12. Whereupon (év ois). See on ch. xxiv. 18. Better, on which errand ; in which affairs of persecution.
18. Above the brightness of the sun. Peculiar to this third account of Paul’s conversion. The other peculiarities are: the falling of lis companions to the ground along with himself ; the voice addressing him in Hebrew; and the words, “It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”
14. It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. Or, goads. The sharp goad carried in the ploughman’s hand, against which the oxen kick on being pricked. The metaphor, though not found in Jewish writings, was common in Greek and Ro- man writings. Thus, Euripides (“ Bacchae,” 791): “ Being en- raged, I would kick against the goads, a mortal against a god.” Plautus (“ Truculentus, 4, 2, 55): “If you strike the goads with your fists, you hurt your hands more than the goads.” “Who knows whether at that moment the operation of plough- ing might not be going on within sight of the road along which the persecutor was travelling? (Howson, “Metaphors of St.
Paul”),
16. Have I appeared (Inv). See on Luke xxii. 43.
To make (poyerpicacIa). Better, as Rev., appoint. See on ch. iil. 20.
by the Septuagint translators between it and &yos; the two words being used to render two different Hebrew words, and never interchanged. The Greek
student will find an interesting discussion of this subject in Zeschwitz, Pro- fangracitat und Biblischer Sprachgeist.
Ou. XXVL] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 589
A minister and a witness. See on Matt. v. 25; Acts i. 22. 17. The people. The Jews.
22. Help of God (ézixoupias tis Twapa tod Oecod). Lit., - “help that is from God.” The article defines the nature of the help more sharply than A. V. The word for help originally
meant alliance.
23. That Christ should suffer (ef wa3ntds 6 Xptctos). Rather, if or whether the Messiah is liable to suffering. He expresses himself in a problematic form, because it was the point of debate among the Jews whether a suffering Messiah was to be believed in. They believed in a triumphant Mes- siah, and the doctrine of his sufferings was an obstacle to their receiving him as Messiah. Note the article, “the Christ,” and see on Matt. i. 1.
24. Much learning doth make thee mad (ra 7oAdd oe ypdpmata eis paviav Tepitpére). The A. V. omits the article with much learning: “the much knowledge” with which thou art busied. Rev., “¢hy much learning.” Doth make thee mad: literally, 7s turning thee to madness.
25. Speak forth (azod3éyyouas). See on ch. il. 4.
28. Almost thou persuadest (év dAlyw pe mretdeus). Lit., a a little thou persuadest. The rendering almost must be rejected, being without sufficient authority. The phrase, in a litile, is adverbial, and means in brief; swmmarily. We may supply pains or talk, “With little pains, or with a few words.” The words are ironical, and the sense is, “ You are trying to per- suade me off hand to be a Ohristian.” Thow perswadest (meiSeus) is, rather, thow art for persuading ; thow attemptest to persuade ; a force which both the present and the imperfect sometimes have.*
* Asin John x. 32: ‘‘ For which of these works are you for stoning me (Audd- ere)?” John xiii. 6: ‘‘ Dost thou mean to wash (vimres) my feet?” Luke i, 59: ‘They were for calling (ékéAovy) him Zacharias.” Matt, iii. 14. ‘* John tried to prevent (Siexdaver).”
590 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. XXVII.
29. Almost and altogether (év odtyp Kal év peyddq).* Lit., in little and in great ; i.e., with little or with great pains.
Were (vevécIar). Better, as Rev., might become. Agrippa’s word, “to become a Christian,” is repeated.
Except these bonds. An exquisite touch of Christian cour- tesy.
30. The king, the governor, Bernice. Mentioned in the order of their rank.
31. Doeth. Referring, not to Paul’s past conduct, but to the general character of his life.