii. 5). 
 
 Silas and Timothy as Paul's 
 fellow-workers at COrinth 
 (xviii. 5). 
 
 The work of Apollos at 
 Corinth (xviii. 2']^ 28). 
 
 Paul's sojourn at Ephesus 
 (xix). 
 
 1. The spread of the Gospel (xix. 
 20 — 26). 
 
 2. The many adversaries (xix. 9). 
 
 3. The tumult occasioned by Deme- 
 trius (xix. 29, 30). 
 
 Paul's desire to visit Rome 
 (xix. 21). 
 
 Timotheus sent unto Corinth 
 from Ephesus (xix. 21, 22). 
 
 Paul's wintering at Corinth 
 (xx. 3—6). 
 
 The shortness of the first visit 
 to Jerusalem (xxii. 18). 
 
 Paul as an ambassador in a 
 chain (xxviii. 20). 
 
 N.B. — Four 
 omissions. 
 
 conspicuous 
 
 [No mention in the Acts of 
 the journey to Arabia.] 
 
 [No mention in Acts of the 
 dispute between Peter and 
 Paul at Antioch.] 
 
 Epistles. 
 
 " For ye brethren became followers of the 
 Churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ 
 Jesus : for ye also have suffered like things of 
 your own countrymen, even as they have of the 
 Jews" (i Thess. ii. 14). 
 
 " For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was 
 preached among you by us, even by me and Sil- 
 vanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but 
 in him was yea" (2 Cor. i. 19). 
 
 " Now this I say, that everyone of you saitb, I 
 am of Paul ; and I of Apollos ; and I of Cephas ; 
 and I of Christ " (i Cor. i. 12). 
 
 " I have planted, Apollos watered ; but God 
 gave the increase " (i Cor. iii. 6). 
 
 " For a great door and effectual is opened unto 
 me, and there are many adversaries" (i Cor. xvi. 
 9). 
 
 " For a great door and effectual is opened unto 
 me, and there are many adversaries " (i Cor. xvi. 
 9). 
 
 "If after the manner of men I have fought with 
 beasts at Ephesus" (i Cor. xv. 32). 
 
 " Now I would not have j'ou ignorant brethren, 
 that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you (but 
 was let hitherto) " (Rom. i. 13). 
 
 "Having a great desire these many years to 
 come unto you " (Rom. xv. 23). 
 
 "For this cause I have sent unto j-ou Timo- 
 theus " (i Cor. iv. 17). 
 
 "And it may be that I will abide, yea, and 
 winter with you, that ye may bring me on my 
 journey whithersoever I go " (i Cor. xvi. 6). 
 
 " Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem 
 to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days " 
 
 (Gal. i. 18). 
 
 1. " I Paul the prisoner of Jesus Christ " (Eph. 
 iii. i). 
 
 2. " For which I am an ambassador in bonds " 
 (Eph. vi. 20). 
 
 3. " In my bonds " (Phil. i. 7). 
 
 4. "So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in 
 all the palace and in all other places " (Phil. i. 13). 
 
 5. " Remember my bonds " (Col. iv. 18). 
 
 6. " Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my 
 bonds " (Philem. 10). 
 
 " But I went into Arabia, and returned again 
 unto Damascus" (Gal. i. 17). 
 
 " But when Peter was come to Antioch I with- 
 stood him to the face, because he was to be 
 blamed" (Gal. ii. 11). 
 
INTR OD UCTION. 
 
 35 
 
 Acts.. 
 
 The journey to Jerusalem 
 (xi. 30). 
 
 The decrees of the Council 
 
 (XV.) 
 
 Epistles. 
 
 [Not mentioned in Gal. ii, i — 10]. 
 
 [Not mentioned in Epistle to Galatians]. 
 
 INSTANCES OP ST. LUKE'S ACCURACY. 
 
 1. Sergius Paulus, the Governor of Cyprus, correctly described 
 as a "proconsul " (see note, p. 49) (xiii. 7). 
 
 2. Philippi, correctly referred to as a colony (see note p. 68) 
 (xvi. 12). 
 
 3. The magistrates at Philippi, correctly termed j/r^/^^«5»/ (Gk.)=i. 
 duumviri {L2l\.?), the two praetors specially appointed to preside over 
 the administration of justice in the colonies of the Romans (xvi. 20). 
 
 4. At Thessalonica the correct title is applied to the "rulers of 
 the city." Luke calls them Politarchs, a term not found in ancient 
 writers, but which has been found in an inscription on a triumphal 
 arch still standing in the main street of the modern city. From the 
 inscription it would seem that Thessalonica was governed by seven 
 politarchs. 
 
 5. Gallio, the Governor of Achaia, correctly designated *' pro- 
 consul " (see note, p. 79) (xviii. 12). 
 
 6. The chief officers of Asia (Asiarchs) at the tumult at Ephesus 
 (see note, p. 86) (xix. 31). 
 
 7. The town clerk at Ephesus : the correct title given (see note, 
 p. 88) (xix. 35)." 
 
 8. The deputies (proconsuls) at Ephesus : plural, not singular 
 (see note, p. 88) (xix. 38). 
 
 9. Publius, correctly termed ''the chief man" {^rotos) of the 
 island. The term has been found in Greek and Latin inscriptions, 
 and seems to have been the official title of the Governor of Malta 
 (xxviii. 7). 
 
 Other references to Contemporaneous History. 
 
 I. Judas of Galilee— his insurrection in the days of 
 
 the taxing (v. 2>7)' 
 
3^ 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 . (v. 36). 
 . (xi. 28). 
 . (xii. 2^;). 
 . (xvii. 21). 
 . (xviii. 2). 
 
 and 
 
 Theudas— his insurrection . 
 The famine under Claudius . 
 Death of Herod Agrippa I. . 
 Character of the Athenians . 
 
 6. Jews banished from Rome by Claudius 
 
 7. The silver shrines of Diana ; the temple 
 
 theatre at Ephesus 
 
 8. The Egyptian rebel 
 
 9. The High Priest Ananias 
 
 10. Felix and Drusilla 
 
 11. Festus .... 
 
 12. Agrippa and Bernice . 
 
 13. The accurate details of the voyage to Rome . (xxvii.) 
 
 . (xix. 24 — 29). 
 . (xxi. 38). 
 . (xxiii. 2). 
 . (xxiv. 24). 
 . (xxiv. 2"]). 
 . (xxv. 13). 
 
 The only difficulty occurs in the case of Theudas, which will be 
 found explained in Part I., p. 29. 
 
 INSTANCES OF CONSISTENCY IN THE NARRATIVE. 
 
 1. 
 
 2. 
 
 The High Priests are 
 Sadducees (v. 17). 
 
 Barnabas is described as 
 of Cyprus (iv. 36). 
 
 3. The Grecians complain 
 
 of the neglect of their 
 widows in the daily 
 ministrations (vi. i). 
 
 4. The Cilicians dispute 
 
 with Stephen (vi. 9). 
 
 5. Philip the Evangelist, 
 
 after baptizing the 
 Ethiopian eunuch, 
 goes to Caesarea (viii. 
 40). 
 
 6. Mark leaves Paul and 
 
 Barnabas at Perga on 
 the first missionary 
 journey, and returns 
 to Jerusalem (xiii. 13). 
 
 As Sadducees the}' are the fifst opponents to the 
 Apostles as preaching the resurrection (iv. i, 2 ; 
 V. 17). 
 
 Goes to Cyprus on the first missionary journey 
 (xiii. 4). 
 
 When he separates from Paul he goes to Cyprus, 
 taking Mark with him (xv. 39). 
 
 The Seven elected to superintend the distribu- 
 tion are men with Greek names (vi. 5). 
 
 The clothes of the witnesses are laid at the feet 
 of a young man, named Saul (vii. 58), afterwards 
 described as of Tarsus (ix. ii). 
 
 He is not again mentioned till we find him at 
 Caesarea on the arrival of Paul on his last journey 
 to Jerusalem (xxi. 8). 
 
 His mother lived at Jerusalem (xii. 12). 
 1 he famine was at that time causihg suffering 
 at Jerusalem (xi. 28). 
 
INTROD UCTION. 
 
 37 
 
 7. Agabus, as a prophet, 
 
 foretells the famine (xi. 
 
 28). 
 
 8. Men of Cyprus and 
 
 Cyrene found the 
 Church at Antioch 
 (xi. 20). 
 
 9. Phihppi is spoken of as 
 
 "a colony " (xvi. 12). 
 
 10. Trophimus is an Ephe- 
 sian (xxi, 29). 
 
 Agabus, as a prophet, foretells the persecution 
 and imprisonment of Paul (xxi. lo). 
 
 Barnabas, a man of Cyprus, is sent from Jeru- 
 salem to inquire into and carry on this work (xi. 
 22). 
 
 Lucius of Cyrene is among the prophets and 
 teachers of Antioch (xiii. i). 
 
 The Philippians speak of themselves as " being 
 Romans " (xvi. 21). 
 
 He is recognised in Jerusalem by the Jews of 
 Asia, i.e. that district of Asia Minor round 
 Ephesus, and of which Ephesus was the capital 
 (xxi. 2g).—Plumpire, 
 
 CHRONOLOGY OF THE ACTS (Chaps, xiii-xxiii.). 
 
 Two principal events serve as fixed dates for determining the chro- 
 nology of the events described in this portion of the Acts, viz. : — 
 
 1. The death of Herod Agrippa I. in A.D. 44. 
 
 2. The recall of Felix and the accession of Festus, A.D. 60. 
 Calculating from this last date we conclude that in A.D. 60 (autumn) 
 
 Paul left Csesarea for Rome, where he arrived in the spring of A.D. 
 61. There he lived for two years, that is, till A.D. 63, in his own 
 hired house (Acts xxviii. 30). Similarly calculating backwards from 
 A.D. 60, we know that Paul was two years at C3esarea(Acts xxiv. 2j), 
 therefore he arrived at Jerusalem on his last visit by the Pentecost 
 of A.D. 58. As he passed the previous winter at Corinth (Acts xx. 22,), 
 he must have left Ephesus A.D. 57. His stay at Ephesus comprised 
 three years (Acts xx. 31), therefore he must have come to that city 
 A.D. 54. Previously he had spent some time at Antioch. The 
 chronology of the other events is indeterminate. The best authorities 
 place the date of the Council at Jerusalem as either A.D. 50 or A.D. 5 1 . 
 The first missionary journey occurred before the date of the Council, 
 and the second took place after the Council and before a,d. ^4, 
 
3« 
 
 THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES, 
 
 Date. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 Eioperors. 
 
 Governors of 
 Judaea, &c. 
 
 High Priests. 
 
 Events in Acts. 
 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 46 
 
 Claudius, 
 
 Emperor 
 
 
 
 The first missionary journey 
 
 
 
 
 of Paul with Barnabas. 
 
 
 from 41 
 
 
 
 
 
 A.D. 
 
 
 
 
 48 
 
 
 
 
 Return of Paul and Barna- 
 bas to Antioch. 
 
 49 
 
 
 Herod Agrippa II. 
 
 made King of 
 Chalcis. 
 
 
 
 50 
 51 
 
 
 
 
 Council at Jerusalem. 
 
 
 
 
 Second missionary journey 
 
 
 
 
 
 of Paul, with Silas, lasting 
 
 
 
 
 
 three years, 51—54 A.D. 
 
 52 
 
 
 
 
 Paul crosses over into 
 
 53 
 
 
 Felix, Procurator 
 
 of Judasa. 
 Herod Agrippa II. 
 
 gets Batania 
 
 andTrachonitis. 
 Gallio, Procurator 
 
 of Achaia. 
 
 
 Europe. 
 
 54 
 
 Nero. 
 
 [The Egyptian al- 
 luded to in Acts 
 xxi. 38 raises a 
 tumult A.D. 56]. 
 
 
 Paul at Jerusalem where he 
 
 keeps Pentecost. 
 A few weeks at Antioch. 
 Third missionary journey, 
 
 54—58 A.D, 
 
 54—57 
 
 
 
 
 Paul at Ephesus for three 
 years. 
 
 57 
 
 
 
 
 Paul leaves Ephesus, and 
 
 58 
 
 
 
 
 crosses into Europe. 
 
 
 
 
 Return of Paul to Jerusa- 
 
 
 
 
 
 lem. Arrives there Pente- 
 
 
 
 
 Ishmael, son of 
 
 cost, 58 A.D. Arrest of 
 
 
 
 
 Phabi, 59 a.d. 
 
 Paul. 
 Two years imprisonment at 
 Caesarea. 58—60 A.D. 
 
 60 
 
 
 Festus succeeds 
 Felix. 
 
 
 Paul embarks for Italy in 
 the Autumn. 
 
 61 
 
 
 
 Joseph Cabi. 
 
 Arrival at Rome. 
 
 62 
 
 
 
 Ananias. 
 
 Two years military im- 
 prisonment, ending 63 a.d. 
 
 63 
 
 
 
 Jesus, son of Da- 
 minoeas. 
 
 Release of Paul. 
 
 66—68 
 
 
 
 
 [Subsequent imprisonment 
 of Paul at Rome. Martyr- 
 dom.] 
 
 ANALYSIS OF THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 Chaps. XIII.— XXVIIL 
 I- — The First Missionary Journey, xiii., xiv. 
 I. The Consecration of Paul and Barnabas at 
 
 . xiii. 1—4. 
 
 Antioch 
 
INTRODUCTION. 39 
 
 2. The Apostles at Cyprus xiii. 4— 12. 
 
 {a) Conversion of the Deputy 4 — 12. 
 
 {b) Elymas smitten with bhndness . . . 8 — 11. 
 
 3. At Perga in Pamphyha. The return of John 
 
 Mark 13. 
 
 4. At Antioch in Pisidia 14 — 52. 
 
 (^) St. Paul's first recorded sermon . v* . 14 — 43. 
 
 {p) The Apostles turn to the Gentiles . . 44 — 52. 
 
 5. At Iconium. Persecution xiv. i — 5. 
 
 6. In Lycaonia 6 — 21. 
 
 At Lyslra (i) the cripple healed. 6 — 8. 
 
 (2) The Apostles looked upon 
 
 as gods 8 — 18. 
 
 (3) Paul stoned 19—20. 
 
 7. Return to Antioch in Syria 21 — 28. 
 
 II. — The Council at Jerusalem. 
 
 1 . The question raised at Antioch in Syria . . xv. i . 
 
 2. A deputation, including Paul and Barnabas, 
 
 sent to Jerusalem 2 — 5. 
 
 3. The Council 6 — 21. 
 
 4. The letter embodying the decree of the Council 22 — 29. 
 
 5. The decision received at Antioch 30— •35- 
 
 III. — The Second Missionary Journey. 
 
 1. The contention between Paul and Barnabas. 
 
 They separate xv. 36 — 39. 
 
 2. Paul and Silas pass through Syria and Cilicia 
 
 to Lystra 40 — 41. 
 
 3. Timothy chosen as a companion in the mission xvi. i — 5. 
 
 4. They pass through Phrygia and Galatia, and 
 
 come to Mysia and to Troas 6 — 8. 
 
 5. By a vision Paul is called into Macedonia . . 9 — 12. 
 
 6. At Philippi 13 — 40. 
 
 {a) The conversion and baptism of Lydia . 13 — 15. 
 
 {b) The spirit of divination cast out by Paul 16 — 2^ 
 
 (c) Scourging and imprisonment of Paul 
 
 and Silas 23 — 24. 
 
 (d) The conversion of the Jailor .... 25 — 40, 
 
40 THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 7. At Thessalonica. The Jews raise an uproar 
 
 against them xvii. 1—9. 
 
 8. At Berea 10—15. 
 
 («) Noble conduct of the Bereans . . . 10—12. 
 
 \b) The Jews from Thessalonica follow after 
 Paul, and he is compelled to quit 
 Berea, leaving Silas and Timothy 
 
 behind 13—15- 
 
 9. At Athens 16—34. 
 
 — ^ Paul's sermon on Mars Hill 22 — t^z. 
 
 10. At Corinth, staying there a year and six months, xviii. i— 17. 
 
 {a) Paul joins Aquila and Priscilla, and 
 
 supports himself by his own labour . i— 4- 
 
 {b) Paul turns to the Gentiles 5—8. 
 
 (c) Paul encouraged by a vision .... 9 — 10. 
 
 ((^) Paul accused before Gallio .... 12 — 17. 
 
 11. From Corinth to Ephesus t8 — 19. 
 
 12. From Ephesus to Ccesarea and Jerusalem, and 
 
 then to Antioch 20—22. 
 
 13. Visit of Apollos to Ephesus 24—28. 
 
 IV. — The Third Missionary Journey. 
 
 1. Through Phrygia, Galatia, and Asia, to 
 
 Ephesus xviii. 22, — xix. 
 
 2. At Ephesus for three years xix. i — 41. 
 
 {a) The disciples of John the Baptist 
 
 baptized i — 10. 
 
 {b) Special miracles wrought by Paul . . 11 — 12. 
 
 {c) The seven sons of Scceva 13 — 17. 
 
 (^) The books of magical art burnt . . . 18 — 20. 
 
 (e) The tumult raised by Demetrius . . . 21 — 41. 
 
 3. Through Macedonia and Greece, and back to 
 
 Troas xx. 1—6. 
 
 4. At Troas. Eutychus restored to life. .... 7 — 12. 
 
 5. At Miletus. Address to the Elders of Ephesus 13 — ^38. 
 
 6. To Tyre, thence to Caesarea xxi. i — 7. 
 
 7. At Cfesarea. Visit to Philip. The prophecy 
 
 of Agabus 7—14.' 
 
 8. Arrival at Jerusalem 15 — 16. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 41 
 
 V. — At Jerusalem. 
 
 1. Reception by the Elders xxi. 17—25. 
 
 2. Paul takes the Nazarite Vow 26 — 2^, 
 
 3. The riot in the Temple. Paul apprehended . 27 — 36. 
 
 - 4. Paul's speech to the crowd . . *^. . . , . xxi. 'i^'] — xxii. Z2^ 
 
 5. Paul claims the privileges of the Roman fran- 
 
 chise 23—29. 
 
 6. Paul before the Sanhedrim. Disagreement 
 
 between Sadducees and Pharisees . . . xxii, 30— xxiii. 11. 
 
 7. Paul cheered by a vision ...,..„ 11 — 12. 
 
 8. Conspiracy of the zealots. Roman protection 12—30. 
 
 VI. — At Caesarea. 
 
 1. Sent to Caesarea xxiii. 26— 35. 
 
 2. Paul's accusers before Felix xxiv. i — 9. 
 
 3. Paul's first defence 10—23 
 
 4. Paul preaches to Felix and Drusilla .... 24 — 26. 
 
 5. Felix leaves Paul a prisoner to his successor, 
 
 Festus 27. 
 
 6. Paul before Festus. Appeal to Ceesar . . . xxv. i — 12. 
 
 7. Festus consults Agrippa 13—22. 
 
 8. Paul before Agrippa . . • xxv. 23— xxvi. ^i'^- 
 
 VII. — Voyage to Rome. 
 
 1. Caesarea to Crete xxvii i — 12. 
 
 2. The storm and shipwreck 13 — 44. 
 
 3. At Maha xxviii. i— 10. 
 
 4. Journey from Malta 11— 16. 
 
 VIII.— At Rome. 
 
 1. Arrival at Rome xxviii 16. 
 
 2. Interview with the Jews xxviii. 17—29. 
 
 3. Paul a prisoner for two years ,,.,,, 30 — -^^u 
 
INTRODUCTION. 43 
 
 St. Paul's First Missionary Journey. Acts xiii., xiv. 
 
 They started from 
 Antioch in Syria, at the biddingf of the Holy Ghost—" Separate mc Barnabas and Saul for 
 the work, whereunto I have called them." 
 
 The party consisted of Barnabas, Paul, and John Mark as their minister. From 
 Antioch they went to 
 Seleucia, the port of Antioch, and thence sailed to Cyprus, landing at 
 Salamis, where "they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews" and 
 
 went through the island unto 
 Paphos, when- the deputy, Sergius Paulus,was converted, andElymas the sorcerer smitten 
 
 with blindness. Thence they sailed to 
 Perga in Pamphj lia, when John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem. Thenca 
 
 they dcpaited and came to 
 Antioch in Pisidia, where, in the synagogue, Paul delivered his first recorded sermon 
 to the Jews and to the Gentiles. The Jews, envious that the Gentiles were included in 
 the Gospel message, mised up a persecution and expelled Paul and Barnabas, who 
 " shakir g (iff the dust of their feet against them " came to 
 Iconium, whither they were followei by the Jews, and were compelled to flee to 
 Lystia, where Paul cured the cripple, impotent from his birth, who had never walked. 
 The people of Lystra took the Apostles to be gods and attempted to sacrifice to them, 
 but were prevented by Paul. The Jews fiom Antioch stirred up the people and 
 stoned Paul, and supposed they had killed him. Paul recovered and departed to 
 Derbe, wheie they preached and thence returned to 
 Lystra, Iconium, Antioch, confirming the disciples and ordaining elders, thence through 
 
 Pisidia to Pamphylia, Perga, as far as 
 Attalia, whence they sailed to Antioch their original starting point. 
 
 Time taken. Not less than three to four. years, and as the district traversed was but 
 small a considerable time was spent at each place, thus : — 
 
 (i) Antioch. " And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region " 
 (xiii. 49). 
 
 (2) Iconium. " A great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed " 
 
 (xiv. i). 
 " Long time therefore abode they " (xiv. 3). 
 
 (3) At Lystra (see xvi. i) it is evident many converts had been made. 
 
 Plan adopted. To make a stay at some centre of population, and there preach the 
 Gospel till a sufficient number of disciples had been made, and those disciples so mstructed 
 that the work might go on after Paul had left them. 
 
 Method of preaching. Though Paul had been specially marked out as the Apostle to 
 the Gentiles, still as expressed in Romans x. i, "his heart's desire and prayer to God for 
 Israel was that they might be saved." So throughout this missionary journey Paul always 
 publishes the Gospel first to his own nation. Thus — 
 
 (i) At Salamis "they preached the word of God in the synagogue of the Jews'* 
 
 (2) At Antioch "they went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day " (xiii. 14). 
 
 (3) At Iconium " they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews (xiv. i). 
 It was only when the Jews rejected his preaching that he turned to the Gentiles— as at 
 
 Antioch in Pisidia. "It was necessary that the word of God should first have been 
 spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of ever- 
 lasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles" (xiii. 46). 
 The same method is adopted on the second and third missionary journeys, for — 
 
 (i) At Thessalonica, "where was a synagogue of the Jews ; and Paul, as his manner 
 was, went in unto them" (xvii. I, 2). „ , ■■ 
 
 (2) At Berea, "who coming thitherwent into the synagogue of the Jfews (xvii. iij. 
 
 (3) At Corinth, "and he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath " (xviii. 4). 
 
 (4) At Ephesus, " and he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space 
 
 of three months " (xix. 8). 
 
44 \THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 It is also in consequence of the action of the Jews that Paul leaves oflf preaching in the 
 synagogues. Thus — 
 
 (i) At Corinth. " And when they (the Jews) opposed themselves and blasphemed, 
 he shook his raiment and said unto them, Your blood be upon j'our own 
 heads ; I am clean : from henceforth I will go to the Gentiles" (xviii. 6). 
 (2) At Ephesus. " But when divers were hardened and believed not, but spake evil 
 of that way before the multitude, be departed from them " (xix. 9). 
 
 St. Paul's Second Missionary Journey. Acts xv., xvi., xvii., 
 
 xviii. 
 
 Antioch in Syria was the starting place where Paul suggested to Barnabas that they 
 should go and visit their brethren in the cities where they had preached. Barnabas 
 wished to take John Mark again, but Paul refused to take him with them because 
 he had left them at Perga on the first missionary journey. Barnabas took Mark and 
 sailed to Cyprus, whilst Paul chose Silas as his companion and went by land through 
 Syria and Cilicia, and came to 
 
 Derhe and Lystra, where he met with Timothy, and, having circumcised him, took him as 
 a companion on the journey ; thence they went " through Phrygia and Galatia, and 
 were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, and after they were 
 come to Mysia they assayed to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit suffered them not." 
 And passing by Mysia they came to 
 
 Troas, where Paul in a vision saw a man of Macedonia, who prayed him, saying, " Come 
 over into Macedonia and help us." Here Luke joined the company, and they sailed to 
 
 Samothracia, and the next day to 
 
 Neapolis the port of Philippi, and thence to 
 
 Philippi, where Lydia was converted, and Paul cast out the spirit of divination from a 
 damsel, whose masters, finding their gains gone, brought them before the magistrates, 
 who beat them and put them in prison. The jailor was converted, and next day the 
 magistrates sent them away, and they departed through Amphipolis and ApoUonia, 
 and came to 
 
 Thessalonica, where the Jews raised an uproar against them, and assaulted the house of 
 Jason where they lodged. So the brethren sent Paul and Silas away by night to 
 
 Berea, where the people received them favourably till the Jews came from Thessalonica 
 and stirred up the multitude, so, whilst Silas and Timotheus abode at Thessalonica, 
 Paul was sent to 
 
 Athens, where he delivered his famous speech on Mars Hill (Areopagus) and converted 
 Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Daraaris among others. Thence he 
 journeyed to 
 
 Corinth, where he met with Aquila and Priscilla, and lodged with them, working at the 
 same trade, viz., tent-making. Silas and Timotheus joined him, and he preached to the 
 Jews, converting Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue. Rejected by the Jews St. 
 Paul continued his preaching in the house of Justus. He abode here eighteen months, 
 being encouraged to do so by the words of the Lord who appeared to him in a vision. 
 The Jews, incensed at his preaching to the Gentiles, and the success attending the 
 same, brought him before Gallio, the Roman Governor, who refused to hear the 
 charge. Thence, taking with him Aquila and Priscilla, be went to 
 
 Cenchrea, where he shaved his head under a Nazarite vow ; then he sailed to 
 
 Ephesus, where he left Priscilla and Aquila, and being desirous himself of reaching Jeru- 
 salem in time for the approaching feast, left Ephesus, promising to return, and sailed to 
 
 Caesarea, whence he went up to 
 
 Jerusalem, where he saluted the Church, and then went down to 
 
 Antioch in Syria, the original starting point. 
 
 St. Paul's Third Missionary Journey. Acts xviii., xix., xx., 
 
 xxi. 
 
 Antioch in Syria was again the starting point, whence Paul went over Galatia and Phrygia 
 and arrived at 
 
 Ephesus, where he staved three years. Here he baptized certain disciples who had 
 received John's baptism only. He then laid his hands upon them and they received 
 the Holy Ghost and spake with tongues. At the end of three months he left the 
 
INTR OD UCTION. 45 
 
 synagogues and taiiglit in the school of Tj-ranniis. Special miracles were wrought bv 
 the Apostle, and the sick were healed by handkerchiefs brought Irom his body, and 
 evil spiiits were cast out. The sons of Sceva, a Jew, attempted to imitate Paul, but 
 were attacked and overpowered by the man in whom the evil spirit was. As a con- 
 sequence many in Ephcsus who practised curious arts brought their books of ma^ic and 
 burned them. Demetrius, the silversmith, whc made silver shrines or images tor 
 Diana, raised a tumult of the craftsmen against Paul, which the town clerk with 
 difficulty appeased, so the Apostle departed to 
 
 Hacedonia, anci thence to 
 
 Greece, where he abode three months, and finding the Jews lying in wait for him as he was 
 intending to sail to Syria, he returned through Macedonia to 
 
 Philippi, where Paul was again joined by Luke, and whence he sent Sopater of Berea, 
 Aristarchus and Secundus of Thcssalonica, Gains of Derbe, and Timotheus and 
 Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia, forward to 
 
 Troas, where, five days later, the Apostle joined them, and where he abode seven days. 
 Here he raised Eutychus to life, who had fallen from the window whilst Paul was 
 preaching. From Troas Paul went on foot to 
 
 Assos, where he again embarked in the ship which had sailed from Troas to Assos, thence 
 he sailed to 
 
 Mitylene, 
 
 Chios, 
 
 Samos, 
 
 Trogyllitun, to 
 
 Miletus. Paul, being anxious to arrive at Jerusalem by Pentecost, did not wish to be 
 dela)'ed in Asia, and so sent for the elders of the Church at Ephesus to come to him at 
 Miletus, where he took an affectionate farewell of them. Thence he sailed to 
 
 Coos, 
 
 Rhodes, 
 
 Patara, where they found a ship sailing to Phoenicia. So leaving Cyprus on the left hand 
 they sailed to 
 
 Tyre, where they abode seven days, and where the disciples besought Paul not to go to 
 Jerusalem. Thence to 
 
 Ptolemais, and, ^fter staying one day, to 
 
 Ceesarea, where tfey stayed at the house of Philip the Evangelist. A prophet Agabus, 
 coming down from Juda;a, prophesied the seizure of Paul by the Jews at Jerusalem. 
 Thence they journeyed to 
 
 Jerusalem where Paul saw James the bishop of Jerusalem, and by his advice purified 
 himself and joined himself to four men under a vow, going with them into the Temple, 
 where he was recognised by the Jews of Asia, who seized him, and would have 
 killed him, but for his re.':cue by the chief captain of the Roman garrison. 
 
 Voyage to Rome. Acts xxvii., xxviii. 
 
 As Paul had appealed unto Caesar it was necessary that he should be sent to Rome to 
 appear before the Emperor Nero. Accordingly he was handed over with other 
 prisoners into the charge of a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan band, to be 
 conveyed to Italy. The companions of Paul were Luke and Aristarchus, a Mace- 
 donian of Thessalonica. They sailed from 
 
 Csesarea in a ship of Adramyttium, sailing by the coasts of Asia to 
 
 Sidon, where the centurion allowed Paul to visit his friends. Thence they sailed under 
 Cyprus, over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia to 
 
 Myra, a city of Lycia, where thev found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy. The 
 centurion transferred his prisoners to this vessel, and they sailed slowly over against 
 
 Cnidus, and thence under 
 
 Crete, by Cape Salmone to a harbour, 
 
 I'air Hnvens, near Lasea. Paul advised the centurion to winter here, because of the 
 late season of the year, but the centurion followed the advice of the master and the 
 owner of the vessel and endeavoured to gain Phenice, a harbour of Crete, and more 
 commodious to winter in. Obtaining a south wind they set sail, but soon after were 
 overtaken by a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon, and were driven under the 
 island of 
 
 Clauda, under the lee of which they managed to hoist the boat on board, and undergirded 
 the ship. Wishful to avoid the quicksands of Syrtes they lowered the gear from aloft 
 and ran before the wind. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 47 
 
 The next day they lightened the vessel, and on the third day they threw overboard 
 the tacklinfj of the ship. 
 
 An angel appeared to Paul by night and encouraged him, so he announced to 
 the voyagers that their lives should be saved, but that they must be shipwrecked on an 
 island. 
 
 On the fourteenth day the sailors sounded and found they were nearing land, so they 
 anchored the vessel by four anchors from the stern, and waited for day. 
 
 By Paul's injunction the centurion cut the boat loose and prevented the sailors 
 from deserting the vessel. 
 
 AVhen it was day they ran the ship ashore, and all got safely to land and found 
 themselves on the island of 
 Melita, where they were hospitably entertained. Paul, whilst gathering a bundle of 
 sticks for tiie fire, was bitten by a viper, but received no harm. He also healed the 
 father of Publius, the chief man of the island, who was sick of a fever. 
 _ Here thev remained three months, and left the island in a ship of Alexandria, whose 
 sign was Castor and Pollux which had wintered in the island. They landed at 
 Syracuse, where they stayed three days and then sailed to 
 Khegium, thence to 
 Puteoli, where they landed and stayed seven days. Thence the centurion took his prisoners 
 
 by road to 
 Rome, the brethren going out as far as Appii Forum and the Three Taverns to meet 
 Paul. At Rome the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, 
 but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that guarded him. 
 
 The Epistles of Paul. 
 
 Thi'-teen are known. He probably wrote others that are lost. Hebrews is almost 
 certainly not Paul's. The thirteen were written at four different periods in his life, with 
 a gap of five years between each period. The following table shows their order, &c. 
 
 Period. 
 
 Date. 
 
 Epistle. 
 
 Place 
 of writing. 
 
 Characteristic. 
 
 Second 
 
 Missionary 
 
 Journey 
 
 52-53 
 
 I. 1 hessalonians 
 II. Thessalonians 
 
 Corinth 
 Corinth 
 
 The doctrine of the Second Advent. 
 Practical duties of those who looked 
 for the second coming. 
 
 Third 
 
 57—58 
 
 I. Corinthians 
 
 Ephesus 
 
 Shows the Christian way of set- 
 
 Missionary 
 Journey 
 
 
 II. Corinthians 
 
 Galatians 
 
 Romans 
 
 Macedonia 
 
 Macedonia 
 
 Corinth 
 
 tling doubts. 
 Defence of his apostleship. 
 Christian liberty. 
 Justification by Faith. 
 
 First 
 Roman 
 Captivity 
 
 61-63 
 
 Philippians 
 Colossians 
 Philemon 
 
 Rome 
 Rome 
 Rome 
 
 Paul's Gospel. 
 
 The Personality of Christ. 
 
 The relation of slavery to Chris- 
 
 
 
 Ephesians 
 
 Rome 
 
 tianity. 
 Connection between Christ and 
 the Church. 
 
 Second 
 Roman 
 Captivity 
 
 66-68 
 
 I. Timothy 
 
 II. Timothy 
 
 Titus 
 
 Rome 
 Rome 
 Rome 
 
 Pastoral Duties and Church 
 Governmenc. 
 
THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 Consecration of Paul and Barnabas for Missionary Work. 
 
 Antioch. Intro., p. 6. 
 
 E.V. "Now there were at 
 
 Antioch, in the Church that 
 
 was there." 
 Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Ma- 
 
 naen. Intro., p. 21, 26, 25. 
 R.V. Manaen, the foster- 
 brother of Herod, &c. 
 Herod the Tetrach = Herod 
 
 Antipas. 
 Ministered. The verb so 
 
 translated (leitourgein — 
 
 whence the "Liturgy" of 
 
 the Church) is commonly 
 
 used of the ministry of the 
 
 Priests and Levites in the 
 
 Temple. It is here used 
 
 to mean Christian worship. 
 
 Old words were taking 
 
 new meanings, and worship 
 
 now meant prayer and 
 
 fasting. 
 Separate me now at once. 
 Pasted and prayed. A solemn service of dedication and ordination. In the case of the Seven 
 
 Deacons, the laying on of hands was preceded by special prajer ; in the case of Bar- 
 nabas and Saul by prayer and fasting. 
 So our Lord fasted and prayed at the setting apart of the Twelve (Luke vi. 12, 13). 
 Prophets and Teachers. The ministers of the Church. 
 
 The prophets as (i) Foretellers, as Agabus (xi. 28) ; 
 
 Or (2) Forthtellers or Preachers, as Judas and Silas (xv. 32). 
 
 Teachers were instructors less influenced by the Holy Ghost (see Notes, Acts ii. 
 
 Part I., p. 72). 
 As they. "One a Cypriote, another a Cyrenian, another a Jew, and from his double name 
 
 accustomed to mingle v/ith non-Je%vs, one a connection of the house of Herod, and Saul 
 
 the heaven -appointed Apostle to the Gentiles, the list may be deemed in some sort 
 
 typical of ' the world' into which the Gospel was now to go forth" [Lmnby). 
 The work. To preach the Gospel to the Gentiles, as foreshadowed in the conversion of 
 
 Saul (Acts ix. 15). The inward call is now sanctioned by the outward call of the Church 
 
 prompted by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. 
 
 13. Now there were in the church that 
 was at Antioch certain prophets and teach- 
 ers ; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was 
 called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and 
 Manaen, which had been brought up witli 
 Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. ^ As they 
 ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the 
 Holy Ghost said. Separate me Barnabas 
 and Saul for the work whereunto I have 
 called them. ^ And when they had fasted 
 and prayed, and laid their hands on them, 
 they sent them away. 
 
 Beginning of the First Missionary Journey. The Apostles 
 visit Cyprus. Contest for a Soul. 
 
 ^lTown?;r?iferOro"nts ' ^o they, being sent forth by the Holy 
 
 to Seieucia, which was Ghost, departed unto Seleucia ; and from 
 
 situated near the mouth of .1 -1 -i j ^ /-> k a j 1 
 
 the river, about sixteen thencc they sailed to Cyprus. ^ And when 
 
xlli. 6-12.] THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 49 
 
 they were at Salamis, they preached the 
 word of God in the synagogues of the Jews : 
 and they had also John to their minister. 
 •5 And when they had gone through the isle 
 unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, 
 a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was 
 Bar-josus : ^ which was with the deputy 
 of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent 
 man ; who called for Barnabas and Saul, 
 and desired to hear the word of God. ^ But 
 Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by 
 interpretation) withstood them, seeking to 
 turn away the deputy from the faith. ^ Then 
 Saul, (who also is called Paul), filled with 
 the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, ^^ and 
 said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, 
 thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all 
 righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert 
 the right ways of the Lord ? ^^ And now, 
 behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, 
 and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun 
 for a season. And immediately there fell 
 on him a mist and a darkness ; and he went 
 about seeking some to lead "him by the 
 hand. ^^ Then the deputy, when he saw 
 what was done, believed, being astonished 
 at the doctrine of the Lord. 
 
 miles from Antioch, and 
 was the port of that citj'. 
 Intro., p. i8. 
 E.V. Proclaimed. 
 Cyprus. Intro., p. ii. The 
 country of Barnabas, and 
 possibly on this account 
 chosen as the scene of their 
 first labours. 
 Salamis. Intro., p. i8. The 
 port of Cyprus nearest to 
 Seleucia, in the bay now 
 called Famagousta. 
 Synagogues. A large num- 
 ber of Jews were living in 
 Salamis so as to require 
 several synagogues. 
 John Mark. Intro., p. 23. 
 Minister. E.V. attendant, 
 meaning "helper." His 
 duties were probably to 
 wait on the Apostles, aid 
 them in their preaching, 
 and to baptize (i Cor. i. 
 13-16). 
 Paphos. Intro., p. 14. Now 
 Bafo, lay at the western 
 extremity of the island. It 
 was thecapital and the re- 
 sidence of the Roman 
 Governor. 
 Prudent. R.V., a man of un- 
 derstanding. 
 Sergius Paulus. Intro., p. 26. 
 R.V. Seeking to tiim aside, 
 R.V. Fastened his eyes upon 
 him. So Peter to the 
 cripple at the Gate of the 
 Temple (iii. 4). 
 R.V. full of all guile and 
 all villainy, thou son of the 
 devil. 
 R.V. Teaching of the Lord, 
 i.e. the teaching which had 
 the Lord (= Lord Jesus) as 
 its main theme. 
 
 Eorcerer, magician or viagus. So Simon Magus (viii. 9). The first conflicts of Peter and 
 Paul were with magicians. In this age of superstition sorcerers were paid hangers-on in 
 the households of Roman noblemen. They pretended to be able to foretell the future. 
 Many of these sorcerers were depraved Jews, who traded on the religious prestige of 
 their race. 
 Deputy. R.V. proconsul. The name was given to the chief governor of a province under 
 
 the Senate. A province under the Emperor had a propraetor as governor. 
 Roman provinces were divided into two classes. Those that required the presence of 
 troops to over-awe the people were placed under the control of the Emperor, and were 
 governed by propraetors, the commanders ot the legions, and may be considered as under 
 military rule ; the others were under the rule of the Senate, and were governed by 
 civil magistrates, proconsuls, i.e. were under civil not military rule. 
 In thus describing the Government of Cyprus, Luke is strictly accurate, for the island 
 was an imperial province up to 22 a.d., when it was given over to the Senate; later it 
 became imperial, and still later again proconsular. 
 Saul (who is also called Paul). The following reasons are given for the change of 
 name : — 
 
 1. That it was adopted from the proconsul's, his first convert of distinction. 
 
 2. That the Greek word Saulos had an opprobrious meaning as = wanton. 
 
 3. That the weaning of Paulus = little, commended itself to the Apostle's humility. 
 
 E 
 
50 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [xiii. 13—15. 
 
 4. That Saul (like almost all other Jews who mingled much with Gentiles) had had the 
 two names previous to this occasion. 
 The last-named is the most probable explanation. The change of name marks a change 
 
 of work and position. Henceforth Paul takes the lead, and from this point the order is 
 
 Paul and Barnabas, not Barnabas and Saul. Luke recognising that the history of Paul 
 
 is now to be his chief theme, names the Apostle by the name which became most familiar 
 
 to the Churclies. 
 Bar Jesus orElymas. Intro., p. 21. The prefix Bar (son of) =Mac in Gaelic, Mac Ivor; 
 
 Fitzin English, Fitz-William. 
 Elymasis an Arabic word which means a wise man, and corresponds to Uiema, the Arabic 
 
 name for a theological student. 
 Note here how the epithets of Paul meet the character of Elymas : — 
 
 Sorcerer or wise man, met by " full of all guile and all villainy." 
 
 Bar Jesus, son of Jesus, mt^t by " son of the devil." 
 
 Withstood them, met by " thou enemy of all righteousness." 
 
 To turn aside the deputy from the faith, met by "not cease to pervert the right ways of 
 the Lord." 
 The hand of the Lord. As Saul had been struck blind on the way to Damascus, when 
 
 fighting against the Christian faith, so Paul now strikes Elymas blind when resisting the 
 
 preaching of the Gospel. 
 Note. — Two m.iracles ot judgment occur in the Acts : 
 
 1. The death of Ananias and Sapphira at the foundation of the Jewish Church. 
 
 2. The blindness of Elymas just as the Gospel is going to the Gentiles. 
 
 For a season. Justice was tempered with mercy as to Paul himself at Damascus. 
 
 Mist and darkness. The blindness was gradual. First dimness, then darkness, then such 
 
 total blindness that the sorcerer instinctively groped about. 
 The opposite effect occurs in the recover)' of the blind man at Bethsaida. He first saw 
 
 " men as trees walking," and afterwards all things clearly (Mark viii. 23—25). 
 
 The Apostles leave the Island of Cyprus, and preach on the 
 mainland of Asia Minor. 
 
 loosed from. R.V. set sail. 
 
 They sailed north-west to 
 
 Perga, and without tarry- 
 ing there went on through 
 
 the country to Antioch. 
 Perga in Pamphylia. Intro., 
 
 p. 15. 
 John departing from them 
 
 returned to Jerusalem. John 
 
 ]\Iark may liave been de- 
 terred by the perils and 
 
 hardships of the journey 
 
 into the country, or he 
 
 may have been induced to 
 
 return by affection for his 
 
 mother, who lived in Jeru- 
 salem (xii.). Whatever the 
 
 cause, it was clearly one 
 
 which did not satisfy Paul 
 
 (xv. 38). 
 Antioch in Pisidia. Intro., p. 7. This Antioch must be carefully distinguished from the 
 
 other Antioch, which was in Syria. 
 And went out into the synagogue. St. Paul invariably made his way to the synagogue of 
 
 the Jews first for service. See Intro., p. 43. 
 Sat down. By this act they implied that tbey were not listeners only but teachers. 
 It was the custom in the Jewish synagogues to ask distinguished strangers present in the 
 
 audience to address the congregation. (See Part I., p. 42, 43.) 
 
 13 Now when Paul and his company loosed 
 from Paphos, they came to Perga, in Pam- 
 phylia : and John departing from them re- 
 turned to Jerusalem. 1* But when they de- 
 parted from Perga, they came to Antioch in 
 Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the 
 sabbath day, and sat down. ^^ And after 
 the reading of the law and the prophets the 
 rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, 
 saying. Ye men and brethren, if ye have any 
 word of exhortation for the people, say on. 
 
xiii. t6 - 2;.] THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 51 
 
 Paul's Speech at Antioch. 
 
 ^^ Then Paul stood up, and beckoning 
 with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye 
 that fear God, give audience. ^"^ The God 
 of this people of Israel chose our fathers, 
 and exalted the people when they dwelt as 
 strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an 
 high arm brought he them out of it. ^^ And 
 about the time of forty years suffered he 
 their manners in the wilderness. ^^ And 
 when he had destroyed seven nations in the 
 land of Chanaan, he divided their land to 
 them by lot. 20 And after that he gave u7zto 
 them judges about the space of four hun- 
 dred and fifty years, until Samuel the pro- 
 phet. 2^ And afterward they desired a 
 king : and God gave unto them Saul the son 
 of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by 
 the space of forty years. 22 And when he 
 had removed him, he raised up unto them 
 David to be their king ; to whom also he 
 gave testimony, and said, I have found 
 David the son of Jesse, a man after mine 
 own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. 
 ^ Of this man's seed hath God according 
 to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, 
 Jesus : 24 when John had first preached 
 before his coming the baptism of repentance 
 to all the people of Israel. 25 ^nd as John 
 fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye 
 that I am ? I am not he. But, behold, there 
 Cometh one after me, whose shoes of his 
 feet I am not worthy to loose. -^ Men aiid 
 brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, 
 and whosoever among you feareth God, to 
 you is the word of this salvation sent. 27 For 
 they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their 
 rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet 
 the voices of the prophets which are read 
 
 Give audience. R.V, 
 hearken. 
 
