PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible — Acts
Gill, John, 1697-1771 · 334,323 words · 428 reading sections
Acts 12:14
Acts 12:14 Ver. 14. And when she knew Peter's voice,.... often heard him preach and converse in the family: she opened not the gate for gladness, filled with joy to hear his voice, and that he was delivered from prison, and in haste to carry the welcome news to the company within, stayed not to open the gate, and let…
95 wordsSECTION 182Acts 12:15
Acts 12:15 Ver. 15. And they said unto her, thou art mad, &c. "Or art thou not mad?" as the Ethiopic version, and two of Beza's exemplars read, and some others: they thought the girl must be out of her senses; they looked upon the thing impossible; for though they were praying for him, and praying in faith, yet they m…
471 wordsSECTION 183Acts 12:16
Acts 12:16 Ver. 16. But Peter continued knocking,.... That they might come to him, and let him in; beginning to be impatient, and being very desirous of seeing his friends, as well as being in danger of being taken up, and had to prison again, should any of his enemies come by, who knew him: and when they had opened …
104 wordsSECTION 184Acts 12:17
Acts 12:17 Ver. 17. But he beckoning unto them with the hand,.... This is what the Jews call hzymr, "an hint" {m}, which is a beckoning, or making signs, either with the head or hand: and this was now made, to hold their peace; to be silent, and not clamorous in their expressions of joy and wonder, lest it should alar…
2,348 wordsSECTION 185Acts 13:1
Acts 13:1 Ver. 1. Now there were in the church that was at Antioch,.... This was Antioch in Syria, where was a Gospel church, and where the disciples were first called Christians; from whence Saul and Barnabas had been sent to Jerusalem, with a supply for the poor saints there, in a time of famine, and from whence the…
621 wordsSECTION 186Acts 13:2
Acts 13:2 Ver. 2. As they ministered to the Lord,.... That is, the five prophets and teachers before mentioned; and whose ministry lay in preaching the Gospel, teaching the people the doctrines of it, and expounding prophecies, and also in prayer; to which latter the Syriac version restrains their ministry, rendering …
353 wordsSECTION 187Acts 13:3
Acts 13:3 Ver. 3. And when they had fasted and prayed,.... Not when they had done fasting and praying, at the time the Holy Ghost made an impulse on their minds, to separate two of their brethren to a work they were appointed to; but at another time, which was fixed for that purpose; when they fasted and prayed, not f…
348 wordsSECTION 188Acts 13:4
Acts 13:4 Ver. 4. So they being sent forth of the Holy Ghost,.... This is said, lest it should be thought they were sent by men; it was the Holy Ghost that moved the prophets at Antioch to separate them from them, and to send them away; and who inclined their minds to go, and directed them what course to steer: and ac…
281 wordsSECTION 189Acts 13:5
Acts 13:5 Ver. 5. And when they were at Salamis,.... A chief city of Cyprus; and so Herodotus {f} calls it Salamis of Cyprus; and in this island it is placed by Pliny {g} and Ptolomy {h}: it was built by Teucer, the son of Telamon, after his return from the Trojan war; and so called by him, from his native country Sal…
724 wordsSECTION 190Acts 13:6
Acts 13:6 Ver. 6. And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos,.... The Alexandrian copy, and the Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions read, "the whole isle"; for through the midst of the whole island they must go, to go from Salarnis to Paphos; for Salamis was on the east, and Paphos on the west of the islands {q…
759 wordsSECTION 191Acts 13:7
Acts 13:7 Ver. 7. Which was with the deputy of the country, &c. Or the Roman governor of the island; who very likely dwelt at Paphos, it being a principal, if not the principal city in the island, since Pliny mentions it first of all the cities in it, as before observed: and with this governor, or proconsul, as the wo…
910 wordsSECTION 192Acts 13:8
Acts 13:8 Ver. 8. But Elymas the sorcerer, for so is his name by interpretation,.... Not that Magus a sorcerer is by interpretation Elymas; as if Luke was interpreting the Persic word "Magus", which is sometimes used in a good sense, for a wise man, as in Mt 2:1 by an Arabic word "Elim", which signifies knowing; but "…
