Acts 19

Acts 19:1

THrough the upper coasts] In the upper parts of Asia are Phrygia, Galatia, Lydia, Livonia, Ionia, in which was Ephesus.

Acts 19:2

Have ye] The visible gifts, as speaking tongues, healing, &c. which then flourished in the Church.

whether there be any holy Ghost] Or, whether the holy Ghost be: as John 7:39. Whether there be any such gifts of the holy Ghost given to any. For they answered according to Pauls question: which being concerning the gifts and graces (not the infinite Essence of the Deitie) they answer according to the same. See John 7:39. Chap. 8. 16.

Acts 19:3

Ʋnto what then were ye baptized] That is, what doctrine professed you in your baptisme?

Ʋnto Johus baptisme] That is, we professed the same doctrine which John Baptist had taught us: and we received baptisme of him as a seale of our profession of the same, and our dedication unto Christ.

Acts 19:4

John verily baptized] Matthew 3:11.

Acts 19:5

When they heard this] That is, when they heard the preaching of John, they were baptized by John; not that Paul did rebaptize them, for otherwise, it would follow, that Christ whom John baptized, and we, are not baptized with the same baptisme: whereas he bare the same circumcision with the Jews, and the same baptisme with us Gentiles, that he might declare himself the Saviour of both.

Acts 19:6

and they spake with tongues] Chap. 2. 4. & 10. 46. Meaning divers Languages which before they knew not.

and prophecied] By a Divine and evident inspiration they preached and expounded the word of God as able Ministers of Christ. See 1 Corinthians 11:4. & 1 Corinthians 14:1.

Acts 19:9

of that way before the multitude] As Chap. 18. 26.

one Tyranus] This seemeth to have been some Philosopher or publike professour of Rhetorick converted by Paul.

Acts 19:18

and confessed] Terrified with remorse of conscience, and desiring some remedie, and comfort, they confessed their sinnes. See Matthew 3:6.

Acts 19:19

curious arts] That is, Magick, Divinations by judiciall Astrologie, &c.

fiftie thousand pieces of silver] Or, fiftie thousand pence; which the Greek word signifieth. What this cometh to of our sterling money is not agreed on by the writers, but the least estimato bringeth it to about eight hundred pound.

Acts 19:21

the spirit] By the motion of the holy Ghost.

Macedonia] Chap. 16. 9. Achaia] Chap. 18. 12.

Acts 19:22

Erastus] Romans 16:23. 2 Tim. 4. 20.

Acts 19:24

silver shrines for Diana] Temples or medalls of silver with the forme of their Idol Diana’s Temple, impressed or wrought thereon, which he sold to them who came thither either of superstition to worship, or curiositie to see the magnificence thereof.

Acts 19:27

this our craft] This our manufacture of making medals.

Acts 19:29

Gains and Aristarchus] Romans 16:23. Colos. 4. 10.

theatre] A publike place, to which the custome was, in any trouble about the common wealth, to resort.

Acts 19:33

the Jews putting him] It seemeth the heathens of Ephesus were equally enraged against the Jews and Christians, and that the Jews put him on, to justifie their Nation and Religion, that they might cast all the occasion of this discontent and tumult on the Christians.

Acts 19:35

a worshipper] Gr. the temple-keeper. Meaning that Ephesus was so established in their Religion and worship of Diana their supposed tutesary goddesse, that there was no such cause of fear, as Demetrius suggested, that they should forsake their Religion for any other.

which fell down from Jupiter] So were they vainly perswaded by their covetous Priests.

Acts 19:38

the law is open] Or, the court-dayes are kept.

Acts 19:39

lawfull assembly] Or, ordinary.

Acts 19:40

are in danger] He meant, they were accountable to the State of Rome: whose law was that all factious and seditious persons under their government should lose their liberties and Romane freedomes.