| Back to Home Page | Back to
Book Index |
Acts Chapter
Twenty-two
Acts 22
He departs therefore to Jerusalem; and when there, he
goes to the house of James, and all the elders assemble. Paul relates to them
the work of God among the Gentiles. They turn to their Judaism, of which the
multitude were full, and, while rejoicing in the good that was wrought of God
by the Spirit, they wish Paul to shew himself obedient to the law. The
believers in Jerusalem must needs come together on the arrival of Paul, and
their prejudices with regard to the law must be satisfied. Paul has brought
himself into the presence of man's exigencies: to refuse compliance with them
would be to say that their thoughts about him were true; to act according to
their desire was to make a rule, not of the guidance of the Spirit in all
liberty of love, but of the ignorant and prejudiced condition of these Jewish
believers. It is that Paul was there, not according to the Spirit as an
apostle, but according to his attachment to these former things. One must be
above the prejudices of others, and free from their influence, to be able to
condescend to them in love.
Being there, Paul can hardly do other than satisfy their demands. But
the hand of God is in it. This act throws him into the power of his enemies.
Seeking to please the believing Jews, he finds himself in the lion's mouth, in
the hands of the Jews who were adversaries to the gospel. It may be added that
we hear nothing more of the Christians of Jerusalem. They had done their work.
I have no doubt that they accepted the alms of the Gentiles.
The whole city being moved and the temple shut, the
commander of the band comes to rescue Paul from the Jews who wished to kill
him, taking him however into custody himself, for the Romans were used to these
tumults, and heartily despised this nation beloved of God, but proud and
degraded in their own condition. Nevertheless Paul commands the respect of the
captain of the band by his manner of addressing him, and he permits him to
speak to the people. To the chief captain Paul had spoken in Greek; but, always
ready to win by the attentions of love, and especially when the loved though
rebellious people were in question, he speaks to them in Hebrew; that is, in
their ordinary language called Hebrew. He does not enlarge upon what the Lord
said revealing Himself to him, but he gives them a particular account of his
subsequent interview with Ananias, a faithful Jew and esteemed of all. He then
enters on the point which necessarily characterised his position and his
defence. Christ had appeared to him, saying, "They will not receive thy
testimony at Jerusalem. I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles."
Blessed be God! it is the truth; but why tell it to those very persons who,
according to his own words, would not receive his testimony? The only thing
which gave authority to such a mission was the Person of Jesus, and they did
not believe in it.
In his testimony to the people the apostle laid stress in
vain upon the Jewish piety of Ananias: genuine as it might be, it was but a
broken reed. Nevertheless it was all, except his own. His discourse had but one
effect-to bring out the violent and incorrigible hatred of this unhappy nation
to every thought of grace in God, and the unbounded pride which indeed went
before the fall that crushed them. The chief captain, seeing the violence of
the people, and not at all understanding what was going on, with the haughty
contempt of a Roman, orders Paul to be bound and scourged to make him confess
what it meant. Now Paul was himself a Roman citizen, and born such, while the
chief captain had purchased that freedom. Paul quietly makes this fact known,
and they who were about to scourge him withdraw. The chief captain was afraid
because he had bound him; but, as his authority was concerned in it, he leaves
him bound. The next day he looses him and brings him before the council, or
Sanhedrim, of the Jews. The people, not merely their rulers, had rejected
grace.
── John Darby《Synopsis of Acts》
Acts 22
Chapter Contents
Paul's account of his conversion. (1-11) Paul directed to
preach to the Gentiles. (12-21) The rage of the Jews Paul pleads that he is a
Roman citizen. (22-30)
Commentary on Acts 22:1-11
(Read Acts 22:1-11)
The apostle addressed the enraged multitude, in the
customary style of respect and good-will. Paul relates the history of his early
life very particularly; he notices that his conversion was wholly the act of
God. Condemned sinners are struck blind by the power of darkness, and it is a
lasting blindness, like that of the unbelieving Jews. Convinced sinners are
struck blind as Paul was, not by darkness, but by light. They are for a time
brought to be at a loss within themselves, but it is in order to their being
enlightened. A simple relation of the Lord's dealings with us, in bringing us,
from opposing, to profess and promote his gospel, when delivered in a right
spirit and manner, will sometimes make more impression that laboured speeches,
even though it amounts not to the full proof of the truth, such as was shown in
the change wrought in the apostle.
