Acts 21:39-40

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 21:39

But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus ,.... And not that Egyptian; he was not of that country, much less that man; but a Jew, both by birth and religion; he was born of Jewish parents, and brought up in the Jewish religion; though his native place was Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, where it is placed by Pliny F14 Nat. Hist. l. 5. c. 27. , Ptolomy F15 Geograph. l. 5. c. 8. , and Mela F16 De orbis situ, l. 1. c. 13. ; and is by some thought to be the same with the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 21:40

And when he had given him licence ,.... To speak to the people, which he could not well deny him, after he had so freely declared who he was, and in so courteous a manner addressed him, and asked leave of him: Paul stood on the stairs ; on the steps of the ascent to the castle, on the top of them: and beckoned with the hand unto the people ; to desire silence, which he might be able to do, notwithstanding his chains; for his being bound with a chain to a soldier, did not hinder the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 21:39

I am a man which am a Jew - A periphrasis for, I am a Jew. See the note on Acts 7:2 . Of Tarsus - no mean city - In the notes on Acts 9:11 , I have shown that Tarsus was a city of considerable importance, and in some measure a rival to Rome and Athens; and that, because of the services tendered to the Romans by the inhabitants, Julius Caesar endowed them with all the rights and privileges of Roman citizens. When St. Paul calls it no mean city, he speaks a language that was common to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 21:40

Paul stood on the stairs - Where he was out of the reach of the mob, and was surrounded by the Roman soldiers. Beckoned with the hand - Waving the hand, which was the sign that he was about to address the people. So Virgil says of Turnus, when he wished, by single combat between himself and Aeneas, to put an end to the war: - Significatque manu, et magno simul incipit ore: Parcite jam, Rutuli; et vos tela inhibete, Latini . He beckoned with his hand, and cried out with a loud... 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

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