 Men of Israel and ye that 
 fear God. Two clas'^es ad- 
 dressed. 1. Israelites. 2, 
 God-fearing Gentiles, i.e. 
 proselytes of the gate. 
 Part I., p. 60. 
 
 E,.V. Sojourned French, je- 
 jou7-ner= dwell as stran- 
 gers, not permanently. 
 
 Suffered he their manners, or 
 bore with their ways as 
 a patient, long-suffering 
 ruler. 
 
 S..V. (in margin) has "bare he 
 them as a nursing father." 
 The alteration of a sint^le 
 letter from "p" to "ph" 
 in a six-syllable word ac- 
 counts for the two mean- 
 ings. 
 
 R.V. He gave them their 
 land for an inheritance 
 (fulfilling his promise to 
 Abraham, " unto thee will 
 I give this land" Gen. 
 xii. 7) for about four hun- 
 dred and fifty years : and 
 after these things he gave 
 them judges until Samuel 
 the prophet. Thus R.V. 
 connects four hundred and 
 fifty years with the land. 
 A.V. with the judges. 
 
 Desired. R.V, asked for. 
 
 R.V. Kish. 
 
 R.V. He bare •witness. 
 
 The quotation is a combina- 
 tion of Ps. Ixxxix. 20, "I 
 have iound David my ser- 
 vant," and I Sam, xiii. 14, 
 "a man after his own 
 heart." 
 
 R.V. Do all my will, imply- 
 ing that Saul did not, while 
 David did. 
 
 Ps. cxxxii. IX, "of the fruit 
 of thy body will I set upon 
 thy throne." 
 
 R.V. Brought a Saviour. 
 " Brought" suggests com- 
 pletion more than "raised." 
 
 Bapti-m of Repentance. Paul 
 uses the very words of 
 Matt. iii. ir, Mark i. 4, 
 Luke iii. 3. 
 
 R.V. Wasfulfilling his course, 
 i.e. progressing in his'ap- 
 polnted work. 
 
 Whom think ye ? R.V. What 
 
 suppose ye 
 
 27). 
 
 (John 
 
52 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, [xiii. 28— 3 r. 
 
 Analysis of Paul's Speech at Antioch in Pisidia. 
 
 "We may note in this the first recorded sermon of Paul,' a remarkable similarity to the 
 defence of Stephen (chap vii.), which Paul must have heard, and which made a deep 
 impression upon him. 
 
 The main thought is the purpose of God in his dealings with the nation of Israel in 
 manifesting himself in a series of saving acts culminating in the giving of a Saviour, Jesus 
 Christ. 
 The line of argument seems to be : — 
 
 .1. The God of Israel had manifested his purpose in saving His people^ 
 (a) By delivering them from Egypt {v. 17). 
 \b) In saving them from the perils in the wilderness [v. 18). 
 (c) In driving out before them the seven nations of Canaan (?'. 19). 
 \d) In delivering them from internal troubles by means of Judges, and estab- 
 lishing the kingdom under Saul and David {v. 20—22). 
 (^) All these acts are part of the great promise of the Saviour Jesus, who 
 should be of the lineage of David {v. 23). 
 
 2. This Saviour has come, and is Jesus — 
 
 (rt) Proclaimed by John the Baptist {v. 24 — 26). 
 {b) Rejected through ignorance by the Jewish rulers {v. 27, 28). 
 \c) And in this rejection they fulfilled the prophecies respecting the Messiah 
 {v. 29). 
 
 3. Jesus was put to death, and by his sufferings and crucifixion fulfilled in eVer>' 
 
 particular the prophecies written of the Messiah {v. 29, 30). 
 
 4. Jesus had risen again from the dead, and thus — 
 
 (a) By his death had brought forgiveness and justification ; 
 
 {b) By his resurrection had given evidence of His Messiahship [v. 31 — 35). 
 
 5. Forgiveness and justification could not have been accomplished by any of the 
 
 saviours previously mentioned, for they (of whom David was the chief) had 
 served their own generation and passed away. They had not risen again {v. 36, 
 
 6. True salvation is forgiveness of sins and justification, and Jesus is the Christ 
 
 because through Him is obtained that pardon and justification which the law of 
 Moses, till completed by the coming of Jesus, could not give (v. 38, 39). 
 
 7. A solemn warning from the Old Testament prophecies not to neglect this salva- 
 
 tion now offered through this Saviour {v. 40, 41). 
 
 It is most interesting to note how St. Paul adapts his addresses to his audience. He 
 was " all things to all men." We have illustrations of this different style on three different 
 occasions, viz. : — 
 
 1. To the Jews and mixed congregation of educated men at Antioch in Pisidia, he 
 
 addressed himself in a careful argument based on the Old Testament. 
 
 2. To the mountaireers of Lystra, as a primitive people, he describes God as the 
 
 food giver, an appeal which even the rudest intellect could comprehend. 
 
 3. To the Athenians on Mars Hill, he bases his argument on their magnificent 
 
 temples and altars, and illustrates his speech by allusions to history and 
 literature, appealing to their souls and consciences. 
 
 V. 26. The two classes are 
 as before (see v. 16) again 
 contrasted and addressed 
 equally. 
 
 R.V. To us. The message 
 is for other than Jews, but 
 Paul carefully avoids 
 wounding any Jewish pre- 
 judice, and so classes him- 
 self with his hearers. 
 
 Knew him not, &c., i.e. knew 
 not Jesus as the Messiah, 
 and failed to grasp the 
 significance of the prophe- 
 cies concerning the Mes- 
 
 every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them 
 in condemning hi»i. ^s And though they 
 found no cause of death in hi?n, yet desired 
 they Pilate that he should be slain. ^^ And 
 when they had fulfilled all that was written 
 of him, they took hii7i down from the tree, 
 and laid hii7i in a sepulchre. ^^ But God 
 raised him from the dead : ^^ and he was 
 seen many days of them which came up 
 
xiii. 32-41.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 53 
 
 with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are 
 his witnesses unto the people. ^^ ^nd we 
 declare unto you g^lad tidings, how that the 
 promise which was made unto the fathers, 
 '^3 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their 
 children, in that he hath raised up Jesus 
 again ; as it is also written in the second 
 psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I 
 begotten thee. ^ And as concerning that 
 he raised him up from the dead, 7ww no 
 more to return to corruption, he said on this 
 wise, I will give you the sure mercies of 
 David. 2'' Wherefore he saith also in an- 
 other ;psalin, Thou shalt not suffer thine 
 Holy One to see corruption. ^'^ For David, 
 after he had served his own generation by 
 the will of God, fell on sleep, and was 
 laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption : 
 37 br.t he, whom God raised again, saw no 
 corruption. ^8 gg ir known unto you there- 
 fore, men aiul brethren, that through this 
 man is preached unto you the forgiveness 
 of sins : ^o and by him all that believe are 
 justified from all things, from which ye 
 could not be justified by the law of Moses. 
 ^^ Beware therefore, lest that come upon 
 you, which is spoken of in the prophets ; 
 ^^ Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and 
 perish : for I work a work in your days, 
 a work which ye shall in no wise believe, 
 though a man declare it unto you. ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ Chaldeans. 
 
 V. j6.— Beckoning with his hand. A gesture to procure silence and attention. So Peter 
 (xii. 17), Paul on the stairs of the castle of Antonia (xxi. 40), and before Agrippa (xxvi. 1). 
 
 V. 19.— Seven nations (Deut. vii. i). The Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the 
 Hivites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, and the Girgashites. 
 
 V. 21. — Forty years. The length of Saul's reign is not found directly in the Old Testa- 
 ment, but is stated by Josephus as being forty years, viz., eighteen years before Samuel's 
 death, and twenty-two after it. Saul was a "young man" when chosen king (i Sam. ix. 2), 
 and Ishbosheth, his youngest son, was forty years old at the time of Saul's death K2. Sam.ii. 10). 
 
 V. 27. — The voices of the prophets. The readings from the prophets would tell of a suffer- 
 ing Saviour as well as a conquering Messiah. So Jesus to the disciples on the road to 
 Eramaus : "Ought not Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his glory" 
 (Luke xxiv. 26). 
 
 V. 28.— So Pilate declared : " Why, what evil hath he done ? I have found no cause of 
 death in him" (Luke xxiii. 22). 
 
 siah. Compare Peter, Acts 
 iii.17: "I wot that through 
 ignorance j'e did it, as did 
 also your rulers " ; and 
 our Lord Himself: "Father 
 forgive them, for they know 
 not what they do." 
 
 R.V. For many days. Be- 
 cause the appearances were 
 occasional ; he was not 
 visible at all times during 
 the forty days, 
 
 R.V. Who are now his wit- 
 nesses ? 
 
 R.V, We bring you good 
 tidings of the promise. 1 he 
 good tidings were not only 
 published, but Paul and 
 Barnabas journej'ed so far 
 to deliver them. 
 
 R.V. Unto our children, 
 V.33 = (Ps.ii. 7). 
 
 R.V. Holy and sure bless- 
 ings. Because he saith, &c. 
 V. 34 =■ (Ps. xvi. 10). 
 
 R.V. In his own generation . 
 
 The words ot the Psalm can- 
 not refer to David, be- 
 cause David died, was 
 buried, and did not rise 
 again : he saw corruption. 
 The Psalm speaks of one 
 who cannot see corrup- 
 tion. 
 
 R.V. Is proclaimed unto you 
 remission of sins. The key- 
 note of the Apostolic 
 preaching. 
 
 R.V. Every one Ihat be- 
 lieveth is justified from sdl 
 things. Justification by 
 faith, the favourite doc- 
 trine in Paul's P-pistles, 
 appears in his first re- 
 corded sermon, 
 
 R.V. If one declare it unto 
 
 you (Hab. i. 5),^ referring 
 there to destruction of Je- 
 rusalem by Nebuchadnez- 
 
5 + 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, [xiii. 42—50. 
 
 V. 29.— Amonj the prophecies fulfilled by the crucifixion and burial, are 
 " They shall look upon me whom they have pierced" (Zech. xii. lo). 
 " They gave me also gall for my meat ; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to 
 
 drink" (Ps. Ixix. 21). 
 " They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture they did cast lots " 
 
 (Ps. xxii. 18; John xix. 24). 
 " He was numbered with the transgressors " (Is. liii. 12). 
 "Aboneofhim shall not be broken" (Ex. xii. 46 ; John xix. 39). 
 "He made his grave with the wicked and with the rich in his death " (Is. liii, q). 
 Paul sees every detail of trial, indignity, and death foretold in the Old Testament 
 Scriptures. 
 
 Further Preaching to the Jews and Gentiles. Jealousy of 
 the Jews. Expulsion of the Apostles from Antioch. 
 
 ^ And when the Jews were gone out of the 
 synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these 
 words might be preached to them the next 
 sabbath. ^^ Now when the congregation 
 was broken up, many of the Jews and re- 
 Hgious proselytes followed Paul and Barna- 
 bas : who, speaking to them, persuaded them 
 to continue in the grace of God. ^* And the 
 next sabbath day came almost the whole 
 city together to hear the word of God. 
 *^ But when the Jews saw the multitudes, 
 they were filled with envy, and spake 
 against those things which were spoken 
 by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. 
 '^^ Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, 
 and said, It was necessary that the word 
 of God should first have been spoken to you : 
 but seeing ye put it from you, and judge 
 yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, 
 we turn to the Gentiles. ^'^ For so hath the 
 Lord commanded us, saying, I have set 
 thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou 
 shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of 
 the earth. '^^ And when the Gentiles heard 
 this, they were glad, and glorified the word 
 of the Lord : and as many as were ordained 
 to eternal life believed. *" And the word of 
 the Lord was published throughout all the 
 region. ^^ But the Jews stirred up the de- 
 vout and honourable women, and the chief 
 
 R.V. And as they went out 
 they besought, thus im- 
 plying that the whole con- 
 gregation, both Jews and 
 Gentile proselytes, wished 
 to hear Paul again, and 
 not, as in A.V., that the 
 Gentiles only made the re- 
 quest after the Jews had 
 gone out. 
 
 Congregation, R.V, Syna- 
 gogue. 
 
 R.V. Devout. 
 
 R.V. Urged them to continue. 
 The tense implies that they 
 went on throughout the 
 week with the work of per- 
 suasion. 
 
 Almost the -whole city. 
 Heathens as well as Jews 
 and proselytes. The Gospel 
 message had excited gene- 
 ral interest. 
 
 R.V. Were filled with jea- 
 lousy, and contradicted the 
 things which were sptken 
 by Paul, and blasphemed. 
 The Jews had received the 
 message gladly when they 
 thought it was limited to 
 themselves, but they could 
 not endure that the Gen- 
 tiles should be made equal 
 with them. 
 
 Waxed bold. R.V. Spake out 
 boldly. 
 
 Hath tiie Lord commanded 
 (Is. xlix. 6). Paul finds in 
 the prophets the divine 
 purpose of love to all the 
 heathen world . The Jewish 
 teachers found only the ex- 
 altation of Israel. 
 
 R.V. Uttermost part. 
 
 R.V. Spread abroad, i.e. the 
 preaching extended far be- 
 yond the city. 
 
 R.V. Devout women of 
 honourable estate. The 
 
xiii. 51-xiv. 7.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 55 
 
 men of the city, and raised persecution 
 against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled 
 them out of their coasts. ^^ But they shook 
 off the dust of their feet against them, and 
 came unto Iconium. ^- And the disciples 
 were filled with joy, and with the Holy 
 Ghost. 
 
 wives of the mm in higU 
 position anion jj the heathen 
 were much inclined to the 
 Jewish religion (Joscphus 
 l3. J. ii. 20 — 22). Ihese 
 would be easily moved by 
 the Jews to take action 
 against the Apostles(yLKW- 
 by). 
 Chief men.possibly influenced 
 by their wives, or as ma- 
 gistrates, appealed to by 
 the Jews. 
 Coasts. R.V. Borders. The word coast originally signified any borderland, and not as 
 
 now the sea coast only. 
 V. 46. Yeput it fromyou. R.V. Ye thrust it from you. The Jews wilfully rejected the Gospel 
 — the Apostles did not take it from them. Wherever Paul went he first addressed himself 
 to the Jews. To them as the covenant nation the Gospel must be preached first. When 
 they roiected the preaching it was then offered to the Gentiles. 
 Shook off the dust. In compliance with the injunction of our Lord (Matt. x. 14). The act 
 implied that from henceforth the Apostles had nothing to do with these Jews, and that 
 they were left to go their own way. 
 Iconium. Modern Konieh. Intro., p. 13. 
 Filled with joy (Aiatt. v. 12) because they were called upon to suffer for the Master's sake. 
 
 The Apostles preach Jesus at Iconium, and are forced to flee. 
 
 14. And it came to pass in Iconium, that 
 they went both together into the synagogue 
 of the Jews, and so spake, that a great 
 multitude both of the Jews and also of the 
 Greeks believed. ^ But the unbelieving Jews 
 stirred up the Gentiles, and made their 
 minds evil affected against the brethren. 
 3 Long time therefore abode they speaking 
 boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony 
 unto the word of his grace, and granted 
 signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 
 * But the multitude of the city was divided : 
 and part held with the Jews, and part with 
 the apostles. ^ And when there was an 
 assault made both of the Gentiles, and also 
 of the Jews with their rulers, to use them 
 despitefully, and to stone them, ^ they 
 were ware of it, and fled unto L)'stra and 
 Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the 
 region that lieth round about : '^ and there 
 they preached the gospel. 
 
 R.V. The Jews that were 
 disobedient stirred up the 
 souls of the Gentiles and 
 made them evil affected. 
 The Jew s' underhand talk 
 undermined the first fa- 
 vourable impressions made 
 on the Gentiles, some of 
 whom were perverted. 
 
 E.V. Long time therefore 
 they tarried, kendertd ne- 
 cessary by the opposition 
 of the jews. 
 
 E.V. "which bare witness. 
 The Lord witnessing to the 
 word, and granting s gns 
 and wonders to be done 
 
 The Apostles Paul and 
 Barnabai, now first called 
 Apostles. 
 
 R.V. Made an onset. The 
 W'ords do nut impl\ that an 
 actual attack was made. 
 The whole city was excited, 
 and an attack might have 
 come at any moment. 
 
 R.V. To entreat them shame- 
 fully. 
 
 To stone them. The prompt- 
 ing, therefore, came from 
 the Jews. The charge 
 against the Apostles would 
 be that of blasphemy. 
 
56 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [xiv. 8-15. 
 
 V. I.— Greeks. The Greek word is Hellenes, but as the writer speaks of Jews and Greeks 
 in conjunction, it has been suggested that Hellenistae is the proper word. But as Luke is 
 describing a lengthened stay of the Apostles at Iconium, it is clear that he includes all 
 tlic converts. Paul and I3arnabas spoke first to the Jews in the synagogue, and to the 
 Gentiles afterwards, and also converted many of the latter. 
 
 ^'- 3-— Miracles, as God's credentials to man, went side by side with the preaching of the 
 Gospel, thus explaining St. Paul's claims to Apostleship—" Truly the signs of an Apostle 
 were wrought among you ... in signs and wonders, and mighty deeds" (2 Cor. xii. 12). 
 
 It is the distinguishing feature of nearly all the persecutions in the Acts that they origi- 
 nated in the opposition of the Jews. The case of Demetrius at Ephcsus (xix. 24) seems to 
 be the solitary exception, and even in this riot there are traces of Jewish influence. 
 
 V. 4.— The multitude was divided. Two distinct parties, a Christian and a non- Christian 
 
 party sprung up. Also at Thessalonica (xvii. 4, 5). 
 
 ,y- 6.-They were ware of it and fled as Jesus advised— " When they persecute you in 
 this city, flee5'e into another" (Matt. x. 23). 
 
 Lystra, Derbe, Lycaonia. Intro., p. 12, 13. Lystra was about forty miles from Iconium. 
 l.ycaonia (wolf-land) was a dreary plain destitute of water. 
 
 Cure of a Cripple at 
 
 A cripple. Luke the Physi- 
 cian notes particularly the 
 man's case. He was " im- 
 potent in his feet," i.e. 
 powerless to use them. 
 He had been born so. 
 
 E.V. Fastening his eyes upon 
 him. As Peter upon the 
 lame man (iii. 4), and as 
 Paul did on Elymas (xiii. 
 9), and on the Council 
 (xxiii. i). The same word 
 is used throughout. 
 
 R.V. Faith to be made whole. 
 This requirement of re- 
 sponsive faith reminds us 
 of our Lord's miracles 
 (Matt. ix. 28, 29). 
 
 R.V. Leaped up and walked. 
 Two distinct actions. In 
 response to Paul's com- 
 mand he leaped up, thus 
 showing tlie cure was per- 
 fect, and he then continued 
 to walk, showing that the 
 power to walk was con- 
 tinued. 
 
 R.V, Whose temple was be- 
 fore the city, i.e. at the 
 entrance of the city. Ju- 
 piter was their tutelary 
 deity. 
 
 R.V. Rent their garments 
 and sprang forth. They 
 did not know the language, 
 and had not understood 
 what was being done. 
 "When the truth flashed on 
 then thev sprang up, 
 horror-stricken, rent their 
 
 Lystra. The Apostles regarded as Gods. 
 
 8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, 
 impotent in his feet, being a cripple from' 
 his mother's womb, who never had walked : 
 9 the sam.e heard Paul speak : who sted- 
 fastly beholding him, and perceiving that he 
 had faith to be healed, lo said with a loud 
 voice. Stand upright on thy feet. And he 
 leaped and walked. " And when the people 
 saw what Paul had done, they lifted up 
 their voices, saying in the speech of Lyca- 
 onia, The gods are come down to us in the 
 likeness of men. 12 ^^^j ^hey called Barna- 
 bas, Jupiter ; and Paul, Mercurius, because 
 he was the chief speaker, i^ Then the priest 
 of Jupiter, which was before their city, 
 brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, 
 and would have done sacrifice with the 
 people. 1* Which when the apostles, Bar- 
 nabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their 
 clothes, and ran in among the people, cry- 
 ing out, 15 and saying. Sirs, why do ye these 
 things ? We also are men of like passions 
 with you, and preach unto you that ye should 
 turn from these vanities unto the living God, 
 
i6-i8.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 57 
 
 which made heaven, and earth, and the 
 sea, and all things that are therein : ^^ who 
 in times past suffered all nations to walk in 
 their own ways. ^"^ Nevertheless he left not 
 himself without witness, in that he did good, 
 and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful 
 seasons, filling our hearts with food and 
 gladness. ^^ And with these sayings scarce 
 restrained they the people, that they had 
 not done sacrifice unto them. 
 
 elothes, and rushed out 
 unto the crowd to prevent 
 the blasphemy. 
 
 Like passions, i.e. " men sub- 
 ject to like conditions "= 
 mortal men. 
 
 R.V. "Bring you good tidings 
 that ye should turn from 
 these vain things unto the 
 living God." 
 
 Vanities. (Lat., vanus = 
 empty). R.V. Vain things : 
 the word constantly used 
 to contrast the empty 
 worthless heathen worship 
 with the reverence due to 
 the living God. 
 
 V. 9. — Heard Paul speak. The Greek implies that he had heard Paul several times. 
 The Apostles would naturally select some place of public resort for their preaching, and 
 such a place would be most suited for the purposes of^a begging cripple. 
 
 Speech of Lycaonia. The people spoke their own dialect, though they understood Greek. 
 So in many towns of Wales English is understood, though Welsh is the language of the 
 common people. So in Canada French Canadians would express wonder in French, 
 though addressed in English. 
 
 It is clear that the dialect was not understood by the Apostles (verse 14) ; this seems 
 to show that the gift of tongues was not used for the purposes of intercourse. 
 
 V. II. — The Gods have come down, &c. Nothing was more familiar to the heathen mind 
 than the thought of the gods assuming human shape. But it was only among barbarous 
 people like the Lycaonians that men were still prepared to believe such stories. 
 
 There are several reasons why Barnabas was called Jupiter, and Paul Mercury. The 
 Temple of Jupiter was near the city, and to that god was their worship chiefly paid. 
 Jupiter (Gk., Zeus) was the king of gods, of stately and commanding presence. Mercurius 
 (Gk., Hermes) was the chief attendant of Zeus, and the god of eloquence. It was obvious, 
 therefore, to assign the name Mercurius to the chief speaker, and the name of Jupiter to 
 the one of the two Apostles who had the more commanding presence. Ot Paul we 
 know that he was of weak bodily presence fcora his own words — *' l:iis bodily presence is 
 weak" (2 Cor. x. lo). 
 
 The poet Ovid preserves a legend that the gods Jupiter and Mercury descended into 
 these very regions, and how they were hospitably entertained by Baucis and Philemon. 
 This legend presents an additional reason for the action of the Lycaonians. 
 
 V. 13.— Garlands, the vittae of wool interwoven with leaves and flowers, with which the 
 victims and altars were decorated at a heathen sacrifice. 
 
 V. 13.— Gates of the porch, or outer door of the house where the Apostles lodged. 
 
 V. 16.— R.V. In the generations gone hy suffered all the nations. Compare speech at 
 Athens. " The times of this ignorance God winked at " (xvii. 30). 
 R.V. Verse 17 has " you " and " your," not " us " and " our." 
 
 V. 17. — Rain. The allusion to rain as a Divine gift was peculiarly appropriate, as the 
 district was bare and dreary, and frequently suffered from a scarcity of water. 
 
 V. 18.— R.V. From doing sacrifice unto them. So persuaded were they of the divinity of 
 Paul and Barnabas. 
 
 Analysis of the Speech to the Lystrians. 
 
 1. Why do ye these things, i.e. attempt to offer sacrifice to us [v. 15). 
 
 2. For we are mortal men like yourselves {v. 15). 
 
 3. And are commissioned to tell you of a different God to those vain idols which }'e 
 
 worship {v. 15). 
 
 4. For he is the living God ; and all life comes from Hira. He has made heaven 
 
 and earth and sea {v. 15). 
 
58 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 [xiv. 19 — 28. 
 
 5. Till now this God has not been fully revealed to you Gentile nations {v. 16). 
 
 6. But He has given you the evidence of nature, testifying to His Providence {v. 17). 
 
 7. From Him come all good gifts : Thus rain, the best gift to this barren wolf-land is 
 
 the gift of God and with the rain He has made the earth bring forth food, 
 which made their hearts glad {v. 17). 
 
 Paul is Stoned by the fickle Lycaonians, The Apostles 
 return to Antioch in Syria. 
 
 ^^ And there came thither certain Jews 
 from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded 
 the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew 
 him out of the city, supposing he had been 
 dead, ^o Howbeit, as the disciples stood 
 round about him, he rose up, and came 
 into the city : and the next day he departed 
 with Barnabas to Derbe. ^i And when they 
 had preached the gospel to that city, and 
 had taught many, they returned again to 
 
 They stoned Paul, "Once 
 was 1 stoned" (2 Cor. xi. 
 25). How deeply this ter- 
 rible act affected Paiil 
 can be gathered from bis 
 allusions to it (2 Tim. iii. 
 11). 
 
 R.V. Dragged him out of 
 the city. The stoning there- 
 fore took place in the city. 
 
 Had taught many. R.V. Had 
 made many disciples, among 
 them Gaius of Derbe (xx. 
 
 R.V. Many tribulations. None 
 but a man fully persuaded 
 could have held such lan- 
 guage. 
 
 R.V. Appointed for them 
 elders = presbyters. The 
 Apostles were as careful 
 in organising the newly- 
 formed churches as they 
 were zealous in preaching 
 the Go'jpel. 
 
 R.V. When they had spoken 
 the word in Perga. This 
 was on their return ; on 
 their going up they had not 
 done so. 
 
 R.V. They had been com- 
 mitted to the grace of God, 
 refrrs to the solemn ser- 
 vice in which a blessing on 
 the mission had been in- 
 voked (xiii. 2 — 4). 
 
 Rehearsed all, i.e. re- 
 counted. The old, not the 
 modern, meaning of re- 
 hearse. 
 
 R.V. How that God had 
 opened a dcor of faith. A 
 favourite metaphor of 
 Paul's. 
 
 " For a great door and 
 effectual is opened unto 
 me" (i Cor. xvi. 9). 
 "A door was opened unto 
 me of the Lord " (2 Cor. 
 ii. 12). 
 "That God would op»n 
 unto us a dqpr of utter- 
 ance" (Col. iv. 3). 
 
 Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, 22 con- 
 firming the souls of the disciples, and ex- 
 horting them to continue in the faith, and 
 that we must through muchtribulation^nter 
 into the kingdom of God. ^^ And when 
 they had ordained them elders in every 
 church, and had prayed with fasting, they 
 commended them to the Lord, on whom 
 they believed. 24 ^^d after they had passed 
 throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 
 25 And when they had preached the word in 
 Perga, they went down into Attalia : ^c and 
 thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they 
 had been recommended to the grace of God 
 for the work which they fulfilled. 27 And 
 when they were come, and had gathered 
 the church together, they rehearsed all that 
 God had done with them, and how he had 
 opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. 
 2^ And there they abode long time with the 
 disciples. 
 
-5.] 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 59 
 
 The door had been opened unto the Hentilcs, and henceforth none could shut it. Their 
 success in effectually calling the Gentiles is attributed to God. 
 
 V. 19.— Certain Jews. The Jews of Antioch and Iconium act in concert. Those of 
 Antioch travelled one hundred and thirty miles in order to thwart Paul in his work. 
 
 There need be no sui prise at the sudden change. The fickleness of an ignorant popula- 
 tion is proverbial. Tne Jewish accusers probably suggested that the Aposfles were 
 sorcerers or demons. For instances of the same change, note (i) the Jews towards our 
 Lord, "Hosanna" into" Crucify Him" (Matt. xxi. 9, xxvii. 22); (2) The people of Melita 
 towards Paul (x.wiii. 6). 
 
 V. 20. — Rose up. The restoration seems miraculous, (i) How could one stoned and left 
 for dead act as if nothing had befallen him. (2) On the morrow (z/. 20) he journeyed to 
 Derbe, a distance of twenty miles from Lystra. (3) St. Paul says of his stoning that "the 
 Lord had delivered him " (2 Tim, iii. ii). 
 
 V. 21.— Returned again to Lystra, &c. Though Paul was near the Cilician pass that led 
 to Tarsus he preferred to retrace his steps that he might confirm by the imposition of hands 
 those he had converted, and who had been baptized at his first visit. 
 
 Attalia. Intro., p. 19. The Apostles on their voyage from Paphos had sailed up the river 
 Cestius and landed at Perga. On their return they go by land from Perga to the sea coast 
 at Aitalia, w.' ere there was more likelihood of finding a vessel in which they could sail into 
 Syria. 
 
 V. 28.— R.V. They tarried no little time with the disciples. Probably about a year. 
 Antioch was Paul's favourite centre, for here the Gentiles first formed a Church, and con- 
 sequently here Paul found most sympathy with his special labours. 
 
 Council of Jerusalem. 
 
 15. And certain men which came down 
 from Judaea taught the brethren^ and said, 
 Except ye be circumcised after the manner 
 of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2\Yhen 
 therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small 
 dissension and disputation with them, they 
 determined that Paul and Barnabas, and 
 certain ether of them, should go up to 
 Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders 
 about this question, ^^nd being brought 
 on their way by the church, they passed 
 through Phenice and Samaria, declaring 
 the conversion of the Gentiles : and they 
 caused greatjoy unto all the brethren. *And 
 when they were come to Jerusalem, they 
 were received of the church, and of the 
 apostles and elders, and they declared all 
 things that God had done with them. ^ But 
 there rose up certain of the sect of the Pha- 
 
 Certain men, described (Gal. 
 ii. 4) as " false bretliren un- 
 awares brought in." 
 
 From Judaea. Thus claiming 
 authority from the Apostles, 
 and assuming to be dele- 
 gates from the Church at 
 Jerusalem. 
 
 V. I. R.V. Custom =whatis 
 enjoined by positive law- 
 Circuracision was ordained 
 by God with Abraham, aud 
 sanctioned by Moses as a 
 national obligation. 
 
 R.V. Dissension and ques- 
 tioning = 1 csulting in con- 
 tention. 
 
 R.V. The brethren appointed. 
 The Antioch Church for- 
 mally deputed. 
 
 Certain other. Among these 
 was Titus (Gal. ii. 5). 
 
 Go up to Jerusalem. This is 
 the journey alluded to 
 in Gal. ii. i. See note, 
 
 P- 59- 
 
 Phenice. Intro., p. 15. 
 
 Brought on their way, i.e. ac- 
 companied a short \Nay on 
 the journey by the elders of 
 the Church at Antioch. 
 
6o 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [xv. 6—12. 
 
 risees which beheved, saying, That it was 
 needful to circumcise them, and to command 
 them to keep the law of Moses. 
 
 So the disciples at Tyre 
 "brought Paul onhisway" 
 to Jerusalem (xxi. 5). 
 
 Conversion. Not found else- 
 where in tlie N. T. 
 
 R.V. Rehearsed. Recounted 
 
 — told the story of. This was done at the preliminary meeting. See below. 
 
 R.V. Charge them. 
 
 V. 4. — They were received of the Church, &c. Luke relates the public proceedings and 
 omits all mention of the private proceedings at Jerusalem concerning the dispute. Paul on 
 the contrary relates (Gal. ii.) the private side and omits all notice of the public side of the 
 events. Taken together we get a complete account of the origin and conclusion of a 
 controversy which was a matter of life and death to Paul's mission to the Genr.iles. 
 
 R.V. "Were'gathered together. 
 
 Formally and ofScially. 
 The Council consisted of (i) 
 Apostles, (2) Elders, (3) the 
 brethren or multitude (ver. 
 13). 
 
 The Council assembles. 
 
 ^And the apostles and elders came to- 
 gether for to consider of this matter. 
 
 The Debate. Peter's Speech. 
 
 '' And when there had been much disput- 
 ing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, 
 Men and brethren, ye know how that a good 
 while ago God made choice among us, that 
 the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the 
 word of the gospel, and believe. ^ And God, 
 which knoweth the hearts, bare them wit- 
 ness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as 
 he did unto us ; ^ and put no difference be- 
 tween us and them, purifying their hearts 
 by faith, ^^js^q^ therefore why tempt ye 
 God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the 
 disciples, which neither our fathers nor we 
 were able to bear ? ^^ But we believe that 
 through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ 
 we shall be saved, even as they. 
 
 12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and 
 gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, de- 
 claring what miracles and wonders God had 
 wrought among the Gentiles by them. 
 
 „ ^. .. .__ __ _.. It would include (a) the ccrcmoniallaw of Moses, (3) the 
 
 traditions of the Elders and Rabbinical additions, (c) the moral law, which, though of 
 perpetual and universal obligation as a law of life, was, and is, an intolerable burden if 
 its perfect observance is the pondition of salvation. 
 
 R.V. Questioning, i.e. many 
 speeches made on both 
 sides. 
 
 Good while ago. Ten or 
 twelve j'ears. 
 
 R.V. Among you. Peter al- 
 ludes to the conversion of 
 Cornelius (chap. x.). 
 
 R.V. No distinction. God 
 bestowed the Holy Ghost 
 on the Gentiles, and thus 
 put them on the same plat- 
 form as the Jews. 
 
 R.V. Cleansing their hearts. 
 What God hath cleansed, 
 Peter had learnt not to call 
 common. 
 
 Tempt ye God by distrusting 
 his guidance and disobey- 
 ing His revealed will. 
 
 R.V. That ye should put a 
 yoke. The R.V. rightly 
 attributes this action to the 
 Jews. 
 
 Even as they. R.V. In like 
 manner as they. The altera- 
 tion emphasises the truth 
 that salvation roust come 
 through 'Christ's grace to 
 the circumcised Jew, just 
 as to the uncircumcised 
 Gentile. 
 
 Yoke. The " law " which the 
 Judaizers wished to make 
 binding upon the Gentiles 
 
THE A CIS OF THE APOSTLES. 6l 
 
 This visit of Paul to Jerusalem is the same as described in Galatians, chap. ii. ; for — 
 
 1. The situation is the same, viz., men from Jerusalem disturb the Gentile Christians 
 
 at Antioch. 
 
 2. Their teaching is similar, viz., that the Gentiles must be circumcised. 
 
 3. An appeal to Jerusalem is resolved upon. 
 
 4. The Apostles, Barnabas and Paul, go from Antioch to Jerusalem, and retUfn 
 
 again to Antioch. 
 
 5. Paul and Barnabas are on one side, Peter and James on the other. 
 
 0. The cause ot the controversy is the same, viz., whether the Gentiles should be 
 
 circumcised. 
 7. The result is the same, viz., the authority of Paul was acknowledged, and circum- 
 cision was not forced on the Gentiles. 
 The discrepancies between the narratives can be easily accounted for, since Paul did his 
 work in private conferences and he describes them, whilst Luke is writing for the whole 
 Church, and thus describes the general conference. 
 
 It is instructive to note the conduct of the chief actors in this Council In their subse- 
 quent treatment of its decrees. 
 
 1. Paul in his Epistles discusses the question of idol meats as a perfectly open 
 
 question (i Cor. viii.). To the Galatians, when alluding to the Council, he 
 never once appeals to its decrees. 
 
 2. Peter at Antioch mingled freely at first with the uncircumcised, but after a while 
 
 seemed to forget the decree of the Council and fell back into his old scruples, 
 deciding to eat with the Gentiles (Gal. ii. 12). For this action he was openly 
 rebuked by Paul (Gal. ii. 12, 14). 
 
 3. James continued to identify himself with the strict observers of the Mosaic 
 
 law (Acts xxi. 23, 24), willing to facilitate intercourse between the Hebrew 
 and Gentile Christians, but himself declining such intercourse. 
 
 4. Barnabas at Antioch was led away by the example of Peter into declining to eat 
 
 with the Gentiles (Gal. ii. 13). 
 
 With Acts XV. compare Gal. ii. 1—14. 
 
 ' Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas and took Titus 
 with me also. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that Gospel 
 which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest 
 by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. ^ gut neither Titus, who was with me, 
 being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised : * and that because of false brethren 
 unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ 
 Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage : *to whom we gave place by subjection, no, 
 not for an hour ; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. ^ But of these who 
 seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were it maketh no matter to me : God acceptelh 
 no man's person :) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to 
 me : ^ but contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was com- 
 mitted unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; ^ (for he that wrought 
 effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me 
 toward the Gentiles :) ^ and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, 
 perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me andBarnabas the right hands 
 of fellowship ; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. 
 *" Only they would that we should remember the poor ; the same which I also was forward 
 to do. 11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he 
 was to be blamed. 12 Por before that certain came from James, he did eat with the 
 Gentiles : but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them 
 which were of the circumcision. ^^And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; 
 insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 1* But when 1 
 saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the Gospel, I said unto Peter 
 before them all, if thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the 
 Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews .' 
 
 The First Christian Council. 
 
 Where held. At Jerusalem. 
 
 Cause of meeting. Certain brethren, who came down from Judaea to Antioch in Syria, 
 asserted that it was necessary that the Gentiles be circumcised (xv. i). As they main- 
 
62 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [xv. 13—24. 
 
 James sums up as 
 
 James. Intro., p. 23. 
 
 K.V. Symeon (the old form 
 of Simon) hath rehearsed 
 how first God. 
 
 To take out of them a people. 
 Thus " the chosen people " 
 were no longer to be Jews 
 only ; and if not Jews only 
 what need for those cere- 
 monial ordinances which 
 had marked out the Jews as 
 distinct from Gentiles. 
 
 Amos (ix. II, 12). The state- 
 ments of the prophets agree 
 with this purpose of God. 
 Paul (Rom. xv. 9—12) 
 quotes other prophets. 
 
 Tabernacle, or booth, used at 
 the Feast of Tabernacles, 
 made of tree branches, to 
 remind the Jews of their 
 dwelling in tents in the 
 wilderness and of the pro- 
 tection of Jehovah. These 
 ruined booths would be re- 
 stored as the festival came 
 round. 
 
 Residue of men. The taber- 
 nacle is restored by the 
 nations seeking the Lord. 
 
 V. 18. R.V. Maketh these 
 things known, i.e. imparts 
 the knowledge of them. • 
 
 B.V. My Judgment is. The 
 tone of authority. James 
 proposes a resolution, does 
 not pronounce a decree. 
 
 President, and announces the Decision. 
 
 13 And after they had held their peace, 
 James answered, saying-, Men and brethren, 
 hearken unto me : 1* Simeon hath declared 
 how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, 
 to take out of them a people for his name. 
 i^And to this agree the words of the pro- 
 phets ; as it is written, 1^ after this I will 
 return, and will build again the tabernacle 
 of David, which is fallen down : and I will 
 build again the ruins thereof, and I will set 
 it up : 1'' that the residue of men might seek 
 after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon 
 whom my name is called, saith the Lord, 
 who doeth all these things. 1^ Known unto 
 God are all his works from the beginning of 
 the world. ^^ Wherefore my sentence is, 
 that we trouble not them, which from among 
 the Gentiles are turned to God : ^o but that 
 we write unto them, that they abstain 
 from pollutions of idols, and from fornica- 
 tion, ^lw^l fro7n things strangled, diXidi fro?7i 
 blood. ^ipor Moses of old time hath in 
 every city them that preach him, being read 
 in the synagogues every sabbath day. 
 
 The Letter of the Council to the Christians at Antioch. 
 
 E.V. It seemed good. Indi- 
 cative of an official an- 
 nouncement. 
 
 Whole Church. The decision 
 was unanimous. 
 
 R.V. To choose men out of 
 their company and send 
 them, ihis was necessary 
 to gi^e unmistakable au- 
 thenticity to the decree. 
 Had Paul and Barnabas 
 alone been the bearers of 
 the letter they might have 
 been accused of torging it. 
 
 Judas and Silas. Intro., 
 po. 24, 26. 
 
 E.V. They wrote thus by 
 them. This is the earliest sy- 
 
 22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, 
 with the whole church, to send chosen men 
 of their own company to Antioch with Paul 
 and Barnabas ; 7iainely, Judas surnamed 
 Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the 
 brethren : ^3 and they wrote letters by them 
 after this manner ; The apostles and elders 
 and brethren se7id greeting unto the breth- 
 ren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch 
 and Syria and Cilicia : ^4 forasmuch as we 
 have heard that certain which went out 
 
THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. 63 
 
 tained that such was the view held by the Apostles at Jerusalem their statements caused 
 much dissension at Antioch. The Church in that city therefore decided to appoint Paul 
 and Barnabas with certain others to go up to Jerusalem to confer with the Apostles. 
 
 Question in dispute. Was it necessary that Gentiles should be circumcised ? 
 
 Order of events : — 
 
 1. A public reception by the Church at which Paul and Barnabas gave an account 
 
 of their missionary work (xv. 4). 
 
 2. At the close of this reception the Pharisaical Christians emphatically asserted 
 
 that the Gentile converts of Paul must be circumcised (xv. 5), 
 
 3. A private conference between Paul and the Apostles (Cial. ii. 2) at which — 
 
 (a) Paul's claims to Apostolic authority were acknowledged (Gal, ii. 7). 
 
 (b) Peter, Jamc^, and John seem to have accepted Paul's views and to have 
 
 repudiated the ideas of the Judaizing Christians (Gal. ii. 8, 9, 10). 
 
 4. A public conference (xv. 6, 7). 
 Constitution of the Council : — 
 
 1. The Apostles (verse 7). 
 
 2. The Elders (verse 7). 
 
 3. The Brethren and multitude (verse 12). 
 The Proceedings at the Council :— 
 
 1. A full discussion, speeches being made on both sides (xv. 7). 
 
 2. Peter speaks, and argues — 
 
 {a) That God had accepted Cornelius and his friends without circumcision 
 
 (xv. 7). 
 \o) That the Holy Ghost had been given Gentiles as freely and as fully as to 
 
 Jews on the day of Pentecost. No difference whatever being made 
 
 between these Gentiles and Jews (xv. 8, 9). 
 
 (c) God had purified the Gentiles hy faith not by law (xv. 9). 
 
 {d) To insist on the Gentiles keeping the ceremonial law was to tempt God, 
 i.e. to distrust his guidance, and to disobey his commands (xv. 10). 
 
 {e) For the law could not purify. It had been found an intolerable yoke by 
 the Tews (xv. 10). 
 
 (y) The Jews can find salvation only by the grace of God not by the law. 
 Jews and Gentiles need the same salvation (xv. 11). 
 
 3. Paul and P.arnabas relate the miracles they had wrought amongst the Gentiles as 
 
 a proof that their mission was sanctioned by God (xv. 12). 
 
 4. James sums up the discussion thus: — 
 
 (rt) He agrees with Peter that God had by the descent of the Holy Ghost upon 
 Cornelius and his household received the Gentiles (xv. 14). 
 
 (3) This inclusion of the Gentiles in the Church had been God's purpose from 
 xy& first {xw. 14). 
 
 (c) This purpose had been revealed in the prophets for it had been foretold 
 
 that the Gentiles would seek after God (xv. 15 — 17). 
 
 [d) God was now fulfilling his purpose. (We had expected Gentiles would 
 
 be gathered in by becoming Jews, but God means that they should be 
 
 fellow heirs) (xv. 18). 
 (<?) Therefore we must not unnecessarily harass the Gentiles (xv. 19). 
 \f) But request them to abstain from four practices, viz. — 
 
 (i) Pollutions of idols, i.e. meats offered to idols (xv. 20, 21). ' 
 
 (2) Fornication. 
 
 (3) Things strangled. 
 
 (4) And from the use of blood in the matter of food. 
 
 {g) It is necessary to give these injunctions to the Gentiles but not to the 
 
 ^ews who, hearing the Law in their synagogues on the Sabbath, would 
 ave full knowledge of these restrictions (verse 21). 
 
 The letter. Styled by Lightfoot not only "the charter of Gentile freedom but the 
 assertion of the supremacy ot the Gospel." It contains — 
 
 1. Kindly greeting from the Apostles to the Gentiles in the Churches in Antioch, 
 
 Syria, and Cilicia (verse 23). 
 
 2. Strongly expressed repudiation of the Judaizers who had disturbed those Churches 
 
 (verse 24). 
 
 3. A full recognition of the authority of Paul and Barnabas and their position as 
 
 Apostles equally with those of the circumcision (verses 25, 26). 
 
 4. A declaration that circumcision is not absolutely necessary to admission into the 
 
 Church of God (verse 24). 
 
64 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [xv. 25-29. 
 
 from us have troubled you with words, sub 
 verting your souls, saying, Ye mzist be cir- 
 cumcised, and keep the law: to whom we 
 gave no j"//<:/^ commandment : ^^it seemed 
 good unto us, being assembled with one 
 accord, to send chosen men unto you with 
 our beloved Barnabas and Paul, ^Omen that 
 have hazarded their lives for the name of 
 our Lord Jesus Christ. 27\Ve have sent 
 therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also 
 tell you the same things by mouth. ^^ For it 
 seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, 
 to lay upon you no greater burden than 
 these necessary things ; ^^ that ye abstain 
 from meats offered to idols, and from blood, 
 and from things strangled, and from forni- 
 cation : from which if ye keep yourselves, 
 ye shall do well. Fare ye well. 
 
 bas. The old official order 1 
 
 is retained. There is no repudiation of the Apostles. On the contrary, they were to be 
 
 honoured with all honour. 
 V. 27.— R.V. By word of mouth. Another proof of scrupulous anxiety to guarantee the 
 
 authenticity of the letter. 
 These necessary things, i.e. necessary of the age in which they lived ; necessary for free 
 
 social intercourse between Jew and Gentile ; not necessary for salvation. 
 R.V. It shall be well with you, i.e., you shall be in a good state. 
 The four prohibitions, important in themselves, are not the chief points of the letter. The 
 
 important points of the letter are : — 
 
 1. The strongly-expressed disapproval of the Judaizers. 
 
 2. The commendation of Barnabas and Paul. 
 
 3. The exclusion of circumcision from the " necessary" things. 
 
 nodical letter in the Chris- 
 tian Church. It is styled 
 by Lightfoot " the charter 
 of Gentile freedom." 
 
