Acts 11

— Then hath God also to the Gentiles &c.] The Jews entertained the most exalted ideas of themselves, and the lowest of all other nations, as if the Divine blessing were designed for themselves exclusively. They imagined that the Messiah was to make them a glorious people, and destroy or enslave all other nations; thus they had no idea that others could be saved, except by being made proselytes to their law. Hence it was that they were so much astonished that the Holy Ghost should fall on the Gentiles, chap. x. 45, and that God should grant unto them repentance unto life. Hence also the unbelieving Jews forbade the Apostles “to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved,” 1 Thess. ii. 16, and cried out against St. Paul, as one not fit to live, because he said that Christ would send him to the Gentiles, chap. xxii. 21, 22. Dr. Whitby.

— granted repentance unto life.] Granted that they also, on their repenting and believing, should be partakers of eternal life. Bp. Pearce.

Acts 11:2

2. And he killed James the brother of John] St. James the elder. St. James and St. John were the sons of Zebedee, Matt. x. 2. Thus fell St. James, the first of the Apostles that gained the crown of martyrdom, cheerfully taking that cup, of which he had long since told his Lord that he was most willing to drink, Matt. xx. 22. Dr. Case.

Acts 11:4

4.—to four quaternions] A quaternion is a band of four; so that the prison guard consisted of sixteen soldiers. Bp. Mann.

—intending after Easter &c.] “After the passover,” that is, after the days of unleavened bread, mentioned at ver. 3.

In and from the times of the Apostles, there has been always observed an anniversary festival in memory of Christ’s resurrection, called in our language the festival of Easter, which is supposed by some to be derived from the old Saxon word oster, signifying to rise. It is observed on the Sunday following the day of the Jewish passover. Wheatly. Hence the Greek phrase, “after the passover,” is here rendered in our translation, “after Easter.”

Acts 11:5

5.—prayer was made without ceasing] We are here instructed, on seeing the events which followed, how instrumental the intercessions of good people are toward procuring deliverance from God; and how efficacious their prayers, when unanimous and publick, especially when the subject of them is eminently serviceable to the glory of God, and the benefit of religion. Dean Stanhope.

Acts 11:6

6.—bound with two chains:] It was the manner of the Romans to fasten the prisoner with a small and light chain to some soldier, who was appointed to guard him; one end of the chain being fastened to the right hand of the prisoner, and the other end to the left hand of the soldier. It seems to have been for the better securing of St. Peter from any escape that they bound him, as is here described, with two chains to two soldiers. Bp. Pearce.

Acts 11:19

19. — Phenice.] Or Phenicia, the country on the sea-coast north of Judea, including Tyre and Sidon.

— Antioch.] Antioch was situated in the north of Syria, on the river Orontes, about twelve miles from the shore of the Mediterranean sea. It received its name from Seleucus Nicanor, the first king of Syria after Alexander the Great, in memory of his father Antiochus, and was afterwards the royal seat of the succeeding kings of Syria. It is famous in Christian history, among other things, for being the birthplace of St. Luke, and in the earlier times of Christianity its bishop was honoured with the title of Patriarch. It was admirably fortified by nature and art, and was adorned with many sumptuous palaces and temples, answerable to the reputation of so great a city. Dr. Wells.

— to none but unto the Jews only.] Those preachers not having heard of the vision, which St. Peter had seen, and the consequences of it. Bp. Pearce.

Acts 11:20

20. — unto the Grecians.] Meaning probably the Grecizing Jews, or Jews who spoke the Greek language. See ver. 19. The natives of Cyprus and Cyrene, speaking the Greek language, preached to these Jews, while others who spoke only the Jewish language preached to those who understood that language. Bp. Pearce.

Acts 11:21

21. — the hand of the Lord was with them:] His power enabled them to work miracles. Abp. Newcome.

