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