 Certain which -Went out from 
 us, t.e. the teachers men- 
 tioned in verse 1. 
 
 Subverting your souls. The 
 Greek word means turning 
 upside dozun, and implies 
 great excitement and dis- 
 turbance. The minds of the 
 Gentiles had been com- 
 pletely unsettled. 
 
 R.V. omits Ye must be cir- 
 cumcised and keep the law. 
 Probablya marginal expla- 
 nation. 
 
 To whom we gave no such 
 commandment. A complete 
 repudiation of the false 
 teachers. 
 
 V. 25. — ^R.V. Having come to 
 one accord, i.e. the decision 
 was unanimous, not merely 
 carried by a majority. 
 
 R.V. To choose out men and 
 send them. 
 
 Our beloved Barnabas and 
 Paul. Not Paul and Barna- 
 
 The rules are taken from the seven precepts of Noah which were held to be binding 
 on all mankind while the Law was binding on Israel only. 
 
 (a) "Blood" was forbidden to the Jews by the Levitical Law (Lev. iii. 17; xvii. 
 
 10 — 14), but among the Gentiles it was in various forms a delicacy. 
 (3) " Things strangled" were not used by the Jews because the blood was still in 
 
 them. 
 {c) " Meats offered to idols," the flesh of animals offered in sacrifices, a portion of 
 which was eaten at the sacrificial feasts, and other parts were sometimes sold 
 in open market. 
 (d) "Fornication " the great sin of the Roman Empire, and one which the Jew was 
 trained from his childhood to condemn severely. 
 It will be seen that all four injunctions were of a nature to facilitate intercourse between 
 Jew and Gentile. The Jew had been trained to rigorously abstain from " blood," 
 " things strangled," and from " meats offered to idols." To him fornication was a deadly 
 sin. In Gentile society it was the custom at their entertainments to have meats from the 
 neighbouring temples, and strangled fowls on the tables, and harlots among their guests. 
 Manifestly such customs would render social intercourse with them impossible to a con- 
 scientious Hebrew. So the Gentile is required to make a sacrifice on these points in order 
 to facilitate social intercourse, for it was essential to the Church's unity that the Hebrew 
 and the Gentile converts should break bread, i.e., partake of the communion together. 
 
THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 65 
 
 A recommendation to the Gentiles to abstain from- 
 {a) Meats offered to idols. 
 Kb) Kiood. 
 
 (t) Things strangled. 
 \d) Fornication. 
 
 Sect of Pharisees which Believed. 
 
 Jewish Christians who insisted that all Gentiles must be circumcised before they could 
 be accepted as Christians. 
 
 They are styled by Paul as "false brethren." Gal. ii. 4. 
 They are also known under the name of — 
 
 (i) Judaizers, because they wished to impose Jewish orijinances on Gentile 
 
 Christians. 
 (2) " They of the circumcision " (xi. 2). 
 They were the bitter enemies of Paul. 
 
 {a) Doubting his claim to apostleship, and thus causing him to constantly assert his 
 claims to that office, thus— 
 (1) "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards 
 
 of the mysteries of God" (i Cor. iv. 
 "Am I not an apostle ? a 
 
 {2) "Am I not an apostle ? am I not free ? have I not seen Jesus Christ our 
 Lord ? arre not ye my work in the Lord? " (i Cor. ix. i). 
 
 (3) "Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other 
 ^'' apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord and Cephas ?" (i Cor.ix. 5). 
 
 (4) " Need we, as some others, epistles of commendation ?" (2 Cor. iii. i). 
 
 (5) " In all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God " (2 Cor. vi. 4). 
 
 (6) "For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest of the apostles " 
 
 (2 Cor. xi. 5). 
 
 (7) "Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I- Are 
 
 they the seed of Abraham ? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ ? 
 (I speak as a fool) I am more " {2 Cor. xi. 22, 23). 
 
 (8) "But I certify you, brethren, that the Gospel which was preached of me 
 
 is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught 
 it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ" (Gal i. 11, 12). 
 
 (9) " The Gospel of the uncircuracision was committed unto me as the Gospel 
 
 of the circumcision was unto Peter" (Gal. ii. 7). 
 (/5) Sneering at his work. 
 
 (i) "For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily 
 
 presence is weak, and his speech contemptible" (2 Cor. x. 10). 
 (2) " But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge " (2 Cor. xi. 6). 
 {c) Doing theu utmost to thwart him in his work by preaching another Gospel. 
 
 (1) "There be some that trouble you and would pervert the Gospel of 
 
 Christ "(Gal. i. 7). 
 
 (2) " O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that j'e should not obey the 
 
 truth" (Gal. iii. i). 
 
 (3) "Ye did run well ; who did hinder 3'ou, that 5'e should not obey the truth" 
 
 (Gal v. 7) ? 
 
 (4) " As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they constrain you 
 
 to be circumcised " (Gal. vi. 12). 
 
 Panrs Claims to Apostleship (see Gal. I. and II.). 
 
 I. The Gospel had been revealed to him by Jesus himself. 
 
 " For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of 
 Jesus Christ" (Gal. i. 12). 
 
 II. He had not been ordained by the Apostles. He was not an apostle of secondary 
 
 authority. 
 "But when it pleased God, who . . . called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in 
 me, that 1 might preach Him among the heathen; immediately I conferred 
 not with flesh and blood : neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were 
 apostles before me " (Gul. i. 15, 16, 17). 
 
66 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, [xv. 30—41, 
 
 Eeception of the Letter at Antioch. 
 
 Consolation. That the Gen- 
 tiles were free from the j-oke 
 of Jewish observances. It 
 is noteworthv as being de- 
 livered by Barnabas, the 
 son of consolation. 
 
 Prophets. Pnrt I., p. 72. 
 
 In peace. Does not signify 
 that they were allowed to 
 go quietly away, but that 
 they were dismissed with a 
 blessing. 
 
 TJnto the Apostles. R.V. Unto 
 those that had sent them 
 forth. 
 
 R.V. omits verse 34. It may 
 have been a marginal note 
 to explain why Paul chose 
 Silas (verse 40). 
 
 R.V. Tarried. It is probable 
 that the dispute between 
 Peter and Paul, mentioned 
 in Gal. ii. 11 — 13, occurred 
 duringthisperiod. Seep.59. 
 
 30 So when they were dismissed they came 
 to Antioch : and when they had gathered 
 the multitude together, they delivered the 
 epistle : ^^ which when they had read, they 
 rejoiced for the consolation. 32 ^^d Judas 
 and Silas, being prophets also themselves, 
 exhorted the brethren with many words, and 
 confirmed them. ^3 ^^d after they had tar- 
 ried there a space, they were let go in peace 
 from the brethren unto the apostles. 34]N^ot- 
 withstanding it pleased Silas to abide there 
 still. 35 Paul also and Barnabas continued 
 in Antioch, teaching and preaching the 
 word of the Lord, with many others also. 
 
 A Second Missionary Journey proposed. Contention between 
 Paul and Barnabas. 
 
 36 And some days after Paul said unto 
 Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our 
 brethren in every city where we have 
 preached the word of the Lord, a7id see how 
 they do. 
 
 s*" And Barnabas determined to take with 
 them John, whose surname was Mark. 
 38 But Paul thought not good to take him 
 with them, who departed from them from 
 Pamphylia, and went not with them to the 
 work. 
 
 39 And the contention was so sharp be- 
 tween them, that they departed asunder 
 one from the other : and so Barnabas took 
 Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; ^^and Paul 
 chose Silas, and departed, being recom- 
 mended by the brethren unto the grace of 
 God. 
 
 •^1 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, 
 confirming the churches. 
 
 Brethren in every city, i.e. the 
 converts in communion with 
 the Christian Churches. 
 
 R.V. Barnabas was minded 
 
 = intended, had it in his 
 mind. Not so strong a 
 word as '■ determined." 
 
 John Mark. Intro., p. 23. 
 
 R.V. Who withdrew from 
 them (xiii. 13). 
 
 E.V. And there arose a sharp 
 contention, so that they 
 parted asunder one from the 
 other. 
 
 R.V. Being commended. Ap- 
 parently the Church at 
 Antioch agreed with Paul, 
 not with Barnabas. 
 
-4-] 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 6/ 
 
 III. God bad sealed his apostlesbip by grantinpr miracles to be wroug-ht by him. 
 
 "Barnabas and Paul declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought 
 among the Gentiles by them" (Acts xv. 12). 
 
 IV. If Peter had founded Churches in Jerusalem, Samaria, Csesarea, Joppa, &c., so he, 
 
 Paul, had founded Churches in Antioch, Paphos, Iconium, DerOe, Lystra. 
 " For He that wrought effectually in Peter to thf- apostlesliiu of the circumcision, 
 the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles " (Gal. ii. 8). 
 
 V. His claims were admitted by the Apostles at Jerusalem. 
 
 " Our beloved Barnabas and Paul ; men that have hazarded their lives for the 
 
 name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts xv. 25, 26). 
 " When James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace 
 that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of 
 fellowship ; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circum- 
 cision." (Gal. ii. 9). 
 Syria and Cilicia. The letter from the Church at Jerusalem was specially addressed to 
 the Churches in these regions (verse 23). Probably this was the reason why Paul made 
 his way northwards through these districts, and then by the Cilician gates, a paiS in the 
 Taurus range, to Derbe and Lystra. 
 
 The Dispute. There were faults on both sides in this quarrel. It was natural for 
 Barnabas to wish to have his nephew Mark with him, and, if Mark were willing to go, it 
 would seem only charitable to give him another chance. The act thus was in accordance 
 with the generous temperament of Barnabas. On the other hand, Paul would be naturally 
 unwilling to risk the chance of Mark again abandoning the mission. The alienati n was 
 brief. Six years later Paul alludes to Barnabas (i Cor. ix. 6) as an example of self-denial, 
 and eleven years af: ;r this Mark was Paul's fellow labourer and fellow prisoner (Intro. 
 p. 24). 
 
 Intro., pp. 12, 
 
 Paul revisits Derbe and Lystra, and chooses Timothy as a 
 Companion. 
 
 16. Then came he to Derbe and Lystra : 
 and, behold, a certain disciple was there, 
 named Timotheus, the son of a certain 
 woman, which was a Jewess, and believed ; 
 but his father was a Greek: 2 which was 
 well reported of by the brethren that were at 
 Lystra and Iconium. ^ jjim would Paul 
 have to go forth with him ; and took and 
 circumcised him because of the Jews which 
 were in those quarters : for they knew all 
 that his father was a Greek. 
 
 Derbe, Lystra. 
 
 13- 
 R.V. Timothy. Intro., p. 27. 
 R.V. Son of a Jewess. His 
 
 mother's name was Eunice, 
 and his grandmother's 
 Lois (2 Tim. i. 5) They 
 were both devout, and had 
 trained Timothy in the Law 
 (2 Tim. iii. 15). 
 A Greek, i.e. a Gentile by 
 birth. He was probably a 
 proselyte of the gate. 
 Well reported. So, Cornelius 
 (x. 22), An rnias (xxii. 12). 
 Go forth Replacing John 
 Mark as Silas had replaced 
 Barnabas. 
 Circumcised him. Why did 
 Paul circumcise Timothy, and not Titus ? Because the former was half a Jew (xvi. i), 
 and the latter a pure Greek (Gal. ii. 3). Timothy, unless circumcised, would have een 
 scouted by his countrymen as an apostate, and would therefore have been of no assistr 
 ance to Paul, but the circumcision of Titus would have been a surrender of Gentile 
 liberty. Paul's views were " that neither circumcision availeth any thing nor uncir- 
 cumcision " (Gal. v. 6). 
 
 Paul visits Galatia. 
 
 *And as they went through the cities, 
 they delivered them the decrees for to keep, 
 
 Decrees. The injunctions of 
 the Assembly at Jerusa- 
 lem (iv.) regarded by the 
 
68 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 [x^ 
 
 -12. 
 
 that were ordained of the apostles and 
 elders which were at Jerusalem. ^And so 
 were the churches established in the faith, 
 and increased in number daily. ^ Now when 
 they had gone throughout Phrygia and the 
 region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the 
 Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 
 7 After they were come to Mysia, they as- 
 sayed to go into Bithynia : but the Spirit 
 suffered them not. ^And they passing by 
 Mysia came down to Troas. 
 
 Gentiles as the Magna 
 Charta of their spiritual 
 rights. 
 
 R.V. Were strengthened in 
 consequence of the re- 
 moval of the barrier of cir- 
 cumcision to the Gentiles : 
 Therefore the number of 
 Christians increased. 
 
 Phrygia, Galatia. Intro., pp. 
 13, 16. The only record of 
 the visit to Galatia is found 
 in the Epistle to the Gala- 
 tians. Paul seems to have 
 been detained in Galatia 
 by an attack of illness. 
 
 Asia. Intro., p. 7. Procon- 
 sular Asia, This district 
 contained many important 
 cities with large Jewish 
 colonies, but Paul was not allowed to preach in them. 
 
 Mysia. Intro., p. 14. 
 
 Bithynia. Intro., p. 9. 
 
 R.V. Spirit of Jesus. Thus Jesus in Heaven directed the journeylngs of the Apostle. 
 
 Assayed. Old English for essay — attempt. 
 
 Troas. Intro., p. 19. 
 
 The Apostles cross into Macedonia. 
 
 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the 
 night ; There stood a man of Macedonia, 
 and prayed him, saying, Come over into 
 Macedonia, and help us. i*^And after he 
 had seen the vision, immediately we endea- 
 voured to go into Macedonia, assuredly 
 gathering that the Lord had called us for 
 to preach the gospel unto them. "There- 
 fore loosing from Troas, we came with a 
 straight course to Samothracia, and the 
 next day to Neapolis ; ^'- and from thence to 
 Philippi, which is the chief city of that part 
 of Macedonia, and a colony : and we were 
 in that city abiding certain days. 
 
 For Visions. See Part I., ! 
 Intro., p. 41. 
 
 R.V. Beseeching him. 
 
 R.V. Straightway we sought 
 
 to go forth into Macedonia, 
 
 concluding that God had 
 
 called us. 
 We. The writer of the Acts 
 
 now joins Paul. See Part 
 
 I., p. 10. 
 Sought. Enquired how and 
 
 when they could cross over 
 
 into Euroj)e. 
 Concluding. Paul accepted 
 
 the vision as God's call to 
 
 preach the Gospel to the 
 
 West. 
 R.V. Setting sail therefore 
 
 .... -we made a straight 
 
 course. The wind v/as fa- 
 vourable, and they crossed 
 
 in two days. In chap. xx. 
 
 6, the voyage from Philippi 
 
 to Troas takes five days. 
 Samothracia. Intro., p. 18. 
 Neapolis. Intro., p. 14. 
 Philippi. Intro., p. 15. 
 
 i< .V. The first of the district, a Roman colony. 
 First. Either as most important, or as being the first to which they came in the route by 
 
 which they travelled. Neapolis was in Thrace. 
 A Roman colony differed from the modern in being essentially a military position and set- 
 ., tlcmcnt of Roman citizens and soldiers either in a conquered country with a view of 
 
 maintaining Roman authority there, or on the frontiers of the empire for protection. 
 
 Portions of the conquered territory were commonly assigned to veteran soldiers, and the 
 
xvi. 13— i8.J THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 69 
 
 settlements thus formed were considered integral parts of Rome, being, in the wcrds of 
 an ancient writer, " a miniature likeness of Rome." They used Roman coinage, spoke 
 the Latin language, and their chief magistrates were sent out as appointed from the 
 Mother city. Philippi was made a colony by Augustus after the defeat of Brutus and 
 Cassius. 
 
 Preaching at Philippi. Conversion of Lydia. 
 
 ^•■^ And on the sabbath we went out of the 
 city by a river side, where prayer was wont 
 to be made ; and we sat down, and spake 
 unto the women which resorted thither. 
 
 "And a certain woman named Lydia, a 
 seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, 
 which worshipped God, heard us : whose 
 heart the Lord opened, that she attended 
 unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 
 i^And when she was baptized, and her 
 household, she besought tis, saying, If ye 
 have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, 
 come into my house, and abide there. And 
 she constrained us. 
 
 R.V. We supposed there was 
 a place of prayer. Where 
 the Jews were too few to 
 build a synagogue they 
 preferred a river bank from 
 its quiet and convenience 
 for their ceremonial ablu- 
 tions. Such places were 
 called proseuchaj or ora- 
 tories. 
 
 River. The Gaugites. 
 
 Lydia (Intro., p. 25), who 
 traded in purple dye or 
 cloth dyed that colour. 
 
 Thyatira (Intro., p. 19) was 
 famousforitsdyeing works, 
 especially purple. 
 
 R.V. One tnat worshipped 
 God. A Jewish proselyte. 
 
 Heard us. Became a hearer. 
 
 R.V. To give heed unto, and 
 so became convinced of the 
 truth. 
 
 Eaptized. Her conversion 
 was followed by the baptism of herself and her household, as (verse n) " was the Jailor 
 and all his." 
 Constrained us. So the disciples at Emmaus constrained our Lord. So ardent was her 
 gratitude, so generous her hospitality, so pressing her entreaties that she would hear no 
 "nay." 
 
 Paul casts out the Spirit of 
 
 ^^ And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, 
 a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of 
 divination met us, which brought her mas- 
 ters much gain by soothsaying : ^^ the same 
 followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, 
 These men are the servants of the most high 
 God, which shew unto us the way of salva- 
 tion. 18 And this did she many days. But 
 Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the 
 spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus 
 Christ to come out of her. And he came 
 out the same hour. 
 
 Divination. 
 
 <» 
 
 I R.V. Were going to the place 
 of prayer, i.e. to the pro- 
 seuche or oratory (v. 13). 
 
 Her Masters. The girl was 
 a slave. She was troubled 
 with some kind of hysteria. 
 Her masters traded on her 
 supposed inspiration, and 
 persuaded the people to 
 resort to her with their 
 questions. 
 
 Most High God. A wonder- 
 ful testimony from ahostile 
 witness ; for every Greek 
 thought the girl inspired by 
 Apollo. Compare the wit- 
 ness of the evil spirit cast 
 out by Jesus at Caper- 
 naum (Mark i. 24). 
 
 Come out of her. Paul's 
 proceedings resembled his 
 Lord's in spirit and result 
 
70 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [xvi. 19—27. 
 
 R.V. Being sore troubled, i.e. thoroughly worn out by annoyance. Paul had patiently 
 borne the crying out of the girl day after day, but at last was compelled to speak out. 
 
 B,.V. It came out that very hour. 
 
 B.V. margin. Spirit, a Python; the name commonly applied by the Greeks to professed 
 soothsayers or fortunetellers. It is derived from Python, the fabulous dragon, which 
 originally held the cave of Delphi, and was killed by Apollo. He was the god of pro- 
 phecy, and Greece consulted the priests of Delphi for oracles on critical occasions. 
 
 Paul Accused, Scourged, Imprisoned. 
 
 i^And when her masters saw that the 
 hope of their gains was gone, they caught 
 Paul and Silas, and drew them into the 
 marketplace unto the rulers, ^o and brought 
 them to the magistrates, saying, These 
 men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble 
 our city, ^i and teach customs, which are not 
 lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, 
 being Romans. 22 p^^^ ^j^g multitude rose 
 up together against them : and the magis- 
 trates rent off their clothes, and commanded 
 to beat them, ^s^nd when they had laid 
 many stripes upon them, they cast the^n 
 into prison, charging the jailor to keep them 
 safely: '^'^'^\s.o, having received such a 
 charge, thrust them into the inner prison? 
 and made their feet fast in the stocks 
 
 Gaius. This, the first case of 
 
 heathen persecution, arises 
 
 from love of money. 
 E V. Laid hold. 
 B..V. Dragged them. 
 Market place. Gk., agora, 
 
 Lat., forum, the place of 
 
 general concourse. 
 Magistrates, (ik., strategoi, 
 
 Lat., Z)7<z/wz'/ri', or praetors, 
 
 who formed tne executive 
 
 of a Roman colony. 
 E.V. Set forth =make pro- 
 clamation of. The Apostles 
 
 had committed a twofold 
 
 offence (i) as being Jews 
 
 they were not complying 
 
 with the decree of Clau- 
 dius banishing all Jews 
 
 from Rome [Rome would 
 
 include Roman colonies 
 
 like Philippi] ; (2) teaching 
 
 a new reli,'ion to Romans. 
 
 Whilst Rome toleratt.-d the 
 
 religions of the nations they 
 
 conquered, it sternly pro- 
 hibited Romans abjuring 
 
 their own religion lor 
 
 another. 
 Beat them, t.e. with rods, 
 
 the fasces of the Roman lictors. This must have been one of the beatings referred to ( 2 
 
 Cor. xi. 25). " Thrice was I beaten with rods." 
 v. 24. Thrust, R.V. — cast, significant of the position of the inner prison, probably a foul 
 
 dungeon underground, 
 Stocks. A wooden frame with five holes, into which head, feet, and arms were thrust. 
 
 Here, however, the feet only were fastened, the rest of the body lying on the ground. 
 
 Conversion of the Jailor at Philippi. 
 
 R.V. "Were praying and 
 singing. 
 
 R.V. Were listening, im- 
 plying attention. 
 
 Great earthquake, so violent 
 as to throw open the df)ors 
 ol the prison and loosen 
 the stapl -s in the walls to 
 which theprisoners' chains 
 were attached. N.B. The 
 time and place were noted 
 for violent earthquakes. 
 
 25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, 
 and sang praises unto God : and the pri- 
 soners heard them. 26 And suddenly there 
 was a great earthquake, so that the founda- 
 tions of the prison were shaken : and imme- 
 diately all the doors were opened, and every 
 one's bands were loosed. 27 And the keeper 
 of the prison a.waking out of his sleep, and 
 
xvi. 28-37.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 7' 
 
 seeing the prison doors open, he drew out 
 his sword, and would liave killed himself, 
 supposing that the prisoners had been fled, 
 2^ But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, 
 Do thyself no harm : for we are all here. 
 2^ Then he called for a light, and sprang in, 
 and came trembling, and fell down before 
 Paul and Silas, ^'^and brought them out, and 
 said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved ? 
 21 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus 
 Christ, and thou shalt be saved and thy 
 house. 32 ^j^(j |-i^gy spake unto him the 
 word of the Lord, and to all that were 
 in his house. ^^ And he took them the same 
 hour of the night, and washed their stripes ; 
 and was baptized, he and all his, straight- 
 way. ^'*And when he had brought them 
 into his house, he set meat before them, and 
 rejoiced, believing in God with all his house. 
 
 R.V. And the jailor being 
 rousert out of sleep. 
 
 R.V. Was about to kill him- 
 self. Accordm>;to Roman 
 custom a prison -keeper 
 answered for his prisoners 
 with his life (see xii. 19, 
 where Herod put the 
 guards of Peter to death : 
 also, xxvii. 42, where the 
 Roman soldierswould have 
 killed the prisoners to pre- 
 vent their escape). Suicide 
 under such circumstances 
 would be considered an 
 honourable death : for 
 example, the suicide of 
 Cato. 
 
 V. 27. R.V. Had escaped. 
 
 R.V Called for lights, and 
 sprang in, and trembling 
 for fear fell down. 
 
 Sprang in=leapt down, i.e. 
 into the underground cell 
 of the inner prison. Ihe 
 prisoners of the jailor are 
 now his Lords. 
 
 Sirs. Gk., Kyrioi = Lords, 
 an honourable title. Paul 
 points out that salvation 
 can be obtained by belief 
 in the Lord Jesus. 
 
 Spake unto hun, &c., i.e. ex- 
 
 plained what " belief in the Lord Jesus Christ" implied. 
 R.V, "Rejoiced greatly with all his house, having believed in God." 
 Special mention is made of three converts at Pliilippi. 
 (i\ Lydia, a native of Asia, evidently a woman of wealth and influence. 
 
 (2) The Slave-girl, possessed of a spirit o* divination. 
 
 (3) The Jailor, of a low class, only such being found willing to accept so degrading an 
 office. 
 
 Howson points out " that Philippi is famous in the annals of suicide." Brutus and 
 Cassius both committed suicide there after their final defeat at the battle of Philippi. 
 
 Release of the Apostles. Paul claims the rights of a Roman 
 
 citizen. 
 
 35 And when it was day, the magistrates 
 sent the Serjeants, saj'ing. Let those men 
 go. ^'^And the keeper of the prison told 
 this saying to Paul, The magistrates have 
 sent to let you go : now therefore depart, 
 and go in peace. ^^ But Paul said unto 
 them, They have beaten us openly uncon- 
 demned, being Romans, and have cast us 
 into prison ; and now do they thrust us out 
 privily ? nay verily ; but let them come 
 
 R.V. margin. The praetors 
 sent the lictors ; evidently 
 the magistrates, in im- 
 prisoninsi the Apostles, in- 
 tended to keep them safe 
 for the night, and then to 
 expel them from the city. 
 
 Lictors, attendants of Roman 
 governors. They carried 
 fasces, or bundles of rods, 
 bound with leather thongs; 
 when scourging a criminal 
 they unbound the fasces, 
 and, having used the 
 leather thongs to bind the 
 prisoner, beat him with the 
 rods. 
 
72 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, [xvi. 38— xvii. 5. 
 
 themselves and fetch us out. ^sAnd the Ser- 
 jeants told these words unto the magis- 
 trates : and they feared, when they heard 
 that they were Romans, so^nd they came 
 and besought them, and brought them out, 
 and desired the7ii to depart out of the city. 
 4<> And they went out of the prison, and en- 
 tered into the house of Lydia : and when 
 they had seen the brethren, they comforted 
 them, and departed. 
 
 B,.V. And the jailor reported 
 the words to Paul. 
 
 Depart. R.V. Come forth. 
 Paul and Silas had evi- 
 dently returned to the 
 prison. 
 
 Them = the lictors. 
 
 R.V. Publicly, uncondemned, 
 men that are Romans. 
 
 Publicly, i.e. at the palus or 
 the public whipping-post. 
 
 R.V. Bring us out. 
 
 They feared. Why? Be- 
 cause so to treat a Roman 
 citizen without trial was 
 high treason, punishable 
 with death and confiscation 
 of property. Cicero in his Verrine orations declares that " to bind a Roman citizen is 
 a misdeed, to scourge him is a crime, to put him to death is almost a parricide," and 
 dilates on the power of the magic words "Civis Romanus sum" (I am a Roman citizen). 
 
 R.V. And when they had brought them out, they asked them to go away from the city. 
 
 The house of Lydia. Paul goes there for three reasons— (i) a determination not to leave 
 the city secretly, but to compel the magistrates to confess the illegality of their action ; 
 (2) to rest there till they were fit to travel farther; (3) to comfort and exhort the disciples. 
 
 Paul alludes to his sufferings at Philippi in his Epistles, as follows : "and were shamefully 
 entreated, as ye know, at Philippi " (i Thess. ii. 2). 
 
 " for unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also 
 to suffer for his sake; having the same conflict which ye saw in me " (Phil. i. 29, 30). 
 
 Paul claimed his right of Roman citizenship on three occasions, 
 (i) At Philippi (xvi. 37), 
 
 (2) At Jerusalem, where the chief captain would examine him by scourging (xxii. 25). 
 
 (3) When before Festus he appealed unto Caesar (xxv. 10, 11). 
 
 The Gospel at Thessalonica. Opposition of the Jews. 
 
 Amphipolis. 
 
 ApoUonia. Intro., p. 7 
 Thessalonica. Intro., 
 
 p. 6. 
 
 p. 18. 
 
 Modern Saloniki. 
 R.V. As his custom was. 
 
 Intro., p. 43. 
 Opening ;= making plain what 
 
 was Jiot understood. 
 Alleging = setting forth, 
 
 showing in argument. 
 R.V. That it behoved the 
 
 Christ to suiFer. 
 Paul made it plain {opetied) 
 
 that the Christ was (i) to 
 
 suffer and die ; (2) to rise 
 
 again, and then argued 
 
 {alleged) that as Jesus had 
 
 (i) died, (2) risen again, 
 
 therefore he was the Christ. 
 R.V. Were persuaded, i.e. 
 
 by the arguments of Paul. 
 Consorted = threw in their 
 
 lot. 
 Levout Greeks = proselytes 
 
 of the gate. Part I., p. 60. 
 R.V. Jealousy. 
 R.V. Vile tellows of the 
 
 rabble, and gathering a 
 
 crowd. 
 
 17. Now when they had passed through 
 Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to 
 Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of 
 the Jews : ^ and Paul, as his manner was, 
 went in unto them, and three sabbath days 
 reasoned with them out of the scriptures. 
 3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must 
 needs have suffered, and risen again from 
 the dead ; and that this Jesus, whom I 
 preach unto you, is Christ. ^ And some of 
 them believed, and consorted with Paul and 
 Silas ; and of the devout Greeks a great 
 multitude, and of the chief women not a 
 few. ^ But the Tews which believed not 
 moved with envy, took unto them certain 
 lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered 
 a company, and set all the city on an up- 
 roar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and 
 
xvii. 6-14.] THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 n 
 
 sought to bring them out to the people. 
 ^ And when they found them not, they drew 
 Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers 
 of the city, crying, These that have turned 
 the world upside down are come hither also ; 
 7 whom Jason hath received : and these all 
 do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying 
 that there is another king, one Jesus. 
 ^And they troubled the people and the 
 rulers of the city, when they heard these 
 things. ^And when they had taken se- 
 curity of Jason, and of the other, they let 
 them go. 
 
 Of the rabble (Gk., agorat'os), 
 means men of no regular 
 occupation, who lounge 
 about the agora or market 
 place in the hope of pick- 
 ing up chance emplo5ment. 
 Lewd. From A.S. /cEzvetf, 
 lay, as opposed to clerical, 
 and hence " ignorant, un- 
 learned." It is used in the 
 passage in this latter sense, 
 - and not as in the modern 
 
 meaning of " vicious." 
 Jason. Intro., p. 23. 
 People means the supreme 
 popular assembly. Thes- 
 salonica was a free cit}'. 
 V. 6.— R.V. Dragged. 
 Rulers. Luke calls them 
 Politarchs, a term not found 
 in ancient writers, but has 
 been found in an inscrip- 
 tion on a triumphal arch, 
 still standing in the main street. From this we learn that Thcssalonica was governed by 
 seven politarchs. 
 Another king. From the Epistle to the Thessalonians it is clear that the Kingdom of 
 Christ, and especially His second coming as King, had been prominent features in the 
 Apostles' teaching: accordingly the unbelieving Jews lay stress upon that portion of 
 Paul's teaching likely to be offensive to the inhabitants of a free city, who might lose 
 their privileges if treasonable speeches were reported to the Emperor. 
 R.V. Security from Jason and the rest. Not bail for reappearahce, but pledges deposited 
 
 as security that they would commit no act of treason. 
 Route from Philippi. Paul travelled along the great Roman road (Via Egnatia) from 
 Philippi to Amphipolis, thirty-three miles ; Amphipolis to Apollonia, thirty miles; from 
 Apollonia to Thessalonica, thirty miles ; from Thessalonica to Berea, fifty miles ; thence 
 to the coast to take ship to Athens. 
 
 Paul and Silas at Berea 
 
 ^*^And the brethren immediately sent 
 away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea : 
 who coming thither went into the syna- 
 gogue of the Jews. ^^ These were more 
 noble than those in Thessalonica, in that 
 they received the word with all readiness of 
 mind, and searched the scriptures daily, 
 whether those things were so. ^^ Therefore 
 many of them believed ; also of honourable 
 women which were Greeks, and of men, not 
 a few. ^^ But when the Jews of Thessa- 
 lonica had knowledge that the word of God 
 was preached of Paul at Berea, they came 
 thither also, and stirred up the people. 
 1* And then immediately the brethren sent 
 
 Berea. Intro., p. 9. Modern 
 Verria. 
 
 More noble. Not of higher 
 birth, but of higher nobility 
 of character. This is shown 
 by their action in ex- 
 amining the Scriptures. 
 
 R.V. Examining the Scrip- 
 tures, t.e. they tested the 
 arguments of Paul by ex- 
 amining the Scriptures to 
 which he had appealed. 
 
 R.V. Greek women of honoiir- 
 able estate, i.e. those ladies 
 of the city who, as in many 
 cities, were under Jewish 
 influence. 
 
 R.V. Stirring up and trou- 
 bling the multitude. As at 
 Lystra on theiirst journey, 
 so at Berea on the second 
 journey, the jealous Jews 
 follow the footsteps of the 
 Apostle, and oppose his 
 work. 
 
74 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [xvii. 15—21. 
 
 R.V. As far as to the 
 
 Timoethus. Timothy went to 
 Athens, but returned im- 
 mediately to Thessalonica 
 to comfort the bretliren 
 there (i Thess. iii. 1—3). 
 
 away Paul to go as it were to the sea : but 
 Silas and Timotheus abode there still. 
 1^ And they that conducted Paul brought 
 htm unto Athens : and receiving a com- 
 mandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to 
 come to him with all speed, they departed. 
 
 Paul at Athens. 
 
 1^ Now while Paul waited for them at 
 Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when 
 he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. 
 1'^ Therefore disputed he in the synagogue 
 with the Jews, and with the devout persons, 
 and in the market daily with them that met 
 with him. ^^ Then certain philosophers of 
 the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encoun- 
 tered him. And some said. What will this 
 babbler say ? other some. He seemeth to be 
 a setter forth of strange gods : because he 
 preached unto them Jesus, and the resur- 
 rection. 1*^ And they took him, and brought 
 him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know 
 what this new doctrine, v/hereof thou speak- 
 est, is ? 20 For thou bringest certain strange 
 things to our ears : we would know there- 
 fore what these things mean. 21 (For all the 
 Athenians and strangers which were there 
 spent their time in nothing else, but either 
 to tell, or to hear some new thing.) 
 
 Athens. Intro., p. 8. 
 
 R.V. Provoked, i.e. he could 
 
 not wait for Silas and 
 
 Timothy. He must speak 
 
 out. 
 B.V. Beheld the city full of 
 
 idols. Ot no city could 
 
 this be so truly said as of 
 
 Athens. Pausanias says : 
 
 " There were more gods 
 
 there than in all the rest of 
 
 Greece." Petronius, in 
 
 satire, remarks : " That it 
 
 was easier to find a god 
 
 there than a man." 
 R.V. So he reasoned in the 
 
 synagogue. 
 Market = market-place or 
 
 agora, whicti in every 
 
 Greek city was the centre 
 
 of its life. 
 Babbler. Literally a bird 
 
 who picks up seed. An apt 
 
 description of the idle gos- 
 sips of the market-place 
 
 picking up news and eager 
 
 to retail it. 
 Setter forth of strange gods. 
 
 The precise charge upon 
 
 which Socrates was put to 
 
 death. The Athenians 
 
 looked upon Jesus and the 
 
 resurrection as two new 
 
 gods. 
 Areopagus. Either the hill 
 
 of Mars or the Court which 
 
 sat there, known as the Court of the Areopagus. 
 R.V. This new teaching is which is spoken by thee. 
 R.V. Strangers sojourning there. Young Romans sent to finish their education, artists, 
 
 siirht-eers, and philosophers from every province in the empire. 
 Spent their time. R.V. in margin. " Had leisure for nothing else." 
 Some new thing, lit. something newer, i.e. anything later than the latest news. This verse 
 
 is an exact ; irture of Athenian life. Demosthenes complained of their idle craving for 
 
 news when they ought to be vigorously preparing to defend their liberties. Cleon blames 
 
 their habit of playing the part of" spectators in displays of oratory and listeners to the 
 
 stories of what others had done." 
 EPICUREANS A philosophical sect, followers of Epicurus (born at Sanios B.C. 342), who 
 
 passed his life at Athens. They hehl their meetings in a garden, left by Epicurus in his 
 
 will as a place of study for his disciples, and thus were often known as the School of the 
 Garden. They were Materialists and Atheists. 
 
xvii. 22—29.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 75 
 
 Materialists, (i) Happiness was to be attained by a pursuit of pleasure, not profligate 
 pleasure, but a state in which the body was free from pain, and 
 the mind from care. 
 (2) The world was formed by chance. 
 Atheists. (i) The gods had no concern in the creation of the world. 
 
 (2) The gods dwelt apart from men, having no concern in the world. 
 The highest aim of the Epicurean was to gratify himself. 
 From Epicurus is derived the I'^nglish word "epicure." 
 STOICS. A philosophical sect, followers of Zeno, of Cyprus, who lived about B.C. 350 — 250. 
 They held the meetings in the "Porch" (Gk., stoa, whence the name Stoic). 
 They were Pantheists and Fatalists. 
 Pantheists. They held that 
 
 " All are but parts of one stupendous whole, 
 "Whose body Nature is and God the soul." 
 
 Fatalists. They taught that the universe was governed by unchanging law. 
 Their highest duty of man was to practise virtue. 
 
 Their greatest aim was the attainment of a lofty superiority to pleasure and pain. 
 From the name of this sect is derived the English word "stoical." 
 
 Paul's Speech on Mars 
 
 22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' 
 hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I per- 
 ceive that in all things ye are too super- 
 stitious. 23 por as I passed by, and beheld 
 your devotions, I found an altar with this 
 inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. 
 Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him 
 declare I unto you. ^4 Qq^ that made the 
 world and all things therein, seeing that he 
 is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in 
 temples made with hands ; ^5 neither is wor- 
 shipped with men's hands, as though he 
 needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all 
 life, and breath, and all things ; ^'^and hath 
 made of one blood all nations of men for to 
 dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath 
 determined the times before appointed, and 
 the bounds of their habitation ; ^r \y\2X they 
 should seek the Lord, if haply they might 
 feel after him, and find him, though he be 
 not far from every one of us : ^s for in him 
 we live, and move, and have our being ; as 
 certain also of your own poets have said. 
 For we are also his oifspring. ^9 Forasmuch 
 then as we are the offspring of God, we 
 ought not to think that the Godhead is like 
 
 Hill. 
 
 R.V. Areopagrus, p. 74. 
 
 R.V. Somewhat superstiti- 
 ous =:more than ordinarily 
 religious. 
 
 R.V. The objects of your 
 worship, i.e. the statues 
 and altars, and the in- 
 scriptions on them. 
 
 R.V. To an unknown God. 
 
 R.V. What therefore ye wor- 
 ship in ignorance this set I 
 forth to you. 
 
 R.V. Served by men's hands. 
 The verb implies the neces- 
 sary service of an inferior 
 to a superior, i.e. a master 
 dependent upon the ser\'ice 
 of a valet. This service God 
 can do without, since He 
 does not need anything, 
 but, on the contrary, gives 
 to every one all things. 
 
 R.V. Made of one every na- 
 tion. The Greeks con- 
 sidered other nations as in- 
 ferior races. 
 
 R.V. Having determined 
 their appointed seasons. 
 
 The Lord. R.V. God. 
 
 Feel after him. Expresses the 
 idea of groping in the dark 
 with the doubt of finding 
 what is being sougnt for. 
 
 Your own poets. Either (i) 
 Aratus, of Tarsus, a fellow 
 citizen of Paul — quotation 
 is from a didactic poem, 
 under the title oi " Phceno- 
 mena " ; or (2) " Clean- 
 thes," hymn to Zeus. 
 
 Verse 29. The argument is 
 as follows — .Since we men, 
 the offspring of God, have 
 
76 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, [xvii. 30-^viii. 2. 
 
 life and breath, how absurd 
 to conceive of the God- 
 head from whom we derive 
 our life as being but dumb 
 silver or ^old. 
 
 R.V. The times of ignorance 
 therefore God overlooked. 
 Wink conveys the idea of 
 conniving ; Paul asserts 
 that God has not imputed 
 to men the errors they 
 committed in ignorance, 
 but now that He is made 
 known unto them igno- 
 rance cannot be pleaded. 
 
 Mocked. Implies derision by 
 word and gesture. It seems 
 that Paul was here inter- 
 rupted. Possibly it was the 
 Epicureans who mocked, 
 and the Stoics who wished 
 to hear more. 
 
 E.V. "Went out from among 
 them, i.e. with a certain 
 amount of indignation. He 
 would not stay to expose 
 the name or the work of 
 his Lord to the jests of 
 scoffers {Pliiniptre). 
 
 Dionysius. Intro., p, 22. Da- 
 xnaris. Intro., p. 22. 
 
 unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art 
 and man's device. ^And the times of this 
 ignorance God winked at ; but now com- 
 mandeth all men every where to repent : 
 31 because he hath appointed a day, in the 
 which he will judge the world in righteous- 
 ness by that man whom he hath ordained ; 
 whe7'eof he hath given assurance unto all 
 men, in that he hath raised him from the 
 dead. 
 
 22 And when they heard of the resurrec- 
 tion of the dead, some mocked : and others 
 said. We will hear thee again of this fnatter. 
 
 33 So Paul departed from among them. 
 
 34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and 
 believed : among the which was Dionysius 
 the Areopagite, and a woman named Da- 
 maris, and others with them. 
 
 Analysis of the Speech. 
 
 1. Refers to the superstitious character of the Athenians {v, 22). 
 
 2. Among their objects of worship he had noticed an altar to an unknown God (r*. 23). 
 
 3. He has come to tell them of this God, not of strange gods {v. 23). 
 
 4. This God is — 
 
 (a) The Creator of the world and of men [v. 24) 
 {b) Needs no Temple for He is omnipresent (v. 24). 
 
 (r) Requires no meat or drink offering, for He has created and sustains every- 
 thing {v. 25). 
 
 5. This God has— 
 
 (a) Made all nations of one blood {v. 26). 
 \b) Determined their rise and fall (w. 26). 
 {c) Fixed the boundaries of their territories {v. 26). 
 
 6. He has implanted in man longings after the Divine {v. 27). 
 
 7. These longings are natural inasmuch as men are the oflFspring of God {v. 28). 
 
 8. With these divine longings within us it is degrading both to the Godhead and our- 
 
 selves to make idols of gold, silver, &c. {v. 29). 
 
 9. Though these sins of ignorance have been overlooked in the past repentance is now 
 
 required {v. 30). 
 
 10. Because God hath appointed a day when He will judge the world {v. 31). 
 
 11. The Judge will be He whom He has raised from the dead {v. 31). 
 
 12. The resurrection being the proof of the judgment {v. 31). 
 
 Athens. Intro., p. 8." 
 
 Corinth. Intro., p. 11. 
 
 A<^uila. Intro., p. 20. 
 
 Prucilla. Intro., p. 20 
 
 Paul at Corinth. Preaches Christ Crucified. 
 
 18. After these things Paul departed 
 from Athens, and came to Corinth ; - and 
 found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in 
 
xviii. 3—1 1.] THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 77 
 
 Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his 
 wife Priscilla ; (because that Claudius had 
 commanded all Jews to depart from Rome :) 
 and came unto them. ^And because he 
 was of the same craft, he abode with them, 
 and wrought : for by their occupation they 
 were tentmakers. ^And he reasoned in the 
 synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded 
 the Jews and the Greeks. ^And when 
 Silas and Timotheus were come from Mace- 
 donia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and 
 testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 
 •'And when they opposed themselves, and 
 blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said 
 unto them. Your blood be upon your own 
 heads ; I affz clean : from henceforth I will 
 go unto the Gentiles. ^And he departed 
 thence, and entered into a certain man's 
 house, named Justus, one that worshipped 
 God, whose house joined hard to the syna- 
 gogue. 8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of 
 the synagogue, believed on the Lord with 
 all his house ; and many of the Corinthians 
 hearing believed, and were baptized. ^ Then 
 spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a 
 vision. Be not afraid, but speak, and hold 
 not thy peace : ^^ for I am with thee, and 
 no man shall set on thee to hurt thee : for I 
 have much people in this city. ^^ And he 
 continued there a year and six months, 
 teaching the word of God among them. 
 
 Pontus. Part I., p. 19. R.V. 
 A man of Pontus by race. 
 
 Verse 2. From Suetonius 
 we learn that " Claudius 
 expelled the Jews from 
 Rome on account of their 
 continual tumults insti- 
 gated by Chrestus." The 
 probable explanation is 
 that men ^had come to 
 Rome after the Day of 
 Pentecost proclaiming 
 Jesus as the Christ, and 
 that this preaching had 
 been followed by tumults 
 similar to those recorded 
 in Acts as taking place at 
 Antioch (xiii. 50), Lystra 
 (xiv. 10), Thessalonica 
 (xvii. 5), and Berea (xvii. 
 
