Geneva Study Bible And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And {1} Saul, yet {a} breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
(1) Saul (who is also Paul), persecuting Christ most cruelly, who did as it were flee before him, falls into Christ's hands, and is overcome: and with a singular example of the goodness of God, in place of punishment which he justly deserved for his cruelty, is not only kindly received, but is also even by the mouth of God appointed an apostle, and is confirmed by the ministry and witness of Ananias. (a) This is a sign that Saul's stomach boiled and cast out great threats to murder the disciples. And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this {b} way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
(b) Any trade of life which a man take upon himself the Jews call a way. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is {c} hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
(c) This is a proverb which is spoken of those who through their stubbornness hurt themselves. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And the men which journeyed with him {d} stood speechless, hearing a {e} voice, but seeing no man.
(d) Stood still and could not go one step forward, but remained amazed as stood still like statues. (e) They heard Paul's voice: for afterwards it is plainly said in Ac 22:9 that they did not hear the voice of the one who spoke. Others, however, try to reconcile these places (which seem to contradict) by saying that the men with Saul heard the sound of a voice, but did not hear it clearly. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of {f} Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
(f) Tarsus was a city of Cilicia near to Anchiala. It is said that Sardanapalus built these two cities in one day. And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a {g} chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
(g) To bear my name in. For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. For I will {h} shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
(h) I will plainly show him. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And Ananias went his way, and entered into {i} the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
(i) Into Judas' house. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. {2} And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
(2) Paul begins immediately to execute the office which was given and commanded to him, never consulting with flesh and blood. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?
But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. {3} But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, {k} proving that this is very Christ.
(3) Paul does not do battle only with his own authority, but also with the testimonies of the Prophets. (k) By conferring places of the Scripture together, as skilful craftsman do when they make something, they used to gather all parts together, to make them agree fitly one with another. And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: {4} And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:
(4) Paul, who was before a persecutor, now has persecution planned against himself, though it will not happen for a long time. But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.
Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. {5} Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.
(5) We are not forbidden to avoid and eschew the dangers and conspiracies that the enemies of God lay for us, but only if we do not swerve from our vocation. And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. {6} And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
(6) In ancient times no man was rashly or lightly received into the members and the sheep of the Church, much less to be a pastor. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. {7} And he was {l} with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.
(7) The steadfast servants of God must look out for danger after danger: yet God watches out for them. (l) With Peter and James, for he says that he saw none of the apostles but them; Ga 1:18-19. And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the {m} Grecians: but they went about to slay him.
(m) See Ac 6:1. Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. {8} Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
(8) The ministers of the word may change their place with the advice and counsel of the congregation and church. Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. {9} Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were {n} edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
(9) The result of persecutions is the building of the Church, so that we will patiently wait for the Lord. (n) This is a borrowed type of speech which signifies establishment and increase. And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. {10} And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.
(10) Peter's apostleship is confirmed by the healing of the man who suffered from paralysis. And there he found a certain man named AEneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.
And Peter said unto him, AEneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.
And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. And all that dwelt at {o} Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.
(o) Lydda was a city of Palestine, and Saron a first-class country, and a place which was excellent for grazing, between Caesarea of Palestine and Mount Tabor, and the lake of Gennesaret, which goes far beyond Joppa. Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. {11} Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
(11) Peter clearly declares, by raising up a dead body through the name of Christ, that he preaches the glad tidings of life. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner. And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
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