Commentary on Acts 22:12-21
(Read Acts 22:12-21)
The apostle goes on to relate how he was confirmed in the
change he had made. The Lord having chosen the sinner, that he should know his
will, he is humbled, enlightened, and brought to the knowledge of Christ and
his blessed gospel. Christ is here called that Just One; for he is Jesus Christ
the righteous. Those whom God has chosen to know his will, must look to Jesus,
for by him God has made known his good-will to us. The great gospel privilege,
sealed to us by baptism, is the pardon of sins. Be baptized, and wash away thy
sins; that is, receive the comfort of the pardon of thy sins in and through
Jesus Christ, and lay hold on his righteousness for that purpose; and receive
power against sin, for the mortifying of thy corruptions. Be baptized, and rest
not in the sign, but make sure of the thing signified, the putting away of the
filth of sin. The great gospel duty, to which by our baptism we are bound, is,
to seek for the pardon of our sins in Christ's name, and in dependence on him
and his righteousness. God appoints his labourers their day and their place,
and it is fit they should follow his appointment, though it may cross their own
will. Providence contrives better for us than we do for ourselves; we must refer
ourselves to God's guidance. If Christ send any one, his Spirit shall go along
with him, and give him to see the fruit of his labours. But nothing can
reconcile man's heart to the gospel, except the special grace of God.
Commentary on Acts 22:22-30
(Read Acts 22:22-30)
The Jews listened to Paul's account of his conversion,
but the mention of his being sent to the Gentiles, was so contrary to all their
national prejudices, that they would hear no more. Their frantic conduct
astonished the Roman officer, who supposed that Paul must have committed some
great crime. Paul pleaded his privilege as a Roman citizen, by which he was
exempted from all trials and punishments which might force him to confess
himself guilty. The manner of his speaking plainly shows what holy security and
serenity of mind he enjoyed. As Paul was a Jew, in low circumstances, the Roman
officer questioned how he obtained so valuable a distinction; but the apostle told
him he was free born. Let us value that freedom to which all the children of
God are born; which no sum of money, however large, can purchase for those who
remain unregenerate. This at once put a stop to his trouble. Thus many are kept
from evil practices by the fear of man, who would not be held back from them by
the fear of God. The apostle asks, simply, Is it lawful? He knew that the God
whom he served would support him under all sufferings for his name's sake. But
if it were not lawful, the apostle's religion directed him, if possible, to
avoid it. He never shrunk from a cross which his Divine Master laid upon his
onward road; and he never stept aside out of that road to take one up.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Acts》
Acts 22
Verse 3
[3] I am
verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up
in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect
manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are
this day.
I am verily —
This defence answers all that is objected, Acts 21:28. As there, so here also mention is
made of the person of Paul, Acts 22:3, of the people and the law, Acts 22:3,5,12; of the temple, Acts 22:17; of teaching all men, Acts 22:15-17,21; and of the truth of his
doctrine, Acts 22:6. But he speaks closely and nervously,
in few words, because the time was short.
But brought up at the feet of Gamaliel — The scholars usually sat on low seats, or upon mats on the floor, at the
feet of their masters, whose seats were raised to a considerable height.
Accurately instructed — The learned education which Paul had received was once no doubt the
matter of his boasting and confidence. Unsanctified learning made his bonds
strong, and furnished him with numerous arguments against the Gospel. Yet when
the grace of God had changed his heart, and turned his accomplishments into
another channel, he was the fitter instrument to serve God's wise and merciful
purposes, in the defence and propagation of Christianity.
Verse 4
[4] And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into
prisons both men and women.