 13)- 
 
 Craft = occupation. R.V, 
 Trade. 
 
 Tent-makers. Every Jewish 
 boy was taught a trade. 
 Tarsus, the native city of 
 Paul, was noted for the 
 manufacture of tent-cloth. 
 This was of goats' hair, 
 the material being fur- 
 nished by the goats which 
 fed on the slopes of the 
 Taurus. The material was 
 called cilicium from the 
 province Cilicia, where it 
 was made. 
 
 Pontus was also famous for 
 the same manufacture, 
 and so the common trade 
 of Paul and Aquila is ex- 
 plained. 
 
 V. 4. Every Sabbath. Paul 
 worked lor his living in 
 the week, and preached on 
 the Sabbath. 
 
 V. 4. R.V. Jews and Greeks. 
 Greeks, not proselytes, but 
 Gentiles. 
 
 R.V. Came down from Mace> 
 donia. From Phil. iv. 15, 
 and 2 Cor. xi. 9, we gather 
 that Silas and Timotheus 
 
 brought Paul contributions 
 for his support. These contributions enabled him to devote all his time to preaching. 
 
 V. 5.— R.V. Was constrained by the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 
 i.e. urged on by an intensity of feeling arising (i) from the presence and companion- 
 ship of his fellow labourers ; (2) from his freedom from the necessity of constant labour. 
 
 V. 6. — Opposed themselves, ue. organized a strong opposition. 
 
 V. 6.— R.V. Shook out his raiment. Figurative of entire renunciation. So at Antioch in 
 Pisidia (xiii. 51) Paul and Barnabas " shook off the dust of their feet against them." 
 
 Your blood, &c., i.e. Ye yourselves from henceforth are responsible for your spiritual 
 destruction. So the Jews took upon themselves the responsibility for the crucifixion of 
 Jesus. " His blood be on us and on our children " (Matt, xxvii. 25). 
 
 I will go to the Gentiles, i.e. the Gentiles in Corinth. In future preaching elsewhere, 
 Paul first addressed the Jews, and \vent into their synagogues as at Ephesus (xis. S). 
 
78 
 
 THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. [xviii. 3—1 
 
 R.V. Titus Justus. Intro., p. 25. Paul used this Louse for the purpose of teaching and 
 
 worship. The house was evidently close to the synagogue. 
 Crispus (Intro., p. 22.), chief ruler, was one of the Council of Elders presiding over the 
 
 synagogue. Part I., p. 42. 
 Soithenes ^v. 17) was another. Intro., p. 26. 
 Many of the Corinthians. Among the converts were— 
 
 Crispus, baptized by Paul himself, with all his family (i Cor. i. 14). 
 
 Gaius, or Caius, who made his house the meeting place of the Church, and at Paul's 
 second visit received him as a guest (Rom. xvi. 23) ; baptized by Paul himself (i Cor, 
 i. 14). 
 Stephanas, " the first fruits of Achaia" and his household, all baptized by Paul (i Cor. 
 
 i. 16). 
 Fortunatus, Achaicus, and Chloe, a prominent female convert (i Cor. i. 11) ; Quartus 
 and Erastus, the chamberlain of the city (Rom. xvi. 23) ; and Epaenetus, also among 
 the " first fruits of Achaia " (Rom. xvi. 5). 
 A year and six months. This gave time (i) for founding a church in Corinth : (2) for work 
 in the neighbourint^r districts. That this latter took place is clear from the dedication of 
 the Second Epistle to the Corinthians : "To the Church of God which is at Corinth, 
 with all the saints which are in all Achaia " (2 Cor. i. i). 
 " I am -with thee." Compare the promise of our Lord — " Lo, I am with you alway, even 
 unto the end of the world " (Matt, xxviii. 20). 
 
 The Vision. Part I., p. 41. 
 
 Paul was evidently suffering from some depression. He had met with great opposition ; 
 he had taken the extreme step of separating from the synagogue and holding meetings of 
 Jews and Gentiles in a house of a Gentile close to the synagogue. He probably foresaw 
 tumults and persecution. God reassured him, as he had done before, by a vision. 
 
 Contrast Athens with Corinth : — 
 
 Athens — 
 (i) A city of culture, education, and 
 learning ^= Oxford. 
 
 (2) A city crowded with temples, and its 
 
 inhabitants "very religious" in an 
 idolatrous sense. 
 
 (3) Paul made but few converts. 
 
 Corinth — 
 (i) An emporium of trade full of stir and 
 life = Liverpool. 
 
 (2) A city of luxury and vice, and notori- 
 
 ous for the profligacy of its people. 
 
 (3) Paul made many converts. 
 
 We may note the recurrence of these visions at each great crisis in the Apostle's life — 
 (i) Conversion. Vision of Jesus (ix. 4—6). 
 
 (2) Troas. When doubtful as to sphere of future preaching. Vision of man of Mace- 
 
 donia. " Come over into Macedonia and help us" (xvi. 9). 
 
 (3) Corinth. Having abandoned the Jews and adopted the principle of preaching to 
 
 the Gentiles, Paul is encouraged by a vision of the Lord (xviii. 9, 10). 
 
 (4) On Paul's first visit to Jerusalem after his Conversion. A vision of the Lord bidding 
 
 him depart out of Jerusalem as his testimony will not be received by the Jews 
 (xxii. 17, 18). This act undoubtedly turned the current of Paul's energy and 
 preaching to the Gentiles. 
 
 (5) At Jerusalem in the Castle of Antonia. A vision of the Lord bidding Paul be of 
 
 good cheer, and foretelling that he should bear witness of Jesus in Rome (xxiii. 
 11). 
 
 (6) On board ship during the Voyage to Rome. An angel appeared to Paul, foretelling 
 
 the safety of the passengers and Paul's appearance before Caesar (xxvii. 23, 24). 
 
 We may compare Paul's depression with that of Elijah (i Kings xix. 4—14), and those 
 of Jeremiah (Jer. i. 6 — 8 ; xv. 15 — 21). The similarity of the encouragement given to Paul 
 and Elijah is remarkable. 
 
 Paul. " I have much people in this city." 
 
 Elijah. "Yet have I left me seven thousand in Israel " (i Kings xix. 18). 
 
xviii. 12—18.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 79 
 
 Paul charged before Gallio ; the Charge dismissed. 
 
 I'-And when Gallio was the deputy of 
 Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with 
 one accord against Paul, and brought him 
 to the judgment seat, i^ saying, T\)\s fellow 
 persuadeth men* to worship God contrary to 
 the law. 14 And when Paul was now about 
 to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the 
 Jews^ If it were a matter of wrong or wicked 
 lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I 
 should bear with you : ^^ but if it be a ques- 
 tion of words and names, and of your law, 
 look ye to it ; for I will be no judge of such 
 matters. i<*And he drave them from the 
 judgment seat. ^''Then all the Greeks took 
 Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, 
 and beat hitn before the judgment seat. 
 And Gallio cared for none of those things. 
 
 Gallio. Intro., p. 29. 
 Achaia. Intro., p. 5. 
 Deputy. R.V. Proconsul. An 
 instance of Luke's ac- 
 curacy. The Governor of 
 a senatorial province was 
 called a proconsul. Achaia 
 had been a se>iafortal\)TO- 
 vince under Augustus ; 
 under Tiberius it was im- 
 peri'al ; under Claudius it 
 again became senatorial 
 (see p. 5). 
 Made insurrection. R.V. Rose 
 up against, evidently taking 
 advantage of the arrival ot 
 a new and inexperienced 
 governor. 
 Judgment seat. The K oman 
 governors commonly held 
 their court in the agora or 
 market place on fixed 
 days. 
 Contrary to the law, not the 
 Jewisn law, but the Roman 
 law. The Jews charged 
 Paul with teaching a reli- 
 gion not legally recog- 
 nised within the Roman 
 Empire. 
 Open his mouth, i.e. enter upon his formal defence. 
 lewdness (seep. 72, xvii. 5). R.V. Villainy, />. a matter of crime or fraud, to be dealt 
 
 with under criminal or civil law. 
 R.V. Your own law, look to it yourselves ; I am not minded to be a judge of these matters. 
 Note the emphasis on "yom: own law." Gallio sees through the appeal to law. It is 
 Jewish, not Roman, law which they are seeking to vindicate, and he declines to inter- 
 fere in a dispute outside his cotjnizance altoeether. 
 Drove them from his judgment seat, i.e. ordered the lictors to clear the court. Those who 
 
 did not immediately retreat would be exposed to blows from their rods. 
 R.V. They all laid hold on Sosthenes (Intro., p. 26), the ruler of the synagogue. 
 Laid hold. A violent act; so the mob at Jerusalem "laid hold" of Paul (xxi. 30), and 
 
 so the chief captain " laid hold" of Paul when he rescued the Apostle (xxi. 33). 
 They all. The better MSS. omit the word '' Greeks," and so we get two explanations, (i) 
 That the crowd took the cue from the magistrate, and anticipated the lictors in driving 
 the Jews from the court, and lell upon Sosthenes particularly as having possibly been 
 the spokesman of the Jews; in fact, took the opportunity to indulge in a little "Jew 
 baiting." Or (2) (as suggested by Plutnpire) the jews themselves heat Sosthenes, attri- 
 buting the failure of their case to the lukewarmness with which Sosthenes had advocated 
 it. On this supposition Sosthenes must be the Sosthenes referred to in i Cor. i. i. If 
 so, Sosthenes atterw^rds became a convert to Christianity, and it is probable was 
 already suspected by the Jews as having tendencies in that direction. 
 Gallio cared for none of these things. These words have become proverbial for the indiffer- 
 ence of mere politicians and men of the world to religious truth. But Luke probably 
 means that Gallio was clear sighted enough to pay no regard to the clamours of Paul's 
 accusers {Plumptre). 
 
 Paul journeys from Corinth to Jerusalem. 
 
 18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a l R-V. Many days. Paul could 
 
 •; , , . , V- 1 now stay and work without 
 
 good while, and then took his leave OI the fear of personal violence. 
 
8o 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, [xviii. 19—23. 
 
 brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and 
 with him Priscilla and Aquila ; having 
 shorn his head in Cenchrea : for he had a 
 vow. 1^ And he came to Ephesus, and left 
 them there : but he himself entered into the 
 synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. 
 20 When they desired hijn to tarry longer 
 time with them, he consented not; 21 but 
 bade them farewell, saying, I must by all 
 means keep this feast that cometh in Jeru- 
 salem : but I will return again unto you, if 
 God will. And he sailed from Ephesus. 
 22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, 
 and gone up, and saluted the church, he 
 went down to Antioch. 
 
 E..V. For Syria. He went 
 
 by Cenchrea, Ephesus, and 
 
 Csesarea. 
 Cenchrea(Intro.,p. io)wasthe 
 
 eastern harbour of Corinth. 
 Vow. The Nazarite Vow to 
 
 drink no wine or strong 
 
 drink, and to let no razor 
 
 pass over his head or face. 
 
 At the conclusion of the 
 
 vow the man was to shave 
 
 his head at the door of the 
 
 Tabernacle, and burn the 
 
 hair in the fire of the altar 
 
 (Num. vi. I— 21). Part I., 
 
 p. 52. 
 Shave his head. It was law- 
 ful for a man to have his 
 
 hair cut during the con- 
 tinuance of the vow. Paul 
 
 does so ; but in this case 
 
 the hair so cut off was to 
 
 be taken to the Temple and 
 
 burnt there. This will ex- 
 plain the eagerness of the 
 
 Apostle to keep the coming 
 
 feast at Jerusalem {v. 21). 
 Keasons for Paul taking the Vow. (i) Thankfulness for deliverance from danger, probably 
 
 the assault of the Jews. (2) To show that he was still as a Jew to Jews, although he 
 
 had been compelled by his fellow countrymen to go to the Gentiles. 
 Left them there, i.e. Priscilla and Aquila. "We find them at Ephesus on Paul's visiting 
 
 that city on his third missionary journey. They were most likely people of some 
 
 wealth; for it was in their house that the disciples worshipped. Paul, writing from 
 
 Ephesus to the Corinthians, says — "Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, 
 
 with the Church that is in their house" (i Cor. xvi. 19). 
 I must by all means keep this feast that cometh at Jerusalem, omitted in the R.V. as forming 
 
 no part of the text. But Paul was going to Jerusalem to a feast, for the Vow which he 
 
 had taken required a visit to the Temple for its completion. 
 The feast was probably the Feast of Pentecost, for there was no other till the Feast of 
 
 Tabernacles, when travelling, especially by sea, was dangerous. 
 I will return. Paul soon redeemed his promise (xix. 1). 
 Caesarea. The home of Philip the Evangelist, at whose house Paul would probably stay as 
 
 on a later journev (xxi. 8). 
 Gone up. R.V. Went up, i.e. from the coast town to the capital, Jerusalem. 
 Saluted the Church. All the record of the visit to Jerusalem. Paul is ofiici.illy recognised 
 
 by his brother Apostles, but is not received with brotherly affection and sympathy. His 
 
 work was work done not according to rule, and so was not warmly received. Paul 
 
 longed to preach at Jerusalem, but obstacles prevented bira doing so. 
 Went down to Antioch, where he would receive the sympathy denied him at Jerusalem. 
 
 Antioch thus has the fame of being the centre of Paul's missionary work. 
 During the second missionary journey Paul wrote at Corinth the First and Second Epistles 
 
 to the Thessalonians. 
 
 Paul's T-hird Missionary Journey. 
 
 He departed. This is the 
 commencement of Paul's 
 third journey. 
 
 Galatia and Phrygia. Intro., 
 p. 13, 16). The route taken 
 is the same as at the com- 
 mencement of the second 
 journej'. 
 
 Strengthening. R.V. Stablishin^, 
 
 23 And after he had spent some time 
 the?'e, he departed, and went over all the 
 country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, 
 strengthening all the disciples. 
 
xviii. 24-28.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 81 
 
 Apollos at Ephesns. 
 
 24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born 
 at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty 
 in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This 
 man was instructed in the way of the 
 Lord ; and being fervent in the spirit, he 
 spake and taught diligently the things of 
 the Lord, knowing only the baptism of 
 John. 26 And he began to speak boldly in 
 the synagogue : whom when Aquila and 
 Priscilla had heard, they took him unto 
 them, and expounded unto him the way of 
 God more perfectly. 27 ^nd when he was 
 disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren 
 wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive 
 him : who, when he was come, helped them 
 much which had believed through grace : 
 28 for he mightily convinced the Jews, and 
 that publickly, shewing by the scriptures 
 that Jesus was Christ. 
 
 Apollos. Intro., p. 20. The 
 name is an abbreviation of 
 Apollonius. 
 
 R.V. An Alexandrian by 
 race, a learned man. Alex- 
 andria abounded in Ji'ws, 
 and possessed fanuMis 
 schools in wliich the Old 
 Testament was studied. It 
 was in Alexandria, and by 
 Jews, that the Septuagint 
 (or Greek) version of the 
 Old Testament was made. 
 
 K.V. Had been instructed. 
 So Luke describes Theo- 
 philus (Luke i. 4). The 
 word signifies "orally in- 
 structed," t.e. had gone 
 through a course ot teach- 
 ing in ac^dition to his own 
 private stud}'. 
 
 Diligently. R.V. Carefully 
 the things concerning Je- 
 sus. 
 
 The baptism of John. We 
 know from Josephus that 
 the teachhig and bapti-m 
 ot John produced great 
 effect amonjr the Jews. 
 
 Perfectly. R.V. Carefully, 
 i.e. moie accurately. 
 
 R.V. The brethren encou- 
 raged him, anri wrote to the 
 disciples to receive him. 
 Achaia. From xix. i we learn that Corinth was the centre of his work. His success was 
 so great that he came to be regarded by some Coiinthians as the equal of Paul, and 
 there arose a strong party feeling in the Church which drew from Paul a strong rebuke 
 (i Cor, i. 12, &c.). 
 V. 28.— R.V. Powerfully confuted. 
 E.V. Jesus was the Christ. 
 
 V. 25.— Knowing only the baptism of John. 
 Apollos would know the foUow'ng things concerning Jesus :— 
 
 (i) That John the Baptist was the forerunner or herald of the Messiah (Matt. iii. 
 1—3). 
 
 (2) That John baptized in preparation for the coming of His Kingdom (Matt. iii. 
 
 I— ir). 
 
 (3) That John had pointed out the Messiah, " the Lamb of God which taketh 
 
 away the sin ot the world" (John i. 29). 
 
 (4) That John had baptized th*^ Messiah, and that the Messiah was Jesus of 
 
 N*a2areth (Matt. iii. 13 — 17). 
 Apollos did not know : — 
 
 (i) The baptism by water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (Matt* 
 xxviii. 19). 
 
 (2) The institution of the Eucharist and the breaking of bread (Matt. xxvi. 26— 25^ 
 
 (3) The baptism by the Holy Ghost, and the descent of the Spirit at Pentecost 
 
 (Acts ii. I, &c.). 
 
 (4) The gift of salvation through the name of Jesus (Acts iv. 12). 
 
82 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 [xix. 1 — i 
 
 Paul returns to Ephesus. Baptizes some disciples of John 
 the Baptist. 
 
 tipper coasts. R.V. Upper 
 
 coimtxy. The central table- 
 land of Asia Minor. The 
 
 parts visited by Paul were 
 
 lar away from the sea. 
 To Ephesug. Fulfilling his 
 
 promise (xviii. 2t). 
 K.V. Did ye receive the 
 
 Holy Ghost -when ye be- 
 lieved ? 
 E.V. Nay, we did not so 
 
 much as hear whether the 
 
 Holy Ghost was given. 
 
 These disciples must have 
 
 heard of the Holy Ghost, 
 
 but they were ignorant of 
 
 the sjift of the Holy Ghost 
 
 at Pentecost. They knew 
 
 that the Holy Ghost must 
 
 come, for John had spoken 
 
 of the " baptism with the 
 
 Holy Ghost" (Matt, iii.ii), 
 
 but they had not heard that 
 
 the outpouring of the Spirit 
 
 had taken place. 
 &.V. Into what then were 
 
 ye baptised? 
 Br.V. Into John's baptism. 
 
 John = John the Baotist. 
 
 The last mention of John 
 
 the Baptist in the New 
 
 Testam-nt. 
 Baptism of John was (i) the 
 baptism of repentance 
 for the remission of sins 
 (Mark i. 4). 
 
 (2) Preparatory to the baptism with the Holy Ghost (Matt. iii. 11). 
 The Christian baptism is described by Peter at the day of Pentecost — "Repent and bo 
 
 baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye 
 
 shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts ii. 38). 
 They heard this. Paul pointed out to them that baptism in the name of Jesus was required 
 
 to complete John's baptism of repentance. 
 Conhrmation and the accompanying gifts of tongues and prophecy here rollow baptism 
 
 imnieuaiely. T' e gilt of tongues occurs — 
 
 fi) At the day of Pentecost. 
 
 (2) At the conversion of C ornelius. 
 
 (3) At the confirmation of these Ephesian converts. 
 E..V. And they were in all about twelve men. 
 
 The gift of the Holy Ghost to these di-'-ciples seems to have been a special provision of the 
 Spirit for the great work which was to change Ephesus from the city wholly devoted to 
 the goddess Diana, into the centre of Christian liie throughout the rest of Asia Minor for 
 several_ centuries {Lumby). See also Part I., p. 74. 
 
 Qn the gitt of tongues. See Part I., p. 73. 
 
 19. And it came to pass, that while Apollos 
 was at Corinth, Paul having passed through 
 the upper coasts came to Ephesus : and 
 finding certain disciples, 2 he said unto 
 them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost 
 since ye believed ? And they said unto 
 him, We have not so much as heard whe- 
 ther there be any Holy Ghost, ^^^d he 
 said unto them, Unto what then were ye 
 baptized ? And they said. Unto John's 
 baptism. ^ Then said Paul, John verily 
 baptized with the baptism of repentance, 
 saying unto the people, that they should 
 believe on him which should come aftet 
 him, that is, on Christ Jesus. ^ When they 
 heard this, they were baptized 'in the name 
 of the Lord Jesus. ^And when Paul had 
 laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost 
 came on them ; and they spake with 
 tongues, and prophesied. ^And all the 
 men were about twelve. 
 
 Growth of the Word in Ephesus. 
 
 Synagogue. As was Paul's j 8 And he went into the synagogue, and 
 
 custom. For three months , , n ,, ^ , / , , 
 
 he preached to the Jews, spake boldly foi the spacc of thrcc months. 
 
xix. 9—14.] THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 83 
 
 disputing and persuading the things con- 
 cerning the kingdom of God. ® But when 
 divers were hardened, and believed not, but 
 spake evil of that way before the multitude, 
 he departed from them, and separated the 
 disciples, disputing daily in the school of 
 one Tyrannus. ^^And this continued by 
 the space of two years ; so that all they 
 which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the 
 Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. 
 
 and was then compelled to 
 leave them as at Corinth 
 (xviii. 5), in consequence of 
 their opposition (verse 9). 
 Disputing. R.V. Reasoning. 
 R.V. " iJut when some were 
 hardened and disobedient 
 speaking evil of the way." 
 The way. A distinctive 
 name tor the Christian re- 
 ligion. See Part I., p. 102. 
 Departed, i.e. ceased to take 
 part in the public services 
 at the synagogue. 
 Separated, i.e. formed a 
 Christian Church separate 
 from the synagogue. Paul 
 had acted similarly at 
 Corinth (xviii. 7). 
 School = lecture room. 
 Tyrannus. Not mentioned elsewhere. He may have been a Jew, or a Gentile, probably a 
 
 Gentile rhetorician. He is evidently well known. Intro., p. 27. 
 Two years. Paul stayed two years and three months (verse 8) at Ephesus. This period 
 
 would by Jews be described as three years. 
 Asia is proconsular Asia. Intro., p. 7. Paul must have visited many cities during this 
 period of two years. Probably the seven Churches of Asia were founded during this 
 period. We know that the Gospel had made such progress that it had lessened the 
 number of pilgrims to the temple of Diana (verse 26). 
 
 Special Miracles wrought by Paul. 
 
 1^ And God wrought special miracles by 
 the hands of Pa.ul : ^^ sp that from his body 
 were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs 
 or aprons, and the diseases departed from 
 them, and the evil spirits went out of them. 
 
 Special miracles, i.e. mira- 
 cles of no ordinary kind. 
 Ihcy differed from ordi- 
 nary miracles, in that gar- 
 ments taken from Paul's 
 bod}' were endued with 
 miraculous power. 
 These miracles were wrought 
 BY Gnd T)j ROUGH Paul. 
 R.V. Insomuch that unto the sick were carried away from his body handkerchiefs or aprons. 
 Handkerchiefs =- sudaria used to wipe off sweat from brow or face. 
 Aprons = semicincta, the short aprons worn by artizans as they worked. 
 The picture suggested is that of devout persons coming to the Apostle as he worked, and 
 carrying away with them the very handkerchiefs and aprons that he had used as precious 
 relics that conveyei^ the supernatural gifc of healing which he exercised {Plumpfre). 
 So the woman with the issue of blood touched the hem of our Lord's garment (Matt. ix. 
 
 20, 21). 
 So the shadow of Peter healed the sick (Acts v. 15). 
 
 The Seven Sons of Sceva. 
 
 13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, 
 exorcists, took upon them to call over them 
 which had evil spirits the name of the Lord 
 Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus 
 whom Paul preacheth. " And there were 
 
 Vagabond. R.V. Strolling, 
 i.e. going from city to city 
 professing by charms and 
 spells to cure those pos- 
 sessed with devils. 
 
 To call over. R.V. To name 
 over. These vagabond 
 Jews wcro accustomed to 
 
84 
 
 THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. [? 
 
 22. 
 
 seven sons of ofie Sceva, a Jew, and chief 
 of the priests, which did so. i^And the 
 evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, 
 and Paul I know ; but who are ye ? ^^ And 
 the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped 
 on them, and overcame them, and prevailed 
 against them, so that they fled out of that 
 house naked and wounded. ^^ And this 
 was known to all the Jews and Greeks also 
 dwelling at Ephesus ; and fear fell on them 
 all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was 
 magnified. ^^ And many that believed 
 came, and confessed, and shewed their 
 deeds. ^'^ Many of them also which used 
 curious arts brought their books together, 
 and burned them before all men : and they 
 counted the price of them, and found t^ 
 fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 go mightily 
 grew the word of God and prevailed. 
 
 charm with the name of 
 Jehovah ; after seeing 
 Paul's miracles they used 
 the name of Jesus instead. 
 
 We adjure. R.V. I adjure. 
 
 Sceva. Intro., p. 26. 
 
 R.V. A chief priest, most 
 liliely the head of one of 
 the twenty-four courses of 
 the priests. 
 
 Jesus I know and Paul I 
 know. The two verbs are 
 different in the Greek. 
 We may paraphrase. 1 
 acknowledge the authority 
 of Jesus ; I know Paul to 
 be His servant ; but who 
 are ye ? Ye are not fol- 
 lowers of Jesus. 
 
 Overcame them, R.V. Mas- 
 tered both of them, imply- 
 ing that two of the seven 
 were foremost in the exor- 
 cism. 
 
 Naked. Their outer garment 
 was torn oif them so that 
 they were left with nothing 
 but the short tunic. 
 
 Wounded. The demoniac not 
 merely tore the clothes but 
 left marks of his attack on 
 their bodies. 
 
 R V. Became known to all 
 both Jews and Greeks. It had a double effect— (i) All men felt it was a dangerous 
 thing to use lightly the name of the Lord Jesus. (2) Believers magnified the name of the 
 Lord Jesus. -1^ 
 
 V. 18. Shiwed their deeds. R.V. Declaring = open confession. Their " deeds " were their'^ 
 evil practices of witchcraft, sorcery and exorcism. 
 
 V. 19. Curious arts. Ephesus was noted for its magicians and wizards, and the "Ephesian 
 spells" were well known all over the East. These " spells" were small strips of parch- 
 ment on which were written magic words. They were enclosed in silk bags and woro 
 as charms. 
 
 V. 19. Books. Were those of the professors of the magic art, in which the more potent and 
 rare of these charms were written out. 
 
 V. 19. Before all men. R.V. In the sight of all, i.e. in some public place where all might 
 see. 
 
 V. 19. Pieces of silver. The Attic drachma worth about 8^d. The total as an equivalent 
 in coin £j,']to 175. 6d. But as the drachma was the prevalent rate of wages for a day'$ 
 work of a labourer, the relative value is considerably higher. 
 
 V. 20. Zlightily = With overpowering force that nothing could resist. 
 
 Paul's Plans for his Journey from Ephesus. 
 
 21 After these things were ended, Paul 
 purposed in the spirit, when he had passed 
 through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to 
 Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, 
 I must also see Rome. 2- So he sent into 
 Macedonia two of them that ministered 
 
 Purposed in the spirit, i.e. 
 had settled in his own 
 mind. The Church at 
 Ephesus was now estab- 
 lished, and Paul could now 
 turn his attention to other 
 churches. As was his cus- 
 tom, he intended to visit 
 the Churches founded on 
 
xix. 23-29.] THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 85 
 
 unto him, Timotheus and Erastus ; but he 
 himself stayed in Asia for a season. 
 
 his previous journey in 
 Greece from Philippi to 
 Corinth. Paul alludes to 
 this plan in i Cor. xvi. i-j. 
 The reason for lingering in 
 Ephesus is given in i Cor. xvi. 8-9. "I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost, for a 
 great door and effectual is opened unto me and there are many adversaries." 
 Achaia. Intro, p. 5. Macedonia, Intro., p. 14. 
 Jerusalem. Whither he would convey the " collection for the Saints " (i Cor. xvi. 1-3). 
 V. 21. Rome. The first mention ot the intense desire ol Paul to preach the Gospel at 
 
 Rome ( Rom. i. 13, xv. 23). 
 v. 22. Sent. Paul had much anxiety about the Churches in Greece, especially the 
 
 Church at Corinth. 
 Timotheus. Intro., p. 27. He had laboured in Macedonia and in Greece on the former 
 missionary journey (Acts xvii. 14 ; xviii. 5). He was sent on in advance to warn and 
 exhort and save the necessity of the Apostle using severity when he arrived. Social 
 impurity was destroying the Christian life [i Cor. v. 9). On this visit of Timotheus see 
 1 Cor. iv. 17 ; i Cor. xvi. 10. 
 Erastus. Intro., p. 21. Most probably the chamberlain or steward of Corinth mentioned 
 Rom. xvi. 23. His presence, by the influence of his office, would give weight to the 
 mission of Timothy. 
 
 Outbreak of the Silversmiths at Ephesus. 
 
 23 And the same time there arose no small 
 stir about that way. ^4 Yox a certain ma?t 
 named Demetrius, a silversmith, which 
 made silver shrines for Diana, brought no 
 ' .small gain unto the craftsmen ; ^^whom he 
 called together with the workmen of like oc- 
 cupation, and said. Sirs, ye know that by 
 this craft we have our wealth, ^c Moreover 
 ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, 
 but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul 
 hath persuaded and turned away much 
 people, saying that they be no gods, which 
 are made with hands : ^7 so that not only 
 this our craft is in danger to be set at 
 nought ; but also that the temple of the 
 great goddess Diana should be despised, 
 and her magnificence should be destroyed, 
 whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. 
 28 And when they heard these sayings, they 
 were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, 
 Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 29And 
 the whole city was filled with confusion : 
 and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, 
 
 R.V. And about that time 
 concerning the way. See 
 verse 9. The causes of the 
 tumult were — 
 (i J Pilgrimages to the tem- 
 ple of Diana were con- 
 siderably fewer. 
 
 (2) The sale of silver 
 shrines had been dimin- 
 ishing. 
 
 (3) The profits of. the 
 makers of these shrines 
 had fallen off. 
 
 Thatway. A distinctive name 
 ior the Christian religion, 
 .'^ee Part I., p. 102. 
 
 E.V. Shrines of Diana. 
 Models in silver either of 
 the great temple of Diana, 
 one of the seven wonders 
 of the world, or of the 
 statue of the goddess. They 
 were sold to the pilgrims 
 who flocked to the temple. 
 
 Diana. G\i,,A}-te7m's. 
 
 Gain. R.V. No little busi- 
 ness, i.e. employment by 
 which money is made. The 
 same word is used to de- 
 note the " gain " made out 
 of the demoniac girl by 
 her Philippian masters 
 (xvi. 16-19). 
 
 Craftsmen. We have three 
 grades of workers, viz. : 
 (t) Demetrius, "the silver- 
 smith ' ' = the master work- 
 man ; (2) the " craftsmen" 
 
86 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, [xix. 30—40. 
 
 = the designers and mo- 
 dellers ; (3) the " workmen 
 of like occupation " = the 
 inferior labourers. 
 
 v. 25. Craft. R V. Business. 
 
 Throughout all Asia. Paul's 
 Epistles tell us of Churches 
 in Ephesus, Laorlicea and 
 Colossae. In the Apoca- 
 lypse we find besides these, 
 Churches in Pergamos, 
 Smyrna, Thyatira, Sardis 
 and Philadelphia. 
 
 v. 26. This Paul. A con- 
 temptuous allusion to the 
 insis^nificance of the bodily 
 presence of Paul. 
 
 No gods. The educated an- 
 cient did not regard these 
 images as being actually 
 gods ; but the populace 
 did as Demetrius implies 
 when he speaks of Paul's 
 teaching. 
 
 V. 27. — R.V. And not only is 
 there danger that this our 
 trade come into disrepute ; 
 but also that the temple of 
 the great goddess Diana be 
 made of no account, and 
 that she should even be 
 deposed from her magnifi- 
 cence. Demetrius puts 
 iorward two reasons: (i) 
 Trade is injured; (2) reli- 
 gion is in danger. And so 
 he appeals to two passions : 
 (i) Self interest ; (2) super- 
 stition. The two com- 
 bined cause a riot. 
 
 Temple. Intro , p. 12. 
 
 V. 29. -R V. Filled with the 
 confusion, implying that the 
 riot of the silversmiths ex- 
 tended to other trades, for 
 it would be at once seen 
 how much money would be 
 lost to the city if the pil- 
 grimages ceased. 
 
 Great is Diana, &c. The cry 
 was, probably, the usual 
 chorus of the festivals of 
 Artemis (see below). 
 
 Oaius (Intro., p. 23). Aris- 
 tarclius (Intro., p. 20). 
 
 Into the theatre. After the 
 temple of Diana, the chief 
 glory of Ephesus. It could 
 hold 2)1,000 people. 
 
 V. 30.— R.V. Was minded to 
 
 enter. 
 V. 3 1 .—R.V. Chief officers of 
 Asia, i.e. The Asiarchs, 
 wealthy citizens, annually 
 elected to preside over the 
 games and religious festi- 
 
 men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in 
 travel, they rushed with one accord into the 
 theatre. ^^ And when Paul would have en- 
 tered in unto the people, the disciples suf- 
 fered him not. ^i^^d certain of the chief 
 of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto 
 him, desiring him that he would not ad- 
 venture himself into the theatre. ^^ Some 
 therefore cried one thing, and some ano- 
 ther : for the assembly was confused ; and 
 the more part knew not wherefore they were 
 come together. ^3 And they drew Alexander 
 out of the multitude, the Jews putting him 
 forward. And Alexander beckoned with 
 the hand, and would have made his de- 
 fence unto the people. 2* But when they 
 knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice 
 about the space of two hours cried out. 
 Great is Diana of the Ephesians. ^s^nd 
 when the townclerk had appeased the peo- 
 ple, he said. Ye men of Ephesus, what man 
 is there that knoweth not how that the city 
 of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the 
 great goddess Diana, and of the image 
 which fell down from Jupiter ? "^ Seeing 
 then that these things cannot be spoken 
 against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do 
 nothing rashly. ^^ For ye have brought 
 hither these men, which are neither robbers 
 of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your 
 goddess. 2^ Wherefore if Demetrius, and 
 the craftsmen which are with him, have a 
 matter against any man, the law is open, 
 and there are deputies : let them implead 
 one another. ^^ But if ye enquire any thing 
 concerning other matters, it shall be deter- 
 mined in a lawful assembly. ^"^ For we are 
 in danger to be called in question for this 
 day's uproar, there being no cause whereby 
 we may give an account of this concourse. 
 
THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. . 87 
 
 Time of the Tumult. Probably in May, for— 
 
 1. Paul intended " to tarry at Ephesus till Pentecost " (i Cor. xvi. 8), 
 
 2. He quitted Epliesus immediately after the tumult (xx. i). 
 
 3. The month of May was especially sacred to " Diana of the Ephesians." The 
 
 people from the neigflibourinfj towns flocked to Ephesus for the games and the 
 festivities. At this time the silversmiths miarht expect to do a brisk trade in 
 selling their shrines and images. Instead of this business was slack. Hence 
 the motive for the outbreak. 
 
 4. The presence of the " Asiarchs," the presidents of the games may indicate that 
 
 the May festivities were going on. 
 
 Allusion to the Tumult. Does Paul allude to the tumult in i Cor. xv. 32 ? " If after the 
 manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus." Such an expression must be 
 figurati%'e ; for his Roman citizenship would have precluded Paul ever being literally 
 thrown to beasts. Therefore Paul is alluding to the opposition he met with during his 
 
 E reaching at Ephesus. But the Apostle could not be alluding to the tumult raised by 
 )emetrius for — 
 
 1. In the Epistle he intimates that it is his intention "to tarry at Ephesus till Pente- 
 
 cost." 
 
 2. The tumult took place in May and, therefore, after the writing of the Epistle, for 
 
 Paul quitted Ephesus immediately after the tumult (xx. i). 
 
 The Speech of the Town Clerk. 
 
 1. Refers to the reputation of the city and its goddess, and thus conciliates the 
 
 excited people. 
 
 2. Such facts could not be gainsaid. 
 
 3. These men, Gaius and Aristarchus, are not criminals, "robbers of temples or 
 
 blasphemers of our goddess." 
 
 4. If Demetrius wishes to bring a charge the law courts are open, and the Roman 
 
 proconsuls are ready to hear charges. 
 
 5. If it is a matter of public concern it could be brought before the regular assembly 
 
 of the people. 
 
 6. But such a riot, for which no reason can be given, may cause Rome to take from 
 
 us our privileges as a free city. ' 
 
 The order of Events may be gathered from the Epistles of St. Paul. 
 
 1. Paul at Ephesus sends Timotheus and Erastus to Corinth (xix. 22). 
 
 2. Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus arrived from Corinth (1 Cor. xvi. 17). 
 
 3. Paul, whilst still at Ephesus, wrote the First Epistle to the^'^Cprinthians and sen 
 
 it to Corinth by Stephanas and his companions. 
 
 4. Paul left Ephesus soon after the Passover and made for Macedonia. 
 
 5. At Troas he waited in much anxiety for news from Corinth (2 Cor. ii. 13). 
 
 6. He pressed on to Macedonia where he met Titus (2 Cor. ii. 13). 
 
 7. Titus had brought bad news from Corinth, so Paul wrote his Second Epistle to 
 
 the Corinthians and sent it to Corinth by Titus. 
 
 8. Paul stayed some little time in Macedonia, probably visiting Berea, Thessalonica, 
 
 and Philippi, with perhaps a journey to Illyricum (Rom. xv. 19). 
 
 9. He went to Greece, visiting Corinth and gathering the contribution from the 
 
 Corinthians for Jerusalem. 
 
 10. He purposed sailing for Syria, but the Jews of Corinth conspired to murder him 
 
 on his embarkation, so his companions went by ship, whilst Paul himself avoided 
 the Jews by going by land to Philippi. 
 
 11. At Philippi he enjoyed the Passover feast. 
 
 12. He then sailed for Troas, having Luke for his companion. 
 
88 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, [xix. 41. xx. 2, 3. 
 
 *i And when he had thus spoken, he dis- 
 missed the assembly. 
 
 vals. That some of them 
 were friends of Paul, 
 though not converts, 
 speaks much for the per- 
 sonal respect in which he was held, and confirms the words of the " town clerk," 
 "v- 37- 
 
 V. 32. — R.V. "Was in confusion, i.e. a gfreat mob of people, full of panic and noise, but 
 not knowing what it was all about. 
 
 V. 3j.— R.V. Brought Alexander (Intro., p. 19). Probably Alexander, the copper- 
 smith (2 Tim. IV. 14), who did Paul much evil. If so, he might well have some trade 
 connection with Demetrius, and some influence with the citizens. The Jews put him for- 
 ward fearing that the crowd might ioclude them amongst the Christians. His attempt 
 at defence only serves to inflame the passion of the mob. 
 
 V. 35. Townclerk. Lat.,^<a!w;«a//Vz^^=scribe, the chief local functionary'. Through him 
 all public communications were made to the city, and in his name replies were given. 
 In this respect he corresponds to the modern " town clerk." He was also the keeper of 
 the city archives. Hence the term " Recorder" has been suggested. He was a most 
 important personage, and his name is often found on the coinage. Provost or mayor 
 would be the best modern equValent of the office. 
 
 V. 35. Worshipper. R.V, Temple-keeper, i.e., consecrated to the worship of the goddess. 
 
 Imige. A female figure, carved in olive wood, black with age, and of no form or 
 beauty, reported to have fallen from heaven. 
 
 V. 36. Spoken against. R.V. Gainsaid. Paul might preach against the worship, nobody 
 could gainsay the facts. 
 
 V. 37.— Caurohes. R.V. Temples. " '** 
 
 V. 37.— R.y. Blasphemers of our goddess. Paul had evidently confined himself to the 
 inculcation of Christian doctrine, and not launched out into denunciation of the Ephe- 
 sian superstition. To have done so would have aroused prejudice and most likely have 
 deprived him of all chance of a hearing. 
 
 V. 38. Law is open. R.V. The courts are open — may mean (i) court days are appointed; 
 or (2) court meetings are now going on. The R.V. adopts the latter. 
 
 V. 38. Deputies. R.V. Proconsuls. Usually but one, but there is historical evidence 
 that there were two at this time. Another instance of Luke's minute accuracy. 
 
 V. 38. Implead. R.V. Accuse, i.e. Let Demetrius and his followers lodge a tormal state- 
 ment of the charge against the accused, who in their turn must reply to the same, and 
 the trial be conducted in due form. 
 
 V. 39. Lawful assembly. R.V. The regular assembly. 
 
 The Town Clerk alludes to two methods of investigating the case : 
 (i) Before the Roman proconsuls (deputies) in the law courts. 
 (2) Before the people in the regular (lawful) assemblv. 
 
 V. 40. — R.V. For indeed we are in danger to he accused concerning this day's riot, there 
 being no cause for it : and as touching it we shall not be able to give account of this con- 
 course. Ephesus was a "free" city, and if such riotous conduct were reported at Roma 
 it might lead to a curtailment of the privileges of the city. 
 
 Paul Journeys through Macedonia and Greece. 
 
 E.V. Having sent for the 
 disciples and exhorted them, 
 took leave of them. 
 
 R.V. And when he had spent 
 three months there. 1 hough 
 no places are named, we 
 know that the greater 
 part of this time was spent 
 at Corinth, where Paul 
 wrote the Epistles to the 
 Galdtians and the Romans. 
 
 R.V. A plot was laid against 
 him by the Jews. On i aul's 
 former visit they had laid 
 a charge against him pub- 
 
 20. And after the uproar was ceased, Paul 
 called unto hinithQ disciples, and embraced 
 them, and departed for to go into Mace- 
 donia. 2 And when he had gone over those 
 parts, and had given them much exhortation, 
 he came into Greece, ^ and the?-e abode 
 three months. And when the Jews laid wait 
 for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, 
 he purposed to return through Macedonia. 
 
XX. 4-12.] THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 89 
 
 *And there accompanied him into Asia 
 Sopater of Berea ; and of the Thessalonians, 
 Aristarchus and Secundus ; and Gaius of 
 Derbe, and Timotheus ; and of Asia, 
 Tychicus and Trophimus. ^ These going 
 before tarried for us at Troas. ^^And we 
 sailed away from PhiHppi after the days of 
 unleavened bread, and came unto them to 
 Troas in five days ; where we abode seven 
 days. 
 
 licly before Gallic (xviii. 
 12 — 17). They now take a 
 eecret method ot obtaining 
 tlieir pu'pose. Tl.ey had 
 learnt tbat Paul intended 
 to "sail to S\ria, and so 
 fo'in- d a plot cither to 
 seize h mwheii erabarkinp, 
 or to assass'nate him on 
 shipboard. The Apostle 
 frii!-tratfs their design by 
 suddenly changing his 
 plans and returning 
 throutrh Macedonia. 
 Purposed. R.V. Determined. 
 R.V. But these had gone 
 before, and were waiting 
 for us at Iroas. 
 
 Into Asia. R.V. As far as Asia. 
 
 Sopater (fntro., p. 26), Aristarchus (p. 20), Secundus, (p. 26), Gaius (p. 23), Tychicus (p. 27) 
 Trophimus (p. 27). 
 
 We sailed Luke now rejoins Paul. He had been left at PhiHppi on the second missionary 
 journev (xvi. 40) some seven years before (Part I., p. 10). 
 
 Unleavened bread. Paul kept the Passover at PhiHppi. 
 
 Tioas in five days. Probably the wind was contrary. The V03'age from Troas to Philippi 
 took only two days (xvi. 11). 
 
 Paul at Troas. Eutychus Restored to Life 
 
 ^ And upon the first day of the week, when 
 the disciples came together to break bread, 
 Paul preached unto them, ready to depart 
 on the morrow ; and continued his speech 
 until midnight. ^ And there were many 
 lights in the upper chamber, where they 
 were gathered together. ^And there sat 
 in a window a certain young man named 
 Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep : 
 and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk 
 down with sleep, and fell down from the 
 third loft, and was taken up dead. i<*And 
 Paul went down, and fell on him, and em- 
 bracing him said. Trouble not yourselves ; 
 for his life is in him. ^^ When he therefore 
 was come up again, and had broken bread, 
 and eaten, and talked a long while, even 
 till break of day, so he departed, ^^^.nd 
 they brought the young man alive, and were 
 not a little comforted. 
 
 First day, i.e. at the end of 
 the Jewish sabbath — the 
 evening of our Saturday. 
 
 R.V. Discourseu with them, 
 intending to depart on the 
 morrow. 
 
 Discoiu-sed. Not a sermon 
 so much as discussion and 
 conversation to solve 
 doubts and clear away 
 difficulties which might be 
 in the minds of the disciples 
 at I roas. 
 
 Continued. R.V. Prolonged. 
 Not conve3ing tLat Paul 
 wearied out his bearers, 
 but that the points for dis- 
 cussion were so many and 
 so important as to take up 
 a considerable time. 
 
 "Window. A wooden lattice 
 or door set open because of 
 tl e heat. 
 
 Eutychus. (Intro., p. 23.) 
 
 R. V. Borne down with deep 
 sleep. Not a careless 
 hearer, but, as Paul went 
 on and on, sleep at last 
 fairly overcame him. 
 
 R.V. 'Being borne down by 
 his sleep. 
 
 Third loft = third story. 
 
 Embracing him. So JElijab 
 to the widow's son at 
 Zarephath (r Kings xvii. 2i), and Elisha to the Shunammite's son (2 Kings iv. 34). 
 
