Acts 23:16 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 23:12-35

We have here the story of a plot against the life of Paul; how it was laid, how it was discovered, and how it was defeated. I. How this plot was laid. They found they could gain nothing by popular tumult, or legal process, and therefore have a recourse to the barbarous method of assassination; they will come upon him suddenly, and stab him, if they can but get him within their reach. So restless is their malice against this good man that, when one design fails, they will turn another stone.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 23:11-24

23:11-24 On the next night the Lord stood by Paul and said, "Courage! As you have testified for me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness in Rome also." When it was day the Jews formed a plot and laid themselves selves under a vow neither to eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. There were more than forty who formed this conspiracy. They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, "We have laid ourselves under a vow to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. Now, therefore, do you... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 23:16

And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait ,.... Paul might have a sister living in Jerusalem; or this her son might be there on account of his studies; he might be a pupil to one of the doctors, by which means he might come at this secret, that such a number of men were in ambush, in order to take away his uncle's life: wherefore having got intelligence of it, he went and entered into the castle ; the Alexandrian copy reads, "the synagogue"; but Paul was not there, but in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 23:16

Paul's sister's son - This is all we know of Paul's family. And we know not how this young man got to Jerusalem; the family, no doubt, still resided at Tarsus. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 23:16

Verse 16− 16.Paul’s sister’s son. We see in this place how the Lord doth cross the purposes of the ungodly. He permitteth them to attempt many things, and he suffereth their wicked endeavors, but at length he showeth even in the twinkling of an eye − (549) that he doth from heaven deride whatsoever men go about upon earth. − “There is no wisdom,” saith Solomon, “there is no counsel against the Lord,” ( Proverbs 21:30). Whereto that of Isaiah doth answer, − “Take counsel together, and it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 23:11-24

The powers that act on us from without. Manifold are the powers which are acting upon our spirit and deciding our course and destiny. Some of these are suggested by this narrative. I. THE MALEVOLENT HUMAN . ( Acts 23:12-15 .) In this case human malevolence took a very violent and malignant form: it sought to compass Paul's death by a dark and shameless stratagem. More often it seeks to do us injury for which we shall suffer, but from which we may recover. The very worst form... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 23:12-35

Special providence. It is difficult to define exactly what we mean by a special providence. Not one sparrow falls to the ground without our heavenly Father, who works all things after the counsel of his own will, and makes all things "work together for good to them that love him, to them who are the called according to his purpose" ( Romans 8:28 ). And yet there are times and occasions when the overruling and controlling hand of God is seen more clearly and more markedly than usual,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 23:12-35

Paul at Caesarea. I. " THE LORD IS MINDFUL OF HIS OWN ." Recall the beautiful song in Mendelssohn's 'St. Paul.' 1. The craft of their foes. They conspire against the righteous with a zeal worthy of a better cause ( Acts 23:12 , Acts 23:13 ); and cloak their designs under pious pretexts ( Acts 23:14 , Acts 23:15 ). 2. The Divine protection. He brings the counsels of wickedness to light ( Acts 23:16 ). The young man, whoever he was, Christian Or otherwise,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 23:12-35

Conspiracy defeated. The " must " of the Lord's midnight message interpreted by events. Divine providence working. The Christian stands still and sees the salvation. The Word of God is instead of human calculations and predictions. How different from fatalism in such a case as Livingstone in the dangers of his African mission reminds us that there is a feeling of confidence in our weakness which is like a vision in the night. Notice— I. THE GUILT OF FANATICISM . The forty... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 23:16

But for and when, A.V. : and he came for he went, A.V. Lying in wait ; ἐνέδρα , only here and in Acts 25:3 in the New Testament; but common in the Books of Joshua and Judges in the LXX ., and also in classical Greek. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 23:12-35

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 23:11-24

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 23:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 23:16

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 23:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 23:11-24

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 23:12-35

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 23:12-35

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 23:12-35

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 23:16

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