Acts 22

Acts 22:1

When they heard [this]. Paul’s explanation of the difference between Christ’s and John’s baptism, to which we have only an allusion. The example of these men shows that if a baptism is imperfect, from an ignorance of Christ’s will, it is not wrong to correct the defect by a more perfect obedience.

Acts 22:2

When Paul had laid [his] hands upon them. It seemed proper that these men should enjoy, not only the ordinary influence of the Spirit, but that some spiritual gifts should be imparted, such as were given by the laying on of apostolic hands. Compare Acts 8:17 Romans 1:11. Spake in tongues. Of this ancient gift we learn (1) it edified only the speaker (1 Corinthians 14:4); (2) to benefit others an interpreter was needed (1 Corinthians 14:5-27); (3) God could understand (1 Corinthians 14:2). This gift disappeared at an early date from the church.

Acts 22:3

All the men were about twelve. Thus these men appear in this episode and then disappear from our knowledge. They were now endowed for usefulness, and perhaps did great service in the religious revolution that soon transformed all that part of Asia.

Acts 22:4

He went into the synagogue. Once before he had spoken in it, on his former missionary journey (Acts 18:19,20). Now for three months of the three years spent in Ephesus he occupies the same pulpit. These three years were comparatively quiet, but among the most successful of Paul’s missionary career. About seventeen years of busy toil had now passed since his conversion.

Acts 22:5

When divers were hardened. As soon as they began to raise scenes of strife in the synagogue, he ceased to teach there. He removed the disciples from the synagogue, forming a separate body, and taught daily in the school of one Tyrannus. Either a place where lectures were given on Greek philosophy, or, as some have supposed, a rabbinical school. One Greek New Testament manuscript says he taught “from the sixth to the tenth hour”, specifying the hours that he had the use of the building.

Acts 22:6

Continued . . . two years. That is, for two years he used this building. His whole stay in Ephesus was three years (Acts 20:31). So that all they who dwelt in Asia. The Roman province of Asia of which Ephesus was the capital. It embraced only a part of Asia Minor. We know that Paul’s preaching had a powerful effect (1) from the results upon those who practiced magic (Acts 19:19); (2) from the alarm of Demetrius (Acts 19:24); (3) from the statement of Pliny, about forty years later, in his celebrated letter to Trajan, that Christianity had caused the temples of the gods to be deserted.

Acts 22:7

God wrought special miracles. If miracles are wrought, it is always God’s work, and he can work them as he wills. In this case, in order to magnify the name of his preacher, he left his power go with articles that were carried from Paul to the sick. The Lord, in his wisdom, can make use of any instrument he chooses.

Acts 22:9

Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists. Our Lord refers to these Jewish exorcists in Matthew 12:27. Josephus (“Antiq”. 8:2,5) declares that certain Jews claimed to expel demons. He says that their knowledge of the art was derived from Solomon. These, witnessing the wonderful power of the name of Christ, thinking it a sort of incantation, took it upon themselves to use it instead of their usual formula.

Acts 22:10

Seven sons of [one] Sceva. He is said to be “chief of the priests”. Some think he was a chief ruler of the synagogue, but it is far more probable that he was a head of one of the twenty-four courses of priests (these heads were called “chief priests”, see PNT Matthew 2:4) who had been deposed for some cause and had wandered away from Palestine.

Acts 22:11

And the evil spirit answered. The evil spirit spoke and acted by means of the man possessed. It is possible that in this instance the spirit was overruled so as to magnify the gospel preached by Paul. On this question of demoniacal possession, see PNT Matthew 8:29.

Acts 22:13

This was known to all the Jews and Greeks. Ephesus was a great seat of magical arts. This event would have a powerful effect on those who dealt in charms, incantations, and magic, and of course would exalt the name of Christ.

Acts 22:14

Many that believed came. They had not been freed before from their old superstitions. If we are disposed to wonder at this, let us remember that there are Christians still who wear charms, watch signs, or go to fortune tellers.

Acts 22:15

Brought their books together, and burned them. There was real repentance, and they brought forth its fruits. These “books”, alluded to by ancient writers, were manuscript volumes of charms, incantations, recipes for love philters, and other things of similar character. They counted the price of them. If the “piece of silver” is the Attic drachma or Roman denarius, as is probable (about sixteen cents), the whole value would be about $8,000. These “books” had considerable money value on account of their rarity.

Acts 22:16

So mightily grew the word of God. About this time the apostle wrote from Ephesus: “For a great and effectual door is opened unto me” (1 Corinthians 16:9).

Acts 22:17

After these things were ended. What has just been recorded. Paul purposed in the spirit. Had determined, after a journey into Macedonia and Greece, to visit the churches planted in his former tour, to return to Jerusalem, and then to “see Rome” (see Romans 1:13). This was all carried out, but in a way that at this time he did not foresee.

Acts 22:18

Sent into Macedonia. A band of missionaries always attended him and were sent where there seemed to be need. See 1 Corinthians 4:17 16:10. Erastus. Not before named, but mentioned also in Romans 16:23 as “the chamberlain of the city” of Corinth.

Acts 22:19

No small stir about that way. Thus far his labors at Ephesus had been without violent opposition. We now have given the account of the events that led to his departure.

Acts 22:20

A certain [man] named Demetrius, . . . made silver shrines. The temple of Diana at Ephesus was counted one of the wonders of the world. It was at this time (this was the third temple which had been built in succession) of white marble, 425 feet long by 220 wide, with 127 columns, and of surpassing wealth and splendor. It contained an image said to have fallen from heaven (Acts 19:35). It was visited by thousands of pilgrims, and a great industry grew up in making miniature representations of the temple, of wood, gold, or silver. This was the work of Demetrius and his fellow-workers. After paganism fell, much of the material of this temple was transported to Constantinople, and was used in the construction of the church of St. Sophia.

Acts 22:21

Sirs, ye know. Observe the argument of Demetrius: (1) By this craft we have our wealth (Acts 19:25); (2) Paul teaches that these are not gods that are made with hands (Acts 19:26); (3) therefore our craft is in danger (Acts 19:27); (4) the great goddess Diana is despised (Acts 19:27); (5) great is Diana of the Ephesians! (Acts 19:28). The prime incentive of his religious zeal is that his craft is in danger. Many are like him still.

Acts 22:25

The whole city was filled with confusion. Nothing would more quickly arouse a mob than the belief that both their business and religion were assailed. Gaius. A Macedonian. Aristarchus. Of Thessalonica (Acts 20:4). They rushed with one accord into the theatre. The remains of the theater are still to be seen. It was of vast extent, and would seat, as its remains show, from 20,000 to 30,000 persons. It was the custom to use the theater, not only for amusements, but for public assemblies.

Acts 22:26

The disciples suffered him not. Paul’s intrepidity and zeal would have led him to appear in person to reply to the charges, but the Ephesian disciples thought that he would be sacrificed to the rage of the mob.

Acts 22:27

Certain of the chief of Asia. The chief officials of the province. These men, called Asiarchs, were ten in number, and were chosen annually from the chief towns of the province called Asia to preside over games and festivals. The president of their body always lived in Ephesus. Which were his friends. Possibly in sympathy with the gospel. We have many instances in the life of Paul in which the great Roman officials treat him with not only respect, but sympathy.

Acts 22:29

They drew Alexander out of the multitude. A Jew, evidently of great prominence, and put forward by the Jews, in order to disavow Paul, and to turn the tumult to their advantage. They wished to shift all blame on the Christians. The Gentile aversion to Jews was, however, too great to allow him a hearing.