90 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, [xx. 13—21, 
 
 V. 10.— R.V. Make ye no ado, i.e. do not distress yourselves. 
 
 R.V. Broken the bread, i.e. the bread of the Communion service. 
 
 Young Man. R.V. Lad. Possibly he was brought back into the room. All would therefore 
 
 be glad to see hira thoroughly recovered. 
 For instances of raising to life see Part I., p. io8. 
 
 Coast Voyage to Miletus. 
 
 ^' And we went before to ship, and sailed 
 unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul : 
 for so had he appointed, minding himself 
 to go afoot. 1^ And when he met with us at 
 Assos, we took him in, and came to Mity- 
 lene. ^^ And we sailed thence, and came 
 the next day over against Chios ; and the 
 next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried 
 at TrogylUum ; and the next day we came 
 to Miletus. 1^ For Paul had determined to 
 sail by Ephesus, because he would not 
 spend the time in Asia : for he hasted, if it 
 were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem 
 the day of Pentecost. 
 
 Such delay 
 
 B.V. "We going before to the 
 
 ship set sail, i.e. before 
 
 Paul departed from the 
 
 congreo;acion. 
 E.V. Intending himself to 
 
 go by land. Assos is dis- 
 tant from Troas about 20 
 
 miles by land and 30 by 
 
 sea. 
 Mitylene (Intro., p. 14), 
 
 Chios(p. 10), Samos (p. 18), 
 
 Trogyllium (p. 19), Miletus 
 
 The voyage was a coasting 
 voyage, each night being 
 spent in some harbour. 
 This was the usual manner 
 of the Mediterranean navi- 
 gation of the time. 
 
 R.V. Past Eph»su3 that he 
 might not have to spend 
 time in Asia; for he was 
 hastening. 
 
 It would have been impossi- 
 ble for the Apostle to call at Ephesus and not spend some days there, 
 might be fatal to his purpose of arriving at Jerusalem for Pentecost. 
 
 MJetus. Paul probably 
 staved at least three days 
 at Miletus. 
 
 R.V. Called to him the elders. 
 
 Elders = presbyter : called 
 "bishops," verse 28. 
 
 R.V. Ye yourselves know, 
 from the first day that I set 
 foot in Asia, after what 
 manner I was with you all 
 the time. 
 
 Humility. R.V. Lowliness, 
 i e. acting as the servant 
 or slave of God. 
 
 Temptations. R.V. Trials 
 which befell me by the plots 
 of the Jews. Therelore 
 Demetrius and his fellow 
 craftsmen were not the only 
 opponents of Paul at Ephe- 
 sus. 
 
 V. 20.— R.V. How that I 
 shrank not from declaring 
 imto you anything that 
 was profitable. 
 
 Paul's Charge to the Elders from Ephesus. 
 
 I'And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, 
 and called the elders of the church. ^^ And 
 when they were come to him, he said unto 
 them, Ye know, from the first day that I 
 came into Asia, after what manner I have 
 been with you at all seasons, ^^ serving the 
 Lord with all humility of mind, and with 
 many tears, and temptations, which befell 
 me by the lying in wait of the Jews : ^o and 
 how I kept back nothing that was profitable 
 U7ito you, but have shewed you, and have 
 taught you publickly, and from house to 
 house, 21 testifying both to the Jews, and 
 also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, 
 and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
XX. 22—35] THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 91 
 
 2^ And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit 
 unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that 
 shall befall me there : ^3 save that the Holy 
 Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that 
 bonds and afflictions abide me. ^4 gut none 
 of these things move me, neither count I my 
 life dear unto myself, so that 1 might finish 
 my course with joy, and the ministry, which 
 I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify 
 the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, 
 behold, I know that ye all, among whom I 
 have gone preaching the kingdom of God, 
 shall see my face no 'more. ^'^ Wherefore I 
 take you to record this day, that I am. pure 
 from the blood of all fnen. ^rpor I have 
 not shunned to declare unto you all the 
 counsel of God. ^s Take heed therefore 
 unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over 
 the which the Holy Ghost hath made you 
 overseers, to feed the church of God, which 
 he hath purchased with his own blood. 
 23 For I know this, that after my departing 
 shall grievous wolves enter in among you, 
 not sparing the flock. ^o^Jsq of your own 
 selves shall men arise, speaking perverse 
 things, to draw away disciples after them. 
 2^ Therefore watch, and remember, that by 
 the space of three years I ceased not to 
 warn every one night and day with tears. 
 32 And now, brethren, I commend you to 
 God, and to the word of his grace, which is 
 able to build you up, and to give you an in- 
 heritance among all them which are sanc- 
 tified. ^ I have coveted no man's silver, or 
 gold, or apparel. 24Yea, ye yourselves 
 know, that these hands have ministered 
 unto my necessities, and to them that were 
 with me. ^5 i have shewed you all things, 
 how that so labouring ye ought to support 
 the weak, and to remember the words of 
 
 Publicly, i.e. teaching in the 
 synagogue and the lecture- 
 room ofTyrannus. 
 
 House to house, i.e. meetings 
 of the disciples in private 
 liouses. 
 
 Hepentance and faith. The 
 two doctrines that formed 
 the substance of Paul's 
 preaching. 
 
 Bound in the spirit. The 
 Apostle felt an inward 
 compulsion directing his 
 journey to Jerusalem. The 
 phrase does not imply a 
 fore-knowledge of the fate 
 awaiting him. 
 
 Witnesseth. R.V. Testifieth 
 unto me. 
 
 V. 24.-R.V. But I hold not 
 my life of any account, as 
 dear unto myself, so that I 
 may accomplish my course. 
 So Luther when warned not 
 to go to Worms declared, 
 " I will go thither, though 
 there should be devils on 
 every house-top." 
 
 R.V. May accomplish my 
 course. Paul frequently re- 
 presents the Christian life 
 by the figure of a race. So, 
 "I have fought a good fight, 
 I have finished my course, 
 I have kept the faith" (2 
 Tim. iv. 6-8). 
 
 V. 24.— R.V. I received from 
 the Lord Jesus, i.e. at the 
 conversion of Paul at Da- 
 mascus. 
 
 V. 25.— See my face no more. 
 Paul's conviction at the 
 moment. He did not con- 
 template further work in 
 Asia. But it is most pro- 
 bable from the Epistles to 
 Timothyand Philemon that 
 Paul did revisit Asia in the 
 interval between his first 
 and second imprisonment 
 at Rome. 
 
 V. 26.— R.V. I testify unto 
 you. The Apostle gives his 
 own testimony and chal- 
 lenges them to refute it. 
 
 V. 27.— RV. Shrank not 
 from declaring unto you the 
 •whole counsel of God, i.e. 
 the whole plan of salvation. 
 
 V. 28. — Overseers. R.V, 
 Bishops. 
 
 Feed. The idea conveyed is 
 " to shepherd," i.e. to 
 govern and guide rather 
 than to instruct. 
 
 Grievous wolves. The figura- 
 
92 . THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLE^: [xx. 36—38. 
 
 the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more 
 blessed to give than to receive. ^^And 
 when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, 
 and prayed with them all. ^^And they all 
 wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and 
 kissed him, ^^ sorrowing most of all for the 
 words which he spake, that they should see 
 his face no more. And they accompanied 
 him unto the ship. 
 
 tive language of the flock 
 
 and the shepherd. "Wolves 
 
 well represent the open 
 
 enemies or teachers of false 
 
 doctrines, such as the 
 
 Judaiz:!rs or the Gnostics. 
 V.30. — R.V. And from among 
 
 your own selves, such as 
 
 Hymenaeus and Alexander, 
 
 who " made shipwreck con- 
 cerning the faith " (i Tim. 
 
 i. 19, 20) ; Hymenaeus and 
 
 Philetus, saying " that the 
 
 resurrection was past al- 
 ready" (2 Tim. ii. 17, 18). 
 
 " Evil men and seducers 
 
 becoming worse and worse" (2 Tim. iii. 13). " Men withstanding the truth ; men cor- 
 rupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith " (2 Tim. iii. 8). *' False prophets, . . . 
 
 false teachers . . denying the Lord that bought them " (2 Pet. ii. i). 
 V. 31. Three years, Paul is speaking in round numbers, but his stay at Ephesus was not 
 
 much less than three years. 
 V. 31. Warn, R.V. Admonish. 
 
 V. II. Apparel. Oriental wealth largely consisted of costly garments and ornaments. 
 V. 34. These hands. Holding them out and showing the marks of toil. 
 V. 35.— R.V. In all things I gave you an example, Paul not only supported himself while 
 
 at Ephesus, but also contributed to the support of the poor. 
 V. 35. — S.V. How He himself said. The only saying of Jesus not found in the Gospels 
 
 and yet recorded in the New Testament. 
 Eemember. Implies that this saying had formed part of Paul's teaching whilst at Ephesus. 
 V. 38.— R.V. Brought him on his way unto the ship. The town of Miletus is at some 
 
 distance from the barbour. The elders accompanied Paul to the ship anxious not to 
 
 lose one word or look before they were forced to do so. 
 
 Analysis of Paul's Address to the Elders at Ephesus. 
 
 (a) Retrospection. 
 
 (i) Paul's personal life at Ephesus {v. 18, ig). 
 
 He had been the humble slave of the Lord [v. 19). 
 He had been s}Tnpathetic to tears {v. 19). 
 His life had been threatened with violence {v. 19). 
 (2) Paul's preaching at Ephesus. It had been— 
 Outspoken {v. 20). 
 
 Public, i.e. in the synagogue and lecture room [v. 20). 
 From house to house. 
 
 (3) Anticipation {v. 22—32). 
 
 ,(i) Concerning himself (7/, 22 — 27). 
 
 He did not know, but was possessed by the Spirit and compelled to go io 
 
 Jerusalem {v. 22). 
 But bonds and afflictions awaited him {v. 23). 
 But this mattered not, while his life lasted he should be a witness for Jesus 
 
 {v. 24), 
 He should see them no more ; he had preached the whole Gospel to them ; 
 for the future they, not he, would be responsible {v. 25 — 27). 
 (2) Concerning the Church {v. 28—31). 
 
 They had a double duty of watchfulness. 
 
 (i) As Bishops to nourish the Church of which they were the pastors 
 
 {v. 28). 
 (2) To guard against false teachers who should come both from without 
 and from within {v. 29 — 3')- 
 
xxi. 2-6.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 93 
 
 (c) Commendation to God (z/. 32—35). 
 
 (i) Commends them to God whose gprace is sufficient to enable them to perform 
 these duties and to build up the Church (v. 32). 
 
 (2) By his own example shows them how they must conduct themselves. They 
 must work willingly for Christ as he, Paul, had worked among them. Paul 
 shows them how to work as he had worked, not taking or desiring to take 
 money or goods from his converts, but supporting himself and helping others 
 too by his own labour {v. 33—35)' 
 
 Voyage from Miletus to Tyre. 
 
 R.V. We were parted from 
 them. Both translations 
 fail to convey the true 
 meaning, " When we had 
 torn ourselves from them." 
 Coos. Intro., p. 10. 
 Ehodes. Intro., p. 16. 
 Fatara. Intro., p. 15. The 
 vessel seems to have been 
 under the Apostle's control 
 so that they could stay 
 wherever and as long as he 
 pleased. 
 E.V. Having found a ship 
 crossing over.They changed 
 ships at Patara. From 
 Patara to Tyre they made 
 the voyage not by coasting 
 but by running across the 
 open sea. 
 Set forth. R.V. Set sail. 
 Discovered. R.V. Come in 
 sight of. 'I he word is a 
 nautical term = when we 
 had sighted. 
 Cyprus. (Intro., p. 11.) 
 Bjrria. The general name 
 given to the Eastern shore 
 of the Mediterranean from 
 Cilicia to Egypt. 
 Tyre. (Intro., p. 19.I 
 R.V. And havingfcund the dis- 
 ciples. Lit. "having looked 
 up the disciples." These 
 disciples had to be sought 
 for diligentl)'. 
 Seven days. As at Troas (xx, 6), Obviously for the purpose of attending one, or possibly 
 more than one, meeting of the church for the Lord's supper on the Lord's day. Paul 
 finds that he can easily accomplish his journey to Jerusalem in time for Pentecost, and 
 so he no longer pushes forward with the same haste as he did when all the probable 
 mishaps of a coasting voyage were before him (Lumby), 
 V. 4. — R.V. Not set foot in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit inspires the disc"ples to urge 
 Paul "not to go to Jerusalem." Paul of himself savs, " I go bound in the spirit to Jeru- 
 salem" (xx. 22). Was Paul self-willed, and his after imprisonment a chastisement for 
 despising the warnings of the Spirit "i Or was Paul guided to a decision by that 
 higher inspir.ition of communion with the Divine Spirit.' The latter is most probable. 
 Ttie repeated warnings arc evidence of the bitterness of the Jews towards him, and also 
 indicate how universally this bitterness was known. 
 V. 5. — Shore. R.V. On the beach, we prayed, and bode each other fai'ewell ; and we went 
 on board the ship, but they rcttimed home again. 
 
 21. And it came to pass, that after we 
 were gotten from them, and had launched, 
 we came with a straight course unto Coos, 
 and the day following unto Rhodes, and 
 from thence unto Patara: 2 and finding a 
 ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went 
 aboard, and set forth. ^ Nqw when we had 
 discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left 
 hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at 
 Tyre : for there the ship was to unlade her 
 burden. * And finding disciples, we tarried 
 there seven days : who said to Paul through 
 the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jeru- 
 salem. ^And when we had accomplished 
 those days, we departed and went our way ; 
 and they all brought us on our way, with 
 wives and children, till we were out of the 
 city : and we kneeled down on the shore, 
 and prayed. ^ And when we had taken our 
 leave one of another, we took ship ; and 
 they returned home again. 
 
94 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, [xxi. 7-14. 
 
 Tyre to Csesarea. Stay at Csesarea. 
 
 Our course. R.V, Voyage. 
 Ptolemais. (Intro., p. 16). 
 
 O.T. Accho. Modern. 
 
 Acre. 
 Saluted the brethren. There 
 
 was, therefore, a Christian 
 
 community at Ptolemais. 
 B.V. On the morrow we 
 
 departed (omitting " that 
 
 were of Paul's company "). 
 
 Whether by sea or land is 
 
 not said. As there was a 
 
 good road to Caesarea, it 
 
 is probable they travelled 
 
 by land. 
 Caesarea. Intro., p. 9. 
 Philip the Evangelist. Part 
 
 I., p. 30. 
 One of the seven. See chap. 
 
 vi. 3. Left at Caesarea 22 
 
 years previously (viii. 40). 
 Prophesy (see Parti., p. 72) 
 
 here = preach, or forth tell, 
 
 not fore tell. 
 "These daughters, instead of 
 
 resting at home, took upon 
 
 them the hard duty of pub- 
 lishing the message of the 
 
 Gospel " {Lumby). In the 
 
 Apostolic Church women 
 
 were admitted into the 
 
 service of the ministry of 
 
 the Church. 
 Examples : 
 
 (i) ihe four daughters of 
 Philip the Evangelist "at 
 Csesarea. 
 
 (2) Pbcebe "a servant (= 
 
 deaconess) of the church 
 
 at Cenchrea" (Rom. 
 
 xvi. I). 
 
 But Paul prohibited women 
 
 preaching 
 
 (i) At Corinth. " Let your 
 women keep silence in 
 the churches" (i Cor. 
 xiv. 34). 
 
 (2) At Kphesus. "But I suflFer not a woman to teach" (i Tim. ii. 12). 
 v. 10. Many days. Long enough for the tidings of Paul's arrival to reach Jerusalem 
 
 and for Atrabu^ to come down in consequence. 
 V. II. Girdle. The band with which the loose Eastern robe was drawn together at the 
 
 waist. Pdui had laid it aside, and Agabus took it up. 
 Agabus (Part I., p. 34) is the same prophet who at Antioch foretold the famine (xi. 28). - 
 Bo shall the Jews bind. Paul was imprisoned by the Romans, but the Jews were the cause 
 
 or the imprisonment. 
 V. 12. We. Luke and his (Paul's) travelling companions. For the first time their courage 
 
 failed, and with tears they besought ihe Apostle to abandon bis purpose, 
 v. 12. They. The Christians of Csesarea, including amongst others, Philip and his 
 
 daughters. 
 y. ij.— R.V. What do ye, weeping and breaking my heart? 
 Break implies a weakening of his purpose. Paul felt himself under the guidance of the 
 
 Spirit, whose promptings he must obey. It was therefore wrong for them to continua 
 
 ''And when we had finished our course 
 from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and 
 saluted the brethren, and abode with them 
 one day. ^ And the next day we that were 
 of Paul's company departed, and came 
 unto Caesarea: and we entered into the 
 house of Philip the evangelist, which was 
 one of the seven ; and abode with him. 
 ^And the same man had four daughters, 
 virgins, which did prophesy. ^''And as we 
 tarried there many days, there came down 
 from Judaea 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 Jeru- 
 salem bind the man that owneth this girdle, 
 and shall deliver htm into the hands of the 
 Gentiles. 12 ^nd when we heard these 
 things, both we, and they of that place, 
 besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. 
 1^ 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. 
 1* And when he would not be persuaded, we 
 ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be 
 done. 
 
xxi. 15, 16.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 95 
 
 entreaties which so deeply affected him and weakened his determination. The disciples 
 recoRnise that Paul was acting under the guidance of his Lord when he speaks of" the 
 name of the Lord Jesus," and acquiesce in the purpose of the Apostle when they say, 
 " The will of the Lord be done." 
 
 There are several examples in the Old Testament of symbolical acts like that of Agabus, 
 done to give vividness and force to a prophecy. 
 
 (i) Zedekiah, the son of Chenaanah, made horns of iron and said to Ahab, "With 
 these shale thou push the Syrians " (i Kings xxii. ii). 
 
 (2) Isaiah walked naked and barefoot as a sign against Egypt and Ethiopia. " So 
 
 shall the King of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners and the Ethio- 
 pians captives" (Is. xx. 3, 4). 
 
 (3) Jeremiah laid his girdle by the river Euphrates till " it was marred and profitable 
 
 for nothing," as a sign that the Lord would "mar the pride of Judah and the 
 great pride of Jerusalem " (Jer. xiii. 5 — 9). 
 
 (4) Jeremiah broke a bottle before the people as a sign that the Lord would "break 
 
 this people and this city, as one breaketh a potcer's vessel, that cannot be 
 made whole again " (Jer. xix. 10, 11). 
 
 (5) Jeremiah made bonds and yokes and put them on his neck as a sign of the 
 
 subjugation of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar (Jer. xxvii. 2). 
 
 (6) " Hananiah the prophet took the yoke from off the prophet Jeremiah's neck and 
 
 brake it," as a sign that God would " break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar, 
 King of Babylon, from the neck of all nations within the space of two full 
 years " (Jer. xxviii. 10, 11). 
 
 (7) Ezekiel drew on a tile a picture of the siege of Jerusalem (Ezek. iv. i — 3). 
 
 (8) Ezekiel cuts off his hair, a third part he burnt with fire, a third part he destroyed 
 
 by a knife, and a third part he scattered in the wind ; as a sign of the judg- 
 ment of Jerusalem, of whose inhabitants a third part should perish by famine 
 and pestilence, a third part by the sword, and a third should be dispersed 
 (Ezek. V. 1—12). 
 
 Our Lord also adopted the same method. , 
 
 (i) When He set a little child in the midst of His disciples and said, " Except ye be 
 converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of 
 heaven" (Matt, xviii. 2). 
 
 (2) When He set an example of humility by washing the feet of His disciples (John 
 xiii. 3—16). 
 
 The Journey to Jerusalem. 
 
 i^And after those days we took up our Caxriages R.y. Baggage. 
 
 •^ , ,,.£., In tlie English of the A. V. 
 
 carnages, and went up to Jerusalem. ^^ 1 here " carriage " meant what a 
 
 man carried, not as now 
 what carries him. So 
 " David left his carriage 
 (— baggage) in the hana of 
 the keeper of the carriage 
 ( == baggage) " (i Sam. 
 xvii. 22). 
 Mnason (Intro., p. 25). The 
 Greek form of Manasseh, who had a house in Jerusalem where Paul could lodge. 
 E.V. An early disciple. The word "old" does not refer to the age of the disciple ; it 
 
 indira^es that Mnason had been a disciple from the beginning of the Church's history. 
 Should lodge. Jerusalem would he crowded at the least of Pentecost, so by this arrange- 
 ment Paul and his friend* would be saved the trouble of searching for a lodging on their 
 arrival. 
 
 went with us also certahi of the disciples 
 of Caesarea, and brought with them one 
 Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with 
 whom we should lodge. 
 
q6 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [xxi. 17-2:;. 
 
 Arrival at Jerusalem. Panl's Eeception. 
 
 Bret'jren. Three sets are 
 
 mentioaed. 
 
 (i) The brethren whom 
 Paul met privately at the 
 house of Mnason \v. 17). 
 
 {2) The elders, the office- 
 bearers of the church 
 who were present at the 
 official reception {v. i8). 
 
 (3) The multitude, or the 
 general body of Jewish 
 Christians [v. 22). 
 James (Intro., p. 23), the 
 
 Lord's brother. In Jeru- 
 salem Paul recognises the 
 
 prec-dence of James. 
 E.V. Rehearsed one by one 
 
 the things which God had 
 
 wrought. 
 B.V. How many thousands 
 
 there are among the Jews of 
 
 them which have believed. 
 R.V. Zealous for the law, i.e. 
 
 Zealots or rigorous main- 
 
 tainers of the ceremonial 
 
 part of the Mosaic law. 
 E..V. They' have been in- 
 formed concerning thee. 
 
 The tense implies that the 
 
 opponents of Paul had per- 
 sistently misrepresented 
 
 his teaching to the Jews at 
 
 Jerusalem. 
 To forsake Moses = to teach 
 
 that the ceremonies of the 
 
 Mosaic code were no lo ager 
 
 necessary. 
 Customs = the ceremonial 
 
 law. The charge against 
 
 Stephen was that he said 
 
 "Jesus of Nazareth . . . 
 
 shall change the customs 
 
 which Lloses delivered us " 
 
 (vi. 14). Paul is now met 
 
 with the sarre accusation 
 
 as that which he himself 
 
 had brought against Ste- 
 phen. 
 V. 22.— R.V. They will cer- 
 
 tainly hear that thou art 
 
 come. 
 Do. To attempt to address 
 
 them and explain away the 
 
 charge against him was 
 
 useless. Betcer for Paul 
 
 by some act to show that 
 
 he was an observer of the ceremonial law. 
 Vow = the Xaznrite Vow (Part [., p. <^2). It lasted thirty days. 
 
 Purify thyself with them, i.e. take the Nazarite Vow for the rest of the period with them. 
 V. 24.— R.V. Charges for them, i.e. pay all their expenses. Each Nazarite at the con- 
 clusion of his vow offered two doves or pifreons, a lamb, a ewe lamb, a ram, a basket of 
 
 unleavened bread, a meat offering, and a drink offering (Numb. vi. 9—12). 
 
 i*" And when we were come to Jerusalem, 
 the brethren received us gladly, i^^nd the 
 day following Paul went in with us unto 
 James ; and all the elders were present. 
 i^And when he had saluted them, he de- 
 clared particularly what things God had 
 wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. 
 ^''And when they heard it, 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 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 qq 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 con- 
 cerning thee, are nothing ; but that thou 
 thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the 
 law. 25^5 touching the Gentiles which 
 believe, we have written ^?2(5f concluded that 
 they observe no such thing, save only that 
 they keep themselves from thi7tgs offered to 
 idols, and from blood, and from strangled* 
 and from fornication. 
 
Xxi. 
 
 26 -.^o] nrE A CTS OP THK APOSTLE^. 
 
 97 
 
 V. 24.— R.V. All shall know that there is no truth in the things whereof they have been 
 informed concerning thee ; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, keeping the law. 
 
 V. 25.— R.V. Gentiles which have believed we wrote, giving judgment that they should 
 keep themselves, &c. (xv. 20). 
 
 James adheres to the terms of the resolution passed by the council at Jerusalem. He 
 has no desire to withdrawanyof the concessions then made to the Gentiles. At the same 
 time he calls upon Paul to show that he too is willing to keep the terms of the compact, 
 and not disparae:e the customs of the law. 
 
 For explanation of terms, see note, chap. xv. 20, 21. 
 
 The Riot ia the Temple. 
 
 "^ 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 offer- 
 ing 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, ^s crying 
 out, Men of Israel, help : This is the man, 
 that teacheth all me7i 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 l)im in the 
 city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they 
 supposed that Paul had brought into the 
 temple.) ^^ And all the city was moved, and 
 the people ran together : and they took Paul, 
 and drew him out of the temple : and forth- 
 with the doors were shut. 
 
 V. 27— R.V. The Jews from 
 Asia. ]Many of them would 
 be present at the feast of 
 Pentecost. To them the 
 person of Paul would be 
 familiar. 
 
 The temple. The court of the 
 women, along the inner 
 wall of which were small 
 chambers set apart for 
 Nazarites whilst fulfilling 
 the last seven days of their 
 vow. 
 
 The accusation against Paul 
 is that he had spoken 
 against 
 
 (i) The people = putting 
 Jews on the same footing 
 as mere uncircumcised 
 Gentiles. 
 
 (2) The law = deriding the 
 law^ of Moses. 
 
 (3) I his place = blas- 
 phemy against the Tem- 
 ple. 
 
 Precisely similar accusations 
 were brought against our 
 Lord (:\Iark xiv. 58), and 
 against Stephen (vi. 13), 
 in which latter Paul him- 
 self had joined. 
 V. 28.— R.V. Defiled. For an 
 alien to enter into the Tem- 
 ple was regarded by the 
 Jews as profanation of the 
 holy place. (See below.) 
 R.V. Trophimus the Ephesian, whose person would be well known to the Jews from Asia. 
 They had seen him with Paul in the streets of Jerusalem, possibly near the Temple, and 
 take it for granted (" supposed ") that Paul had brought him into the Temple. 
 V. 30. Better. There was a rush of the people, and they (R. V.) laid hold on Paul, so that 
 (1) he might not lay hold on the altar for safety, and (2) that they might not pollute the 
 Temple with his blood. 
 V. 30. The doors were shut. The act of the Levite gate keepers, to prevent any pnofana- 
 
 tion of the Temple by the riot now commencing. 
 Doors. Between the court of tlie women and the court of the Gentiles was a wall dividing 
 the two. This is the " middle wall of partition" referred to hy Paul ( bph. ii. 14). In this 
 wall was a gate with large tolding-doors. The Levites shut these doors. On the balustrade 
 of the wall were inscriptions in (ircek and Latin lorb dding Gentiles to enter by the 
 doors. One recently discovered runs thus : 
 *' No man of alien race is to enter within the balustrade and fence that goes round 
 the temple, and if any one is taken in the act, let < 
 
 know that he has himself to 
 
 blavie for the penalty of death zvhich follows. 
 
 H 
 
98 TJ'I^ ACTS OI^ THE APOSTLES, [xxi. 31-34, 
 
 The Charge against Paul was that he had taught tlie Jews of the Dispersion to whom he 
 had preached in the cities of Asia Minor, Macedonia, and Greece, not to circumcise their 
 children, and not to keep the ceremonial law of the Old Testaiiient. 
 
 The Charge was false, for — 
 
 (i) Paul had circumcised Timothy (xvi. 3). 
 
 (2) He himself had taken the Nazarite Vow while in Achaia (x\dii. 18). 
 
 His real Teaching. The Mosaic Covenant had been superseded by the New Covenant, 
 and so circumcision, the seal of the Mosaic Covenant, had become of none effect in the 
 relations between God and man. 
 
 "Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the 
 
 commandments of God " (i Cor. vii. 19). 
 "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, 
 but a new creature" (Gal. vi. 15). 
 But the end of such teaching was to cause circumcision to become a mere badge o^ 
 national exclusiveness, and not the seal of the covenant between God and man. The 
 fanatical Jews foresaw this, hence their bitter opposition. 
 
 The Nazarite Vow : how kept by Paul on this occasion. 
 
 The vow was generally for thirty days, but the Law permitted a man to share the vow if 
 he could find companions who had gone through the prescribed ceremonies, and who per- 
 mitted him to join their company, ihis permission was generally granted if the new 
 comer paid all the expenses of the vow {i.e. fees to the Levites and fees for the sacrifices). 
 [Herod Agrippa did this when he took possession of his kingdom in order to " please 
 ttie Jews."] 
 
 The plan proposed to Paul by the elders was this : that he should join " four men " who 
 were ready to admit him on condition that he paid their expenses. By this plan Paul 
 would only have to keep the last seven days, and thus go through the purification in time 
 for Pentecost. 
 
 Verse 26 relates exactly what Paul did : — 
 
 Joined them in the vow (" purifying himself with them "). 
 
 Resided with them in the Temple (" entered into the Temple ") to avoid the chance 
 
 of ceremonial defilement. 
 Formally announced to the temple officials that the completion of the vow would be at 
 
 a certain time (" signifying the accomplishment of the days of purification "). 
 
 R.V. Were seeking to kill 
 him. 
 
 R.V. Tidings came up to. 
 
 R.V. Ail Jerusalem was in 
 confusion. 
 
 Chief captain. Gk. Chiliarch 
 (captain of a thousand 
 men) = tribune or prefect ; 
 tMe commander of the 
 Roman garrison. 
 
 Band =^ cohort (1,000 men) 
 one sixth of a legion (6,000 
 men). 
 
 B,.V. Ran down upon them. 
 
 Took him. R.V. Laid hold 
 on him. Implies a formal 
 arrest, i.e. not to release 
 Paul, but to guarantee a 
 formal inquiry into the dis- 
 turbance. 
 
 Demanded. R.V. Inquired. 
 
 Two chains. Probably each 
 
 The Chief Captain Rescues Paul. 
 
 2^ And as they went about to kill him, 
 tidings came unto the chief captain of the 
 band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. 
 2^ Who immediately took soldiers and cen- 
 turions, and ran down unto them : and when 
 they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, 
 they left beating of Paul. ^3 Then the chief 
 captain came near, and took him, and com« 
 manded hij?i to be bound with two chains ; 
 and demanded who he was, and what he 
 had ,done. ^4 And some cried one thing, 
 some another, among the multitude : and 
 when he could not know the certainty for 
 
xxi. 3S-40.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 99 
 
 the tumult, he commanded him to be car- 
 ried into the castle. "^ And when he came 
 upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne 
 of the soldiers for the violence of the people. 
 3« For the multitude of the people followed 
 after, crying, Away with him. 
 
 chain was fastened at one 
 end to the Apostle's arm, 
 and at the other to those 
 of the soldiers who kept 
 guard over him. 
 
 V. 34.— E.V. Some shouted. 
 Very few of the crowd 
 knew themsflvps why the 
 clamour was r;iised. Com- 
 pare the tumult atEphesus 
 (xix. 32). 
 
 Tumult. E.V. TTproax. 
 
 Carried. E.V. Brought. 
 
 Castle. Tower of Antonia. 
 
 Stairs. Leading from the temple court to the tower. The soldiers had literally to lift 
 
 l^aul from his legs and carry bim in while the troops lined the staircase on either side. 
 Away with him. The same cry raised at the time of the crucifixion. "Away with this 
 
 man, and release unto us Barabbas " (Luke xxiii. 18). "Away with him, away with him, 
 
 crucify him " (John xix. 15). 
 
 Tower of Antonia. A strong building erected by Herod ,the Great, and named after 
 Mark Antony. It stood on the north side of the Temple, which it overlooked. It was 
 connected with the Temple by two flights of stairs. Herod and the Romans after him 
 always kept this castle strongly garrisoned with troops to overawe the Jews. At festival 
 seasons the full complement of troops (band) would be stationed there. The " chief 
 captain" (chiliarch) had instructions to repress any attempt at rioting. 
 
 So at the present day Turkish troops kept the peace in Jerusalem at the feast of Easter, 
 and British troops exercise the same duty during the religious festivals in the sacred cities 
 of India. 
 
 Paul obtains Permission to Address the People. 
 
 3^ And as Paul was to be led into the 
 castle, he said unto the chief captain, May 
 I speak unto thee ? Who said, Ganst thou 
 speak Greek ? ^8 ^rt not thou that Egyp- 
 tian, 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 a^n 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. *^ 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, 
 
 E.V. About to be brought. 
 E.V. May I say something 
 
 unto thee. 
 E.V. Dost thou know Greek? 
 
 The chief captain is sur- 
 prised to find his prisoner 
 an educated man. 
 E.V. Stirred up to sedition. 
 E.V. Of the assassins. Gk. 
 Stcarii, or men armed with 
 a dagger. Was applied to 
 the cut throat bands who 
 infested nearly every part 
 of Palestine. The name 
 was given them because 
 they carried daggers hid- 
 den in their sleeves. At the 
 feasts they mixed with the 
 crowd, and in the crush 
 stahbed their victims. One 
 of their earliest victims was 
 Jonathan, the high priest. 
 That Egyptian. A false pro- 
 phet who a short time 
 before had led his followers 
 (30,000 according to Jose- 
 phus) to the Mount of 
 Olives, declaring that the walls of Jerusalem would fall down at his word. Felix 
 marched out against the insurgents and dispersed them, but the Egyptian escaped. The 
 chief captain hoped to get promotion by the capture of such a notorous desperado. 
 
100 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, [xxii. i— lO. 
 
 H.V. Give me leave to speak. 
 E.V. And when he had given him leave. 
 
 B,.V. Hebrew language = Aramaic dialect of Palestine, the dialect of the common people. 
 This alone would gain the speaker a hearing. That it did so we know (chap. xxii. 2.) 
 
 Paiil 
 
 R.V. Brethren and fathers 
 
 Brethren. His kinsmen ad- 
 dressed in their common 
 mother tongue. 
 
 Fathers. The members of 
 the Sanhedrim. 
 
 R.V. Hebrew language. 
 Aramaic. 
 
 R.V. They were the more 
 quiet. Not merely Irom 
 cries and shouts, but from 
 all movement. 
 
 Tarsus (Intro., p. 19), CiUcia 
 (Intro., p. 10). 
 
 For early Ufe of Paul (Part I., 
 pp. 60, 61). 
 
 Gamaliel ( Part I., p. 28). 
 
 At the feet = taught by 
 Gamaliel. Both teacher 
 and pupil sat, the lormer 
 on a higher level than the 
 latter. 
 
 Taught. E..V. Instructed. 
 
 Perfect. R.V. Strict. 
 
 K.y. Being zealous for God. 
 
 *' Circumcised the eighth 
 day, of the stock of Israel, 
 of the tribe of Benjamin, a 
 Hebrew of the Hebrews ; 
 as touching the law a 
 Pharisee ; concerning zeal 
 persecutirig the Church " 
 (Phil. iii. 5,6). 
 
 V. 4. This way, i.e. fol- 
 lowers of Christ (see Part 
 I., p. 102). 
 
 Unto the death. Stephen's 
 death is the only one men- 
 tioned, but many Chris- 
 tians were slain in the per- 
 secution in which Saul took 
 part. (See also xxvi. 10, 
 " When they were put to 
 death I gave my voice 
 against them.") 
 
 V. 5. High priest. Not the 
 one at present holding 
 office, but he who was high 
 priest at the time, and gave 
 Saul his commission to 
 Damascu"! (ix. i). Ananias 
 was the high priest at the 
 time of Paul's arrest. 
 Theophilus was the high 
 priest who gave him the 
 commission. 
 
 's Defence to the Jews. 
 
 22. Men, brethren, and fathers, hear 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 saith,) ^ I am verily a man 
 which ani a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in 
 Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet 
 of Gamaliel, a7id taught according to the 
 perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and 
 was zealous toward God, as ye all are this 
 day. ^ And I persecuted this way unto the 
 death, binding and delivering into prisons 
 both men and women. ^ As also the high 
 priest doth bear me witness, and all the 
 estate of the elders : from whom also I re- 
 ceived letters unto the brethren, and went to 
 Damascus, to bring them which were there 
 bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished. 
 ^ And it came to pass, that, as I made my 
 journey, and was come nigh unto Damas- 
 cus about noon, suddenly there shone from 
 heaven a great light round about me. ' And 
 I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice 
 saying unto me, Saul, Saul, whypersecutest 
 thou me ? ^ And I answered. Who art thou, 
 Lord ? And he said unto me, I am Jesus 
 of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. ^ 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. ^^ And I 
 said. What shall I do, Lord ? And the 
 Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Da- 
 mascus ; and there it shall be told thee of 
 all things which are appointed for thee to 
 
xxii. II— 20.] rilE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 lOI 
 
 do. " 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 Da- 
 mascus. 12 And one Ananias, a devout man 
 according to the law, having a good report 
 of all the Jews which dwelt there, ^^ came 
 unto me, and stood, and said unto me. 
 Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the 
 same hour I looked up upon him. ^^ 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. ^^ For thou shalt be 
 his witness unto all men of what thou hast 
 seen and heard. ^^ And now why tarriest 
 thou ? arise, and be baptized, and wash 
 away thy sins, calling on the name of the 
 Lord, i'^ And it came to pass, that, when I 
 was come again to Jerusalem, even while I 
 prayed in the temple, I was in a trance ; 
 ^^ and saw him saying unto me. Make haste, 
 and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem : for 
 they will not receive thy testimony concern- 
 ing me! 1^ And I said. Lord, they know 
 that I imprisoned and beat in every syna- 
 gogue them that believed on thee : 20 and 
 when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was 
 shed, I also was standing by, and consent- 
 ing unto his death, and kept the raiment of 
 them that slew him. 
 
 Estate of the elders = Sanhe- 
 drim. So we call Parlia- 
 ment one of the " estates 
 of the realm." 
 
 Brethren = tbe Jews in 
 Damisrus. 
 
 V. 5.— R.V. Them also which 
 were there xinto Jerusalem 
 in bonds. 
 
 About noon. The speci 1 
 note of the hour is not 
 given in ix. 3. For com- 
 parison of accounts sea 
 Part I., p. 104. 
 
 Great light. The Shekinah, 
 the brightness of the 
 iJivine presence, before 
 which the noonday light 
 paled. 
 
 Heard not the voice. They 
 did not hear it as a voice 
 uttering words, i.e. the 
 words spoken to Saul. 
 They were only conscious 
 of a sound around them. 
 So the people said of the 
 voice from heaven speak? 
 ingto Jesus " that it thun- 
 dered" (John xii. 29). 
 
 Glory of that light. Far 
 above the brightness of 
 the glare of the Eastern 
 noonday sun, blinding Paul. 
 His eyes never entirely re- 
 covered their old strength. 
 Chap. ix. 8 states the fact 
 of blindness. 1 his (a per- 
 sonal) narrative explains 
 the cause. 
 
 Ananias (Part I., p. 32) 
 (chap. ix. 10) is there de- 
 scribed as a " disciple," 
 but Paul, wishful to con- 
 ciliate the Jews, describes 
 Ananias as being well 
 known in Damascus by the 
 Jews. 
 
 V. 13.— R.V. In that very 
 hour. 
 
 V. 14. — R.V. Hath appointed 
 thee to know His will, i.e. 
 hath set thee apart for special service. 
 
 His will = not Go<l's plan of salvation, but His will what Paul was to do. 
 
 V. 14. — R.V. The Righteous One, and to hear a voice from His mouth. So Paul was taught 
 by Jesus precisely as the other Apostles. It was on this teaching that Paul based his 
 claim to Apostleship. " 
 
 V. 15. — R.V. A witness for Him. Thus Paul received the same commission as the other 
 Apostles, who were to be " witnesses " (Acts i. 8). 
 
 "Unto all n en. Paul avoids mentioning the name " Gentiles " as long as possible. 
 
 V. 17.— R.V. Had returned. This vis t is the one recorded in Acts ix. 26. Three years 
 elapsed between tbe conversion and this visit. (For order of events see Parti., p. io6). 
 
 Tn the Temple. Another conciliatory phrase. Paul kept to Jewish usage. 
 
 V. 17.— R.V. Fell into a trance. See 2 Cor. xii. i. 
 
 V. 18. -ftuickly. Paul was only fifteen dajs in Jerusalem. 
 
 V. 18.— R.V. Receive of thee testimony. The (Jrecjan Jews plotted to slay Paul (ix. 29), 
 go the brethren sent him away to Cssarea, 
 
I02 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, [xxii. 21—23. 
 
 V. 19. The reply of Paul may be : — 
 (i) A plea that the testimony of himself, a converted persecutor, must have great weight 
 
 in the city where he was so well known. 
 (2) An expression of humility acquiescing in a merited reproof, equivalent to saying, 
 " Truth, Lord, but the blame of ray testimony not being received by them is mine 
 rather than theirs." 
 The latter is th<» more probable. 
 V. 20.— R.V. Stephen thy witness. 
 Mart3rr (Gk. 7nartnros)= a witness. The word came afterwards to be applied to those 
 
 Christians, and tho«:e only, who bore witness to the truth by their death. 
 v. 20.— R.V. Keeping the garments. See vii. 58. Part I., p. 98. 
 
 Analysis of Paul's Defence. 
 
 Paul's defence is a simple statement of personal experience, and whilst a defence against 
 the charges formulated against him (xxi. 28 ) is also an explanation of how Saul the per- 
 secutor became Paul the Gentile missionary. 
 
 I. Early life. 
 
 (i) A Hellenist Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia. 
 
 (2) Educated in Jerusalem by the famous Rabbi Gamaliel. 
 
 (3) Strictly trained as Pharisee. 
 
 II. Saul the Persecutor. He had done as they were no<r doing and had gone further, 
 
 for- 
 (i) He had persecuted Christians to the death, bound them and imprisoned them. 
 (2) The High Priest and Sanhedrim could testify that they had g^ven him their 
 
 commission to Damascus to bring Christians thence to Jerusalem for 
 
 punishment. 
 
 III. Conversion. 
 
 (i) That commission had been overruled by a voice from heaven, the same voice 
 with which their forefathers the prophets had been familiar. 
 
 (2) He bad been instructed in the faith of Christ not by a Gentile, but by Ananias, 
 a devout Jew. 
 
 • IV. He had come to Jerusalem — 
 
 (i) Where as a devout Jew he had gone to the Temple. 
 
 (2) Then he had received the Divine command to depart from Jerusalem. 
 
 (3) He had pleaded to be allowed to preach to his brethren. 
 
 (4) But the work whereto God had appointed him was to preach to the Gentiles. 
 
 V. Summary. It was by Divine Revelation that he, a Pharisee of the Pharisees, a 
 strict observer of the Law, than whom none (as they all knew) bad been more zealous in 
 persecuting the Christians, had been led to confess the truth of Christianit)^ It was also 
 by Divine Revelation that he, notwithstanding his own earnest wish to preach to his 
 brethren the Jews, had been sent to the Gentiles. 
 
 R.V. "WUl send thee forth 
 far hence unto the Gentiles. 
 Though the commission 
 was given then, it was 
 some years before Paul 
 commenced his missionary 
 wok. 
 
 Gentiles. At the hated word, 
 which Paul had kept back 
 as long as possible, the 
 
 Fury of the Jews. 
 
 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 -^i fellow from the earth : 
 for it is not fit that he should live, ^3 And' 
 
24-29.] THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 10,3 
 
 as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, 
 and threw dust into the air, 
 
 pent-up fury of the Jews 
 broke tortli. The conclu- 
 sion of Paul's defence is 
 very similar to that of 
 Stephen's, and but for 
 the presence of Roman soldiers, the Apostle would have mot with a likts faie. 
 V. 23. R.V. Threw off their garments and cast dust into the air. 
 
 Garments. The loose upper robe : — (i) so tl e Apostles "put their clothes" on the ass at 
 our Lord's triumphal entry, and "the multitude spread their garments in the way" 
 (Mat. xxi. 7, 8). 
 (2) So at the revolt of Jehu, his fellow conspirators "took every man his garment and 
 
 put it under him on the top of the stairs" (2 Kings ix. 13). 
 It was done either : — (i) to allow room for gesticulation ; 
 or, (2) preparing for the act of stoning, as in the case of Stephen ; 
 
 or, (3) shaking their garments as a sign of complete renunciation, as Paul at Corinth 
 (xviii. 6). 
 Castdust. Symbolical of loathing and contempt. So Shimei cast dust at David (2 Sam. 
 XVI. 13). 
 
 Paul a Prisoner. 
 
 To be Scourged, but the Order recalled when 
 it is found he is a Roman. 
 
 '^•^ 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 ? ^6 When the 
 centurion heard that, he went and told the 
 chief captain, saying. Take heed what thou 
 doest : for this man is a Roman. ^7 Then 
 the chief captain came, and said unto him. 
 Tell me, art thou a Roman ? He said. Yea. 
 ^ And the chief captain answered, With a 
 great sum obtained I this freedom. And 
 Paul said. But I was free born, ^o 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. 
 
 Examined by scourging, i.e. 
 tortured till he ccnfcsst-d. 
 
 R.V. For -what cause they 
 so shouted. 
 
 R.V. And when they had tied 
 him up with the thongs, i.e. 
 fastened him to a pillar 
 or whipping-post wi h 
 leathern thongs prepara- 
 tory to scourging. 
 
 Centurion that stood by = the 
 officer deputed to superin- 
 tend the punishment. 
 
