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1: Hear ye now my defence - Which they could not hear
before for the tumult.
3: I am verily - This defence answers all that is objected,(Ac 21:28). As there, so here also mention is made of the
person of Paul,(Ac 22:3), of
the people and the law,(Ac 22:3,5,12); of
the temple,(Ac 22:17); of
teaching all men,(Ac 22:15-17,21); and of
the truth of his doctrine,(Ac 22:6).
But he speaks closely and nervously, in few words, because the
time was short. But brought up at the feet of Gamaliel - The
scholars usually sat on low seats, or upon mats on the floor,
at the feet of their masters, whose seats were raised to a
considerable height. Accurately instructed - The learned education
which Paul had received was once no doubt the matter of his
boasting and confidence. Unsanctified learning made his bonds
strong, and furnished him with numerous arguments against the
Gospel. Yet when the grace of God had changed his heart, and
turned his accomplishments into another channel, he was the
fitter instrument to serve God's wise and merciful purposes,
in the defence and propagation of Christianity.
4: And persecuted this way - With the same zeal that you do now.
Binding both men and women - How much better was his condition,
now he was bound himself.
5: The high priest is my witness - Is able to testify. The
brethren - Jews: so this title was not peculiar to the Christians.
6: About noon - All was done in the face of the sun. A great light
shone - By whatever method God reveals himself to us, we shall have
everlasting cause to recollect it with pleasure. Especially when
he has gone in any remarkable manner out of his common way for
this gracious purpose. If so, we should often dwell on the
particular circumstances, and be ready, on every proper occasion,
to recount those wonders of power and love, for the encouragement
and instruction of others.
9: They did not hear the voice - Distinctly; but only a confused noise.
12: A devout man according to the law - A truly religious person,
and though a believer in Christ, yet a strict observer of the
law of Moses.
16: Be baptized, and wash away thy sins - Baptism administered to
real penitents, is both a means and seal of pardon. Nor did God
ordinarily in the primitive Church bestow this on any, unless
through this means.
17: When I was returned to Jerusalem - From Damascus, and was
praying in the temple - Whereby he shows that he still paid the
temple its due honour, as the house of prayer. I was in a
trance - Perhaps he might continue standing all the while, so
that any who were near him would hardly discern it.
18: And I saw him - Jesus, saying to me, Depart quickly out of
Jerusalem - Because of the snares laid for thee: and in order to
preach where they will hear.
19: And I said - It is not easy for a servant of Christ, who is
himself deeply impressed with Divine truths, to imagine to what
a degree men are capable of hardening their hearts against thee.
He is often ready to think with Paul, It is impossible for any
to resist such evidence. But experience makes him wiser and
shows that wilful unbelief is proof against all truth and reason.
20: When the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was
standing by - A real convert still retains the remembrance of his
former sins. He confesses thorn and is humbled for them, all
the days of his life.
22: And they heard him to this word - Till he began to speak of
his mission to the Gentiles, and this too in such a manner as
implied that the Jews were in danger of being cast off.
23: They rent their garments - In token of indignation and horror
at this pretended blasphemy, and cast dust into the air - Through
vehemence of rage, which they knew not how to vent.
25: And as they - The soldiers ordered by the tribune, were binding
him with thongs - A freeman of Rome might be bound with a chain
and beaten with a staff: but he might not be bound with thongs,
neither scourged, or beaten with rods: Paul said to the centurion
- The captain, who stood by to see the orders of the tribune executed.
26: Consider what thou art about to do; for this man is a Roman
- Yea, there was a stronger reason to consider. For this man was
a servant of God.
28: But I was free born - Not barely as being born at Tarsus;
for this was not Roman colony. But probably either his father,
or some of his ancestors, had been made free of Rome, for
some military service.
We learn hence, that we are under no obligation as Christians
to give up our civil privileges (which we are to receive and
prize as the gift of God) to every insolent invader. In a
thousand circumstances, gratitude to God, and duty to men,
will oblige us to insist upon them; and engage us to strive
to transmit them improved, rather than impaired to posterity.
