Matthew Poole and continuators on Acts 23

ANd Paul earnestly beholding the councel, said, Men and brethren , I have lived in all good conscience before God , until this day.

Acknowledging himself to have descended from the Patriarchs as well as they; and bespeaks, as much as he could, their favour and attention.

Not that he thought himself to have been without sin or fault; for he acknowledges and bewails his Captivity to the Law of sin, Rom. 7.23, 24. but that he was not conscious to himself of any notorious impiety (as Sacriledg, which they accused him of): Nay, he had not suffered willingly any sin to be, much less to reign in him. And as for his persecuting of the Christians, he did it not to flatter any with it, or upon any sinister design whatsoever, but thinking to serve God by it, 1 Tim. 1.13.

In the sense of Gods seeing of him, and whom St. Paul acknowledges to be the searcher and knower of the heart and conscience.

Marginal references: Chap. 24.16. 2 Tim. 1.3.

2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him, to smite him on the mouth.

The Officers probably.

Thus Micaiah was smote by Zedekiah the false Prophet, 1 Kings 22.24. and Ieremiah by Pashur, Jer. 20.2. And our blessed Lord escaped not this suffering and indignity, Iohn 18.22. Now this was the rather inflicted on Paul, because of his protesting of his Innocency; which did reflect upon the Council, as being injurious: But it was indeed no more than what was necessary in his own just defence, and for the glory of the Gospel.

3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee , thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judg me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten g contrary to the law?

An excellent similitude to represent wicked men, especially Hypocrites by, who counterfeit zeal for Gods glory and worship, whilst they intend onely their own profit or grandeur. Thus our Saviour compared the Scribes and Pharisees unto whited Sepulchres, Macth. 23.27. Whited Sepulchres and Walls, tho they seem fair and comely, have within nothing but rottenness and useless rubbish. Now these words are not to be looked upon as a Curse or Imprecation upon the High Priest; which does not consist with the temper of the Gospel; but they are rather to be taken as a Prophesie or Prediction, St. Paul having on occasion had the gift of Prophesie amongst the other gifts of the Holy Ghost. And accordingly, 'tis observed, that this High Priest either died, or was put out of his place soon after. And thus Paul's Imprecation upon Alexander the Copper-smith, mentioned, 2 Tim. 4.14. is to be understood: as also several other Curses (seemingly wished) by holy men, especially in the Psalms; as Psal. 109.6, 7, &c. and many other places; which ate by no means for our imitation; neither were they spoken so much as the Wishes or Prayers of such as uttered them, as they were their Prophesies and Predictions; which we know came to pass: as that now mentioned was fulfilled in the person of Iudas.

It was contrary to all Law, Divine and Humane, that any should be punished before that he was heard; and especially to their own Judicial Law, which in matters of this nature they were yet governed by under the Romans. Now the Iews were first to hear and enquire di[illegible: 2 letters]gently, whether the matter any was accused of, were true, before they might give sentence, or inf[illegible: 1 letter]ict any punishment upon them, Deut. 17.4.

Marginal references: Lev. 19.3[illegible: 1 letter]. Deut. 25.1, 2.

4 And they that stood by, said , Revilest thou Gods high priest?

These partial Parasites take no notice of the real injury done unto Paul by the High Priest, and readily catch at the seeming calumny spoke by Paul against him.

5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: For it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people

Paul does not here Ironically say this, because the High Priest had, contrary to his Place and Office caused him to be smitten; but either, 1. Because he knew now no High Priest on Earth, but only Christ in Heaven to be our High Priest; as Heb 8.1. Or 2dly, Rather, because the High Priests being so often changed (insomuch as in one year sometimes they have had three), and they being in a confusion at this time, and not meeting or sitting in their due place and order, Paul might very well be ignorant who that was, who in such a multitude had commanded that they should smite him.

The Scripture here cited by St Paul, is Exodus 22.28.

6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadduces, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. of the hope and resurcection of the dead I am called in question.

In his former Profe[illegible: 1 letter]sion, Opinion, and Conversation; and now also in the points that were controverted betwixt them: And St. Paul, with his Dove-like Innocency, does in this but make use of the Serpentine subtilty, to preserve himself, and to gain credit unto the Truths of the Gospel.

The son of Pharisees in the Plural; either for several Descents his Ancestors had been of that Sect; or that both his Father and his Mother were of it.

