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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 22:22-30

Paul was going on with this account of himself, had shown them his commission to preach among the Gentiles without any peevish reflections upon the Jews, and we may suppose designed next to show how he was afterwards, by a special direction of the Holy Ghost at Antioch, separated to this service, how tender he was of the Jews, how respectful to them, and how careful to give them the precedency in all places whither he came, and to unite Jews and Gentiles in one body; and then to show how... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 22:22-30

22:22-30 Up to this statement they listened to him, and then they cried, "Destroy such a fellow from the earth, for it is not proper for him to live." While they were shouting and waving their garments and throwing dust into the air, the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks. He ordered him to be examined by scourging to find out why they shouted like this against him. And when they had tied him up with the thongs, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, "Is it right... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 22:28

And the chief captain answered, with a great sum obtained I this freedom ,.... For, it seems, he was not a Roman born, but very likely a Grecian, or Syrian, by his name Lysias; and as all things were now venal at Rome, the freedom of the city was to be bought with money, though a large sum was insisted on for it: this the chief captain said, as wondering that so mean a person, and who he understood was a Jew by birth, should be able to procure such a privilege, which cost him so much money: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 22:29

Then straightway they departed from him, which should have examined him ,.... By scourging; namely, the soldiers, who under the inspection of the centurion, and by the order of the chief captain, were binding him with thongs to scourge him, and thereby extort from him his crime, which was the cause of all this disturbance; but hearing that he was a Roman, either of their own accord, or rather at the order of their officers, either the centurion or chief captain, or both, left binding him,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 22:28

With a great sum obtained I this freedom - So it appears that the freedom, even of Rome, might be purchased, and that it was sold at a very high price. But I was free born - It has been generally believed that the inhabitants of Tarsus, born in that city, had the same rights and privileges as Roman citizens, in consequence of a charter or grant from Julius Caesar. Calmet disputes this, because Tarsus was a free not a colonial city; and he supposes that Paul's father might have been... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 22:29

After he knew that he was a Roman - He who was going to scourge him durst not proceed to the torture when Paul declared himself to be a Roman. A passage from Cicero, Orat. pro Verr. Act. ii. lib. v. 64, throws the fullest light on this place: Ille, quisquis erat, quem tu in crucem rapiebas, qui tibi esset ignotus, cum civem se Romanum esse diceret, apud te Praetorem, si non effugium, ne moram quidem mortis mentione atque usurpatione civitatis assequi potuit? "Whosoever he might be whom... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 22:28

Verse 28− 28.With a great sum. The chief captain objecteth this to refute him as if he should say, that the freedom of the city is not so common, and easily to be obtained. How can it be that thou, being some base fellow of the country of the Cilicians, shouldst obtain this honor, for which I paid sweetly? Whereas Paul maketh answer, that he was free born, who never saw the city, yea, whose father it may be was never there, there is no cause why this should trouble any man. For those who are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 22:1-30

The apology. It was a very remarkable promise which our Lord made to his apostles, when, forewarning them that they should be delivered up to councils, and brought before kings and rulers for his sake, he added, "But when they so deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye; for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost" ( Mark 13:9-11 ). It is impossible not to see a fulfillment... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 22:22-29

Damager and deliverance. At length the latent envy of the Jewish audience breaks forth. "Away with such a man from the earth!" I. DANGER INCURRED IN WITNESS FOR THE TRUTH , ( Acts 22:22-27 .) The wild force of fanaticism has to be encountered again and again. These scenes are a warning against fostering it. It dishonors God, under the pretext of jealousy for his honor; ill treats the innocent; disgraces itself, turning men into wild beasts. II. DIVINE DELIVERANCE... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 22:22-30

Rescue of the prisoner and reference of his cause to the Jewish Sanhedrim. Notice— I. THE POWER OF PREJUDICE . The very word "Gentile" exasperates Jews, yet they were separated from Gentiles, not to hate them, but to save them. II. The close connection between IGNORANCE AND VIOLENCE . Knowledge helps patience; patience promotes knowledge. III. THE CRUELTY OF POWER when it is exercised without righteousness. Torture was at once a confession of weakness and... read more

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