And persecuted this way — With the same zeal that you do now.
Binding both men and women — How much better was his condition, now he was bound himself.
Verse 5
[5] As
also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders:
from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to
bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.
The high priest is my witness — Is able to testify.
The brethren —
Jews: so this title was not peculiar to the Christians.
Verse 6
[6] And
it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus
about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.
About noon —
All was done in the face of the sun.
A great light shone — By
whatever method God reveals himself to us, we shall have everlasting cause to
recollect it with pleasure. Especially when he has gone in any remarkable
manner out of his common way for this gracious purpose. If so, we should often
dwell on the particular circumstances, and be ready, on every proper occasion,
to recount those wonders of power and love, for the encouragement and
instruction of others.
Verse 9
[9] And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they
heard not the voice of him that spake to me.
They did not hear the voice — Distinctly; but only a confused noise.
Verse 12
[12] And
one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the
Jews which dwelt there,
A devout man according to the law — A truly religious person, and though a believer in Christ, yet a strict
observer of the law of Moses.
Verse 16
[16] And
now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling
on the name of the Lord.
Be baptized, and wash away thy sins — Baptism administered to real penitents, is both a means and seal of
pardon. Nor did God ordinarily in the primitive Church bestow this on any,
unless through this means.
Verse 17
[17] And it
came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in
the temple, I was in a trance;
When I was returned to Jerusalem — From Damascus, and was praying in the temple - Whereby he shows that he
still paid the temple its due honour, as the house of prayer.
I was in a trance —
Perhaps he might continue standing all the while, so that any who were near him
would hardly discern it.
Verse 18
[18] And
saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for
they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.
And I saw him —
Jesus, saying to me, Depart quickly out of Jerusalem - Because of the snares
laid for thee: and in order to preach where they will hear.
Verse 19
[19] And
I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that
believed on thee:
And I said — It
is not easy for a servant of Christ, who is himself deeply impressed with
Divine truths, to imagine to what a degree men are capable of hardening their
hearts against thee. He is often ready to think with Paul, It is impossible for
any to resist such evidence. But experience makes him wiser and shows that
wilful unbelief is proof against all truth and reason.
Verse 20
[20] And
when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and
consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
When the blood of thy martyr Stephen was
shed, I also was standing by — A real convert still retains the
remembrance of his former sins. He confesses thorn and is humbled for them, all
the days of his life.
Verse 22
[22] And
they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and
said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should
live.
And they heard him to this word — Till he began to speak of his mission to the Gentiles, and this too in
such a manner as implied that the Jews were in danger of being cast off.
Verse 23
[23] And
as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,
They rent their garments — In token of indignation and horror at this pretended blasphemy, and cast
dust into the air - Through vehemence of rage, which they knew not how to vent.
Verse 25
[25] And
as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is
it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?
And as they —
The soldiers ordered by the tribune, were binding him with thongs - A freeman
of Rome might be bound with a chain and beaten with a staff: but he might not
be bound with thongs, neither scourged, or beaten with rods: Paul said to the
centurion - The captain, who stood by to see the orders of the tribune
executed.
Verse 26
[26] When
the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed
what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.
Consider what thou art about to do; for this
man is a Roman — Yea, there was a stronger reason to
consider. For this man was a servant of God.
Verse 28
[28] And
the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul
said, But I was free born.
But I was free born —
Not barely as being born at Tarsus; for this was not Roman colony. But probably
either his father, or some of his ancestors, had been made free of Rome, for
some military service. We learn hence, that we are under no obligation as
Christians to give up our civil privileges (which we are to receive and prize
as the gift of God) to every insolent invader. In a thousand circumstances,
gratitude to God, and duty to men, will oblige us to insist upon them; and
engage us to strive to transmit them improved, rather than impaired to
posterity.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on
Acts》
Chapter 22. Paul's Defense
See the light
Do not Understand the Voice
I. Testify to
the Crowd
II. Sent to the
Gentiles in a Trance
III. The Crowd
Shouts Against Him
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》