Acts 26

Acts 26:1

PAul stretched forth the hand] This was with them an usuall gesture of those who began to speak in publike. See Proverbs 1:24. Isaiah 65:2.

Acts 26:2

I think my self happy] I take it for my advantage, that I may now speak before thee, who knowest the Law and Scripture, and art therefore a more competent Judge, then he that is a stranger to all.

Acts 26:5

sect] Here the word is taken in good part, or at least according to the vulgar opinion.

Acts 26:6

of the promise] Concerning the Messias and his Kingdom.

Acts 26:7

twelve tribes] Meaning the remnant thereof, as they returned from the Captivitie, 2 Kings 17. 6.

serving God] According to the discipline of the Law.

Acts 26:10

Which thing &c.] Chap. 8. 3.

Acts 26:11

compelled them] Either this he effected b ythe crueltie he used, or gave them occasion so to do by his own example. 1 Timothy 1:13.

Acts 26:12

Whereupon as I went to Damascus] Chap. 9. 2.

Acts 26:17

from the people] Of the Jews.

Acts 26:18

To open their eyes] This is attributed to Ministers, as instruments and ordinary means, the effect whereof is onely in the Spirit of God, working thereon. See 1 Cor. 3. 5, 6.

Acts 26:19

the heavenly vision] Gal. 1. 16, 17.

Acts 26:23

Christ should suffer] That is, that Christ should not be a temporall king as the Jews dreamed, but a spirituall and eternall; redeeming and saving us by suffering that which was due to us.

the first] As head of his Church, to give them a spirituall life. 1 Corinthians 15:20. Colossians 1:18. Revelation 1:5.

shew light] The knowledge of the Gospel. Luke 2:32. Matthew 4:16.

unto the people] Meaning of the Jews.

Acts 26:26

for the king knoweth] Being a Jew, and alwayes conversant in Judea, he might know the prophesies, and of those things which were there done and suffered by Christ in his life, death and resurrection.

Acts 26:27

that thou beleevest] Meaning, that he was perswaded of the truth of these things which were written by the Prophets.

Acts 26:28

Almost] Gr. in a little, or, within a little. This he speaketh being forced to acknowledge the power of the Gospel, which secular respects would not suffer to be fruitfull in him.

Acts 26:29

almost] As vers. 28.

altogether] Gr. in much.

except these bonds] The Romanes used thus to produce their prisoners, with a souldier guardian, and some chain. c. 28. 20. 2 Timothy 1:16.