Acts 21:38

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 21:27-40

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... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 21:37-40

21:37-40 When Paul was about to be brought into the barracks he said to the commander, "May I say something to you?" He said, "Can you speak Greek? Are you not then the Egyptian who some time ago started a revolution and led four thousand men of the Dagger-bearers out into the desert?" Paul said, "I am a man who is a Jew, a native of Tarsus, a citizen of no mean city. I ask you, let me speak to the people." When he had given his permission to do so, Paul stood on the steps and made a gesture... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 21:38

Art thou not that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar ,.... Josephus speaks F9 Antiqu. l. 20. c. 7. sect. 6. of one that came out of Egypt to Jerusalem, and gave out that he was a prophet, and deceived the people, whom he persuaded to follow him to the Mount of Olives, where they should see the walls of the city fall at his command, and so through the ruins of it they might enter into the city; but Felix the Roman governor fell upon them, killed four hundred, and took... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 21:38

Art not thou that Egyptian, etc. - The history to which Claudius Lysias refers is taken from Josephus, Ant. lib. xx. cap. 7, sec. 6, and War, lib. ii. cap. 13, sec. 5, and is in substance as follows: An Egyptian, whose name is not known, pretended to be a prophet, and told his followers that the walls of Jerusalem would fall down before them, if they would assist him in making an attack on the city. He had address enough to raise a rabble of 30,000 men, and with these advanced as far as the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 21:15-40

The compromise. The introduction of Christianity into the world while the temple was still standing, and the Law of Moses with all its Levitical and ceremonial ordinances was still in force, might have issued in three ways. 1. All converts to the faith of Jesus Christ from among the Gentiles might have been forced to become Jews, as far as submission to the whole Law was concerned. 2. Or the Old Testament might then and there have been superseded by the New, and the Jewish... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 21:20-39

The pastor and elders of the Church not infallible. There may be considered to be some uncertainty as to the exact merits of the remarkable case which the history reproduces in this passage, but without rendering any verdict, pronouncing any opinion, or even offering any suggestion. In the room that is accordingly allowed for option, it is believed that the following positions, as they are certainly maintainable in themselves, are also to be impressed on us by the present history:— I. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 21:27-40

Fanaticism and devotedness. It is impossible not to read these verses with a smile of contempt in view of the folly and guilt of fanaticism, and, at the same time, with a smile of satisfaction in view of the calmness and nobility of Christian zeal. I. THE FOLLY AND THE GUILT OF FANATICISM . 1. Its folly. 2. Its guilt. II. THE EXCELLENCY OF CHRISTIAN DEVOTEDNESS . How admirably the attitude of Paul contrasts with the movements of this excited,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 21:27-40

Danger and deliverance at Jerusalem. I. THE ACCUSATION AGAINST PAUL . 1. He is represented as an enemy of the Law, like Stephen before him. He has to confront the blind and murderous storm of human passion, more dreadful than the waves of the sea, presently to be encountered. Now is the warning concerning the things to be expected in Jerusalem about to be fulfilled. The sincerest friends of religion have often to incur the charge of being its enemies, the truest worshippers... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 21:37-40

The Roman soldier face to face with the Christian apostle. The heathen, notwithstanding his ignorance, was more open to reason than the Jew, blinded by fanaticism and bigotry. Religion corrupted by priestcraft is worse than skepticism. Courtesy and chivalry may be made to serve higher purposes. The providential appointment of the history of Judaism opened the way for a free gospel. Jews were filling up their cup.—R. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 21:38

Art thou not then the for art not thou that, A.V.; stirred up to sedition for madest an uproar, A.V.; led for leddest, A.V. ; the four thousand men of the Assassins for four thousand men that were murderers, A.V. Art thou not then , etc.? or as Meyer, "Thou art not then;" either way implying that Lysias had concluded that he was the Egyptian, but had now discovered his mistake. The Egyptian , etc. He whom Josephus calls (' Bell. Jud.,' it. Acts 13:5 ) "the Egyptian false... read more

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