31. How can I (as yap av Suvaiunv)? Lit., for how should I be able? the for connecting the question with an implied negative: “No; for how could I understand except,” etc.
32. The place of the scripture (% epuoyy ris ypadns). Strictly, the contents of the passage. See on Mark xii. 10; 1 Pet. ii. 6.
He read. Rev., correctly, was reading ; imperfect. 33. Humiliation. See on Matt. xi. 29.
Generation. His contemporaries. Who shall declare their wickedness ?
35. Opened his mouth. Indicating a solemn announce- ment. Compare Matt. v. 2.
37. The best texts omit this verse.
39. Caught away. Suddenly and miraculously.
And he went, etc. (ézropevero yap). A mistranslation. Rev., rightly, “for he went.” A reason is given for the eunuch’s seeing Philip no more. He did not stop nor take another road to seek him, but went on his way.
1. Breathing out (é€uvéwv). Lit., breathing upon or at, and so corresponding to against the disciples.
Threatenings and slaughter (deiAfjs «al govov). Lit., threatening; so Rev. In the Greek construction, the case in which these words are marks them as the cause or source of the “breathing ;” breathing hard owt of threatening, and murderous desire.
492 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Ou IX.
2. Of this way (ris 0800). Rev., more correctly, “the way.” A common expression in the Acts for the Christian religion: “the characteristic direction of life as determined by faith on Jesus Christ” (Meyer). See ch. xix. 9; xxii.4; xxiv. 22. For the fuller expression of the idea, see ch. xvi. 173; xviii. 25.
Women. Paul three times alludes to his persecution of women as an aggravation of his cruelty (ch. viii. 3; ix. 2;
Xxii. 4).
3. There shined round about (epijorpaypev). Only here and ch. xxii. 6. lashed. See on Luke xi. 86; xxiv. 4.
A light. Compare ch. xxii. 6; xxvi. 13.
4. Saying. In Paul’s own account he says that the words were spoken in Hebrew (ch. xxvi. 14).
5. It is hard for thee, etc. Transferred from ch. xxvi. 14, and omitted by the best texts.
6. Trembling and astonished. The best texts omit. 7. Speechless (éveot). Only here in New Testament.
11. Street (6vunv). See on Luke xiv. 21. A narrow street or lane.
Straight. So called from its running in a direct line from the eastern to the western gate of the city.
15. Chosen vessel (cxedos éxdorijs). Lit., an tnstrument of choice. On vessel, see on Matt. xii. 29; and on the figure, compare 2 Cor. iv. 7.
16. How great things (dca). Rev., more correctly, how many.
17. Brother. In Christ.
Cu. IX.} THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 493
18. There fell—scales (amémecov—Aer ides). Both words occur only here in the New Testament. In Paul’s own account of his conversion in ch. xxvi. he does not mention his blindness : in ch. xxii. he mentions both the blindness and the recovery of sight, but not the particular circumstances which Luke records. The mention of the sca/es, or incrustations, such as are incidental to ophthalmia, is characteristic of the physician, and aqomér- rew, to fall off, was used technically by medical writers of the falling of scales from the skin, and of particles from diseased parts of the body. ‘“We may suppose that Luke had often heard Paul relate how he felt at that moment” (Hackett).
20. Christ. The correct reading is Jesus, the individual or personal name of the Lord. CAris¢t was not yet current as his personal name. Paul’s object was to establish the identity of Jesus the Nazarene with the Messiah.
21. Destroyed (ropIjcas). Rather, laid waste, made havoc of, as Rev. Compare ch, viii. 3. Paul uses the same word in Galviis.
22. Confounded. See on ch. ii. 6.
Proving (cvpPiBdfov). The verb means to bring or put to- gether: hence to compare and examine, as evidence, and so to prove. Used in the literal and physical sense in Eph. iv. 16. In Col. ii. 2, of being knit together in love. In 1 Cor. ii. 16, of instructing, building up, by putting together. In this sense the word occurs in the Septuagint. See Levit. x. 11; Judg. xi: 8.