389 wordsSECTION 193Acts 13:9
Acts 13:9 Ver. 9. Then Saul (who also is called Paul),.... He was called by both these names; as he was a Jew by birth, his parents called him Saul, that was his Jewish name, and by which he went among the Jews; and as he was a citizen of a Roman city, Tarsus in Cilicia, he went among the Romans, or Gentiles, by the n…
629 wordsSECTION 194Acts 13:10
Acts 13:10 Ver. 10. And said, O full of all subtlety and all mischief,.... Which may have regard both to his general character as a sorcerer, and a false prophet; in acting up to which he used much deceit and cunning among the people, and did much mischief to them; to which there was a promptness and readiness in him,…
910 wordsSECTION 195Acts 13:11
Acts 13:11 Ver. 11. And now behold the hand of the Lord is upon thee,.... That is, the power of God was just ready to be exerted on him in a way of punishment, by striking him with blindness: and thou shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a season: so blind as not to see the sun, when it shined ever so brightly: thi…
330 wordsSECTION 196Acts 13:12
Acts 13:12 Ver. 12. Then the deputy, when he saw what was done,.... That Elymas was struck with blindness immediately, and that the hand of God was manifestly in it, and there was no juggle nor magic art in the case; it was a plain fact, which was certain and visible: he believed; in the Lord Jesus Christ, whom the a…
500 wordsSECTION 197Acts 13:13
Acts 13:13 Ver. 13. Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos,.... Which was upon the sea coast: so Jerom {y} says, that Paphos was "urbs maritima", a city on the sea coast of the island of Cyprus; it was on the western part of the island, to the west of which lay the sea of Pamphylia, over which the apostle, a…
17,425 wordsSECTION 198Acts 14:1
Acts 14:1 Ver. 1. And it came to pass in Iconium,.... When the apostles were got thither, and as soon as they were there; at least the first opportunity they had: that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews; which was in Iconium; hither Paul and Barnabas went together, in like manner as they had done …
529 wordsSECTION 199Acts 14:2
Acts 14:2 Ver. 2. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles,.... That part of the Jews, which continued in unbelief, and rejected the doctrine of the apostles, concerning Jesus of Nazareth being the Messiah; these stirred up the Gentiles, who had no knowledge of, nor faith in this matter: and made their minds …
119 wordsSECTION 200Acts 14:3
Acts 14:3 Ver. 3. Long time therefore abode they,.... At Iconium, undaunted and not discouraged, at the treatment they met with: but continued, speaking boldly in the Lord; using great freedom of speech, and showing great courage and intrepidity of mind; speaking out, without fear, the doctrines of the Gospel, in the…
279 wordsSECTION 201Acts 14:4
Acts 14:4 Ver. 4. But the multitude of the city was divided,.... In their sentiments, about the apostles, their doctrines, and miracles; some approving them, others condemning their doctrines as false, and their miracles as delusions: and part held with the Jews; that did not believe, but rejected the apostles, despi…
121 wordsSECTION 202Acts 14:5
Acts 14:5 Ver. 5. And when there was an assault made,.... Or a strong bias and inclination were in the minds, both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews, with their rulers; who encouraged them in it: to use them despitefully, and to stone them; not only to give them reproachful language, but to smite, buffet, and sc…
77 wordsSECTION 203Acts 14:6
Acts 14:6 Ver. 6. They were ware of it,.... They understood it, were apprised of it, and well weighed it, and considered it in their minds, and what was best to be done at this juncture: and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia; according to the orders and command of Christ, Mt 10:23 not so much to save the…
418 wordsSECTION 204Acts 14:7
Acts 14:7 Ver. 7. And there they preached the Gospel. They did not sit still, nor hide themselves in these places; but, as in others, they preached the Gospel, the good news and glad tidings of the incarnation of Christ, of redemption, peace, and pardon, through his blood, justification by his righteousness, and spiri…
