1. Earnestly beholding. See on Luke iv. 20. Some, who hold that Paul’s eyesight was defective, explain this steadfast look in connection with his imperfect vision.
Men and brethren. He addresses the Sanhedrim as an equal.
Ihave lived (aezonirevuar). Lit., have lived as a citizen,
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with special reference to the charge against him that he taught men against the law and the temple. He means that he has” lived as a true and loyal Jew.
Conscience (cuverdjoe). See on 1 Pet. iii. 16.
2. Ananias. He is described as a revengeful and rapacious tyrant. Weare told that he reduced the inferior priests almost to starvation by defrauding them of their tithes, and sent his creatures to the threshing-floors with bludgeons to seize the tithes by force.
3. Shall smite thee (ture ce pédrrev). More strictly, zs about to smite. The words are not an imprecation, but a prophecy of punishment for his violent dealing. According to Josephus, in the attack of the Sicarii upon Jerusalem, he was dragged from his hiding-place, in a sewer of the palace, and murdered by assassins.
Thou whited wall. Compare Matt. xxiii. 27.
Contrary to the law (apavouev). <A verb. Lit., trans- gressing the law.
4. Revilest (Aowdope?s). The word signifies vehement abuse, scolding, berating.
6. The one part were Sadducees, etc. Perceiving the impossibility of getting a fair hearing, Paul, with great tact, seeks to bring the two parties of the council into policion with each other.
The resurrection. A main point of contention between the Pharisees and Sadducees, the latter of whom denied the doctrine of the resurrection, of a future state, and of any spiritual existence apart from the body.
8. Both. Showing that two classes of doctrines peculiar to
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the Sadducees, and not three, are meant: 1. The resurrection. 2. The existence of spirits, whether angels or souls of men ; “neither angel nor spirit.”
9. Strove. The diversion was successful. The Pharisees’ hatred of the Sadducees was greater than their hatred of Christianity.
What if a spirit, etc. Neither the A. V. nor Rev. give the precise form of this expression. The words form a broken sentence, followed by a significant silence, which leaves the hearers to supply the omission for themselves: “ But if a spirit or angel has spoken to him ” The words which the A. V. supplies to complete the sentence, let us not fight against God, are spurious, borrowed from ch, v. 39.
12. Banded together (roujoavtes cvetpodyv). Lit., having made a conspiracy. See on concourse, ch. xix. 40.
Bound themselves under a curse (dveSeudticay éavrods). Lit., anathematized or cursed themselves ; invoked God’s curse on themselves if they should violate their vow. On the kindred noun avatewa, a curse, see note on offerings, Luke xxi. 5. In
case of failure, they could procure absolution from their oath by the Rabbis.
13. Conspiracy (cvvepociar). Lit., swearing together; con- juration. According to its etymology, conspiracy is a breath- ing or blowing together (Latin, conspirare). Hence, of concerted thought and action.
14. We have bound ourselves under a great curse (dva- Sépati dveewaticapev éavtovs). Lit., we have anathematized ourselves with an anathema. A very strong expression. For similar expressions, see Luke xxii. 15; John iii. 29; Actsiv. 17.
15. Enquire (Siaywacxew). Only here and ch. xxiv. 22. Originally, to distinguish or discern; hence, to decide, as a suit. Rev., more correctly, therefore, judge.
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More perfectly (axpuBéctepov). Rev., better, more exactly. See on Luke i. 3; Acts xviii. 25, 26.
Concerning him (ra zrepi adrod). Lit., the things about him. Reyv., better, Ads case.
18. The prisoner (6 décpcos). From déo, to bind. Paul, as a Roman citizen, was held in eustodia militaris, “ military cus- tody.” Three kinds of custody were recognized by the Roman law: 1. Custodia publica (public custody); confinement in the public jail. This was the worst kind, the common jails being wretched dungeons. Such was the confinement of Paul and Silas at Philippi. 2. Custodia libera (free custody), confined to men of high rank. The accused was committed to the charge of a magistrate or senator, who became responsible for his ap- pearance on the day of trial. 3. Custodia militaris (military custody). The accused was placed in charge of a soldier, who ’ was responsible with his life for the prisoner’s safe-keeping, and whose left hand was secured by a chain to the prisoner’s right. The prisoner was usually kept in the barracks, but was sometimes allowed to reside in a private house under charge of his guard.