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| 1 And Paul, looking steadfastly, at the High-council, said–Brethren! I, in all good conscience have used my citizenship for God until this day. |
Earnestly beholding – Another opportunity to witness the Gospel to the Jews; to their most learned body, to their most influential Court of Seventy. R5952:2, 4485:6
The council – Jewish Sanhedrin, of which the High Priest, Ananias, was president. R3190:2, 5952:1
It is quite generally supposed that at the time of the stoning of Stephen, Paul, then Saul of Tarsus, was a member of the Sanhedrin. R5952:2, 4486:1
I have lived – The Apostle had always lived in full harmony with the laws of his country; an honorable citizen. R3190:2
All good conscience – Paul had never ceased to maintain this attitude. R5952:6, 4486:4
Moral, upright, with a religious zeal which led him to persecute the Church. R2823:3
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| 2 And, the High-priest, Ananias, ordered them that stood by him, to be smiting him on the mouth. |
And the high priest – It is not unfair to assume that the High Priest felt his own course in life especially condemned by Paul's words. R5952:3, 4486:2
Possibly thinking this as a reflection against himself, for he had an unsavory reputation. R3190:2
Ananias – Josephus charges Ananias with having been a hypocritical grafter of the baser sort, but so crafty that the public esteemed him. R5952:3, 4486:2
President of the Sanhedrin. R3190:2
Smite him – A special mark of indignity and a protest against the words uttered. R5952:3, 4486:1
An insult not at all uncommon in the East at that time. R3190:2
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| 3 Then, Paul, unto him, said–God is about to be smiting thee, thou whited wall! Dost, thou, then sit to judge me according to the law, and, unlawfully, orderest me to be smitten? |
God shall smite thee – The prophecy came true; within two years, Ananias was deposed; within six years, he met a horrible death. R5952:3, 4486:2
Thou whited wall – The term applied to ordinary graves which were covered with a stone slab, whitewashed frequently. R5952:3, 4486:2
A symbol representing hypocrisy. R5952:3, 4486:2
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| 4 And, they who stood by, said–The High-priest of God, dost thou revile? |
Revilest – Answerest. R4486:2, 3190:2
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| 5 And Paul said–I was not aware, brethren, that he was high-priest; because it is written–Of a ruler of thy people, shalt thou not speak injuriously. |
I wist not – The Apostle had never fully recovered his eyesight and could not discern clearly. R5952:3, 4486:2, 3190:2, 2118:4, 1540:4
Or he did not know that the indignity was suggested by Ananias. R5952:4, 4486:2
Or, he may have questioned the right of Ananias to the title of High Priest. R3190:3, 5952:5, 4486:2
The Apostle's words may have meant that he did not recognize that the true High Priest was present. R5952:5, 4486:3
Or he may have considered that the typical office of High Priest had ended. R3190:3, 310:2
Brethren – Thus putting himself on an equality with them, both in respect to religious zeal and general learning. R5952:2, 4486:1
High priest – A Sadducee. R3190:3
Not speak evil – The people of God should pre-eminently stand for law and order, with as much justice as may be obtainable, waiting for absolute justice until the King of kings shall take his Millennial throne. R5952:5, 4486:3
The attitude of the Lord's people should be a very conservative one in such matters. R3190:3
The Apostle did not make threats against them nor pray evil upon their heads, but he defended himself by appealing to the people. R3738:2
We are not authorized to retaliate. R3738:3
Ruler – Dignitaries. R3190:3
The gods, mighty ones, judges. (Exod. 22:28) E68
The tendency to speak evil of dignitaries, to belittle them, to caricature them, is a prevalent sin. R5952:5, 4486:3
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| 6 But Paul, getting to know that, the one part, were Sadducees and, the other, Pharisees, began to cry aloud in the council–Brethren! I, am, a Pharisee, son of Pharisees:–Concerning a hope, even of a rising again of the dead, am I to be judged. |
When Paul perceived – The prejudice against him was such that no speech of his could affect his hearers. R5952:6, 4486:3
Sadducees – Practically unbelievers, of the wealthier, more respectable class. R4986:3
The Sadducees were the Higher Critics and infidels of that time; for they did not believe in angels or spirits or in the resurrection of the dead. R4961:4
I am a Pharisee – The word Pharisee means, "Wholly devoted, separated to God." R3124:5, 5952:6, 4486:4
Signifying holiness or completeness in the observance of the Law. R3190:4, 4986:3
Paul's experience on the way to Damascus had not changed his attitude of heart, of loyalty to God. R5952:6, 4486:4