Or for the hope of the Resurrection, an Hendyadis: altho he did not agree with the Pharisees in all their Opinions, yet in this he did: and the Resurrection was the common Subject he preached upon: and the Gospel does give us the best proof and evidence of it; insomuch that Paul was taxed for preaching Jesus and the Resurrection, Chap. 17.18. And unless there be a Resurrection, his preaching was vain, and his faith vain, 1 Cor. 15.13, 14.

Marginal references: Chap. 24.15, 22. and 26.5. Phil. 3.5.; Chap. 24.21.

7 And w[illegible: 2 letters]n he had so said, There arose a dissention between the Pharisees and the Sadduces: and the multitude was divided.

Not only of the common people, or standers by, but of the Senators and Judges; God by this means dividing and infatuating of them, that they could not bring about Paul's intended destruction.

8 For the Sad[illegible: 1 letter]uces say that there is no resurrection, neither [illegible: 1 letter]ngel nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.

Against this our Saviour argued, Matth. 22.23, &c.

It seems strange, that they should deny that there were Angels, whenas they owned the Pentateuch, or Five Books of Moses, in which mention is made frequently of Angels: But it seems that they understood those places Allegorically; either for good Instincts or Apparitions caused by God to manifest his mind by them unto men, wresting those places to their own destruction.

They denied the Existence of the Soul of man, as different from the Crasis and Temperament of his Body; and therefore believed that the Soul perished with the Body▪ Nay, they were so far from believing there was any Spirit, that they held, blasphemously, that God himself was Corporeal.

The three things here mentioned, which the Pharisees denied, may be well spoken of as but two, viz. the Resurrection and the Existence of Spirits. When men sin with much Obstinacy against supernatural light, God justly withdraws from them even natural light▪ and they are punished (as the Egyptians were) with such darkness as may be felt, Exodus 10.21.

Marginal references: Mat. 22.23.

9 And there arose a great cry: And the scribes that were of the Pharisees part arose, and strove, saying , We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not sight against God.

Scribe is a Name denoting an Office or Place; and the Scribes were men skilled in the Law.

Some take the latter to be Exegetical of the former; and that by a Spirit is only meant an Angel, by such Messengers God many times sending his Messages to the children of men: Yet others by the Spirit understand Prophetical Revelation, and the Spirit of Prophecy, which was expected to be shed abroad in large measures about that time; as appears, Iohn 7.39.

See Chap 5.39

Marginal references: Chap. 25.25. and 26.31.; Chap. 22.7, 17, 18.

.10 And when there a[illegible: 1 letter]ose a great dissension, the chief captain fearing le[illegible: 1 letter]t Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the souldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.

Feuds about pretended Religion are usually among all men very sharp, because their Opinions being the Issues of their own Brains, are more beloved than their children, the fruit of their bodies.

From the Fort or Castle, unto which there was an Ascent or Stair, to go up and down by.

11 And the night following, the Lord , stood by him, and said , Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

In a Revelation appearing inwardly to his mind; which is the rather thought to have been so, because it is here said to have been in the Night; but whether by Vision, or Revelation, it is all one as to this purpose, and neither were infrequent unto Paul, 2 Cor. 12.1.

So true it is what our Saviour had promised and foretold, Iohn 16. ult. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but in me ye shall have peace.

Marginal references: Chap. 18.9.

12 And when it was day , certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying, that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

If they did not kill Paul before they did eat or drink any more, they wished that they might-become a Cherem, or Anathema; as Iericho, and the Inhabitants thereof were, being devoted to utter ruin and destruction. O[illegible: 1 letter] if they did not execute this their wicked design, they would yield themselves to be Anathematized, or Excommunicated, as those that had broken their Pact or Agreement.

Marginal references: Ver. 21, 30.; Or, with an Oath of Exe [illegible: 3 letters]tion.

13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.

They made themselves sure (they thought) of killing Paul: There were above Forty to One. The Churches Enemies are unanimous and resolute. As David formerly, so might now Paul say, They that are mad against me, are sworn against me, Psal. 102.8.

14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound our selves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.