234 wordsSECTION 205Acts 14:8
Acts 14:8 Ver. 8. And there sat a certain man at Lystra,.... Where the apostle was preaching; and perhaps he sat there to beg, where there was a great concourse of people, and which might be in the open street: this man was impotent in his feet; so weak, as not to be able to walk, and even to stand on them, and there…
115 wordsSECTION 206Acts 14:9
Acts 14:9 Ver. 9. The same heard Paul speak,.... That is, preach the Gospel; he was one of his hearers, and faith came to hint by hearing; the Arabic version adds, "he cried unto him"; that is, to Paul, whom he heard: who steadfastly beholding him; not the lame man beholding Paul, but Paul beholding the lame man, as …
129 wordsSECTION 207Acts 14:10
Acts 14:10 Ver. 10. Said with a loud voice,.... Not only that the man, but that all might hear and attend to the miracle about to be wrought: stand upright on thy feet; in five of Beza's manuscripts, and in other copies, and in the Complutensian edition, and in the Syriac version, this clause is introduced with these…
126 wordsSECTION 208Acts 14:11
Acts 14:11 Ver. 11. And when the people saw what Paul had done,.... In curing the lame man in so marvellous a manner, and concluding it to be a divine work, and what a mere creature could never perform: they lift up their voices; not in indignation and wrath, but as persons astonished: saying in the speech of Lycaon…
164 wordsSECTION 209Acts 14:12
Acts 14:12 Ver. 12. And they called Barnabas Jupiter,.... The supreme God; it may be because that Barnabas was the oldest man, of the tallest stature, and largest bulk, and made the best figure; whereas Paul was younger, of a low stature, and mean appearance: and Paul Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker; Merc…
129 wordsSECTION 210Acts 14:13
Acts 14:13 Ver. 13. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city,.... Not that the priest was before the city, but Jupiter; and the phrase denotes either his presidency over the city, and so the Arabic version renders it, "who was the chief god of their city"; or the place where his image stood, which was o…
523 wordsSECTION 211Acts 14:14
Acts 14:14 Ver. 14. Which when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of,.... As they quickly did, such a multitude being about the doors of the house, where they were: it may be observed, that Barnabas is here called an apostle, as in Ac 14:4 and is placed before Paul, not as being greater than he, but because of the o…
138 wordsSECTION 212Acts 14:15
Acts 14:15 Ver. 15. And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things?.... That is, bring these oxen and garlands, and attempt to offer sacrifice; this they said, not as arguing with them calmly and mildly, but with a mixture of indignation, heat, and zeal, as displeased with, and detesting and abhorring what they were about t…
302 wordsSECTION 213Acts 14:16
Acts 14:16 Ver. 16. Who in times past,.... For many hundred years past; even ever since God chose and separated the people of Israel from the rest of the nations, to be a peculiar people to himself: from that time he suffered all nations to walk in their own ways; of ignorance, superstition, and idolatry; which they …
231 wordsSECTION 214Acts 14:17
Acts 14:17 Ver. 17. Nevertheless, he left not himself without witness,.... Of his kindness and goodness to them, during this long interval and period of time; for they had not the written law, yet they were not destitute of the law of nature; and had, besides, many instances of providential goodness, by which they mig…
3,279 wordsSECTION 215Acts 15:1
Acts 15:1 Ver. 1. And certain men which came down from Judea,.... To Antioch; they were not sent by the apostles, they came down of "themselves"; who they were, is not certain; that they were "judaizing" Christians, and teachers among them, is plain from the following account: according to Epiphanius {g} they were Cer…
346 wordsSECTION 216Acts 15:2
Acts 15:2 Ver. 2. When therefore Paul and Barnabas,.... Who were the ministers of the uncircumcision, and were just returned from preaching the Gospel among the Gentiles, with success, and were advocates for them, being witnesses of the grace that was bestowed on them, and therefore opposed the sentiments of these men…
333 wordsSECTION 217Acts 15:3