Acts 11:23

23. — had seen the grace of God.] Had seen how gra-

cious God had been to them. Bp. Mann. Had seen the happy effects of God’s sanctifying Spirit among them, their exemplary manners, their eminent faith, with all its precious fruit. Brewster.

Acts 11:24

24. For he was a good man, &c.] The fruit of the ministry may most reasonably be expected to abound, where actions teach as well as words; and where the diligence of exhortation is seconded and set home upon the hearers by the influence of example. Great thanks are due to God for the benefit of such teachers, where they are found: great respect and honour, and praise, are due to the teachers themselves. Dean Stanhope.

— and full of the Holy Ghost] It should be observed, that “the Holy Ghost,” in scriptural language, sometimes signifies the person of the Holy Ghost, sometimes His miraculous gifts, and sometimes the moral effects and influences of the doctrine delivered to us by the Spirit of God. In either of the two former senses, a person is spoken of as “full of the Holy Ghost,” when he is actually inspired by Him, or miraculously conducted and directed by Him either in words or actions, chap. vii. 6d; Luke iv. 1. In the latter sense of the word, a person is said to be full of the Holy Ghost, when his mind, under the moral influences of the Spirit of God, and of “the doctrine which is according to godliness” is, in an eminent manner, zealous for promoting the truth, and for the practice of good works. In this sense, it is here spoken of St. Barnabas. Dr. S. Clarke.

Acts 11:26

26. — the disciples were called Christians first] The enemies of the Gospel had called them Nazarenes in contempt, and among themselves they had been styled “disciples,” “believers,” “brethren.” It is of great importance that all who bear the name of Christians should be duly sensible of the weighty obligations which it lays upon them; for these cannot be less than a firm belief of the doctrines, a conscientious obedience to the precepts, and as exact a conformity as we are capable of to the example, of that Christ, after whom we are called. Dean Stanhope.

The followers of Christ’s religion in subsequent times gloried so much in the name of Christians, that they would acknowledge no other before the face of their enemies, although hated, reviled, tormented, and martyred for it. And all who are called by this name should be careful to believe and practise what Christ taught, to imitate His example, who was made perfect through

Agabus prophesieth a dearth. Herod persecuteth the Christians. Anno DOMINI 43.

Acts 11:27

27.—came prophets] Or inspired teachers. Dr. Hales. St. Paul in different parts of his writings enumerates prophecy among the various gifts bestowed upon the several members of the Church. Dr. Stack.

Acts 11:28

28.—throughout all the world:] The word translated “world” signifies sometimes the Roman empire, and sometimes only the land of Judea. See note at Luke ii. 1. That in the present instance the land of Judea is meant, seems probable; for, if the dearth had extended to Syria, where Antioch was, or had been expected there, the Christians in that city would scarcely have been able to relieve those of Judea. Josephus too, speaking of this dearth in the reign of Claudius as having happened in Judea, not only says nothing of its extending to other parts, but tells us that large quantities of corn were sent up to Jerusalem from other countries. Bp. Pearce.

Acts 11:29

29.—determined to send relief] What could more conduce to the honour of the name so lately taken, than these fruits of charity, so agreeable to the import of the name, sent as a relief to their brethren against the approaching famine. Dean Stanhope.

Acts 11:30

30.—to the elders] These were persons appointed for the government of the churches. Bp. Pearce.

—and Saul.] This was St. Paul’s second journey to Jerusalem, about eight years after his conversion. Bp. Mann.

Chap. XII. ver. 1.—Herod the king] This was Herod Agrippa, son of Aristobulus, and grandson of Herod the Great. See note at Matt. ii. 1. He was made king of Iturea, Trachonitis, and other provinces by the emperor Caligula; and to these the emperor Claudius afterwards added Judea and Samaria. Bp. Pearce.

The accuracy of the sacred writer, in the expressions which he uses is in this instance remarkable. There was no portion of time for thirty years before, or ever afterwards, in which there was a king at Jerusalem, a person exercising that authority in Judea, or to whom

NOW about that time Herod the king || stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.