 It was unlawful to scourge a 
 Roman in any case ; it v/as 
 an aggravation, so to tor- 
 ture him, as slaves were 
 tortured, for the sake of 
 inquirv. 
 
 R.V. What art thou about 
 to do? for this man is a 
 Roman. 
 
 Yea. The centurion and the 
 captain at once accept 
 Paul's word, because a 
 false claim of this kind, 
 being easily exposed and 
 punishable with death was 
 almost unprtcedcnted. 
 
 Freedom. R.V. Citizenship. 
 During tl;e Empire, impe- 
 rial parasites and freed- 
 men were allowed to sell 
 the titles to citizenship. 
 
 The name of the ch'ef cap- 
 tain supports this state- 
 
 and probably assumed when 
 
 ment. Lysias is a Greek name ; Claudius, a Roman one 
 
 he became a Roman. 
 R.V. But I am a Roman born. His birth at Tarsus di<l not make Paul a Roman citizen. 
 
 Therefore, Paul's father or grandfather had received the citizenship ; how we cannot tell. 
 R.V. Which were about to examine him. 
 Because he had boimd him, i.e. to bind him for the purpose of scourging. It was not 
 
 contrary to law to bind a Roman citizen as a prisoner. Paul was a prisoner in Rome in 
 
 chains, fastened to a soldier, waiting his trial before Caesar (xxviii. go). 
 
104 
 
 THE A CIS OF THE APOSTLES, [xxii. 30 
 
 The Chief Captain takes Paul before the Sanhedrim. 
 
 30 On the morrow, because he would have 
 known the certainty wherefore he was ac- 
 cused of the 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. 
 
 R.V. Desiring to know the 
 certainty, i.e. the fact, why 
 he was accused. 
 
 Failing to get the imforma- 
 tion by the process of tor- 
 turing the prisoner, the 
 chief captain now desires 
 to obtain a ;ormal declara- 
 tion from the Sanhedrim. 
 
 Council = Sanhedrim. 
 
 R.V. Looking steadfastly on 
 may mean — 
 (i) The earnest gaze of a 
 
 person about to speak. 
 (2) The look of man never 
 able to see distinctly 
 after the vision on the 
 road to Damascus. 
 
 Two great principles in holy 
 living — 
 
 (i) To live as always in 
 God's presence, i.e. be- 
 fore God. 
 (2) To act conscientiously, 
 i.e. in all good con- 
 science. 
 
 Ananias. Intro., p. 19. 
 
 To strike a J^peaker is still a 
 common Eastern mode of 
 expressing dislike of his 
 words. The strike is 
 usually inflicted with the 
 heel of a shoe. 
 
 God shall smite. Though 
 not, perhaps, intended as 
 a prophecy, these words 
 had a remarkable fulfil- 
 ment in the murder 0/ 
 Ananias by the Sicarii. 
 
 Whited -wall = a wall of mud 
 smeared with lime, to look 
 like stone. The Jews 
 painted their sepulchres 
 vhite that they might 
 be conspicuous, so that 
 passers-by might avoid the 
 defilement arisinar from 
 contact with them. Our 
 Lord calls the Pharisees 
 " whited sepulchres " 
 
 (Matt, xxiii. 27), an ex- 
 pression corresponding to 
 that^ised by Paul, and in- 
 dicating hypocrisy, viz , a 
 fair outside when all is foul 
 within. 
 
 V. 3.— E.V. According to the 
 law. 
 
 Paul before the Sanhedrim. 
 
 23- And Paul, earnestly beholding the 
 council, said. Men and brethren, I have lived 
 in all good conscience before God until this 
 day. 2 Aj^(J ti-jg high priest Ananias com- 
 manded them that stood by him to smite 
 him on the mouth. ^ Then said Paul unto 
 him, God shall smite thee, thou whited v.-all : 
 for sittest thou to judge me after the law, 
 and commandest me to be smitten contrary 
 to the law ? * And they that stood by said, 
 Revilest thou God's high priest ? ^ Then 
 said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was 
 the high priest : for it is written, thou shalt 
 not speak evil of the ruler of thy people. 
 ^ But when Paul perceived that the one part 
 were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he 
 cried out in the council, Men a7td brethren, 
 I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee : of 
 the hope and resurrection of the dead I am 
 called in question. '^ And when he had so 
 said, there arose a dissension between the 
 Pharisees and the Sadducees : and the mul- 
 titude was divided. ^ For the Sadducees 
 say that there is no resurrection, neither 
 angel, nor spirit : but the Pharisees confess 
 both. 9 And there arose a great cry : and 
 the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part 
 arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil 
 in this man ; but jf a spirit or an angel hath 
 
xxiii. 10, II ] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 spoken to him, let us not fight against God. 1 v. ?;.-R.v. Was i.igh priest. 
 
 " . . I riiree explanations have 
 
 10 And when there arose a great dissension, . _ .. 
 
 the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should 
 have been pulled in pieces of them, com- 
 manded the soldiers to go down, and to take 
 him by force from among them, and to 
 bring him into tlie castle. 
 
 been j^iven of Paul's 
 words — 
 
 (i) That through defective 
 eyesight he did not recog-j 
 nise the high priest. 
 
 (2) That he spoke without 
 reflection. 
 
 (3) That he spoke ironi- 
 cally =: " such a man 
 God's high priest ; it 
 cannot be." 
 
 V. 5. — Ex. xxii. 28. " Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people." 
 V. 6.— R.V. A son of Pharisees (Phil. iii. 5). 
 
 ISseet Pari {:; ?! 5^! j ^^^^""^ ^^« f"" ^^^i^r.^^r.^ of the tenets of both sects. 
 
 V. 9.— R.V, There arose a great clamour : and some of the scribes of the Pharisees' part 
 
 stood up. 
 V. 9. — R.V. And what if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an angel. (Omit " let us not fight 
 
 against God,") The tempt r of the Pharisees was so like that of Gamaliel {v. 39), that 
 
 it was natural for a copyist to insert the words. 
 Paul in his speech on the stairs (xxii.) had alluded to two visions, possibly these scribes 
 
 remember this. 
 Paul's allusion to the resurrection may have been— 
 
 (i) Part of his address, for the resurrection was the central idea in the Apostolic teaching; 
 
 or, (2) a skilful design to appeal to the Pharisees, who agreed with him on this point, to 
 listen to what he had to say further. 
 V. 10. Chief captain, who must have been near at hand, and who was responsible for the 
 
 life of a Roman citizen. 
 V. 10. — R.V. Be torn in pieces by them. The possession of Paul's person had become an 
 
 object of struggle between the Pharisees and the Sadducees. 
 
 The Lord cheers Paul in a Vision. 
 
 11 And the night following the- Lord stood (For Visions see Part I., 
 
 by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: stoodbyhim. As at Corinth 
 for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, ^^ tath.^ufwas"^ lis 
 so must thou bear witness also at Rome. work to be cut short, was 
 
 his great desire to preach 
 the Gospel at Rome to be 
 
 frustrated ? No- -he has the assurance of his Lord that he shall bear witness to Him 
 
 also at Rome. 
 R.V. Concerning me at Jerusalem. 
 
 Jesus assured Paul — 
 
 (i) Of a safe issue out of his present troubles. 
 
 (2) Of the accomplishment of his intention of visiting Rome. 
 
 (3) Of the certainty that however he might be sent thither, he should preach the 
 
 Gospel and bear testimony there. 
 
 So these words upheld and comforted him — 
 
 (i) In the uncertainty of his life from the Jews. 
 
 (2) In the uncertainty of his liberation from prison at C.-esarea. 
 
 (3) In the uncertainty of his surviving the storm in the Mediterranean, 
 
 (4) In the uncertainty of his fate on arriving at Rome.— ^ i^tf ;«^. 
 
io6 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, [xxiii. 12-20. 
 
 Plot to Assassinate Paul. 
 
 R.V. omits " certain of." 
 
 These men were probably 
 
 zealots. 
 Curse. Lit. anathematised 
 
 themselves, i.e. invoked 
 
 God's vengeance upon 
 
 themselves if they failed 
 
 to do the work which they 
 
 bound themselves to ac- 
 complish. So the spoil of 
 
 Jericho is termed "the 
 
 accursed thing." Paul 
 
 uses the same expression 
 
 " If any man preach any 
 
 other Gospel . . . let him 
 
 be accursed " (Gal. i. 8, g). 
 Absolution for the non- 
 performance of the oath 
 
 couldbe obtained from any 
 
 Rabbi. 
 Chief priests and elders, i.e. 
 
 of the Sadducean party, 
 
 who were to use their in- 
 fluence in the Council that 
 
 a request should be sent 
 
 from the Sanhedrim to the 
 
 chief captain that Paul should be once more brought before them. 
 V. 15.— R.V. Judge of his case more exactly. 
 The plot was simple ; the Sanhedrim would apparently give Paul a fair hearing, so that his 
 
 murder would seem to be the work of fanatics, and thus any suspicion of complicity in 
 
 the assassination would not fall upon the chief priests and elders. 
 
 12 And when it was day, certain of the 
 Jews banded together, and bound them- 
 selves under a curse, saying that they would 
 neither eat nor drink till they had killed 
 Paul. 13 And they were more than forty 
 which had made this conspiracy. ^^ And 
 they came to the chief priests and elders, 
 and said. We have bound ourselves under a 
 great curse, that we will eat nothing until 
 we have slain Paul. ^^ Now therefore ye 
 with the council signify to the chief captain 
 that he bring him down unto you tomorrow, 
 as though ye would inquire something more 
 perfectly concerning him : and we, or ever 
 he come near, are ready to kill him. 
 
 The only referenc©> r6 Paul's 
 relations in the Acts. As 
 Paul lodged with Mnason, 
 it may be inferred that 
 they did not reside per- 
 manently in Jerusalem ; on 
 the other hand, how would 
 the youth get to know of 
 the plot if he were not 
 intimate in Jerusalem ? 
 
 Paul is represented Hshaving 
 kinsmen at Rome; " Sa- 
 lute Andronicus and Junia 
 my kinsmen" (Kom.xvi. 7). 
 " Salute Herodionmykins- 
 man" (Rom. xvi. 11). 
 
 B.V. Something to tell him. 
 
 Paul the prisoner. Though 
 in custody, Paul was al- 
 lowed to hold free commu- 
 nication with bis friends. 
 
 Prayed. R V. Asked. 
 
 R.V. And going aside asked 
 him privately, ie. the 
 chief captain treats the 
 
 The Plot Discovered. 
 
 1^ And when Paul's sister's son heard of 
 their lying in wait, he went and entered into 
 the castle, and told Paul. ^^ Then Paul 
 called one of the centurions unto htm, and 
 said. Bring this young man unto the chief 
 captain : for he hath a certain thing to tell 
 him. 1^ So he took him, and brought hint 
 to the chief captain, and said, Paul the 
 prisoner called me unto him, and prayed 
 me to bring this young man unto thee, who 
 hath something to say unto thee. ^^ Then 
 the chief captain took him by the hand, and 
 went with him- aside privately, and asked 
 him, What is that thou hast to tell me ? 
 '^^ And he said. The Jews have agreed to 
 desire thee that thou wouldest bring dowo 
 
xxiii. 21—28.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 107 
 
 Paul to morrow into the council, as though 
 they would inquire somewhat of him more 
 perfectly. 21 gut do not thou yield unto 
 them : for there lie in wait for him of them 
 more than forty men, which have bound 
 themselves with an oath, that they will 
 neither eat nor drink till they have killed 
 him : and now are they ready, looking for a 
 promise from thee. 22 go the chief captain 
 the7i let the young man depart, and charged 
 him, See thou tell no man that thou hast 
 shewed these things to me. 
 
 communication as confi- 
 dential. 
 R.V. As though thou 
 
 ■wouldest enquire somewhat 
 more exactly concerning 
 him. Do not thou there- 
 fore yield unto them. 
 
 E.V. Under a Curse. 
 
 R.V. The promise, i.e. the 
 one the}' aie coming to ask 
 you to make, viz., to bring 
 Paul before the Council. 
 
 Four Plots of the Jews to assassinate Paul : — 
 
 1. At Damascus, where the Jews laid a plot to kill him, and he escaped by being let 
 
 down by the wall in a basket (ix..23 — 25). 
 
 2. At Corinth, when the Jews laid wait for him as he was about to sail into Syria, 
 
 and in consequence of the plot Paul altered his route and went through 
 Macedonia (xx. 3). 
 
 3. At Jerusalem, where the forty men bound themselves under a curse to kill Paul as 
 
 he was being brought by the chief captain to appear before the Sanhedrim 
 (xxiii. 12 — 15). 
 
 4. Laying in wait to kill him on the journey from Csesarea to Jerusalem, if Festus 
 
 should decide to send Paul to Jerusalem for trial (xxv. 3). 
 
 The Chief Captain decides to send 
 
 23 And he called unto him two centurions, 
 saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to 
 go to Ca^sarea, and horsemen threescore 
 and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the 
 third hour of the night ; ^4 and provide the^n 
 beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring 
 him safe unto Felix the governor. ^6 And 
 he wrote a letter after this manner : ^6 Clau- 
 dius Lysias unto the most excellent gover- 
 nor FeHx sefideth greeting. 27 xhis man 
 was taken of the Jews, and should have been 
 killed of them : then came I with an army, 
 and rescued him, having understood that he 
 was a Roman. ^8 ^^d when I would have 
 known the cause wherefore they accused 
 him, I brought him forth into their council : 
 
 Paul to Cassarea. 
 
 Caesarea. Intro., p. 9. 
 The residence ot the Ro- 
 man governor, and the 
 seat of chief jurisdiction. 
 
 R.V. To go as far as Csesa- ' 
 rea. 
 
 Soldiers = the ordinary 
 heavy - armed legionary 
 soldiers. 
 
 Spearmen. Lit. = graspers 
 by the right hand, and has 
 been rendered — 
 (i) Military lictors having 
 charge of prisoners. 
 
 (2) Spearmen or lancers. 
 
 (3) A species of light- 
 armed troops, distin- 
 guished from peltastae 
 and bowmen, who can- 
 not be said to grasp 
 their weapons in the 
 right hand. 
 
 Third hour — 9 p.m. 
 
 Beasts to mount all the 
 party, not Paul only. It 
 was the object of the chief 
 captain to place Paul be- 
 
io8 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, [xxiii. 29—35. 
 
 yond the reach of an at- 
 tack before daj'break. 
 
 R.V. After this form. 
 
 Claudius Lysias (xxiii. 26). 
 
 Felix. Intro., p. 29. 
 
 Most Excellent. Also ap- 
 plied to Theophilus (Luke 
 i. 3; Acts i. i). 
 
 E..V. This man was seized 
 by the Jews, and was about 
 to be slain of them, when I 
 came upon them with the 
 soldiers and rescued him. 
 
 29 whom I perceived to be accused of ques- 
 tions of their law, but to have nothing laid 
 to his charge worthy of death or of bonds. 
 
 30 And when it was told me how that the 
 Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straight- 
 way to thee, and gave commandment to his 
 accusers also to say before thee what they 
 had against him. Farewell. 
 
 Having learned that he 
 
 was a Roman, and desiring to know the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him 
 
 down unto their council. 
 Seized = arrested. 
 The chief captain ingeniously claims credit for having rescued a Roman citizen, but omits 
 
 to state that he did not discover that he was a citizen until he was on the point of being 
 
 scourged without a trial. 
 Notice— (i) Roman contempt for the religious dispute (compare Gallio at Corinth, xviii. 15). 
 
 (2) Koman anxiety for justice according to law. 
 V. :!o.— R.V. When it was shown to me that there would be a plot against the man. 
 R.V. Charging his accusers also to speak against him before thee. 
 Every Roman officer reporting a prisoner had to formally state the accusation : Lysias 
 
 reported — (i) no crime of which to accuse Paul ; (2) persistent attempts of the Jews to 
 
 put Paul, a Roman citizen, to death. This latter ought to be enquired into. 
 
 The large military escort, 200 heavy-armed legionaires, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen — 
 470 in all, besides the beasts of burden — prove the high estimate formed by Lysias of the 
 gravity of the crisis and the importance ot the prisoner. 
 
 The political importance of Paul in the eyes of the Romans appears from the action of 
 Felix in immediately summoning the High Priest and Sanhedrim to Caesarea — 70 miles 
 from Jerusalem— to make good their charge against Va.\A.—Norris. 
 
 Antipatris. Intro., p. 7. 
 42 miles from Jerusalem, 
 and 26 from Caesarea. On 
 arrival here they would 
 be practically beyond all 
 danger of pursuit or at- 
 tack, and the toot soldiers 
 iheretore returned to their 
 barracks in the Tower of 
 Antonia, leaving the horse- 
 men to go on with the 
 
 pusoner. 
 Epistle. R.V. Letter. 
 V. 34. To ascertain if he 
 
 had jurisdiction. 
 Cilicia. Intro., p. 10. 
 
 nad been at one time, and 
 
 perhaps still was, attached 
 
 to the province of Sj'ria. 
 Felix at once decided that 
 
 Paul's case came within 
 
 his authority. 
 E.V. I will hear thy cause. 
 
 The verb implies a complete and thorough hearing, 
 
 The Journey to Caesarea. 
 
 31 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded 
 them, took Paul, and brought him by night 
 to Antipatris. ^2 Qn the morrow they left 
 the horsemen to go with him, and returned 
 to the castle : ^3 who, when they came to 
 Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the 
 governor, presented Paul also before him. 
 3* And when the governor had read the let- 
 ter, he asked of what province he was. And 
 when he understood that he was of Cilicia ; 
 35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine ac- 
 cusers are also come. And he commanded 
 him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall, 
 
xxlv. 1—9.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 109 
 
 Herod's judgment hall. R.V. Palace = praetorium, and may mean— 
 (i) Palace of a prince. 
 {2) Tent of a general. 
 (3) Barracks of soldiers. 
 Here it is probably the name of a palace which Herod had built for himself, and which 
 was now used as the residence of the governor. If not the actual residence of the gover- 
 nor, it was quite near to it (xxiv. 24—26). 
 Kept. The verb does not imply close imprisonment. Paul was in safe custody under 
 honourable restraint as " a Roman and ncondemned." 
 
 The Jews accuse Paul before Felix. 
 
 24. And after five days Ananias the high 
 priest descended with the elders, and with 
 a certain orator named TertuUus, who in- 
 formed the governor against Paul, ^^nd 
 when he was called forth, Tertullus began 
 to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee 
 we enjoy great quietness, and that very 
 worthy deeds are done unto this nation by 
 thy providence, ^ we accept // always, and 
 in all places, most noble Felix, with all 
 thankfulness. ^Notwithstanding, that I be 
 not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee 
 that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency 
 a few words. ^For we have found this man 
 a pestilent y^/Zc'OT, and a mover of sedition 
 among all the Jews throughout 'the world, 
 and a ringleader of the sect of the Naza- 
 renes : ^who also hath gone about to pro- 
 fane the temple : whom we took, and would 
 have judged according to our law. '' But 
 the chief captain Lysias came u^on us, and 
 with great violence took him. away out of 
 our hands, ^commanding his accusers to 
 come unto thee : by examining of whom 
 thyself mayest take knowledge of all these 
 things, whereof we accuse him. ^And the 
 Jews also assented, saying that these things 
 
 were so. Pestilent feUow = person of 
 
 wicked life. 
 Have found, viz. as the result of careful enquiry. 
 
 Sedition. E.V. Insurrections. The very ciime that Felix prided himself on repressing. 
 World = Roman Empire. 
 
 Nazarenes First appearance of the word as a term of reproach to the disciples of Jesus, 
 Gone about. R.V. Assayed = attempted. 
 
 Five days may mean — 
 (i) After Paul's arrival at 
 
 Caesarea ; 
 or, (2) after Paul's depar- 
 ture from Jerusalem. 
 
 The latter agiecs best with 
 the " twelve days " of 
 verse 11. 
 
 Descended. R.V. Came down, 
 i.e. from Jerusaleir. the 
 cap tal, to Caesarea, on the 
 sea coast. 
 
 R.V. With certain elders. 
 Probably tl ose of the 
 Sadducean party. 
 
 Tertullus. Intro., p. 27. 
 
 Informed. A technical term 
 implying a formal indict- 
 ment. 
 
 R.V. Called (omit forth) = 
 " when the case was 
 called." 
 
 R.V. Seeing that by thee we 
 enjoy much peace, and that 
 by thy providence evils are 
 corrected for this nation, 
 we accept it in all ways 
 and in all places. 
 
 R.V. Most excellent Felix. 
 The same title as to Felix 
 (xxiii. 26), as toTheophilus 
 (Luke i. 3), and to Festus 
 (xxvi. 25). 
 
 Providence. Tertullus as- 
 signs to Felix a quasi- 
 divine attril ute. So on 
 the coins and on medals 
 we find "The providence 
 of Caesar." 
 
 The quietness of the pro- 
 vince had been brought 
 about by the severity of 
 the governor. 
 
 R.V. I entreat thee to hear 
 
no 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, [xxiv. lo— 16. 
 
 V. 6. — R.V. On whom also we laid hold, i.e. hy main force. Tertullus represents the 
 
 tumult in the Temple (xxi. 27 — 31) as the legal arrest of a grave offender. 
 V. 6, 7. — R.V. omits from " and would have judged . . . come unto thee." 
 Tertullus represents the riot as a legal seizure, and the act of the chief captain as an 
 
 arbitrary exercise of his power. 
 E.V. From whom thou wilt be able by examining him thyself. 
 Whom is singular, and therefore cannot refer to the accusers. Whom may be Paul, but 
 
 (if we admit the genuineness olv. 7) more probably is Claudius L3'sias. 
 R.V. Joined in the charge, affirming. The Jews did more than assent, they reiterated the 
 
 accusation. 
 
 The accusation against Paul by Tertullus. 
 
 1. An introduction flattering to Felix [v, 2, 3, 4). 
 
 2. A general charge of immorality, " a pestilent fellow" {v. 5). 
 
 3. Three specific charges : — 
 
 {a) That he incited insurrections, "a mover of sedition'- (z'. s). 
 \b) That he was a heretic : " ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes " (v. 5), 
 \c) That he had committed sacrilege in endeavouring "to profane the 
 Temple" [v. 6). 
 
 Object of the Charge. To induce Felix to hand Paul over to the Jews that they might 
 judge him " according to their law" {v. 6). 
 
 Mover of Sedition. Tertullus might cite the tumults at Thessalonica (xvii. 6) ; at Corinth 
 
 (xviii. 12) ; at Ephesus (xxi. 28). 
 
 Many years = six or seven. 
 It was now a.d. 58 or 59. 
 Felix was appointed a.d. 
 52. 
 
 Note — Paul's frank manli- 
 ness contrasting strongly 
 with the servile flattery of 
 Tertullus. Paul begins 
 with the one favourable 
 thing he could honestly say 
 of Felix : that he was 
 qualified by many years' 
 experience to judge 
 {N orris). 
 
 R.V. Make my defence : see- 
 ing that thou canst take 
 knowledge, that it is not 
 more then twelve days 
 since I went up to worship 
 at Jerusalem. The R.V. 
 fails to give the emphasis 
 which Paul lays upon the 
 object of his going up, viz. 
 •'to worship." 
 
 R.V. Stirring up a crowd. 
 
 R.V. They call a sect so 
 serve I. 
 
 Serve implies more than 
 worship; it implies the 
 notion of a service which 
 a man is bound to pay 
 (Lumby). Paul is en- 
 deavouring to prove that 
 he had not abandoned the 
 religion of his fathers. 
 
 R.V. Which are according 
 
 Paul's Defence. 
 
 1^ Then Paul, after that the governor had 
 beckoned unto him to speak, answered, 
 Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of 
 many years a judge unto this nation, I do 
 the more cheerfully answer for myself : 
 "because that thou mayest understand, 
 that there are yet but twelve days since I 
 went up to Jerusalem for to worship. ^^ And 
 they neither found me in the temple disput- 
 ing with any man, neither raising up the 
 people, neither in the synagogues, nor in 
 the city : i3 neither can they prove the things 
 whereof they now accuse me. ^^ But this I 
 confess unto thee, that after the way which 
 they call heresy, so worship I the God of my 
 fathers, beheving all things which are writ- 
 ten in the law and in the prophets : ^^ and 
 have hope toward God, which they them- 
 selves also allow, that there shall be a re- 
 surrection of the dead, both of the just and 
 unjust. 1^ And herein do I exercise myself, 
 to have always a conscience void of offence 
 
xxiv. 17— 2 1. J THE ACTS OP THE APOSTLES. 
 
 Ill 
 
 toward God, and toward men. i' Now after 
 many years I came to bring- alms to my 
 nation, and offerings. ^^ Whereupon certain 
 Jews from Asia found me purified in the 
 temple, neither with multitude, nor with tu- 
 mult. ^^ Who ought to have been here be- 
 fore thee, and object, if they had ought 
 against me. ^oQr else let these same here 
 €ay, if they have found any evil doing- in 
 me, while I stood before the council, 21 ex- 
 cept it be for this one voice, that I cried 
 standing among them. Touching the resur- 
 rection of the dead I am called in question 
 by you this day. 
 
 to the law, and which are 
 written in the Prophets, 
 
 The law and the Prophets = 
 the whole ot" the Old Tes- 
 tament Scriptures. Paul 
 asserts his acceptance of 
 them. 
 
 Allow. R.V. Look for. Paul 
 states that tlie doctrine of 
 the resurrection was a 
 fundamental article of 
 faith with the Jews. He 
 was therefore a more 
 orthodox Jew than the 
 Sadducees who accused 
 him. 
 
 Verse id. See xxiii. i. 
 
 After many years. Four 
 years had elapsed since 
 the visit of chap, xviii. 2, 
 which had been but brief. 
 
 Alms. The only mention in 
 Acts of the collections of 
 the Gentile Churches in 
 
 Macedonia and Achaia 
 
 often referred in the Epistles (Rom. xv. 25, 26 ; i Cor. xvi. 1—4 ; 2 Cor. viii. 1—4). 
 OiFerings = sacrifices at the completion of the Nazarite Vow. One so engaged would not 
 
 be lilcely to profane the Temple. 
 Whereupon. R.V. Amidst which {i.e. sacrifices) they found me purified in the Temple 
 
 with no crowd nor yet with tumult : but there were certain Jews from Asia— who ought. 
 Object. R.V. Make accusation. 
 Verse 18 agrees with xxi. 27, and shows that it was the Hellenist Jews who had assaulted 
 
 Paul — as in the rase of Stephen (vi. 9 — 12). 
 R.V. These men themselves say what wrong-doing they found, when I stood before the 
 
 council. 
 Two classes of accusers— 
 
 (i) Asiatic Jews, who charge him with disturbance in the Temple. They are not present. 
 
 (2) Sadducean Jews whose only charge against him is that he preaches the doctrine of 
 the resurrection. 
 By you. R.V. Before you = the Sanhedrim. 
 
 Twelve days made up— 
 
 ist day. Arrival at Jerusalem. 
 
 and day. Interview wii.h the elders. 
 
 3rd day. Beginning of the "seven da3's of purification." 
 
 7th day. The " seven daj-s almost ended." The arrest. 
 
 8th day. Before the council. 
 
 gth day. Conspiracy — departure by night, 
 loth day. Arrival at Csesarea. 
 
 13th. Trial, on the fifth day after the departure from Jerusalem. 
 According to Jewish reckoning, " after five days " = on the fifth day. 
 
 Paul's defence is a flat contradiction of all the charges brought against him. 
 
 1. Felix having been procurator seven years, would know that Paul had not taken 
 
 part in any insurrection {v. 10). 
 
 2. Having only been a few days in Jerusalem, he had not had sufficient time to 
 
 engage in any plot agamst the government, even had he been so disposed 
 ^v. 11). 
 
112 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, [xxlv. 22—27. 
 
 3. He bad come to worship ; had not engagfed in discussion ; had not gathered a 
 
 crowd ; had not made any disturbance {v. 12, 13). 
 
 4. Heresy. He did belong to the sect named, but he still worships the same 
 
 God, and believes the law and the prophets ; therefore he claims the usual 
 toleration granted to other " sects," like the Pharisees and Sadducees 
 {v. 14 — 16). 
 
 5. Sacrilege. So far from having profaned the Temple, he was engaged in one of its 
 
 strictest ceremonies at the very time of his arrest [v. 17, 18}. 
 
 6. He appeals to a well-known principle of Roman law, that the accusers should 
 
 be those {i.e. the Asiatic Jews) who had seen the offence {v. 19). 
 
 7. If the Sanhedrim (" these same here," v. 20) are his accusers, let them say what 
 
 they know. Was he found guilty of any crime when before them ? Of'^none, 
 unless it be a crime to believe in the resurrection, a doctrine which {v. 15) 
 they themselves allow {v. 20, 21). 
 
 R.V. Exact knowledge con- 
 cerning the way, t.e. the 
 Christian religion. 
 
 pelix had been long enough 
 in Judsea to know who the 
 Ciiristians were and what 
 they believed. His wife, 
 Drusilla, a daughter of 
 Herod Agrippa I., may 
 have contributed something 
 ance of Festus (xxv. 19). 
 
 E. v. I will determine. 
 
 The Trial adjourned. 
 
 22 And when Felix heard these things, 
 having more perfect knowledge of thai way, 
 he deferred them, and said, When Lysias 
 the chief captain shall come down, I will 
 know the uttermost of your matter. 
 
 to his knowledge. Compare his knowledge with the ignor- 
 
 Paul a Prisoner Two Years at Caesarea. 
 
 R.V. Gave order to the cen- 
 turion. Either one of the 
 two sent by Lysias (xxiii. 
 23), or the one who had 
 the special charge of pri- 
 soners waiting for trial. 
 
 R.V. That he should be kept 
 in charge, and should have 
 indulgence ; and not to for- 
 bid any of his friends to 
 minister unto him. Paul 
 was in libera custodia, not 
 chained to a soldier, and 
 was allowed many indul- 
 gences. 
 
 Drusilla. Intro., p. 29. 
 
 R.V. Christ Jesus. 
 
 R.V. The judgment to 
 come. 
 
 Righteousness = upright- 
 ness. Felix was tyrannical, 
 had taken bribes, was an 
 unjust ruler. 
 
 Temperance = self-control. 
 Felix was a man of pi ofli- 
 gate character, and was at 
 the time living iu adultery 
 with Drusilla. 
 
 23 And he commanded a centurion to keep 
 Paul, and to let hi?n have liberty, and that 
 he should forbid none of his acquaintance to 
 minister or come unto him. 24 ^1^,^ after 
 certain days, when Felix came with his wife 
 Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for 
 Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in 
 Christ. ^'^ And. as he reasoned of righteous- 
 ness, temperance, and judgment to come, 
 Felix trembled, and answered. Go thy way 
 for this time ; when I have a convenient 
 season, I will call for thee, ^ejjg hoped 
 also that money should have been given him 
 of Paul, that he might loose him : where- 
 fore he sent for him the oftener, and com- 
 muned with him. 27 g^t after two years 
 Porcius Festus came into Felix* room : and 
 
XXV. 1-8.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 113 
 
 Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, 
 left Paul bound. 
 
 Judgment. Felix was of a 
 
 superstitious character. 
 Trembled. R.V. Was terri- 
 fied. 
 
 R.V. Money would be given. 
 
 him. His avarice mastered him. He hoped that the friends of Paul would pay liberally 
 
 for his release ; he had noted that Paul had gathered contributions for the Jews in 
 
 Jerusalem {v. 17). 
 
 R. V. But when two years were fulfilled Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus ; and desiring 
 
 to gain favour with the Jews, Felix left Pa\U in bonds. 
 Porcius Festus. Intro., p. 30. 
 Bound. i.e. withdrew his former indulgence, and put him in bonds, anxious to gain the 
 
 goodwill of the Jews. 
 Two years. For the occupation of Paul during this period see Part I,, p. 14. 
 
 Felix was recalled by Nero in consequence of the complaints made by the Jews against 
 his tyranny, avarice and cruelty. His accusers followed him to Rome. He lost his pro- 
 vince, but tbe influence of his brother Pallas availed, however, to save him from any 
 further punishment. He was deposed a.d. 60. 
 
 Paul before Festus. He Appeals to the Emperor. 
 
 25. Now when Festus was come into the 
 province, after three days he ascended from 
 Caesarea to Jerusalem. ^Xhen the high 
 priest and the chief of the Jews informed 
 him against Paul, and besought him, ^and 
 desired favour against him, that he would 
 send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in 
 the way to kill him. ^ But Festus answered, 
 that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and 
 that he himself would depart shortly Mz- 
 ther. ^Let them therefore, said he, which 
 among you are able, go down with me, and 
 accuse this man if there be any wickedness 
 in him. ^ And when he had tarried among 
 them more than ten days, he went down 
 unto Caesarea ; and the next day sitting on 
 the judgment seat commanded Paul to be 
 brought. 7 And when he was come, the 
 Jews which came down from Jerusalem 
 stood round about, and laid many and 
 grievous complaints against Paul, which 
 they could not prove. ^ While he answered 
 for himself. Neither against the law of the 
 Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet 
 
 I 
 
 R.V. Having come. a.d. 
 
 60. 
 
 R.V. Went up. From the 
 cnast to the capital. 
 
 R.V. The chief priests and 
 the principal men. 
 
 Informed = laid a charge in 
 a legal manner. 
 
 Desired favour. They hoped 
 that the new governor 
 would be influenced by 
 their position as chief men 
 of the nation to bring Paul 
 to Jerusalem for trial. 
 
 The old plan of assassina- 
 tion. This is the third 
 time : first at Corinth 
 fxx. 3), then in Jerusalem 
 (xxiii. 21), now at Caesa- 
 rea. 
 
 R.V. Paul was kept in 
 charge. Festus declines 
 to take the case otherwise 
 than in the regular course. 
 
 R.V. "Was about to depart. 
 
 R.V. Which are of power 
 among you, go down with 
 me, and if there is any- 
 thing amiss in the man, let 
 them accuse him. 
 
 Are able. Does not refer to 
 their ability to lay an 
 accusation, but to the 
 character of those who 
 should go down, i.e, they 
 must be men of power 
 and influence, not paid 
 advocates like Tertullus. 
 
 R.V. Not more than eight 
 or ten days. 
 
114 
 
 ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [xxv. 9-13. 
 
 R.V. Had come down from 
 Jerusalem stood round about 
 him, bringing against him 
 many and"grievous charges, 
 which they could not prove. 
 The charges are not stated, 
 but from Paul's answer it 
 is evident they were the 
 three made before Felix. 
 Heresy, sacrilege, and sedi- 
 tion (xxiv. 5 — 21). 
 7. 8.— R.V. Sinned at all. A 
 distinct denial of all 
 charges brought against 
 him. 
 R.V. Desiring to gain fav- 
 our. The proposition of 
 Festus practically acquits 
 Paul. There was no case 
 ! against him under Roman 
 ' law. Festus proposes that 
 ] Paul should go to Jerusa- 
 : lem to be tried on the 
 charges of offence against 
 ! Jewish law, and guaran- 
 ' tees that he, Festus, will 
 see that Paul h as a fair trial . 
 
 against Caesar, have I offended any thing at 
 all. ^ But Festus, willing to do the Jews a 
 pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou 
 go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of 
 these things before me ? ^^ Then said Paul, 
 
 I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I 
 ought to be judged : to the Jews have I 
 done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. 
 
 II For if I be an offender, or have committed 
 any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to 
 die : but if there be none of these things 
 whereof these accuse me, no man may de- 
 liver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. 
 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with 
 the council, answered. Hast thou appealed 
 unto Caesar ? unto Caesar shalt thou go. 
 
 B..V. I am standing before 
 
 Caesar's judgment seat = I have been and am standing. Paul declines the trial at Jeru- 
 salem — (ii Because Festus had shown partiality in making the proposition ; and (2) be- 
 cause he did not intend to expose himself to the danger of assassination. 
 
 Ought. Because I am a Roman citizen. 
 
 R.V. If then I am a wrongdoer. 
 
 R.V. If none of these things is true. 
 
 R.V. No man can give me up, i.e. as a favour to my accusers, as in margin "Grant me by 
 favour." 
 
 I appeal. Appello. When this word was uttered all proceedings were suspended. The 
 case was out of the jurisdiction of the governor. Festus could neither punish nor release 
 him now ; onlv send him to the capital as speedily as possible. 
 
 This right of ap'peal protected a Roman citizen from tyrannical and unjust decisions in 
 local and provincial courts ; it was one of the most valued and important of the privi- 
 leges attached to Roman citizenship. 
 
 Paul claims his Roman citizenship three times — 
 
 (i) At Thessalonica when b -aten by the magistrates (xvi. 37). 
 
 {2) To the chief cap ain at Jerusalem when about to be scourged (xxii. 25). 
 
 (3) Before Festus when in danger of being handed over to the Jews (xxv. 11). 
 
 To Caesar shalt thou go. The first step in the fulfilment of the promise of his Lord as 
 vouchsafed him in the vision in the Castle of Antonia, " So must thou bear witness also 
 at Rome" (xxiii. 11). 
 
 Caesar — Nero. Neither Caesar nor Augustus (xxv. 21) were proper names of individual 
 emperors. The former was the family or surname of the first twelve occupants of the 
 imperial throne, and was adopted as a tirle by their successors. From it is derived the 
 "Kaiser" of Germany, and the "Czar" of Russia. "Augustus" was also a title 
 assumed by all the emperors ; this title was first given to Octavianus, the nephew and 
 successor of Caius Julius Cae'^ar, and the first emperor. It would correspond to the 
 modem " Imperial Majesty" whoever might be on the throne. 
 
 Council. The legal assessors appointed to assist the procurators in all provincial courts. 
 
 Agrippa Visits Festus. 
 
 Agrippa. Herod Agrippa II. 
 
 Intro., p. 28. 
 Bernice. Intro., p. 29. 
 
 The Governor Consults the King about 
 Paul. 
 
 13 And after certain days king Agrippa 
 and Bernice came unto C^esarea to salute 
 
XXV. 14—23.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 Festus. ^* And when they had been there 
 many days, Festus declared Paul's cause 
 unto the king, saying, There is a certain 
 man left in bonds by Felix : i'' about whom, 
 when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests 
 and the elders of the Jews informed iiie^ de- 
 siring to have judgment against him. i*' To 
 whom I answered. It is not the manner of 
 the Romans to deliver any man to die, be- 
 fore that he which is accused have the 
 accusers face to face, and have licence to 
 answer for himself concerning the crime laid 
 against him. ^^ Therefore, when they were 
 come hither, without any delay on the mor- 
 row I sat on the judgment seat, and com- 
 manded the man to be brought forth, 
 ^3 Against whom when the accusers stood 
 up, they brought none accusation of such 
 things as 1 supposed: ^^but had certain 
 questions against him of their own super- 
 stition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, 
 whom Paul affirmed to be alive, ^o^^d be- 
 cause I doubted of such manner of ques- 
 tions, I asked hi?n whether he would go to 
 Jerusalem, and there be judged of these 
 matters, ^i But when Paul had appealed to 
 be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I 
 commanded him to be kept till I might send 
 him to Csesar. 22 -j-j^g^^ ^gi-ippa^ said unto 
 Festus, I would also hear the man myself. 
 To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him. 
 
 R.V. Arrived at Csesarea and 
 saluted. A formal visit of 
 recognition to the new 
 {,'^overnor. 
 
 B.V. Laid Paul's case before 
 the king. Probably think- 
 ing that Afirippa, Irom his 
 knowletlgo ot the Jews and 
 their religion, might be 
 able to enlighten him on 
 the position of Paul who, 
 though a Jew and profes- 
 sing reverence ior the Law 
 and the Temple, was yet 
 accused by his country- 
 men. 
 
 Judgment. R.V. Asking for 
 sentence against him. Ihe 
 Jews had evidently made 
 two proposals to Felix — 
 (i) that he should condemn 
 Paul without trial {v. 15) ; 
 (2) that he should bring 
 Paul to Jerusalem for trial, 
 there intending to have 
 him assassinated on the 
 road {v. 20). 
 
 Manner. R.V. Custom. 
 
 R.V. To give up any man. 
 
 R.V. Had opportunity to 
 make his defence concern- 
 ing the matter laid against 
 him. 
 
 R.V. To be brought (omit 
 forth) = brought into court 
 for trial. 
 
 R.V. No charge of such evil 
 things, as I supposed. 
 
 R.V. Religion. 
 
 One Jesus. An indication 
 that Paul's defence had 
 been much fuller in detail 
 than is recorded, either be- 
 fore Felix (chap, xxiv.), or 
 before Festus (chap.xxv.). 
 
 R.V. And I, being perplexed 
 how to enquire concerning 
 these things. And so Fes- 
 tus appeals to Agrippa, 
 who, being a Jew, may be 
 able to explain the points 
 at issue. 
 
 Augustus. See note, v. 12. 
 R.V. Kept for the decision of the Emperor. 
 
 R.V. I also could wish (margin " was wishing ") to hear the man. The marginal rendering 
 is best and implies that Agrippa had heard of Paul, and had been wishful for some time 
 to hear him. 
 
 Assembly of the Court 
 
 ■ 23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was 
 come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and 
 was entered into the place of hearing, with 
 
 Pomp. Compare xii. 21 — 
 " Herod arrayed in royal 
 apparel." The son follows 
 in the steps ot the father in 
 a display of pride in the 
 
A CTS OF THE APOSTLES, [xxv. 24— xxvi. i. 
 
 very city that had wit- 
 nessed the terrible punisb- 
 ment for the same sin 
 (xii. 23). 
 
 Chief captains. Gk. chili- 
 archs — the prefects of the 
 Roman cohorts (xxi. 31). 
 
 R.V. Brought in. See verse 17. 
 
 ,the chief captains, and principal men of the 
 city, at Festus' commandment Paul was 
 brought forth. 
 
 Dealt. R.V. Made suit to 
 me. 
 
 Also hers. Evidently the 
 Jews at Caesarea had taken 
 part in the proceedings 
 against Paul, and had 
 vehemently called for sen- 
 tence of death. 
 
 R.V. He himself appealed 
 to the Emperor. See z^. 21. 
 
 My lord. Meaning Nero. 
 (Gk. ky7-ios, Lat. domi- 
 71US,) A title declined by 
 Augustus and Tiaerius, 
 but assumed by Caligula 
 and Nero. 
 
 Before you. Addressed to 
 the " chief captains and 
 principal men " (v. 23). 
 
 Specially before thee = Agrip- 
 pa as one likely to clear up 
 the difficulty Festus was 
 in with respect to what 
 charge he should prefer 
 against Paul. Festus was 
 in a difficulty of his own 
 making. 
 
 .Address of Festus. 
 
 2* And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all 
 men which are here present with us, ye see 
 this man, about whom all the multitude of 
 the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jeru- 
 salem, and also here, crying that he ought 
 not to live any longer. ^5 gy|- -when I found 
 that he had committed nothing worthy of 
 death, and that he himself hath appealed to 
 Augustus, I have determined to send him. 
 2*5 Of whom I have no certain thing to write 
 unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought 
 him forth before you, and specially before 
 thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examina- 
 tion had, I might have somewhat to write. 
 27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send 
 a prisoner, and not withal to signify the 
 crimes laid against him. 
 
 The case against Paul had broken down (xxv. i8, 25). It was therefore the duty of 
 Festus to release the prisoner. He had not done so. He must now state to the Emperor 
 why he had not released Paul. It was on this point that he desired the advice and 
 co-operation of Agrippa (verse 26), and the laying of the case before Agrippa enables us 
 to gather the nature of the intended report, viz. : that the charge against the prisoner was 
 a matter concerning the Jewish religion, a religion licensed under the Roman law, and 
 therelore questions relating to it must come 7uider the jnrisdictio7i of a Rovtan court, 
 but that he himself was unable to judge whether the new way (Christianity) was legal as 
 a form of the Jewish religion, or was illegal and therefore punishable. But it is clear 
 that Festus saw that this report might be regarded as an insufficient justification of his 
 conduct in not at once releasing Paul, and that it might get him into difficulties atKome. 
 Truly the procurator was perplexed. 
 
 R.V. And made his defence. 
 
 R.V. That I am to make 
 my defence before thee. 
 
 R.V. Because thou art ex- 
 pert, Agrippa had been 
 
 Paul's Defence before Agrippa. 
 
 26. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou 
 art permitted to speak for thyself. Then 
 Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered 
 
xxvi. 2—14.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 n; 
 
 for himself: ^I think myself happy, king 
 Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself 
 this day before thee touching all the things 
 whereof I am accused of the Jews : ^ especi- 
 ally because I know thee to be expert in all 
 customs and questions which are among the 
 Jews : wherefore I beseech thee to hear me 
 patiently. *My manner of life from my youth, 
 which was at the first among mine own na- 
 tion at Jerusalem, know all the Jews ; 
 ^ which knew me from the beginning, if they 
 would testify, that after the most straitest 
 sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. ^And 
 now I stand and am judged for the hope of 
 the promise made of God unto our fathers : 
 7 unto which promise our twelve tribes, in- 
 stantly serving God day and night, hope to 
 come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, 
 I am accused of the Jews. ^ Why should it 
 be thought a thing incredible with you, that 
 God should raise the dead? ^I verily 
 thought with myself, that I ought to do 
 many things contrary to the name of Jesus 
 of Nazareth. i" Which thing I also did 
 in Jerusalem : and many of the saints did 
 I shut up in prison, having received au- 
 thority from the chief priests ; and when 
 they were put to death, I gave my voice 
 against them. "And I punished them oft 
 in every synagogue, and compelled them to 
 blaspheme ; and being exceedingly mad 
 against them, I persecuted them even unto 
 strange cities. 12 Whereupon as I went to 
 Damascus with authority and commission 
 from the chief priests, ^^at midday, O king, 
 I saw in the way a light from heaven, above 
 the brightness of the sun, shining round 
 about me and them which journeyed with 
 me. 1^ And when we were all fallen to the 
 earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, 
 
 brought up as a zealous 
 Jew. 
 