Acts 15:3 Ver. 3. And being brought on their way by the church,.... That is, either being accompanied by some of the brethren of the church some part of the way, out of respect unto them, or being provided by them with things necessary for their journey; see Tit 3:13 they passed through Phenice and Samaria; which bot…
791 wordsSECTION 218Acts 15:4
Acts 15:4 Ver. 4. And when they were come to Jerusalem,.... Paul and Barnabas, and the rest that came from Antioch with them: they were received of the church; that is, that was at Jerusalem, in a very kind and respectful manner; they were received into their houses, and accommodated with everything convenient for th…
155 wordsSECTION 219Acts 15:5
Acts 15:5 Ver. 5. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees,.... Which was the strictest sect of religion among the Jews: which believed; that Jesus was the Messiah, and professed their faith in him, and were members of the church, though they still retained many of their pharisaical tenets, and are ther…
246 wordsSECTION 220Acts 15:6
Acts 15:6 Ver. 6. And the apostles and elders came together,.... And also the brethren, or private members of the church, even the whole church, as appears from Ac 15:22. Whether all the apostles were here present, is not certain; Peter, James, and John were; but who else, cannot be said: these met together for to co…
89 wordsSECTION 221Acts 15:7
Acts 15:7 Ver. 7. And when there had been much disputing,.... Pro and con upon this subject; many had spoken; and much had been said, and a great deal of time had been taken up about the thing in controversy: Peter rose up; not only out of respect to this venerable assembly, but to signify that he had something to sa…
279 wordsSECTION 222Acts 15:8
Acts 15:8 Ver. 8. And God which knoweth the hearts,.... Of all men; he being omniscient, the searcher of the hearts, and the trier of the reins of the children of men, knew with what sincerity Cornelius sent for Peter; and with what vehement desire and longing expectation he and his family and friends waited for his c…
163 wordsSECTION 223Acts 15:9
Acts 15:9 Ver. 9. And put no difference between us and them,.... Neither in the extraordinary gifts, nor special grace, of the Spirit; giving them the same graces of faith, hope, and love, admitting to the same privileges and immunities of the house of God, and giving them a right and title to the same inheritance of …
587 wordsSECTION 224Acts 15:10
Acts 15:10 Ver. 10. Now therefore why tempt ye God,.... By hesitating about this matter, by disputing upon this point, and by seeking for further proof and evidence of the will of God in this affair; when it is so plain a case, that it has been his will that the Gospel should be preached to Gentiles, without obliging …
381 wordsSECTION 225Acts 15:11
Acts 15:11 Ver. 11. But we believe,.... Who are circumcised; the Arabic version adds, "and are sure"; for what follows is a sure and certain article of faith: that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ; not through circumcision, or by any works of the law, moral or ceremonial; but through the grace of Christ und…
598 wordsSECTION 226Acts 15:12
Acts 15:12 Ver. 12. Then all the multitude kept silence,.... Upon this oration of Peter's, there was a profound silence in the whole assembly, among all the brethren of the church, who were come together on this occasion; they were all satisfied with, and by their silence acquiesced in, what Peter said; and waited to …
297 wordsSECTION 227Acts 15:13
Acts 15:13 Ver. 13. And after they had held their peace,.... Meaning not the multitude, but Paul and Barnabas; when they had finished their account, and had done speaking: James answered; or rose up, as the Syriac version reads, he stood up and began to speak. This was James the son of Alphaeus, one of the twelve apo…
174 wordsSECTION 228Acts 15:14
Acts 15:14 Ver. 14. Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles,.... James begins with taking notice of Peter's speech, and agrees to it, and confirms it; for by Simeon is not meant, as some have thought, the Simeon that took Christ in his arms, Lu 2:25 who had been dead long ago; but Simon Peter,…
396 wordsSECTION 229Acts 15:15