A Sadducee, in violation of the Law, had just caused a Pharisee to be smitten in the mouth. He thus to some extent gained the sympathy of the Pharisees. R3190:6
Thus he appealed to the Pharisee element of the crowd, and set them more or less at variance with the Sadducees. R5897:6
With the thought that he could get the good will of the one part. R4961:5
Resurrection – Greek, anastasis; is without the Greek article of special emphasis, indicating the first or special resurrection, but indicating the general opportunity for life everlasting by a judgment-resurrection. R1512:1, 2
Of the dead – The hope of a personal future life by resurrection. R5468:4
There is no hope of a future life without a resurrection, and no hope of a resurrection except in Jesus. R2618:1
This hope was fulfilled, its realization made sure, in the resurrection of Christ. R751:2*, 1436:4*
"Preached through Jesus" ( Acts 4:2), because of the ransom he R241:3
"If there be no resurrection of the dead, then they that are fallen asleep in Christ are perished." (1 Cor. 15:13, 18) C117, E345
The early Christians were scattered abroad and went everywhere preaching Jesus and the resurrection. CR22:1; HG191:6
I am called in question – It is because I believe in the resurrection of the dead that I am here a prisoner. HG136:6
"And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked." ( Acts 17:32) HG347:4
Resurrection is regarded with dread, because of false teachings. The traditions of men made void the Word of God. F664; HG136:6
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| 7 And, as this he was saying, there arose a dissension of the Pharisees and Sadducees; and rent asunder was the throng.
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Pharisees – Ultra-orthodox, holiness-professing. R5952:6, 5389:2, 4961:5, 4486:4
Sadducees – Agnostic and higher-critical. R5952:6, 4486:4
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| 8 For, Sadducees, say, there is no rising again, nor messenger, nor spirit, whereas, Pharisees, confess them both. |
No resurrection – The Sadducees professed no faith in a future life. R5389:2
Nor spirit – Greek, pneuma; spirit-being. E313
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| 9 And there arose a great outcry, and certain of the Scribes of the party of the Pharisees, standing up, began to strive, saying–Nothing bad, find we in this man;–but, if a spirit hath spoken unto him, or a messenger . . . |
But if a spirit – Greek, pneuma; E313
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| 10 And, great dissension arising, the captain, fearing lest Paul would be torn in pieces by them, ordered the troop to go down, and take him by force out of their midst, to bring him into the castle. |
A great dissension – A tumult ensued, some seeking to take his life and others to protect it. R5953:1, 4486:4
The chief captain – The Roman commander, Lysias. R3190:4
Paul – Calm, alert, dignified, humble, self-possessed. R4486:5
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| 11 But, on the following night, the Lord, standing over him, said–Be of good courage! for, as thou hast fully borne witness of the things concerning me in Jerusalem, so must thou, in Rome also, bear witness. |
Lord stood by him – And gave him the suitable words. R4499:5
Paul received special, individual encouragement from the Lord. R1558:3
The assurance was needed, for the Lord very rarely interposes miraculously in the course of events unless there is special necessity. R3190:1
The Lord constantly witnessed with him, by miracles and signs which mightily convinced the people. R1558:5
The Apostle's visions serve us as they served him, assuring us also that the Lord is with his people, and is able to care for, protect, guide and bless our efforts today. R3190:2
Be of good cheer – It was in this time of great mental stress that the Lord so graciously communicated with him by a dream. R3190:1
Throughout this entire experience Paul had the sympathy and approval of all the other apostles, and, above all, the Lord's continued favor. F227; R1526:5
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| 12 And, when it became day, the Jews, forming a conspiracy, bound themselves under a curse, saying, that they would neither eat nor drink till they had slain Paul. |
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| 13 And they were, more than forty, who, this sworn-confederacy, had formed. |
More than forty – Deluded religious enthusiasts. R3190:5
Forty professed religionists, forgetful of the divine Law, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." (Lev. 19:18) R5953:4, 4486:6
These forty men would assault and risk their lives to assassinate Paul. R3190:5
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| 14 And they went unto the High-priests and Elders, and said–With a curse have we bound ourselves, to taste, nothing, until we have slain Paul. |