Whose Place and Office it was to have disswaded such an abominable Murder: For the priests lips should preserve knowledg, Malachi 2.7. And they could not but have been guilty of the Blood of St. Paul, had it been shed, who by encouraging the Design, became accessary unto it. But they had drank Blood very largely before now; viz. the Blood of St. Stephen, and the Blood of our Saviour; and 'tis no wonder that they thirst for more: Such wild Beasts (rather than Men) when they have once tasted of Blood, are never satisfied with it. But at what a low ebb was Religion, when the Chief Priests themselves combine with Assassinates?

15 Now therefore ye with the council signifie to the chief captain, that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.

The Chief Priests are to joyn with the Council in this desire to the Chief Captain: for they had no Authority to command him.

The Plot against Paul's Life was laid very deep. and not easily to be discovered; it being usual to send for Prisoners to re-examine them, especially when Religion and the publick Peace is concerned; as they pretended that here they were.

The space between the Castle and the place where the Council met, being considerable, it gave the greater advantage to the Conspirators.

16 And when Paul's sisters son heard of their laying in wait, he went and entred into the castle, and told Paul.

Who is thought to have been one of Paul's Company: But the hatred against Paul by the Iews being so general, because of his (supposed) prophaning of the Temple, they were not so curious who they spake to of this Confederacy and Design. Or rather; there is no Counsel against God: the very Birds of the Air, if need were, shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter, Eccles. 10.20. For he that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision, Psalm 2.4.

17 Then Paul called one of the Centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.

The Chief Captain having the Command of a Thousand Soldiers, there were Ten Captains under him: One of these Paul entrusts with his Message to the Chief Captain, not making any particular Request unto the Chief Captain, supposing him to have so much of the Roman Justice in him, that when he understood his case, he would provide for his safety; which he was not mistaken in.

18 So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.

The Centurion took Paul's Kinsman, and went with him, as he was desired, unto the Chief Captain, that there might be no mistake, but that he might hear all out of the young mans own mouth, and be the more affected with it.

Or the chained: For it was customary to chain their Prisoners for their greater security. And God is now remembring of Paul in his bonds.

19 Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him; What is that thou hast to tell me?

He took him by the hand as a token of courtesy: These Commanders shewing an excellent example of humanity and pity towards their inferiors and supposed criminals. There are several reasons given of this great civility here us[illegible: 1 letter]d, as the chief Captain's naturally meek temper; or his policy to satisfy for the injury he had done to Paul, in binding of him being a Roman; nay, some think that he, as well as Felix the Governour, hoped for money to be given unto him, Chap. 24 26. but all these are but guess. It is [illegible: 1 letter]ure, what of any of these causes were, or were not, God is to be seen and acknowledged in it, who hath the hearts of all men in his hands, and turneth them as it pleaseth him, Prov. 21.1.

20 And he said, The Jews have agreed to des[illegible: 2 letters]e t[illegible: 1 letter]ee, that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would e[illegible: 1 letter]quire somewhat of him more perfectly.

Both the Council, and those Fourty and upwards spoken of, verse 12, 13.

21 But do not thou yield unto them: For there lie in wait for him of them mo then fourty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.

This the young man desires out of his care for his Uncle's (Paul's) preservation, as also touched with the horrour of the Fact if it should have been executed; and howsoever by this means he delivers his own Soul, having done his utmost to hinder it.

The Match is laid, the ha[illegible: 1 letter]d is as it were lifted up, nothing is wanting to Paul's destruction, but the chief Captain's consent, which the Iews assuredly expected, it being but a small courtesy to grant them, to examine a Prisoner, especially such an one as upon their complaint was committed in a Case cognoscible by them: But, Deus e machina, Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought: speak the word, and it shall not stand, for God is with us, Isa. 8.10.

22 So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man, that thou hast shewed these things to me.

The Chief Captain shews by this, his care, both for St. Paul, and for the young man too; for had it been known that he had discovered their conspiracy, they would have sought his life, and might divers ways have taken it away; and as for Paul, being disappointed in this, they would have made other attempts against him.

23 And he called unto him two centurions, say[illegible: 1 letter]ing, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Cesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spear-men two hundred, at the third hour of the night.

Two hundred were the usual proportion or number of men which were under the two Centurions; so that they were commanded to have their Companies in readiness.

Horsemen being usually added for defence of their Foot-Soldiers.

