2 Corinthians 11:33

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

But I was lowered in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his grasp.

American Standard Version (1901)

and through a window was I let down in a basket by the wall, and escaped his hands.

Bible in Basic English

And being let down in a basket from the wall through a window, I got free from his hands.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and so escaped his hands.

Free Bible Version

But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the city wall, and so I escaped from him.

Geneva Bible 1599

But at a window was I let downe in a basket through the wall, and escaped his handes.

King James (Authorized) Version

And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.

Translation for Translators

But my friends helped me to escape by putting me in a large basket and lowering me to the ground by a rope through an opening in the city wall. That was really humiliating!

Unlocked Literal Bible

But I was lowered in a basket through a window in the wall, and I escaped from his hands.

Noah Webster Bible

And through a window in a basket I was let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.

World English Bible

I was let down in a basket through a window by the wall, and escaped his hands.

Young's Literal Translation

and through a window in a rope basket I was let down, through the wall, and fled out of his hands.

Context

Paul’s Suffering and Service

³²In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas secured the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me.³³But I was lowered in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his grasp.

Summary

In this verse, Paul recounts his escape from a dangerous situation in Damascus by being lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall. This event highlights Paul's perseverance and resourcefulness in the face of persecution and danger for the sake of spreading the Gospel. It also serves as a testament to God's protection and provision for His faithful servants, even in the midst of adversity. Paul's experience in Damascus underscores the challenges and risks involved in his ministry, yet it also demonstrates his unwavering commitment to fulfilling his calling despite the obstacles he faced.

Commentary

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Through a window in a basket - Probably the house was situated on the wall of the city. See the notes on this history, Act 9:23-25 (note). In Co2 11:2 of this chapter the apostle most evidently alludes to the history of the temptation, and fall of Adam and Eve, as related in Gen 3:1, etc.; and which fall is there attributed to the agency of a being called נחש nachash, here, and in other places, translated οφις, serpent. In my notes on Genesis I have given many, and, as I judge, solid reasons, why the word cannot be understood literally of a serpent of any kind; and that most probably a creature of the simia or ape genus was employed by the devil on this occasion. The arguments on this subject appeared to me to be corroborated by innumerable probabilities; but I left the conjecture afloat, (for I did not give it a more decisive name), and placed it in the hands of my readers to adopt, reject, or amend, as their judgments might direct them. To several this sentiment appeared a monstrous heresy! and speedily the old serpent had a host of defenders. The very modest opinion, or conjecture, was controverted by some who were both gentlemen and scholars, and by several who were neither; by some who could not affect candour because they had not even the appearance of it, but would affect learning because they wished to be reputed wise. What reason and argument failed to produce they would supply with ridicule; and as monkey was a convenient term for this purpose, they attributed it to him who had never used it. What is the result? They no doubt believe that they have established their system; and their arguments are to them conclusive. They have my full consent; but I think it right to state that I have neither seen nor heard of any thing that has the least tendency to weaken my conjecture, or produce the slightest wavering in my opinion. Indeed their arguments, and mode of managing them, have produced a very different effect on my mind to what they designed. I am now more firmly persuaded of the probability of my hypothesis than ever. I shall, however, leave the subject as it is: I never proposed it as an article of faith; I press it on no man. I could fortify it with many additional arguments if I judged it proper; for its probability appears to me as strong as the utter improbability of the common opinion, to defend which its abettors have descended to insupportable conjectures, of which infidels have availed themselves, to the discredit of the sacred writings. To those who choose to be wise and witty, and wish to provoke a controversy, this is my answer: I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease, while I leave it and come Down to You? Neh 6:3.