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| 15 Now, therefore, do, ye, with the High-council, make it appear unto the captain, that he should bring him down unto you, as though about to ascertain more exactly the things that concern him; and, we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him. |
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| 16 But Paul's sister's son hearing of the lying-in-wait, happening to be near, and coming into the castle,–reported it unto Paul. |
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| 17 And Paul, calling unto him one of the centurions, said–This young man, lead thou away unto the captain, for he hath somewhat to report unto him. |
Then Paul – Doing all that he could in proper self-defense and protection from the wiles of the Adversary. R3190:6, 3738:2, 954:3*
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| 18 He, therefore, taking him with him, brought him unto the captain, and saith–The prisoner Paul, calling me unto him, requested me to bring this young man unto thee, as having somewhat to tell thee. |
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| 19 And the captain, taking him by the hand, and going aside, began, privately, to ask–What is it which thou hast to report unto me? |
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| 20 And he said–The Jews, have agreed to request thee, that, tomorrow, thou wouldst bring, Paul, down into the High-council, as though about to ascertain something, more exact, concerning him. |
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| 21 Thou, therefore, do not be persuaded by them, for there are lying in wait for him, from among them, more than forty men,–who, indeed, have bound themselves under a curse, neither to eat nor drink, till they have killed him; and, now, are they ready, awaiting the promise, from thee. |
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| 22 the captain, therefore, dismissed the young man, charging him–Unto no one, divulge thou, that, these things, thou hast shewed unto me. |
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| 23 And calling certain two of the centurions he said–Make ye ready two hundred soldiers, that they may journey as far as Caesarea,–and seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen, by the third hour of the night; |
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| 24 beasts also provide, in order that, seating Paul thereon, they may bring him safely through unto Felix the governor. |
Bring him safe – The commandant concluded that the wisest course would be to put his prisoner under the protection of Felix, the Roman Governor, at Caesarea. R5953:4, 4486:6
God prefers to use natural means rather than supernatural agencies. R5953:4, 4486:6
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| 25 And he wrote a letter, after this form:– |
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| 26 Claudius Lysias, unto the most excellent governor Felix, Joy! |
Claudius Lysias – Chief Captain or Colonel of the Roman soldiers in the Castle Antonio. R4485:1, 3188:6
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| 27 This man, having been apprehended by the Jews, and being about to be killed by them, I went down with the troop, and rescued; having learned that he was, a Roman. |
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| 28 And, being minded to find out the cause for which they were accusing him, [I took him down into their High-council], |
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| 29 whom I found to be accused concerning questions of their law, but, of nothing worthy of death or bonds, to be charged. |
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| 30 But, when I was informed there would be a plot against the man, forthwith, I sent him unto thee, charging, his accusers also, to be speaking against him before thee. |
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| 31 So the soldiers, according to their orders, taking up Paul, brought him by night unto Antipatris; |
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| 32 and, on the morrow, leaving the horsemen to go on with him, returned to the castle,– |
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| 33 and the others, entering into Caesarea, and delivering the letter unto the governor, set, Paul also, before him. |
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| 34 And, when he had read it, and asked out of what province he was, and learned that he was from Cilicia, |
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| 35 I myself will hear thee in full, said he, whensoever, thine accusers also, are come; and gave orders that, in the palace of Herod, he should be kept under guard. |
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