Spearmen, as they are called here, were such as handled, or threw their Javelins or Darts with their right hand. Some think them to have been such as our Serjeants, who take men into custody; others, that they were Soldiers raised out of foreign Nations, and lightly Armed.

Partly because in those hot Countries it is very troublesom to travel by day, and partly for the greater security of Paul and such as went with him.

24 And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governour.

What a strong Guard and Retinue does God by his Providence get together for the safe-guarding of Paul! None of all these intended the least good unto him; but God can make use of them as effectually, as if they had had the greatest good will for him.

25 And he wrote a letter after this manner:

It is not certain whether the following words were the Letter its self, or only the Sum or Contents of the Letter.

26. Claudius Lysias, unto the most excellent governour Felix, sendeth greeting.

A Title given to persons of great eminency, as Luke 1.3. it is given to Theophilus, unto whom also this Book of the [illegible: 1 word] is inscribed, Chap. 1.1.

This Felix was Brother to one Pallas, who together with Narcissus (the other of the Emperor Claudius his Favourites) managed all publick affairs, and are by the Historians branded for all the mischiefs of that calamitous time. This Felix, and his Brother Pallas were born Slaves, and manumized by Claudius, and were such as are exa[illegible: 1 letter]ted, as often as Providence will shew its power it hath in pulling down and setting up whom it pleaseth.

27 This man was taken of the Jews, an[illegible: 1 letter] should have been killed of them: then cam[illegible: 1 letter] I [illegible: 1 letter]ith an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.

He represents Paul's Case fairly and indifferently, God over-ruling his heart and pen; but withal, he conceals his binding of him, and instead thereof magnifies his care of him, being a Roman; and probably being touched with a sense of his fault, he represents Paul's Case the better.

Marginal references: Chap. 2[illegible: 1 letter].33.

28 And when I w[illegible: 1 letter]uld have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:

The Council understanding those questions (as he thought) best; and having yet retained some Power from the Romans concerning them.

29 Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death, or of bonds.

According to the Roman Laws, or Imperial Constitutions. That he undervalued the great things in question concerning our Blessed Saviour's Death and Resurrection, and the whole Gospel, it is not to be wondered at; he spake and wrote as a Pagan: and God over-ruled his very slighting of these controversies for Pauls advantage, he being by that means preserved from the rage of his enemies.

30 And when it was told me, how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent him straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also, to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.

This reflects upon the Iews, as being seditious, and ready to attempt against the Government; as also gives the Governor an account why he troubled him with this Prisoner, and why he sent so great a guard with him.

The usual prayer wherewith they ended their Letters, as Chap. 15.29.

31 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.

Not that they came to Antipatris by night; but they began that Journey by night, as verse 23. and went as much of it as they could by night, for fear of being discovered, and attempted upon by the Iews.

This Antipatris was built by Herod the great, and so called in memory of his Father Antipater; it was about Seventeen Leagues from Ierusalem, pleasantly scituated upon the Mediterranean Sea, between Ioppa and Cesarea ▪

32 On the morrow they le[illegible: 1 letter]t the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle.

The Footmen returned to the Castle or Fort of Antonia in Ierusalem, from whence they did set out, there being no fear of any such design upon Paul at that distance from Ierusalem, which the Horsemen might not easily avoid.

33 Who when they came to Cesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governour, presented Paul also before him.

Cesarea Stratonis, as it was called, to difference it from the other.

They presented Paul, as being their charge, whom they had safely kept, and now delivered according to appointment.

34 And when the governour had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;

Palestine and the Countries thereabouts being divided into several Heptarchies or Jurisdictions, the Governors were very loath to infringe the limits of one another.

A Country in Asia minor, in which was Tarsus where Paul was born, and from his birth-place he is reckoned to belong to that Province.

35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herods judgment-hall.

I will hear thee thorowly, the whole matter, as the Preposition [non-Latin text not transcribed], here used, does import; and as it is commanded unto all Judges, Deut. 1.16.

For this the dictate of nature did teach the very Heathen, That both parties ought to be heard before any thing were determined. Qui aliquid Statuerit parte inaudita altera: That whosoever pronounced any Sentence before both Sides were fully heard, were the Sentence never so just, yet the Judge was unjust.

A Palace where the Governors were lodged, built by Herod the Great, when in Honour, or Flattery of Augustus, after he had fortified the City, he caused it to be called Cesarea.