 R.V. From the beginning 
 among mine own nation, 
 and at Jerusalem. 1 hough 
 1 aul was b rn at Tiirsus, 
 1 e was educated in Jeru- 
 s;ilem and spent his early 
 life there. 
 
 R.V. Be willing to testify how 
 that after the straitest sect. 
 Straitest — strictest, the 
 most rigid or most precise. 
 
 R.V. Stand here to be 
 judged. 
 
 Twelve tribes. The Jews in 
 Judsea and those of the 
 dispersion also, ho James 
 deuicates his Epistle " to 
 the twelve tribes which are 
 scattered abroad " (James 
 i. 1). The Jews repre- 
 sented the twelve, not the 
 two, tribes. So Anna the 
 prophetess was of the tribe 
 of Asher(Lukeii. 36). 
 
 Instan' ly. R.V. Earnestly. 
 
 R.V. Hope to attain. 
 
 R.V. And concerning this 
 hope. Paul made the re- 
 surrection of Jesus the 
 foundation of his preach- 
 ing. The Jews declared 
 Jesus to be dead. Paul 
 " affirmed bim to be alive " 
 (xxv. iq). 
 
 R.V. "Why is it judged in- 
 credible with you, if God 
 doth raise the dead. 
 
 Hope = the coming of the 
 JMessiah, to which all Jews 
 looked with expectancy. 
 Therefore the Jews accuse 
 Paul of doing what all 
 Jews were doing. Could 
 anything be more incon- 
 sistent .' 
 
 Saints (Lat. sanctus = set 
 apart). The term as applied 
 to the believers in Jesus, 
 appears first in ix. 13, 
 when Ananias says of 
 Paul " How much evil he 
 hath done to thy saints at 
 Jerusalem." 
 
 Voice. R.V. Vote. There- 
 lore Paul must have been 
 a member, either of the 
 Sandedrim or of some 
 tribunal exercising autho- 
 rity delegated by that 
 body. That Paul can thus 
 speak of the Sanhedrim as 
 passing judicial sentences 
 of death, proves that the 
 Romans had not deprived 
 
ii8 
 
 The jlcts of the apostles: [xxvi. 15—23. 
 
 the Jews of the power 
 of inflicting capital pun- 
 ishment (see Part I., 
 
 Paul gives three particulars 
 about the persecution — 
 (i) The Christians were 
 put to death. 
 
 (2) Thej' were punished in 
 the synagogues by the 
 Jewish authorities (Part 
 I-, P- 43)- 
 
 (3) Ihe persecution was 
 conducted in other cities 
 besides Jerusalem. 
 
 B,.V. I strove to make them 
 blaspheme, i.e. made re- 
 peated attempts. 
 
 In every synagogue. Going 
 from one to another, and 
 making close search for 
 Christians. 
 
 Strange. R.V. Foreign. 
 Cities outside the country 
 of ths Jews proper. Ihe 
 mission to Damascus was 
 not a solitary instance. 
 
 E.V. The authority and 
 commission. Paul had 
 gone as a special com- 
 missioner. 
 
 Mid-day. The light over- 
 powered the mid-day glare 
 of an Eastern sun, a clear 
 evidence of its super- 
 natural nature. 
 
 Pricks. R.V. Goad. An 
 old and familiar Jewish 
 proverb. The "pricks" 
 are the goad used to spur 
 oxen. The goad did but 
 prick the more sharply the 
 more the oxen struggled 
 against it. The meaningof 
 the proverb, therefore, is 
 that it is useless to resist a 
 power superior to our own, 
 and that the more we re- 
 sist the more we shall 
 suffer for resistance. 
 
 The pricks in Saul's case 
 were the prickings of his 
 conscience, roused per- 
 haps by such events as the 
 counsel of Gamaliel, the 
 martyrdom of Steph* n, or 
 the conduct of the Chris- 
 tians whom he had led to prison. 
 
 V. 16. "Witness. This constituted Paul's commission to be an Apo<:tle, a position he con- 
 stantly claims (i Cor. ix. I, XV. 8). The call is given on three occasions — (i) as Paul lay 
 on the ground during the vision ; (2) in the words of Ananias (ix. 15) ; (3) in the vision 
 in the Temple (xxii. 17 — 21). 
 
 V. 17. People = Israel. 
 
 Delivering, i.e. though Paul might have to suffer persecution both from Jew and Gentile, 
 he had the promise of his Lord that be should be saved from their hands. 
 
 V. 18.— R.V. To open their eyes, that they may turn, i.e. enlightenment and conviction 
 
 and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, 
 Saul, why persecutest thou me ? // is hard 
 for thee to kick against the "pricks. i^And 
 I said, Who art thou. Lord ? And he said, 
 I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. ^^ But 
 rise, and stand upon thy feet : for I have 
 appeared unto thee for this purpose, to 
 make thee a minister and a witness both of 
 these things which thou hast seen, and of 
 those things in the which I will appear unto 
 thee ; ^^ delivering thee from the people, and 
 from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send 
 thee, 1^ to open their eyes, a7id to turn theTn 
 from darkness to light, a.nd.fro7?i the power 
 of Satan unto God, that they may receive 
 forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among 
 them which are sanctified by faith that is in 
 me, 19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was 
 not disobedient unto the heavenly vision : 
 2(>but shewed first unto them of Damascus, 
 and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the 
 coasts of Judaea, and the?i to the Gentiles, 
 that they should repent and turn to God, 
 and do works meet for repentance. 21 por 
 these causes the Jews caught me in the 
 temple, and went about to kill 7?ie. 22 Hav- 
 ing therefore obtained help from God, I con- 
 tinue unto this day, witnessing both to small 
 and great, saying none other things ihai 
 those which the prophets and Moses did say 
 should come : 23 that Christ should suffer, 
 ajid that he should be the first that should 
 rise from the dead, and should shew light 
 unto the people, and to the Gentiles. 
 
THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, 119 
 
 first, to be followed by conversion and repentance, resulting' in pardon and salvation 
 through faith in Christ. 
 
 V. 19.— R.V. I was not disobedient. No more kicking against the pricks, no further re- 
 sistance to God's will. 
 
 V. 20.— R.V. Declared both to them of Damascus first. 
 
 V. 20. Coasts. R.V. Country. 
 
 The exact order of Paul's work, viz. : — 
 (i) Damascus (ix. 20 — 23). 
 
 (2) Jerusalem and all the land of Judaea (ix. 29, 30). 
 
 (3) Gentiles. For Paul, sent to Tarsus (ix. 30), remained there till summoned to Anti 
 och by Barnabas (xi. 25). 
 
 V. 20.— R.V. Worthy of repentance. 
 
 V. 21. — R.V. Seized me = violently and illegally. 
 
 "Went about. R.V. Assayed. 
 
 V. 23.— R.V. How that the Christ must suffer, and how that he first by the resurrection 
 of tiie dead should proclaim light both to the people = (Jews) and to the Gentiles. Comp. 
 Song of Simeon "A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel'* 
 (Luke ii. 32). 
 
 The Jews had so fixed their thoughts on the prophetic visions of the glories of the Mes- 
 sianic kingdom, that they could not conceive of a suffering Saviour. " Be it far from 
 thee. Lord '' (Matt. xvi. 22) expresses the horror with which the thought of a suffering 
 Messiah first struck Peter. So Paul addressing Jews has to prove — (i) that a suffering 
 Messiah was a possible thing; (2) that he is divinely appointed to suffering; (3) that 
 being the first-fruits of the resurrection from the dead, he will proclaim light to the 
 Jewish people and to the Gentiles. 
 
 Small and great. Men of every rank, peasant and prince. 
 
 Prophets and Moses. The whole Old Testament Scripture. 
 
 For comparison of the three accounts of Paul's vision on the road to Damascus, See 
 Part I., p. 104. 
 
 The new features given here are : — 
 
 1. It was " mid-day." 
 
 2. The light was " above the brightness of the sun." 
 
 3. Not only shone round about Paul, but those who journeyed with him. 
 
 4. They all fell to the earth. 
 
 5. The words of Jesus were in the "Hebrew tongue." 
 
 6. The actual words are given " It is hard tor thee to kick against the pricks." j 
 
 7. A full account of the commission to be an Apostle. 
 
 Analysis of Paul's Defence. 
 
 Introduction. — An expression of pleasure at the opportunity afforded him of making a 
 statement to one so well versed in the Jewish laws and customs as King Agrippa {v. 1-3). 
 
 I. (i.) His early life, a strict Pharisee [v. 4, 5). 
 
 (2.) His present condition. Now an accused man, because he believes that the 
 Messiah has come {v. 6, 7). 
 
 II. (i.) "What his belief as regards the Messiah formerly was {v. 8, 9). 
 
 (a) A bitter opponent of the Christians {i.e. those who held the views I now 
 
 hold) (v. 9, 10). 
 {b) Shutting them in prison by the authority of the chief priests {v. 10). 
 (<r) Giving my vote to put them to death {v. 10). 
 \d) Superintending punishments in the synagogues {v. 11). 
 (<") Forcing Christians to abjure their f li'th and recant (z/. ii). 
 (/) Persecuting them in other cities, even to Damascus {v. 11). 
 (2.) Whence the change ? 
 
 (a) He was journeying to Damascus, bent on further persecution {v. 12, 13), 
 
120 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, [xxvi. 24-29. 
 
 (^) Jesus appeared to him in a heavenly vision {v. 14, 15). 
 
 \c) Commanded him to be his minister and witness {v. i6)» 
 
 \d) Promised him deliverance from his enemies, whether Jews or Gentiles 
 
 {v. 17, 18). 
 
 III. 
 
 IV. 
 
 V. 
 
 So now Paul is no longer a persecutor, but a preacher of Jesus and His 
 Gospel in Damascus, in Jerusalem, in Judaea and In all Gentile lands 
 {v. 19, 20). 
 
 For this reason, i.e. because he preached that the Messiah had already come, 
 the Jews sought his life {v. 21). 
 
 But he was only teaching what the Old Testament "Scriptures taught (w. 22) 
 viz. : — 
 
 (i) That Christ must suffer, i.e. the idea of a grand earthly Messianic 
 kingdom was erroneous, the Jews must look for a suflFering Saviour ; 
 so their Scriptures taught [v. 23). 
 
 (2) But the Christ should rise again (z<. 23). 
 
 (3) And then, i.e. when having risen, should be the Saviour of Jew and 
 
 Gentile {v. 23). 
 
 R.V. He thus made his 
 defence. Probably quoting 
 from the Old Testament in 
 support ot his argument. 
 
 H.V. Thou art mad ; thy 
 much learning doth turn 
 thee to madness. 
 
 Festus Interrupts. 
 
 2^ And as he thus spake for himself, Fes- 
 tus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art 
 beside thyself; much learning doth make 
 thee mad. 
 
 Appeal by Paul to Agrippa. 
 
 25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble 
 Festus ; but speak forth the words of truth 
 and soberness. ^6 Pqj- ^q_ king knoweth of 
 these things, before whom also I speak 
 freely : for I am persuaded that none of 
 these things are hidden from him ; for this 
 thing was not done in a corner. ^7 King 
 Agrippa, believest thou the prophets ? I 
 know that thou believest. ^8 Then Agrippa 
 said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me 
 to be a Christian. -^ And Paul said, I would 
 to God, that not only thou, but also all that 
 hear me this day, were both almost, and 
 altogether such as I am, except these 
 bonds. 
 
 R.V. Most excellent Festus. 
 Truth and soberness. Enthu- 
 siastic Paul certainly was ; 
 but it was enthusiasm 
 inspired by the truth of 
 his convictions ; the con- 
 victions of a sound mind, 
 the very opposite of mad- 
 ness. 
 Agrippa's knowledge would 
 be twofold — 
 
 (i) He knew the Old Tes- 
 tament Scriptures, and 
 that they spoke of the 
 life, crucifixion, and re- 
 surrection of Jesus. 
 (2) He knew that there 
 were communities of 
 Jews holding the belief 
 that the Christ had 
 come, and that He had 
 suffered and risen from 
 the de.id 
 Kot done in a comer. Of 
 Jesus the Pharisees said, 
 "The world is gone after 
 
 him." At Thessalonica the declaration is made 
 upside down are come hither also " (xvii. 6). 
 The words of Paul do not imply that Agrippa followed the Scriptures as a rule of life. 
 
 'These that have turned the world 
 
xxvi. 3o-xxvii.2.J THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 121 
 
 But as one anxious to please the Jewish nation, the king could give no other answer to 
 the question than that which the Apostle himself supplies. 
 
 R.V. with but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian. 
 
 Not as the commonly accepttd interpretation '"nearly thou art persuading me," &c., but 
 the words are spoken scornfully. "Almost" r= in a little, " in a trice" {IVordsworfk). 
 " With small persuasion " (Al/ord). " Thou art persuading me (a king) to become a 
 Christian," i.e. to forfeit perhaps fortune, rank, and royal title to become a disciple of 
 the despised Nazarene, and it may be to become an outcast and prisoner like thyself. 
 You may have been suddenly converted by a heavenly vision but I am not so easily con- 
 vinced. 
 
 R.V. I would to God that whether with little or with much, not thou only, but also all 
 that hear me this day, might become such as 1 am except these bonds. 
 
 These bonds. It is evident that the Apostle had been brought into court chained, after 
 the Roman fashion, to the soldier who kept guard over him. One can imagine him 
 holding up his chained wrist as he spoke these words. 
 
 Paul to be sent to Rome. 
 
 ^'^And when he had thus spoken, the 
 king rose up, and the governor, and Ber- 
 nice, and they that sat with them : ^i and 
 when they were gone aside, they talked 
 between themselves, saying. This man do- 
 eth nothing worthy of death or of bonds. 
 32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man 
 might have been set at liberty, if he had 
 not appealed unto Caesar. 
 
 They that sat with them, i.e. 
 
 the chief captains and prin- 
 cipal men of Caesarea 
 (xxv. 23). 
 R.V. When they had with- 
 drawn they spake one to 
 another conveys the idea 
 that they were all agreed. 
 Festus had already declared 
 that Paul " had committed 
 nothing worthy of death " 
 (xxv. 25) against the Roman 
 law. Agrippa now acquits 
 the Apostle of any breach 
 of the Jewish law. Thus 
 Paul is declared innocent 
 on all counts. So Pilate 
 declared of our Lord: " I find in him no fault at all" (John xviii. 38). But for the 
 appeal to Caesar Paul would have been "released, and thus again exposed to the con- 
 spiracies of the Jews. The appeal secured him a safe voyage to Rome under Roman 
 protection. 
 
 Paul sets sail for Rome. 
 
 This chapter stands almost alone in ancient literature for vividness and unimpeachable 
 ac*uracy of detail. No sceptic has ever dared to question its absolute authenticit}'. 
 That the writer of this book did, in company with a political prisoner named Paul, and a 
 Roman centurion, named Julius, make this voyage from Caesarea to Malta and Kome, in 
 the procuratorship of Festus, that is, in the early j^ears of Nero's reign, is as certain as 
 any event in Roman history. Admitting this, we must admit the authenticity of the 
 prisoner's defence of himself before Festus, the whole being one connected narrative ; and 
 allowing this, then the most sceptical reader must allow that this Paul believed himself to 
 have been converted by a voire from heaven, purporting to be the voice of One recently 
 crucified. It was this irresistible evidence that made Lord Lyttleton a believer in the last 
 century [Norris). 
 
 27. And when it was determined that we ^-V- The Augustan band 
 
 ,,_.,. , , , , or cohort (m margm) 
 
 should sail mto Italy, they delivered Paul either— 
 
 and certain other prisoners unto one named '^tL^Va^'tebasts^ t 
 
 Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band. the Greek for Augustus. 
 
 2A J , ■ • *. u- r AJ ii- Sebaste is the Greek 
 
 2 And entering mto a ship of Adramyttium, for caesarea. joscphus 
 
122 
 
 THF ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, [xxvii. 3-9. 
 
 we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts 
 of Asia ; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of 
 Thessalonica, being with us. ^And the 
 next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius 
 courteously entreated Paul, and gave him 
 liberty to go unto his friends to refresh him- 
 self. * And when we had launched from 
 thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because 
 the winds were contrary. ^And when we 
 had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pam- 
 phylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. 
 ^ And there the centurion found a ship of 
 Alexandria sailing into Italy ; and he put 
 us therein. ^ And when we had sailed 
 slowly many days, and scarce were come 
 over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering 
 us, we sailed under Crete, over against Sal- 
 mone ; ^ and, hardly passing it, came unto 
 a place which is called The fair havens ; 
 nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea. 
 
 Possibly they could not obtain a vessel sailing 
 
 {Wars ii. 12, 5) mentions 
 troops called Sebasteni 
 from this city Caesarea, 
 Sebaste. 
 
 (2) Though the garrison 
 of Caesarea consisted 
 mostly of Syrian soldiers ; 
 one cohort, called the 
 "Augustan," consisted 
 of Roman soldiers. 
 
 (3) Some legions were 
 termed "Augustan," as 
 being specially Imperial 
 troops, and that a de- 
 tachment of these was 
 at Caesarea. 
 
 (4) That the centurion was 
 a prefect of thepraetorian 
 guard. 
 
 Julius. Intro., p. 25. A 
 
 Julius Prisons is men- 
 tioned (Tacit. Hist. ii. 92) 
 
 as appointed by Vitellius 
 
 as one of the prefects of 
 
 the praetorian cohorts. 
 
 He may have accompanied 
 
 Festus as an escort to bis 
 
 province, and now was re- 
 turning to Rome. 
 R.V. Embarking in a ship 
 
 of Adramyttium (Intro., 
 
 p. s) which was about to 
 
 sail unto the places on the 
 
 coast of Asia (proconsular 
 
 Asia, Intro., p. 7), we 
 
 put to sea. Aristaichus (Intro., p. 20). 
 
 direct from Caesarea to Rome. 
 Sidon. Intro., p. 18. 
 R.V. Treated Paul kindly. 
 V. 4.— R.V. Putting to sea. 
 
 To refresh himself. Lit. = to avail himself of their care. 
 R.V. Under the lee of Cyprus, i.e. between Cyprus and the mainland, so as to have the 
 
 shelter ot the island to break the force of the wind. 
 R.V. Across the sea which is off Cilicia (Intro., p. 10) and PamphyUa (Intro., p. 15). 
 Myra. Intro., p. 14. Lycia. Intro., p. 13. 
 Smp of Alexaniuia. Intro., p. 6. Bound directly for Italy with a cargo of wheat on board 
 
 (z'.jS)- 
 Alexandria was the great grain port of Rome. Possibly the same adverse wind had driven 
 
 this vessel out of its course and carried it across the Mediterranean to the Asiatic coast. 
 
 It was a large vessel, capable of carrying 276 persons {v. 37). 
 V, 7. Scarce. R.V. With diffic-olty. They coasted along from Myra assisted by the 
 
 westerly current which set in there. 
 Cnidus. Intro., p. 11. 
 
 V. 7. — R.V. The wind not further suffering ua, i.e. not allowing us to make better progress. 
 V. 7.— R.V. Under the lee of. 
 Crete. Intro., p. 11. The modern Candia. 
 Salmone. Intro., p. 18. Modern Capo Salmon. 
 
 V. 8.— R.V. With difliculty coasting along it.==Crete, i.e. keeping close to the shore as before. 
 Fair Havens. Intro., p. 13. 
 Lasea. Intro., p. 13. . 
 
 R.V. The voyage was now 
 
 dangerous. 
 Past. R.V. Was gone by. 
 
 Storm and Shipwreck. 
 
 ^ Now when much time was spent, and 
 when sailing was now dangerous, because 
 
xxvii. 10-2I./ THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 2X 
 
 the fast was now already past, Paul ad- 
 monished ^hem, i<>and said unto them, 
 Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be 
 with hurt and much damage, not only of 
 the lading and ship, but also of our lives. 
 ^1 Nevertheless the centurion believed the 
 master and the owner of the ship, more 
 than those things which were spoken by 
 Paul. ^"^ And because the haven was not 
 commodious to winter in, the more part ad- 
 vised to depart thence also, if by any means 
 they might attain to Phenice, and there to 
 winter ; which is an haven of Crete, and 
 lieth toward the south west and north west. 
 ^^ And when the south wind blew softly, 
 supposing that they had obtained their 
 purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close 
 by Crete. ^^ But not long after there arose 
 against it a tempestuous wind, called 
 Euroclydon. ^^And when the ship was 
 caught, and could not bear up into the 
 wind, we let her drive. ^^And running 
 under a certain island which is called 
 Clauda, we had much work to come by the 
 boat : 17 which when they had taken up, 
 they used helps, undergirding the ship ; 
 and, fearing lest they should fall into the 
 quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. 
 1^ And we being exceedingly tossed with a 
 tempest, the next day they lightened the 
 ship ; 19 and the third day we cast out with 
 our own hands the tackling of the ship. 
 2<>And when neither sun nor stars in many 
 days appeared, and no small tempest lay 
 on us, all hope that we should be saved was 
 then taken away, ^i gut after long absti- 
 nence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, 
 and said. Sirs, ye should have hearkened 
 unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, 
 and to have gained this harm and loss. 
 
 Ihe Jewish great day of 
 atonement occurrini^ in 
 that year on the 24th Sep- 
 tember. The fast was used 
 (like our Feast of St. 
 Michael) to mark the sea- 
 son of the autumnal equi- 
 nox, when in ancient times 
 it was considered the sea 
 ceased to be safe for navi- 
 gation. 
 
 Paul admonished. He had 
 had experience in the 
 Mediterranean: "Thrice I 
 suffered shipwreck, anight 
 and a day 1 have been in 
 the deep " (2 Cor. xi. 25) ; 
 " in perils in the sea " 
 (2 Cor. xi. 26). These 
 events occurred some time 
 before the voyage to 
 Rome. 
 
 R.V. Gave more heed to the 
 master. 
 
 Master = sailing master or 
 pilot. 
 
 The mere part. Evidently a 
 consultation took place 
 and their action decided 
 uj on by a vote. 
 
 By any means. They were 
 not sure that they would 
 be successful. 
 
 R.V. Could reach Phoenix. 
 jModern Lutro. Intro., 
 P- ^5- 
 
 R.V. North-east and south- 
 east. The A.V. gives the 
 direction of the winds, 
 i.e. the quarter whence 
 they blow. The R.V. 
 gives the aspect of the 
 harbour, which would be 
 iacing the winds. 
 
 R.V. They weithed anchor 
 and sailed along Crete, 
 close in shore. 
 
 R.V. But after no long time, 
 there beat down Irom it 
 (Crete) a tempestuous wind, 
 which is called Eura- 
 quilo. 
 
 Tempestuous = typhonic. 
 The sudden change from a 
 south wind to a violent 
 northerly wind is a very 
 common occunence in 
 these seas. The wind was 
 nearlv east-north-east. 
 
 V 15.- R.V. Could not face 
 the wind, we gave way to 
 it, and were driven. 
 
 V. 16.— R.V. And running 
 under the lee of a imall 
 island called Cauda (modern 
 Gozzo. Intro., p. 10). "Wo 
 
124 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, [xxvii. 22—35, 
 
 -were able with difficulty, to 
 secure the boat. The boat 
 was towed behind the ves- 
 »el. 
 
 V. 17.— R.V. Hoisted it up. 
 
 Felps = strong flat cables. 
 
 Under-girding. Technically 
 known as " frapping," 
 consisted in passing the 
 " helps " or cables several 
 times round the hull ot a 
 vessel from stem to stern, 
 to help in keeping the 
 timbers from partinj;. 
 
 V. 17. — R.V. Cast upon the 
 Syrtis. Quicksands on the 
 north coast of Africa. 
 
 K..V. They lowered the gear 
 or heavy upper spars and 
 rigging. To strike sail 
 would be to give up all 
 chance of usingthewindto 
 avoid the Syrtis. 
 
 V. 18.— R.V. As we laboured 
 exceedingly with the storm, 
 the next day they began to 
 throw the freight over- 
 board. 
 
 V. 19.— R.V. Their own 
 hands. The work would 
 most probably be entirely 
 undertaken bv the sailors. 
 
 V, 20. Sun nor stars. As 
 ancient vessels had no 
 compasses, the sun and 
 stars were their only guide 
 when out of sight of land. 
 The sailors, therefore, did 
 noc know where they were 
 or whither they were driv- 
 ing. 
 
 V. 21. Loosed. R.V. Set 
 sail. 
 
 V. 21— R.V. When they had 
 been long without food, i.e. 
 had no regular meals. 
 
 R.V. An angel of the God. 
 For Visions see Part L, 
 p. 41. 
 
 R.V. Stand before Csesar. 
 
 R.V. Hath granted thee. 
 
 Fourteenth night from leav- 
 ing thf» Fair Havens. 
 
 V. 27.— R.V. To and fro in 
 the sea of Adria. Intro., 
 p. 5. Not as now confined 
 to the Gulf of Venice, hut 
 including that part of the 
 IMediterranean lying be- 
 tween Greece, Italy, and 
 Africa. 
 
 V. 27.— R.V. The sailors 
 surmised that they were 
 drawing near to some coun- 
 try. Probably from the 
 sound of breakers. 
 
 22 And now I exhort you to be of good 
 cheer : for there shall be no loss of any 
 man's life among you, but of the ship. 
 
 23 For there stood by me this night the 
 angel of God, whose I am, and whom I 
 serve, 24 saying. Fear not, Paul; thou must 
 be brought before Caesar : and, lo, God 
 hath given thee all them that sail with thee. 
 25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer : for I 
 believe God, that it shall be even as it was 
 told me. 26 Howbeit we must be cast upon 
 a certain island. 27 But when the fourteenth 
 night was come, as we were driven up and 
 down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen 
 deemed that they drew near to some coun- 
 try ; 28 and sounded, and found it twenty 
 fathoms : and when they had gone a little 
 further, they sounded again, and found it 
 fifteen fathoms. 29 xhen fearing lest we 
 should have fallen upon rocks, they cast 
 four anchors out of the stern, and wished 
 for the day. ^''And as the shipmen were 
 about to flee out of the ship, when they had 
 let down the boat into the sea, under colour 
 as though they would have cast anchors out 
 of the foreship, ^^ Paul said to the centurion 
 and to the soldiers, Except these abide in 
 the ship, ye cannot be saved. 22'phe^ ^q 
 soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and 
 let her fall off. ^ And while the day was 
 coming on, Paul besought tke?n all to take 
 meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth 
 day that ye have tarried and continued 
 fasting, having taken nothing. 34 Where- 
 fore I pray you to take some meat : for this 
 is for )'our health : for there shall not an 
 hair fall from the head of any of you. ^5 And 
 when he had thus spoken, he took bread, 
 and gave thanks to God in presence of them 
 all : and when he had broken it, he began 
 
xxvii. 36-44.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 1^5 
 
 to eat. ^ Then were they all of good cheer, 
 and they also took so7ne meat. ^^ And we 
 were in all in the ship two hundred three- 
 score and sixteen souls, ^s y^^^j when they 
 had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, 
 and cast out the wheat into the sea. ^^And 
 when it was day, they knew not the land : 
 but they discovered a certain creek with a 
 shore, into the which they were minded, if 
 it were possible, to thrust in the ship. 
 *° And when they had taken up the anchors, 
 they committed themselves unto the sea, 
 and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised 
 up the mainsail to the wind, and made 
 toward shore. *^ And falling into a place 
 where two seas met, they ran the ship 
 aground ; and the forepart stuck fast, and 
 remained unmoveable, but the hinder part 
 was broken with the violence of the waves. 
 *2 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the 
 prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, 
 and escape. '^ But the centurion, willing to 
 save Paul, kept them from their purpose ; 
 and commanded that they which could 
 swim should cast themselves first i?ito the 
 sea, and get to land : ^* and the rest, some 
 on boards, and some on broken ;pieces of 
 the ship. And so it came to pass, that they 
 escaped all safe to land. 
 
 V, i:8.— R.V. After a Utile 
 space, i.e. of time not of 
 distance. The rapid de- 
 crease in the depth of water 
 indicated they were ap- 
 proacliinff land. 
 
 V. 29.— R.V. Be cast ashore 
 on rocky ground, they let 
 go four anchors from the 
 stern. 
 
 V. 30.— R.V. Lay out anchors 
 from the foreship. They 
 intended to abandon the 
 passengers, row ashore, 
 and save themselves. Paul 
 detects their design. 
 
 Meat. R.V. Some food. 
 
 V. 34. Health. R.V. Safety. 
 Their preservation de- 
 pended upon their keeping 
 up their strength for the 
 struggle in getting to 
 land. 
 
 V. 34.— R.V. There shall not 
 a hair perish. 
 
 R.V. Perceived a certain 
 hay with a beach, i.e. a 
 flat and sandy beach on 
 which it would be safe to 
 run the sliip aground. 
 
 V. 39.— R.V. And they took 
 counsel whether they could 
 drive the thip upon it. 
 
 V. 40.— R.V. Casting off the 
 anchors, they left th^ni in 
 the sea. 
 
 Rudder bands. Ancient ves- 
 sels had two large paddle- 
 like rudders. When the 
 anchors were cast out, 
 these had beeji raised out 
 of the water, and been 
 lashed with ropes (rudder 
 bands) to the ship's side. 
 They are now wanted to 
 assist in steering the ship 
 to shore. 
 
 V. 40. Mainsail. R.V. Fore- 
 sail. Which was the 
 largest sail in these vessels. 
 
 R.V. xney i 
 
 V. 41. — R.V. Ihe stem began to break up. 
 
 V. 42. Because a Roman soldier was answerable with his own life for prisoners placed 
 
 under his charge. 
 R.V. Desiring to save Paul, stayed them from their purpose. 
 R.V. Cast themselves overboard, and get first to the land, and so be in readiness to assist 
 
 their comrades. A wise precaution. Discipline was preserved and orders obeyed. 
 R.V. Some on planks, and some on other things from the ship. 
 
 From map (p. 46) the course can be easily traced ! 
 (i) From Caesarea to Sidon. 
 
 (2) From Sidon tacking in a contrary wind by the east coast of Cyprus, between 
 Cyprus and the mainland. 
 
126 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 (3) Through the sea off the coasts of Cilicia and Pamphylia to Myra. 
 
 (4) Here they embarked in a large Alexandrian grain-ship bound for Italy. 
 
 (5) They sailed tacking against the wind as far as Cnidus. 
 
 (6) They turned southward to get to the south side of Crete to place that island 
 
 between themselves and the wind. 
 
 (7) Arrived at Fair Havens, where Paul advised them to winter, but which was not 
 
 a convenient harbour. 
 
 From Fair Havens their course was : 
 
 (i) A gentle breeze blowing from the south, they set sail from Fair Havens, meaning 
 to sail close by the shore of Crete to the harbour of Phoenix (v. 13). 
 
 (2) A violent north-east wind blew them from the shore of Crete, and being unable 
 
 to face it they were compelled to go before it {v. 14, 15). 
 
 (3) Running under the shelter of Clauda, they managed to get their boat, which had 
 
 been towed after them, on board {v. 16). 
 {4) Then they strengthened the ship by passing strong cables several times round the 
 hull {v. 17). 
 
 (5) They lowered from aloft on to deck all the rigging that was not required {v. 17). 
 
 (6) Next day, as the ship laboured in the gale, they threw overboard part of the 
 
 cargo {v. 18). 
 
 (7) On the third day they threw overboard the heavier ship gear to lighten the vessel 
 
 (z*. 19)- 
 
 (8) As the clouds obscured the sun and stars they were unable to ascertain their 
 
 position. The storm was so violent that it was impossible to prepare regular 
 meals {v. 20). 
 
 (9) Paul cheered their hearts by telling them of his vision {v. 21 — 26). 
 
 (10) On the fourteenth day the sound of breakers caused the sailors to conclude they 
 
 were approaching land. They sounded and finding the water shoal rapidly, 
 they cast out four anchors from the stern to prevent the ship running on shore 
 (v. 27—29). 
 
 (11) The sailors were about to take the boat to escape, leaving the others to their 
 
 fate, but on Paul interfering the soldiers cut the ropes and the boat'was swept 
 away (v. 30 — 32). 
 
 (12) Paul again encouraged them, and a regular meal was served (z'.'33 — 37). 
 
 (13) They cast the cargo of wheat into the sea, thus lightening the ship and enabling 
 
 them to get nearer the shore {v. 38). 
 
 (14) At daylight they saw a bay with a beach, and after consultation determined to 
 
 try and run the ship on shore there (v. 39). 
 
 (17) They hoisted the mainsail, got the rudders ready, cast off the anchors, and 
 
 beached the vessel {v. 40). 
 
 (18) The fore part stuck fast, and the hinder part began to break up {v. 41). 
 
 (19) The soldiers fearing lest the prisoners should escape, proposed tcrkill them, but 
 
 the centurion would not allow them to do so {v. 42, 43). 
 
 (20) Some swam ashore, and the others, with theassistanceof planks and things from 
 the ship, managed to get safe to land, so that all were saved {v. 43, 44). 
 
 The island on which they landed was Melita or Malta (xj^viii. i). 
 
 The spot is known as " St. Paul's Bay," and lies between Koura Point and the island 
 ©f Salmonetta. The following reasons may be given : — 
 
 (i) It is open to easterly and north-easterly winds, the latter precisely the wind 
 which had blown the vessel out of its course. 
 
 (2) At Koura Point the shore is too low to be seen at night, but is well known for 
 
 its breakers. 
 
 (3) Immediately after passing it, the depth is actually twenty fathoms and a little 
 
 further fifteen fathoms. 
 
 (4) The anchorage is exceedingly good for small vessels, and while the cables hold 
 
 there is no danger, as the anchors will never start. 
 
xxviii. 1-8.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 127 
 
 (5) As the bay is unfrequented, the sailors would not be familiar with the place. 
 
 " They knew not the land " {v. 39). 
 
 (6) A creek with a pebbly beach lies just where they would see it. 
 
 (7) The narrow channel between the little isle of Salraonetta and the mainland has 
 
 exactly the appearance of "a place where two seas meet " (v. 41). 
 
 (8) This current is only discovered on a nearer approach. 
 
 (9) The current by its deposits has raised a mudbank. Here the vessel ran aground. 
 
 Meleda, a small island in the Adriatic, near the coast of Illyria, has also been suggested, 
 for— 
 
 (i) It is in the Adriatic Sea. 
 
 (2) Its inhabitants come under the description of "barbarians" 
 
 uncivilised. 
 
 (3) There is an absence of vipers at the present time in Malta. 
 
 in the sense of being 
 
 Paul at Malta. 
 
 28' And when they were escaped, then 
 they knew that the island was called Me- 
 lita. 2 And the barbarous people shewed 
 us no little kindness ; for they kindled a fire, 
 and received us every one, because of the 
 present rain, and because of the cold. ^ And 
 when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, 
 and laid fkem on the fire, there came a 
 viper out of the heat, and fastened on his 
 hand. *And when the barbarians saw the 
 've?iomous beast hang on his hand, they 
 said among themselves, No doubt this man 
 is a murderer, whom, though he hath es- 
 caped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not 
 to live. ^ And he shook off the beast into 
 the fire, and felt no harm. ^ Howbeit they 
 looked when he should have swollen, 
 or fallen down dead suddenly : but after 
 Ihey had looked a great while, and saw no 
 harm come to him, they changed their 
 minds, and said that he was a god. ^ In 
 the same quarters were possessions of the 
 chief man of the island, whose name was 
 Publius ; who received us, and lodged us 
 three days courteously. ^And it came to 
 pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a 
 fever and of a bloody flux : to whom Paul 
 
 Melita. Modem Malta. See 
 above, p. 124. 
 
 R.V. Barbarians. The 
 Greeks applied the term 
 "baibarian" to all races 
 who did not use the Greek 
 or i.atin language. Tlie 
 word is used heie not in 
 the sense of implying that 
 the inhabitants of Metita 
 were an uncivilised savage 
 race, but that they spoke a 
 foreign language ne tlier 
 Greek nor Roman. They 
 were of Phoenician origin 
 and spoke a Punic dialect. 
 
 R.V. No common (or aver- 
 age) kindness (philan- 
 throphy). 
 
 V. 3. An armful of brush- 
 wood. 
 
 R.V. A viper came out by 
 reason of the heat. The 
 heat roused the viper from 
 its torpid state so that it 
 woke up and sprang away. 
 
 R.V. The beast hanging 
 from his hand. 
 
 They saw that he was a 
 piisoner, so concluded that 
 though he had escaped the 
 waves he was reserved for 
 a more terrible fate. 
 
 R.V. Justice hath not 
 suffered. 
 
 We do not gather from the 
 narrative that the viper 
 actually bit Paul ; but it 
 is clear that the Apostle 
 shook off the beast in an 
 unconcerned manner, and 
 that he felt no alarm 
 whatever. 
 
 Thus Christ's promise was 
 fulfilled: "They shall take 
 
128 
 
 THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. [xxviii. 9-16. 
 
 up serpents " (Mark xvi. 
 
 18). 
 V. 6.— R.V. When they were 
 
 long in expectation. 
 V. 6.— R.V. Beheld nothing 
 
 amiss. 
 A Goi So the Lycaonians 
 
 (xiv. 11—1=^). 
 
 R.V. Now in the neighbour- 
 hood of that place were 
 lands belonging to the chief 
 man. 
 
 Chief man = the Governor. 
 The Greek word is " Protos, 
 
 entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands 
 on him, and healed him. ^So when this 
 was done, others also, which had diseases 
 in the island. Came, and were healed : 
 1*^ who also honoured us with many honours ; 
 and when we departed, they laded 7fs with 
 such things as were necessary. 
 
 and is found in Greek and Latin inscriptions, and seems 
 Luke, as usual, is strictly 
 
 to have been the official title of the Governor of Malta 
 
 accurate. Intro, p. 35. 
 Lodged. R.V. Entertained. 
 R.V. Of fever and dysentery. Technical terms used by Luke, the physician, with 
 
 professional accuracy. Part I., p. 9. 
 Otiiers also. R.V. The rest also, i.e. all those who were in sickness and had heard of 
 
 what had been done for the father of Publius. 
 Game = kept coming. 
 
 Voyage from Malta. Arrival at Rome. 
 
 R.V. SetsaU. 
 
 Another Alexandrian gfrain 
 
 vessel. 
 Sigrn = fig^urehead. Ancient 
 
 ships had such signs both 
 
 at stem and stern. The 
 
 figure was generally that 
 
 of some divinity. 
 Castor and Pollux. R.V. The 
 
 Twin Brothers. Two sons 
 
 of Zeus and Leda, who 
 
 were regarded as the 
 
 guardian deities of sailors. 
 
 They were supposed to 
 
 look down from the two 
 
 well-known stars (the 
 
 Gemini "Twins" of the 
 
 Zodiac) which bore their 
 
 names. For legend see 
 
 below, 
 landing:. R.V. Touching. 
 R.V. We made a circuit (so 
 
 2 Sam. v. 23, "fetch a 
 
 compass behind them ") 
 
 = tacked to and fro, i.e. 
 
 the wind was unfavourable 
 
 and they were compelled 
 
 to tack so as to stand out 
 
 from the shore to catch 
 
 the breeze instead of coast- 
 ing {Plumpire). 
 Rhegium. Modern Reggio. 
 
 Intro., p. 15. 
 R V. A south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli = Modern Poz- 
 
 zuoli. Intro., p. 16. 
 Brethren. There was therefore a Christian Church at Puteoli. ' 
 Were desired. R.V. Entreated. 
 
 "And after three months we departed in 
 a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in 
 the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. 
 12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there 
 three days. ^^ And from thence we fetched 
 a compass, and came to Rhegium : and 
 after one day the south wind blew, and we 
 came the next day to Puteoli : i'* where we 
 found brethren, and were desired to tarry 
 with them seven days : and so we went 
 toward Rome. ^^And from thence, v/hen 
 the brethren heard of us, they came to meet 
 us as far as Appii forum, and The three 
 taverns : whom when Paul saw, he thanked 
 God, and took courage. i^And when we 
 came to Rome, the centurion delivered the 
 prisoners to the captain of the guard : but 
 Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a 
 soldier that kept him. 
 
xxviii. 17-21.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 129 
 
 Seven days. As at Troas (xx. 6) and at Tyre (xxi. 4). Possibly for Eucharistic service on 
 
 the Sunday. 
 The practice of going some miles from the city to meet one whom men delighted to honour 
 
 was a common one {Plumptre). 
 Appii Forum. Intio., p. 7. R.V. The market of Appius was 43 miles from Rome. 
 Three Taverns. W^s ten miles nearer Rome. 
 R.V. And when we entered into Rome Paul was suffered to abide by himself with the 
 
 soldiers that guarded him. (Omit the rest of verse.) 
 Captain of the guard = prefect of the division of the Praetorian Guard stationed there as 
 
 the Emperor's body guard. The office was at that time filled by Burrus, the friend and 
 
 colleague of Seneca. The use of the singular " captain " not " captains " is significant. 
 
 Both before and after the appointment of Burrus there were two prefects. Another 
 
 instance of Luke's accuracy, and important as fixing the time of Paul's arrival in 
 
 Rome. Burrus died A.D. 62. 
 Probably Julius had spoken favourably of Paul to Burrus, which may account for the 
 
 favour shown the Apostle. 
 R.V. The soldier, i.e. the one to whom the prisoner was fastened by a chain alluded to by 
 
 the Apostle — 
 
 (i) " Because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain" (Acts xxviii. 20). 
 
 (2) " I, Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ" (Eph. iii. i). 
 
 (3) "In my bonds " (Phil. i. 7). 
 
 (4) "So that ray bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace and in all other 
 places" (Phil. i. 13). 
 
 (5) " Remember my bonds" (Col. iv. 18). 
 
 (6) "(Jnesircus whom I have begotten in my bonds" (Philemon 10). 
 
 (7) " Eor Which I am an ambassador in bonds " ( Eph. vi. 20). 
 
 The frequent change of guard would give the Apostle an opportunity of spreading his 
 story and a knowledge of the Gospel through the whole Praetorian camp, so " my bonds 
 . . . are manifest in all the palace (Praetorium) " (Phil. i. 13), 
 
 Interviews with the Jews. 
 
 17 And it came to pass, that after three 
 
 days Paul called the chief of the Jews to- 
 gether : and when they were come together, 
 he said unto them, Men ^?2^ brethren, though 
 I have committed nothing against the people, 
 or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered 
 prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of 
 the Romans. ^^ Who, when they had ex- 
 amined me, would have let me go, because 
 there was no cause of death in me. ^^ But 
 when the Jews spake against //, I was con- 
 strained to appeal unto Caesar ; not that I 
 had ought to accuse my nation of. '^^ For 
 this cause therefore have I called for you, to 
 see you, and to speak with you : because 
 that for the hope of Israel I am bound with 
 this chain. 21 ^nd they said unto him, We 
 neither received letters out of Judaea con- 
 
 Paul wished to explain his 
 
 position — 
 
 (i) Though a prisoner {a) 
 he had not been un- 
 patriotic, i.e. (had com- 
 mitted nothing against 
 the people) ; 
 
 nor {b) offended against 
 Jewish customs. 
 
 (2) He had been found 
 innocent by the Romans, 
 who would have released 
 him but lor the Jews at 
 Jerusalem. 
 
 (3) He had appealed to 
 Caesar to save his life, 
 not to bring a charge 
 against his countrymen. 
 
 (4) He is a prisoner be- 
 cause of a hope that was 
 twofold, viz. :— (i) that 
 he regarded Jesus as the 
 Messiah ; and (2) that 
 he looked upon His re- 
 surrection from the dead 
 as a proof of His Mes- 
 siahship. 
 
 V. 18.— R.V. Desired to set 
 
 me at liberty. 
 R.V. Letters from Judsra 
 
 concerning tiee, nor did any 
 
130 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, [xxviii. 22—31. 
 
 of the brethren come hither 
 and report or sp eak any harm 
 of thee. Paul had been sent 
 to Rome immediately after 
 his appeal and at a late 
 season for travelling. It 
 is, therefore, quite con- 
 ceivable that neither let- 
 ters nor delegates had 
 arrived from Jerusalem. 
 Sect = part)'. 
 