Acts 15:15 Ver. 15. And to this agree the words of the prophets,.... In several of the prophecies of the Old Testament, which plainly speak of the calling of the Gentiles; though James thought it sufficient to produce only one instead of many: as it is written; in Am 9:11 and this is agreeably to the Jewish way of ci…
112 wordsSECTION 230Acts 15:16
Acts 15:16 Ver. 16. After this I will return,.... That is, after the Lord had destroyed the sinful kingdom from off the face of the earth, and had sifted the house of Israel among all nations, and the sinners of his people were slain with the sword; after all this he promises to return and show favour to them: this is…
7,707 wordsSECTION 231Acts 16:1
Acts 16:1 Ver. 1. Then came he to Derbe and Lystra,.... Which were cities of Lycaonia, Ac 14:6 after Paul had gone through Syria and Cilicia; in the last of these places, he had been stoned, and yet goes thither again; none of these things moved him from the preaching of the Gospel, and from the care of the churches, …
424 wordsSECTION 232Acts 16:2
Acts 16:2 Ver. 2. Which was well reported of,.... Not the father of Timothy, but Timothy himself; to whose piety, virtue, and good conversation witness was borne, by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium; the members of the churches which were in these places, and which were not far from one another; and as it…
95 wordsSECTION 233Acts 16:3
Acts 16:3 Ver. 3. Him would Paul have to go forth with him,.... Perceiving that he was a young man, that not only had the grace of God, but very considerable gifts, and abilities for ministerial service; and having a good testimony of his agreeable life and conversation, the apostle was very desirous he should go alon…
435 wordsSECTION 234Acts 16:4
Acts 16:4 Ver. 4. And as they went through the cities,.... Of Derbe, Lystra, and Iconium, and others in Lycaonia, and in Phrygia and Galatia; the Arabic version reads, "they both"; that is, Paul and Barnabas: they delivered them the decrees for to keep; they gave the churches, in these cities, the sentiments, and det…
97 wordsSECTION 235Acts 16:5
Acts 16:5 Ver. 5. And so were the churches established in the faith,.... Of Christ, both in the grace and doctrine of faith; and that both by the preaching of the Gospel by the apostle and his companions, and by the decrees of the elders delivered by him: and increased in number daily; as well as in gifts and grace.…
61 wordsSECTION 236Acts 16:6
Acts 16:6 Ver. 6. Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia,.... See Gill on "Ac 2:10" To which may be added, that this country had its name either from the river Phryx, as Pliny {w} observes, or from the word Phrygios, which signifies "dry"; this being a very dry and sandy country: it was famous for marble stone; hen…
630 wordsSECTION 237Acts 16:7
Acts 16:7 Ver. 7. After they were come to Mysia,.... Another country in Asia Minor. It is divided by Ptolomy {a} into two parts; superior Mysia is bounded by Dalmatia on the west, by Macedonia on the south, by part of Thrace on the east, and by part of the river Danube on the north; inferior Mysia is bounded on the we…
634 wordsSECTION 238Acts 16:8
Acts 16:8 Ver. 8. And they passed by Mysia,.... Without stopping or staying there, though they came to it: came down to Troas; either the country of Troas, as the Syriac version renders it; which, according to Solinus {m}, is bordered on the north part of Galatia, and was near to Lycaonia, Pisidia, and Mygdonia on th…
182 wordsSECTION 239Acts 16:9
Acts 16:9 Ver. 9. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night,.... Either in a dream, or, it may be, when he was awake: there stood a man of Macedonia; an angel in the form of a man; the Syriac version reads, "as a man of Macedonia", and who might appear in a Macedonian habit, or speak in the Macedonian language; or t…
387 wordsSECTION 240Acts 16:10
Acts 16:10 Ver. 10. And after he had seen the vision,.... And considered it, and related it to his companions: and when they had well weighed it, and the circumstances of it: immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia; they determined upon it, and took all the proper methods, and made the necessary provisions fo…
175 wordsSource & rights
Public domain; John Gill (1697–1771). Source item is marked Public Domain on Internet Archive.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.