Acts 22:17-18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 22:3-21

Paul here gives such an account of himself as might serve not only to satisfy the chief captain that he was not that Egyptian he took him to be, but the Jews also that he was not that enemy to their church and nation, to their law and temple, they took him to be, and that what he did in preaching Christ, and particularly in preaching him to the Gentiles, he did by a divine commission. He here gives them to understand, I. What his extraction and education were. 1. That he was one of their own... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 22:11-21

22:11-21 "Because I was not able to see because of the glory of that light, I came into Damascus led by the hand by those who were with me. And Ananias, a pious man as regards the Law, a man to whose character all the Jews who live there bear witness, came to me and stood beside me and said, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight again'; and I, in that same hour. recovered my sight, and looked up at him. He said, 'The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will. to see the Just One and to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 22:17

And it came to pass, that when I was come again to Jerusalem ,.... Which was three years after his conversion; for he did not immediately return to Jerusalem, but went into Arabia; and when he returned to Damascus, which was three years after he came to Jerusalem; see Galatians 1:17 even while I prayed in the temple ; the temple was an house of prayer; hither persons resorted for that purpose; and as the apostle had been used to it, he continued this custom, and during the time of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 22:18

And I saw him saying unto me ,.... That is, the Lord Jesus Christ, that just One, whom he had seen in his way to Damascus, and whose voice he had heard, and whose name he had called upon at his baptism: make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem : not because his life was in danger, but because Christ had work for him to do elsewhere, which required haste; and that he might not continue here useless and unprofitable, as he would have been, had he staid; for they will not... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 22:17

When I was come again to Jerusalem - It is likely that he refers to the first journey to Jerusalem, about three years after his conversion, Acts 9:25 , Acts 9:26 , and Galatians 1:18 . I was in a trance - This circumstance is not mentioned any where else, unless it be that to which himself refers in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 , when he conceived himself transported to the third heaven; and, if the case be the same, the appearance of Jesus Christ to him, and the command given, are... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 22:17

Verse 17− 17.And it came to pass. This had not been the last conclusion, − (513) if Paul had not been cut off [stopped short] with their outrageous outcries. Notwithstanding, his drift and purpose doth plainly appear by the former text, [context] for he beginneth to intreat of his ministry, that he may show that he departed not from the Jews of his own accord, as if he withdrew him of malice from taking pains with them; but he was drawn unto the Gentiles contrary to his expectation and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 22:18

Verse 18− 18.Because they will not. Though the commandment of God alone ought to be sufficient enough to bind us to obey, yet to the end Paul might be the more willing to follow, Christ showeth him a reason why he will have him depart out of Jerusalem; to wit, because he should lose his labor there; but he was not chosen to that end that he might be idle, or do no good by teaching; though this were a sore trial, and such as we may think did sore shake him. − (515) Not long before the function... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 22:1-21

Paul's self-defense before the Jews. "Brothers and fathers." These words fell from his lips in the Hebrew tongue, and a hush fell upon them. If we desire to be listened to with attention, we must speak to the people "in their own tongue." I. THE PERIOD BEFORE CONVERSION . ( Acts 22:3-5 .) He speaks throughout of himself; but in the background of his thought is the providence and the grace of Him who had called him out from darkness into his marvelous light. He was a Jew,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 22:1-21

Paul's defense of himself to the people. I. THE CIRCUMSTANCES . 1. On the castle stairs. 2. Addressed to a tumultuous mob, full of passionate, murderous feeling, quelled for the moment by Paul's self-control and the captain's influence, showing that they feared Rome, though they feared not God, and had no desire to know the truth. 3. The magic of the Hebrew tongue, that is, the Syriac or Aramaic Hebrew, which touched their national sympathies, and at once laid to rest any... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 22:1-22

Argument and prejudice. We have here— I. AN ADMIRABLE ARGUMENT . Paul, at the inspiration of the moment, made a powerful defense of his position. He showed: 1. That no one could enter into their feelings more perfectly than himself. Was he not a Jew by birth ( Acts 22:3 )? Had he not received a thoroughly Jewish education, at the feet of a Jewish master ( Acts 22:3 )? Had he not been absolutely possessed by a devotedness to the Law, and a corresponding hatred of the new... read more

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