 Lodging. Not the hired 
 house oiv. 30, but a bouse 
 •where he was staying as 
 guest. 
 R.V. They came to him into 
 his lodging in great number. 
 Why were the Jews concilia- 
 tory? Because 
 (i) They lived in Rome in 
 
 great insecurity. 
 (2) Had but recently been 
 allowed to return from 
 banishment. 
 {3) Possibly the decree of 
 banishment(Acts xviii. 2) 
 had been occasioned by 
 tumults arising out of 
 attacks on the Chris- 
 tians. 
 R.V. Isaiah (vi. 9). Quoted 
 against the Jews by our 
 Lord (Matt. xiii. 13 — 15 ; 
 Mark iv. 12; Luke viii. 10). 
 R.V. By hearii^g ye shall 
 hear, and shall in no wise 
 understand ; and seeing ye 
 shall see, and shall in no 
 wise perceive. 
 Converted. R.V. Turn again. 
 R.V. Ihis salvation. 
 R.V. And they will also hear 
 it {i.e. as well as you). 
 Notathreat. Wemayturn 
 to the command of Jesus 
 (Acts i. 8), " Ye shall be 
 witnesses unto me both in 
 Jerusalem, and in all Ju- 
 daea, and in Samaiia, and 
 unto the uttermost parts 
 of the earth." This com- 
 mand has now been obeyed, 
 for Rome may be regarded 
 as the centre of the known 
 world. 
 
 cerning thee, neither any of the brethren that 
 came shewed or spake any harm of thee. 
 
 22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou 
 thinkest : for as concerning this sect, we 
 know that every where it is spoken against. 
 
 23 And when they had appointed him a day, 
 there came many to him into his lodging ; to 
 whom he expounded and testified the king- 
 dom of God, persuading them concerning 
 Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out 
 <9/"the prophets, from morning till evening. 
 2* And some beheved the things which were 
 spoken, and some believed not. 25 And when 
 they agreed not among themselves, they de- 
 parted, after that Paul had spoken one word, 
 Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the pro- 
 phet unto our fathers, 26 saying. Go unto this 
 people and say. Hearing ye sh ill hear, and 
 shall not understand ; and seeing ye shall 
 see, and not perceive : 27 for the heart of this 
 people is waxed gross, and their ears are 
 dull of hearing, and their eyes have they 
 closed ; lest they should see with their eyes, 
 and hear with their ears, and understand 
 with their heart, and should be converted, 
 and I should heal them. 28 gg \i known 
 therefore unto you, that the salvation of God 
 is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will 
 hear it. 29 And when he had said these 
 words, the Jews departed, and had great 
 reasoning among themselves. 
 
 The Two Years' Imprisonment. 
 
 R.V. He abode two whole 
 years in his own hired 
 dwelling. The means for 
 hirino; such a house were 
 obtained from the contri- 
 
 2<^ And Paul dwelt two whole years in his 
 own hired house, and received all that came 
 in unto him, ^i preaching the kingdom of 
 
THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 131 
 
 God, and teaching those things which con- 
 cern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all con- 
 fidence, no man forbidding him. 
 
 butions of the Philippians 
 andotbers (Phil. iv.T4— 18). 
 R.V. With all boldness, 
 none forbidding him. 
 
 Of these two years we have no history save in the notices above, and in allusions con- 
 tained in the Epistles written from Rome. From these we gather : — 
 (i) The imprisonment lasted two years. 
 
 (2) That Paul dwelt in a house hired by himself by means of contributions from 
 
 the Philippian and other Churches. 
 
 (3) That he was in " libera custodia" chained to the soldier who guarded him. 
 
 (4) That though not at liberty to preach publicly, yet he boldly proclaimed the 
 
 Gospel of Jesus Christ to all who came to hear him. 
 
 (5) That such preaching was not forbidden by the Roman authorities. 
 
 (6) During the period he wrote four Epistles, viz., Ephesians, Philippians, Colos- 
 
 sians, and Philemon. 
 
 (7) From these we gather that he had at different periods the fellowship of Luke and 
 Aristarchus (Acts xxvii. 2). Tvchicus (Eph. vi. 21), Timothy (Phil. i. r.. Col. i. i. 
 Philemon i.), Epaphroditus (Phil. iv. 18), Mark (Col. iv. 10), Jesus Justus (Col. 
 iv. 11), Epaphras (Col. iv. 12), Demas (Col. iv. 14, 2 Tim. iv. 10), Onesimus is 
 also mentioned (Philem. 10; Col, iv. 9). 
 
 (*•) Of the allusions to his imorisonment, see above, p. 127. 
 Of these persons thus named we have the following particulars : — 
 
 Luke accompanied the Apostle to Rome (Acts xxvii, 2), and remained with him during 
 the whole of his imprisonment. " Only Luke is with me" (2 Tim. iv. 11). 
 
 Aristarchus accompanied the Apostle to Rome (Acts xxvii. 2). 
 
 Tyohicui was the bearer of the letters to Ephesus (Eph. vi. 21), and the Colossians 
 Col. iv. 8). 
 
 Timothy is joined with the Apostle in the greetings to the Philippians, the Ephesians, 
 and to Philemon. 
 
 Epaphroditus brought the contributions from the Church at Philippi (Phil. iv. 18). 
 
 Mark and Jesus Justus are mentioned as being with the Apostle. 
 
 Demas sent greeting to the Church at Colossae (Col. iv. 14). He afterwards forsook 
 the Apostle. "Demas hath forsaken me having loved this present world" (2 Tim. 
 iv. 10). 
 
 Epaphras, one of the brethren at Laodicea, had come to visit the Apostle (Col. iv. 12) 
 He sent greeting to Philemon (Philem. 23). 
 
 Onesimus, the slave of Philemon, fled to Rome where he found out Paul, and was 
 by him sent back to Philemon, with a request that the master would overlook the 
 faults of the slave (Philem. 10 — 21). 
 
 The subsequent history of Paxil as gathered from his Epistles. 
 
 1. To the Philippians he expresses the hope of his release. "But I trust in the 
 
 Lord that I also myself shall come shortly" (Phil. ii. 24). 
 
 2. He left Rome and visited Asia Minor and Greece. "As I besought thee to 
 
 abide still at Ephesus when I went into Macedonia" (1 Tim. i. 3). 
 
 3. He purposed to return to Ephesus. "Till I come" (i Tim. iv. 13). 
 
 4. He spent some considerable time at Ephesus. " In how many things he 
 
 (Onesiphorus) ministered unto me at Ephesus" (2 Tim. i. 18). 
 
 5. He paid a visit to Crete, and left Titus to organise Churches there. "For this 
 
 cause left I thee in Crete " (Titus i. 5). 
 
 6. He intended to spend a winter at Nicopolis. " For I have determined there 
 
 (Nicopolis) to winter " (Titus iii. 12). 
 
 7. He visited Miletus. " Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick" (2 Tim. iv. 20). 
 
 8. He visited Corinth. " Erastus abode at Corinth " (2 Tim. iv. 20). 
 
132 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 9. He visited Troas. "Thecloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou 
 comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments " (2 Tim. 
 iv. 13). 
 
 We conclude then, that, after the imprisonment of two years at Rome, Paul was set 
 free and spent some years in visiting the Churches in Asia Minor and Greece. He was 
 again apprehended, for we find — 
 
 (i) That he was a prisoner at Rome "suffering trouble as an evil doer, even unto 
 
 bonds'' (2 lira. ii. 9). 
 (2) That he expected soon to be put to death. " The time of my departure is at 
 
 hand" (2 Tim. iv. 6). 
 {3) That he was solitary, having Luke only as a companion. " All they which are 
 in Asia be turned away from me" (2 Tim. i. 15). " Only Luke is with me " 
 (2 Tim. iv. 11). 
 
 (4) That he was anxious for Timothy to come and to bring Mark with him. "Do 
 
 thy diligence to come shortly unto me " (2 Tim. iv. 9). " Take Mark and bring 
 him with thee " (2 Tim . iv. 11). 
 
 (5) That he was not in honourable imprisonment, but treated as a felon. "As an 
 
 evil doer, even unto bonds " (2 Tim. ii. q). 
 
 (6) Once alread/ in his second imprisonment he had stood before the authorities. 
 
 "At my first answer no man stood with me" (2 Tim. iv. 16). 
 
 (7) Again the Lord appeared to him and encouraged him. " Notwithstanding the 
 
 Lord stood with me and strengthened me" (2 Tim. iv. 17). 
 
 (8) That in his defence he again made a public declaration of his Gospel. " Th-'t 
 
 by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might 
 hear" (2 Tim. iv. 17). 
 
 (9) That he was not condemned at the first hearing. "And I was delivered out of 
 
 the mouth of the lion" (2 Tim. iv. 17). 
 
 Tradition is imanimous in affirming that he was beheaded at Rome about the same tims 
 Peter was crucified there, A.D. 68— 6tt. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 QUESTIONS SELECTED FROM THE OXFORD AND 
 CAMBRIDGE LOCAL AND COLLEGE OF PRE- 
 CEPTORS' EXAMINATION PAPERS. 
 
 REFERENCES. 
 O. L. J. = Oxford Local Junior Examination. 
 O. L. S. = Oxford Local Senior Examination. 
 C. L. J. = Cambridge Local Junior Examination. 
 C. L. S. = Cambridge Local Senior Examination. 
 C. of P. = College of Preceptors* Examination. 
 
 N.B.— The figures after the initials give the date when each question was set. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 1. What was the question submitted to the Council at Jerusalem ? How 
 was it decided ?— O. L. J., 1887. 
 
 2. Mention the circumstances which led to the Council at Jerusalem. What 
 were the decisions arrived at ? — C. L. J., 1886. 
 
 3. State the question which was considered by the Apostles and Elders at 
 Jerusalem after the return of St. Paul and St. Barnabas. Where and how 
 had that questi' n arisen ?—C. L. J., 1888. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 r. Give a full account of St. Paul's visit to Philippi.— O. L. J., 1885. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 1. Give an outline of St. Paul's speech at Athens. How was it received ? — 
 O. L. S., 1885. 
 
 2. " I have much people in this city." What city was this ? Mention other 
 occasions in which St. Paul was encouraged or guided by a vision. — C. L. J., 
 1884. 
 
 3. Give the substance of St. Paul's address to the Athenians on Mars Hill. 
 — C. L. J., 1885. 
 
134 APPENDIX. 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 I. Narrate briefly all that we are told about St. Paul's second visit to 
 Ephesus.— C. L. J., 1886. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 I. Describe clearly the geographical position of the places between Philippi 
 and Miletus visited by St. Paul on his last missionary journey, and give the 
 substance of the address he delivered at Miletus. — C. L. J., 1884. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 I. What were the circumstances which led to St. Paul's being seized by 
 the multitude at Jerusalem ? Who took him out of their hands ? — C. L. J., 
 1888. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 I. Give an account of St. Paul's life at Rome.— O. L. J., 1885. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 r. What do you know of Claudius Lysias, Festus, Silas ?— O. L. S., 1882. 
 
 2. State shortly what we know from the Acts of the Apostles of the fol- 
 lowing persons : — Agrippa, Aquila, Felix, Gallio, Justus, Priscilla, Silas, 
 Timotheus.— O. L. J., 1883. 
 
 3. What do you know of the following : — Timotheus, Gallio, Felix .? — 
 O. L. J., 1885. 
 
 4. What do you know about the Epicureans, Agrippa, Judas, and Agabus ? 
 — O. L. S.— 1885. 
 
 5. Give some account of Gallio, the Stoics, Ananias, Festus, and Apollos. 
 — C. L. S., 1884. 
 
 6. What particulars about Timotheus are recorded in the Acts ? — C. L. J., 
 1888. 
 
 7. Give an account of the following names : — Lvdia, Eutychus. — C. of 
 P. M., 1882. 
 
 8. Give a brief account of the following :— Barnabas, Aquila, Jason, Deme- 
 trius, Agrippa.— C. of P. M., 1883. 
 
 9. Who or what were the following : — Ly9ias, Areopagus, Elymas, Lydia, 
 Philip, Gallio ?— C. of P. C, 1883. 
 
 10. What do you know of the family of Herod the Great ?— C. of P. M. 
 1888. 
 
APPENDIX. 135 
 
 I T. Who were Silas, Timothy, Sosthenes ?— C. of P. M., 1889. 
 12. "Who were Ananias (both of this name), Fehx, Barnabas, Lydia ? — 
 C. of P. C, 1889. 
 
 GEOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 1. Where are the following places : — Lystra, Caesarea ? — O. L. S., 1882. 
 
 2. What do you know of the following : — Corinth, Lystra ? — O. L. J. 
 1885. 
 
 3. What happened at Berea, Ephesus, Lystra ?— O. L. J., 1887. 
 
 4. Give the geographical position of each of the following places, and 
 mention one incident connected with each in the history of the Acts : — 
 Paphos, Thessalonica, Assos, Caesarea, Melita. — C. L. J., 1886. 
 
 5. Mention in order the places which St. Paul and St. Barnabas visited in 
 the missionary journey which they made together, giving the name of the 
 country or province in which each place was situated. — C. L. J., 1888. 
 
 6. Where are Amphipolis, Antipatris, Bersea, Miletus, Puteoli } — C. L. J., 
 1888. 
 
 7. Where are, and what circumstances are connected with, the following : — 
 Lystra, Corinth, Puteoli ?— C. of P. C, 1887. 
 
 8. Give the positions of Damascus, Ephesus, Cnidus, Melita. — C. of P. C, 
 
 9. Where are Caesarea, Seleucia,'Sidon, Attalia } — C. of P. M., 
 
 CONTEXT AND EXPLANATIONS. 
 
 1. Explain with reference to the context : — 
 
 " Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee." — 
 O. L. S., 1882. 
 
 2. Explain, by reference to the circumstances lender which they were spoken, 
 the following : — 
 
 ** These men are the servants of the Most High God.'* — O. L. S., 1883. 
 
 3. Give the context, and simple explanation, of the following passages ; — 
 
 " For it seems good to the Holy Ghost, and to us." 
 
 ** In all things ye are too superstitious." 
 
 ** Whom all Asia and the world worshippeth." 
 
 "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." — O. L. J., 1885. 
 
 4. ** After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of Davi(i 
 which is fallen down." Complete the passage. Where do the words occur 
 in the Old Testament, and by whom and for what purpose are they quoted in 
 the Acts .?— O. L. J., 1885. 
 
136 APPENDIX. 
 
 5. Give the context, and explanation, of the following passages : — 
 
 *' Many of those also which used curious arts, brought their books 
 
 together, and burned them before all men." 
 " Where prayer was wont to be made." 
 " Having shorn his head in Cenchrea, for he had a vow." 
 " And brought Greeks also into the Temple, and hath polluted this 
 
 holy place."— O. L. S., 1885. 
 
 6. *' It is more blessed to give than to receive." Whose words are these, 
 and by whom and on what occasion are they quoted .?— O. L. S., 1885. 
 
 7. Explain : — 
 
 ** We took up our carriages." 
 
 *'I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious." 
 "Fetched a compass." 
 " Sergeants." 
 In what connection does each phrase occur ? — O. L. S., 1887. 
 
 8. Explain how the following passages occur in the Acts : — 
 
 "I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious." 
 "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." 
 Discuss the variations on the?e texts in the Revised Version. — C. L. J., 1884. 
 
 9. Describe the nature of the following offices, mentioning by whom they 
 were held in the Acts : — Prophet, Magistrate, Sergeant, Deputy, the Chief 
 of Asia, Evangelist. — C. L. S., 1884. 
 
 10. Comment on the following passages, giving the context, and comparing 
 the Revised Version : — 
 
 *' Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too super- 
 stitious. P'or as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar 
 with this inscription : * To the Unknown God.' " 
 
 "What man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the 
 Ephesians is a worshipper of the goddess Diana, and cf the image which 
 fell down from Jupiter ? " 
 
 "I wist not, biethren, 4hat he was the High Priest, for it is written, 
 * Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.' " 
 
 " Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." 
 
 "We had much work to come by the boat, M'hich when they had taken 
 up, they used helps, undergirding the ship, and fearing lest they should 
 fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven." — C. L. S,, 1884. 
 
 11. "The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men." By whom 
 and on what occasion were these words spoken } Why was the remark a very 
 natural one for them to make ? — C. L. J., 1886. 
 
 12. Explain the following terms, and state the connection in which each of 
 them occurs: — " deputy," "sergeant," " carriages," " fetched a compass." — 
 C. L. J., 1886. 
 
APPENDIX. 137 
 
 13. Explain the following passages : — 
 
 *' They feared when they heard that they were Romans." 
 " Having shorn his head at Cenchiea, for he had a vow." 
 "Philip the Evangelist, who was one of the seven." 
 ** Brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel." 
 
 14. Explain the terms : — Areopagite, Epicurean, Exorcist. — C. L. J., 1888. 
 
 15. To what do the following passages refer ? : — • 
 ** We are his offspring." 
 
 "The soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners." — C. of P. M., 1883. 
 
 16. Explain briefly the following passage, and state to what it refers : — 
 
 " What mean ye to weep^ and to break mine heart ? " — C. of P. C, 
 1883. 
 
 17. To what do the following refer .? : — 
 
 " The Apostles and Elders came together to consider this matter." 
 
 "Let them implead one another." 
 
 " What will this babbler say .? " 
 
 "I would also hear this man myself." 
 
 "We must be cast upon a certain island." — C. of P. M., 1884. 
 
 18. To what do the following passages refer } Where possible, complete 
 the quotation : — 
 
 " Sirs, why do ye these things ? " 
 
 "We besought him not to go to Jerusalem." 
 
 " This man was taken of the Jews."— C. of P. C, 1884. 
 
 19. Give the context and occasion. of the following passages : — 
 " Then were they all of good cheer." 
 
 "Who is called Paul." 
 
 "I am a Pharisee."— C. of P. M. and C, 1885. 
 
 20. Give the context and the circumstances connected with the following 
 passages : — 
 
 " They drew Alexander out of the multitude." 
 
 "We know that everywhere it is spoken against." — C. of P. M. and 
 C, 1886. 
 
 21. Explain the following passages, and give the circumstances connected 
 with them : — 
 
 "They called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius." 
 
 " To the Unknown God." 
 
 "Tell me, art thou a Roman?"— C. of P. M., 1887. 
 
 22. Explain the following passages : — 
 
 "There are deputies." 
 
 " Not that I have aught to accuse my nation of."— C. of P. C, 1887. 
 
T38 APPENDIX. 
 
 23. Explain distinctly the following : — 
 
 '* This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed 
 unto Caesar." 
 
 "To an unknown God."— C. of P. M. and C, 1888. 
 
 24. Explain the following passages : — 
 
 *' Great is Diana of the Ephesians." 
 
 "This salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles." — C. of P. M., 1889. 
 
 25. Explain the following: — 
 
 "Philosophers of the Epicureans and of the Stoics." 
 <* Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? " — C. of P. C, 1889. 
 
 GENERAL. 
 
 1. Give an account of St. Paul's trials (i) at Jerusalem, (2) at Caesarea. — 
 O. L. S., 1881. 
 
 2. What events in St. Peter's life are recorded in the Acts of the Apostles ? 
 — O. L. S., 1882. 
 
 3. Stat£ the successive steps by which the Gentiles were admitted to full 
 membership in the Christian Church. — O. L. S., 1883. 
 
 4. Show how far our Lord's directions as to the order in which the Gospel 
 should be preached were carried out by the Apostles. — O. L. J., 1884. 
 
 5. Give an account of St. Paul's first missionary journey, mentioning in 
 order the places which he visited. — O. L. J., 1885. 
 
 6. Describe St. Paul's journey to Rome. What account of his life there 
 is given in the Acts ? — O. L. J., 1885. 
 
 7. What reference do we find in this part of the Acts to Roman customs 
 and Roman forms and Governments ? — O. L. S., 1885. 
 
 8. Give an account of St. Paul's second missionary journey. — O. L, S., 
 1885. 
 
 9. Describe St. Paul's trials before Ananias and the Council, — O. L, J., 
 1887. 
 
 10. Describe St. Paul's voyage to Melita. From what place had he 
 started.?— O. L. J., 1887. 
 
 11. What Roman magistrates had St. Paul to do with, and how did they 
 treat him .?— O. L. J., 1887. 
 
 12. Give instances from St. Paul's speeches of a conciliatory tone, and 
 special adaptation to the persons addressed. — O. L. J., 1887. 
 
 13. How did St. Paul become possessed of the rights of a Roman citizen ? 
 — C. L. J., 1884. 
 
 14. What references are found in the Acts to the early life and education 
 of St. Paul.?— C. L. J., 1884.. 
 
APPENDIX. 139 
 
 15. Illustrate from the Acts the following quotations from St, Paul's 
 Epistles: <*I have planted, Apollos watered."' "Once was I stoned." — 
 C. L. J., 1884. 
 
 16. Before what tribunals was St. Paul brought from the time of his 
 apprehension at Jerusalem till he was sent to Rome .? — C. L. J., 1884. 
 
 17. How would you determine the date of {a) St, Paul's long sojourn in 
 Ephesus, ip) the incident mentioned in the last verse of the Acts of the 
 Apostles ?— C. L. S., 1884. 
 
 18. On what occasions mentioned in the Acts, and.in what terms, does St. 
 Paul appeal in proof of his teaching to [a) the Book of Psalms, {b) the mani- 
 fest tokens of God's Providential Government in the world .?— C. L. S., 1884. 
 
 19. Describe (by a map or otherwise) St. Paul's route on his second 
 missionary journey. Who were his companions ? — C. L. S., 1884. 
 
 20. On what occasions was St. Paul persecuted (a) by Jews, {p) by Gentiles .? 
 —C. L. S., 1884. 
 
 21. Enumerate in order the events which occurred between St. Paul's 
 farewell address at Miletus and his taking ship for Rome. — C. L. J., 1886. 
 
 22. Contrast the speeches of St. Paul containing an account of his con- 
 version in connection with the character of the audiences to which they were 
 delivered.— C, L, J,, 1886. 
 
 23. Give a brief account of the voyage of St. Paul from Crete to Melita. — 
 C. L. J., 1888. 
 
 24. What reference do we find in this part of the Acts to— 
 The baptism of John } 
 
 The observance of the first day of the week .? 
 
 Contributions by Christians to works of charity.— C, L. J,, 1888, 
 
 25. Give a short summary of the history of St, Paul, from his arrest in 
 Jerusalem to the close of his trial before Agrippa.— C. of P. M., 1882. 
 
 26. {a) What were the circumstances which led to St. Paul's •' appeal to 
 Caesar" .? {b) Can you recall any words of his showing his right of appeal } 
 — C. ofP. C, 1883. 
 
 27. State the occasions on which St. Paul's conversion is spoken of in the 
 Acts.— C. of P. C, 1884. 
 
 28. Give a brief history of the united labours of Paul and Barnabas until 
 their separation. — C. of P. M., 1885. 
 
 29. Relate briefly the chief occurrences of St. Paul's second apostolic 
 journey.— C. of P. C, 1885. 
 
 30. Why did St. Paul appeal unto Caesar, and what were the consequences ? 
 ^C. ofP. C, 1886. 
 
 31. Give a short account of St. Paul's trial at Caesarea.— C. of P., 1889. 
 
140 APPENDIX. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE LOCAL (JUNIOR), 1890. 
 A. 
 
 1. Mention in order the cities in which St. Paul preached during his first 
 journey to Europe. What circumstances gave to each of these cities its 
 importance ? 
 
 2. Give the substance of St. Paul's speech on Mars Hill, noticing specially 
 how it closes. Of what kinds of people was his audience composed ? 
 
 3. Explain: "Devout women," ** Spirit of divination," "Roman," ♦'Certain 
 of the chief of Asia." 
 
 B. 
 
 1. Give an account of St. Paul's work at Ephesus up to (but not including) 
 the great tumult. 
 
 2. Give the substance of St. Paul's speech on the stairs of the castle at 
 Jerusalem. What effect had it .? 
 
 3. Explain the following sentences in connection with their context : — 
 
 (a) *' He was of the same craft." 
 
 {b) *' We have four men which have a vow on them." 
 
 {c) "I am a Pharisee, the sen of a Pharisee ! " 
 
 C. 
 
 1. State uhat you know of Agrippa and Bernice. On what grounds does 
 St. Paul, in the speech made befoie them, appeal to Agrippa personally.? 
 What impression did the appeal make to the king } 
 
 2. Give in order the precautions taken by the crew of the ship which canied 
 St. Paul when they found themselves caught in the storm. Against what 
 dangers were these precautions taken } 
 
 3. Tell what you know of " Gallio," Csesarea, Claudius Lysias. 
 
 OXFORD LOCAL (JUNIOR), 1891. 
 
 1. Who were St. Paul's companions in his travels, and which of them wrote 
 the Acts } 
 
 2. What is told in these chapters of Julius, Lydia, A polios, Philip the 
 Evangelist ? 
 
 3. Draw a map of Asia Minor, marking and naming on it important seaside 
 places. 
 
 4. "In perils by my own countrymen, in perils by the heathen." To what 
 occasions does St. Paul refer } 
 
 5. Write what you remember about St. Paul's visit to Athens, quoting the 
 words of Scripture where you can. 
 
 6. Explain the following, and refer to the context in each case : 
 
 (i) "I will give you the sure mercies of David." 
 
 (2) "And when they had taken secuiily of Jason and of the other they 
 let them go." 
 
APPENDIX. 141 
 
 (3) *' For we are also his offspiing." 
 
 (4) " Feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own 
 blood." 
 
 (5) " They used helps undergirding the ship." 
 
 OXFORD LOCAL (SENIOR), 1891. 
 
 1. What evidence of the authorship of the Acts do you find in the above 
 chapters 1 
 
 2. Give an outline of St. Paul's speeches (i) at Antioch in Pisidia ; (2) on 
 Mars Hill. 
 
 3. Give the context of the following : — 
 
 (i) "Do thyself no harm, for we are all here." 
 
 (2) ''Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye ? " 
 
 (3) '* Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people." 
 
 (4) "No doubt this man is a murderer." 
 
 4. What do you know of the following : — Timothy, Lydia, Elymas, 
 Eutychus ? 
 
 5. Give a short account of St. Paul's voyages to Rome, illustrating it, if 
 possible, with a map. 
 
 6. With what events are the following places connected : — Lystra, Berea, 
 Sidon, Corinth ? 
 
 REVISED VERSION. 
 
 Give the Revised Version of the following : — 
 
 1. " They had John to their minister ^ 
 
 2. "The deputy of the countr}', Sergius Paulas." 
 
 3. "And Barnabas determined to 'take with them John." 
 
 4. ** Where prayer was wont to he made.'''' 
 
 5. " The rnagistrates sent the sergeants.'^ 
 
 6. "Lewd fellows of the baser sort." 
 
 7. "A certain Jew, named Apollos, born at Alexandria.'* 
 
 8. " Paul having passed through the upper coasts.'* 
 
 9. *' Then certain of the vagabond Jews." 
 10. " And when the yezvs laid wait for him.'' 
 
 I r. " The Holy Ghost hath made you overseers.''* 
 
 12. " When we had discovered Cyprus." 
 
 13. " Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple." 
 
 14. " Canst thou speak Greek ? " 
 
 15. "With a great sum obtained I 'Ccix^ freedom :' 
 
 16. " Four thousand men that were murderers.''' 
 
 17. ^^ Herod'' s judgment hall." 
 
 18. "After the way which they call heresy.''' 
 
 19. "Let them which among you arc aWt.'." 
 
 20. " Festus declared Paul's cause to the king." 
 
142 APPENDIX. 
 
 21. " Certain questions against him of their own superstition,^^ 
 
 22. ** About whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me." 
 
 23. " Instantly serving God day and night." 
 
 24. "I gave my voice against them." 
 
 25. "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." 
 
 26. " Fearing lest they should ya// into the quicksands ^ 
 
 27. *' Strake sailJ^ 
 
 28. ^^J^titvfQ s'hov\d have fallen upon rocks. ''^ 
 
 29. " Hoised up the mainsail to the wind." 
 
 30. " Shewed us no little kindness." 
 
 31. ** Vengeance suffereth not to live." . 
 
 32. ** Sick of 2l fever and a bloody Jlux.*^ 
 
 33. ** From thence we fetched a compass.^* 
 
 34. " Hardly parsing it, came unto a place which is called the fair havens." 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS. 
 
 1. What reasons can be adduced for the change of Saul's name to Paul. 
 
 2. What miracles of judgment occur in the Acts } 
 
 3. Give an analysis of Paul's speech at Antioch in Pisidia. What were 
 the seven nations mentioned by him ? 
 
 4. " The voices of the prophets . . . they have fulfilled them in condemn* 
 ing him." In what respect were these prophecies fulfilled } 
 
 5. Explain the following classical allusions : — 
 
 (i) " They called Barnabas, Jupiter ; and Paul, Mercurius, because 
 he was the chief speaker. 
 
 (2) "The first of the distiict, a Roman colony." 
 
 (3) " Great is Diana of the Ephesians." 
 
 (4) *« Whose sign was Castor and Pollux." 
 
 6. Give an analysis of Paul's speech to the Lystrians. 
 
 7. What was the subsequent attitude of the several apostles at the Council 
 of Jerusalem in respect to the decrees of the Council } 
 
 8. What are the four things prohibited the Gentiles in the letter from the 
 Council at Jerusalem } Are these the chief points in the letter } If not, what 
 are .'' Explain the nature and the necessity of the prohibitions } 
 
 9. What were St. Paul's claims to apostleship } 
 
 10. What was the dispute between Barnabas and Paul } 
 
 1 1 . Why did Paul circumcise Timothy and not Titus } 
 
 12. What converts in the Acts are mentioned particularly by name ? 
 
 13. On what occasions did Paul claim his right of Roman citizenship } 
 
 14. Explain the words "lewd," babbler," "carriages." 
 
 15. Who were the Epicureans, the Stoics ? 
 
 16. Give an analysis of Paul's speech on Mars Hill. 
 
 17. Mention converts made by Paul at Corinth who are named in his Epistles, 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 143 
 
 18. Contrast Athens with Corinth. 
 
 19. *• Gallic cared for none of these things." State the circumstances 
 referred to. 
 
 20. AVhy did Paul shave his head at Cenchrea ? 
 
 21. " Knowing only the baptism of John." What things concerning Jesus 
 would Apollos know ? What did he not know } 
 
 22. On what occasions was the gift of tongues bestowed ? Can you assign 
 any reason for the gift being bestowed on these special occasions } 
 
 23. Explain " Silver shrines for Diana." 
 
 "The chief of Asia." 
 
 "The town clerk." 
 
 "The law is open, and there are deputies." 
 
 24. Give an analysis of the speech of the Town Clerk at Ephesus. 
 
 25. Name the occasions on which Paul was in danger of assassination. 
 
 26. Give an analysis of Paul's speech at Miletus to the elders of Ephesus. 
 
 27. By what symbolical act did Agabus foretell the imprisonment of Paul } 
 Mention examples in the Old Testament of similar symbolical acts. Give 
 instances of our Lord adopting such method of teaching. 
 
 28. Give instances of women being admitted into the service of the ministry 
 of the Church. What attitude did Paul adopt on this question ? 
 
 29. Explain "to forsake Moses." 
 
 "Be at charges with them." 
 
 " The doors were shut." 
 
 " Commanded him to be carried into the castle." 
 
 30. What was the Nazaiite vow ? 
 
 31. What was the charge brought against Paul by the Jews when they seized 
 him in the Temple .-' Show that the charge was false. What was Paul's real 
 teaching .? 
 
 32. Explain the question of the chief captain to St. Paul "Art thou that 
 Egyptian ? " 
 
 33. Give the early life of Paul as gathered from his Epistles and elsewhere. 
 
 34. Explain " Estate of the Elders." 
 
 "The chief captain was afraid . . . because he had bound him." 
 " God shall smite thee, thou whited wall." 
 "Bound themselves under a curse." 
 
 35. Give the different accounts of Paul's conversion, and point out the 
 vaiious discrepancies. 
 
 36. Give an analysis of Paul's speech on the stairs of the Castle of Antonia. 
 
 37. What kinsmen of Paul are mentioned (i) in the Acts (2) in the Epistles ? 
 
 38. Explain " Spearmen." 
 
 " Most excellent Felix." 
 " Pestilent fellow." 
 
 39. What accusations were brought by Turtullus against Paul ? How did 
 the Apostle answer them ? 
 
144 APPENDIX. 
 
 40. Explain " I appeal unto Caesar." 
 
 " The hearing of Augustus." 
 
 " It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." 
 
 41. Give an analysis of Paul's defence before Agrippa. 
 
 42. Explain '• the Augustan band." 
 
 " The fast was now already past." 
 
 " The master and owner of the vessel." 
 
 " A tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon." 
 
 " They used helps, undergirding the ship." 
 
 " They loosed the rudder bands." 
 
 43. Trace the course of the vessel from Jerusalem to Rome. 
 
 44. What reasons are there for considering St. Paul's Bay, Malta, as the 
 scene of the shipwreck ? 
 
 45. Explain "Captain of the guard," 
 
 " The soldier that kept him." 
 
 " Chief man of the island." 
 
 "The barbarous people." 
 
 " "We had much work to come by the boat." 
 
 46. Why did Paul summon the chief of the Jews at Rome to meet him 1 
 
 47. Why were the Jews at Rome conciliatory to Paul ? 
 
 48. Give any particulars you know of Paul's first imprisonment at Rome. 
 Who were his companions in this imprisonment ? 
 
 49. What was the subsequent history of Paul as gathered from the Epistles ? 
 
 50. In what lespects had the Roman system of government any influence in 
 the spread of Christianity ? 
 
 51. Mention instances in which the Holy Ghost is mentioned as particularly 
 directing the action of the Apostles. 
 
 52. "What events in Paul's first missionary journey are illustrated by his 
 Epistles ? 
 
 53. What do we gather from the Epistles of the early life of Timothy } 
 
 54. What persecutions of Paul are alluded to in his Epistles ? 
 
 55. Quote instances to prove the accuracy of Luke's record in the Acts. 
 
 56. What events serve as fixed dates for determining the chronology of this 
 portion of the Acts ? Taking these events as a basis, [assign approximate 
 dates to : (i) The Council at Jerusalem. (2) Paul's stay at Ephesus. (3) The 
 voyage to Rome. 
 
 57. Give instances of consistency in the narrative of the Acts. 
 
 58. What allusions are there to contemporaneous history } 
 
 59. What Epistles were written by Paul (i) on his second missionary jour- 
 ney, (2) in his first Roman captivity "i State the characteristic feature of each 
 Epistle. 
 
 LONDOX : PRINTLD BY J. S. VIRTUE AND CO., LIMITED, CITY ROAD. 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 2. Letters, c 5. Kick against the pricks, c. 10. Ananias, p. 32. 
 13. Saints, c. 15. Kings, c. 16. What were the sufterings of Paul ? p. 
 105. 18. Scales, c. Learn the resume at bottom of p. 104. 23. Many 
 days, c. 25. By the ivall and basket, c. 26. Assayed, c. 31. Why had 
 the churches rest ? 33. Palsy, c. 35. Saron, c. 36. Joppa, p. 25 ; 
 Tnbitha, c. 37. Laid her in an upper chamber, c. Compare the speedy 
 burial of Ananias. 39. Coats and garments, c. State in what ways Peter 
 copied his Master in this incident. What are other instances of raising to 
 life? 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 1. Cornelius, p. 33 ; Centurion, c. ; Italian band, c. 3. Evidently, c. 
 6. By the sea-side, c. What is notable concerning the mention of centu- 
 rions in the New Testament? 9. Housetop, c. 11. Sheet knit at the 
 four corners, c. 19. Three men, c. 23. Certain brethren, c. 25. Fell 
 down at his feet, c. 41. State the recorded instances here referred to. 46. 
 Speak irith tongues, c. 48. Connnanded them to be baptized, c. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Study Presbyters or Elders, p, 58. 
 
 2. They that vere of the circumcision, see bottom of p. 114. 3. Didst 
 eat with them, c. 19-20. For location of these places see pp. 26, 20, 23. 
 26. What other names are given in the New Testament to the followers 
 of Christ ? What are the three instances of the use of the word Christian ? 
 By whom was it given ? 28. Agapus, p. 34 ; great dearth— when ? 
 
 rv,AV\^ CHAPTER XII. 
 
 1. About that time—when'^ Herod, pp. 36-37. 2. James, c. 4. 
 Four quaternions, c ; Easter, r. lOT Ward, c ; his, c. 13. Rhoda, c. 15. 
 His angel, r. 17. James, p. 6; another jilace, c. Why did Herod I. per- 
 secute the Church ? 20. Tyre and Sidon, p. 26 ; Blastus, p. 34 ; their 
 country ivas nourished by the King^s country, c. 22. Set day, c. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Draw an outline map of Paul's first missionary journey, as on p. 42. 
 Put on the map the sixteen places and countries mentioned on p. 43. 
 What time was taken ? What plan adopted ? What was the method of 
 preaching ? pp. 43-44. 1. A7itioch, -p. 6. Prophets and teachers, c. For 
 
the proper names see pp. 21, 26, 25. 2. Ministered, c 4. Seleucia, p. 
 18; Cyprus, p. 11. 5. Salamis, p. 18; John, p. 23; minister, c. 6. 
 Paphos, p. 14; s6rcerer, c ; Bar- Jesus, p. 21. 7. Deputy, c; Sergius 
 Paulus, p. 29. 9. What four reasons are given for the change of " Saul " 
 to " Paul " ? 13. Perga, p. 35; John departing, c. 14. Antioch, p. 7 ; 
 sat down, c. 16. Beckoning, c ; men of Israel and ye that fear Ood, c. 
 26. Men and brethren, c. What can be said of how Paul adapts his ad- 
 dresses to his audience ? p. 52. 29. What were some of the prophecies 
 fulfilled by Christ's crucifixion and burial? p. 54. 42. Comment on 
 the better rendering of the revised version. 45. Why were the Jews JiUed 
 with envy ? 50. Honorable women, c ; chief men, c ; coasts, c. 51 . Shook 
 of the dust, c ; Iconiiim, p. 13. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 5 Stone them,, c. 6. Lystra, Derbe,Lycaonia,Y>^. \'l, 1%. W. Speech 
 of Lycao7iia, c ; the Gods have come down, c. 13. Garlands, c. 17. Rain, c. 
 Give the analysis of this speech to the Lystrians. 19. Certain Jews, c. 
 25. Attalia, p. 19. 28. Long time, c. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 1. From Judaea, c. 3. Phenice, p. 15. 6. Who composed the coun- 
 cil? 7. Good while ago; how long since? 10. In what did the yoke 
 consist? iS. Ja7nes, p. 2S. 14. Simeon, c. 16. Tabernacle, c. 22. Send 
 chosen men, c. Study carefully the notes on the First Christian Council, 
 and on Paul's Claims to Apostleship, pp. 61, 63, 65, 67. Also, the notes 
 at the bottom of p. 64, and what is said of the dispute on p. 67. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Draw outline map ot Paul's second missionary journey, following pp. 
 44, 42, 1. Timotheus, p. 27 ; Jewess, c. Spirit, see note top p. 70. 4. 
 Decree, c. 6. Phrygia, Galatia, pp. 13, 16 ; Asia, p. 7. 7. Mysia, Bithy- 
 nia, pp. 14, 9. 8. Troas, p. 19. 9. Macedonia, p. 14. 10. We, c. 12, 
 13. Samothracia, Neapolis, Philippi, pp. 18, 14,15; colony, c. 14. Lydia, 
 p. 24; Thyatira, p. 19. 15. Constrained us, c, 17. Most high God, c. 
 19. Marketplace, c. 20. Magistrates, c. 21. Teach customs, see note. 24. 
 Stocks, c. 27. Would have killed, himself, c. 35. Magistrates and Ser- 
 jeants, ^ee note 38. They feared, vf\\y-^. 48. Entered the house of Lydia, 
 why? 
 
.5 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 1. For places mentioned see pp. 6, 7, 18. 3. Opeuiny, c. 5. Lewd, 
 see note. 0. Rulers, c. 7. Jason, p. 23 ; another King, c. 10. Berea, p. 
 9. 11. More noble, c. 15. Athens, p. 8. 16. Given to idolatry, see note. 
 18. Epicureans »x\di Stoics, study notes, pp. 74-75; babbler, c ; setter forth 
 of strange gods, c. 19. Areopagus, c. 25. With ynen^s hands, c. 34. Di- 
 onysius and Damaris, p. 22. Learn the analysis of Paul's speech, p. 76. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 1. Corinth, p. 11. 2. Aquila and Priscilla,-^. 30; see note on this 
 command of Claudius. 3. Tentmakers, c. 7. Justus, p. 25. 8. Crispus, 
 p. 22. 9. Vision, see note on p. 78. Study Co^itrast between Athens and 
 Corinth. 12. Gallio, p. 29 ; Ac/Mta, p. 5; deputy, c. 13. Contrary to the 
 law, r. 17. Alt the Greeks, c ; Sosthenes, p. 26; Gallio cared for none of 
 these things, c. 18. Cenchrea, p. 10 ; a vow, see Part I, p. 52 ; state why 
 Paul took this vow. 19. Ephesus, p. 12. Draw outline map of Paul's 
 third missiomiry journey, pp. 44, 45, 42. 25. Apollos, p. 20; Alexandria, 
 see note. 25. Study note at bottom of p. 81. 27. Achaia, see note. 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 2. We have not — heard, study marginal note. 6. Spake with tongues, 
 state the three instances of this occurrence. 9. School, c ; Tyrannus, p. 27. 
 11. Special, r. 12. Handkerchiefs and aprons, study note. 13. Vaga- 
 bond, c. 14. Sceva, p. 26. 19. Curious arts, c ; the /)Wce=$8,854.37. 
 21. Rome, the most important city the world has ever known, is situated 
 in southwestern Italy, in the district Latium, on the river Tiber, sixteen 
 miles from the sea. Said to have been founded by Romulus, the mythical 
 personification of the Roman People, in the year 753 b. c. Governed by 
 seven kings during two hundred and forty-four years, 753-509 ; then fol- 
 lowed a republic, whose highest officials were two consuls, elected annually. 
 This form of government lasted, with some variations, four hundred and 
 seventy-eight years, until the Empire was established by Augustus Caesar, 
 B. c. 31. The Coesar to whom Paul appealed was Nero, the fifth and 
 worst emperor, 54-68, a. d. 22. Erastus, p. 21. 24. Demetrius, p. 22; 
 Shrines for Diana, see note. 29 Gaivs and Aristarchiis, pp. 23, 20. 31. 
 The Theatre, <■. 33. Alexander, pp. 19, 88 ; the Jews putting him fonrard, 
 why ? p. 88. 35. To-wn clerk, p. 88 ; image, note. p. 88. 
 
CHAPTEE XX. 
 
 4. For proper names, see pp. 26, 20, 23, 27. 9. Eutychus, p. 23. 13. 
 Assas, p. 14. Alitylene^ p. 14. 15. Chios, p. 10 ; Samos, p. 18 ; Trogyl- 
 liutn, p. 19 ; Miletus^ p. 14. 35. See note. Study the analysis of Paul's 
 speech, pp. 92, 93. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 1. Co-OS, p. 10; Rhodes, p. 16; Patara^ p. 15, 3. Discovered, c; 
 Syria, c ; Tyrc,^. 19. 4. Seven days^ see note; go tip to Jerusalem^ %^Q 
 note. 7. Ptolemais, p. 16. 9. Prophesy^ study note. Read carefully the 
 notes on p. 95. 15. Carriages, c. 16. Miiason, p. 25 ; old^ c. 24. Charges, c. 
 26. Temple, study note carefully. 28. Polluted, c. 30. iPis^^rj zc/^r^ jy^w/, 
 see note. Study note on the Nazarite Vow, p. 98. 31. Captain and band, c 
 35. Stairs, c. 35. Castle, c Z^. Away zvith him, c. 38. That Egyptian, c. 
 39. 7}7r^?^.v, p. 19. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 1. Fathers, c. 5. /fi^^A Priest, see note. 20. Martyr, c. Study 
 analysis, p. 102. 23. Garments, see note. 28. TAis Freedom, c ; /ree 
 6orw, c. 29. Because he had bound him, c. 
 
 CHAPTER XXin. 
 
 2. Ananias, p. 19; smite, c. 3. Ood shall smite thee, see note; 
 whited zaall, see note. 5. / ww^ «o^, see note, p. 105. 12. Under a curse, 
 c. Note the four plots to assassinate Paul, p. 107. 24. Felix, pp. 29, 30 ; 
 Drusilla, p. 29. Study note, middle p. 108. 31. Antipatris, p. 7, and 
 note. Herod, p. 28. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIY. 
 
 2. Tertullus. p. 27; thy jirovidence, c. Study note on the accusation, 
 p. 110, and that at beginning of Paul's defence. Study the analysis of 
 the defence. 27. Festus, p. 30. 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 11. Appeal unto Caesar, study notes. 18. Herod, pp. 28-29; Bernice, 
 p. 29. 26. My Lord, c. Study note at end of chapter. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 6. Hope of the promise, see noie. 7. Twelve tribes, c. 10. Saints, nee 
 note ; my voice, see note. 23. Prophets aud Moses, c. Study the analysis 
 of Paul's defence. 26. The King knoweth, why ? 28. Study note on 
 p. 121. 
 
^m 
 
 Date Due 
 
 ! 
 
 
 
 mmu^ 
 
 u.. 
 
 
 
 msss>y 
 
 >- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 f