Acts 11

Acts 11:1

Sitting in his chariot, he read the Prophet Isaiah - God meeteth those that remember him in his ways. It is good to read, hear, seek information even in a journey. Why should we not redeem all our time?

Acts 11:3

And Philip running to him, said, Understandest thou what thou readest? - He did not begin about the weather, news, or the like. In speaking for God, we may frequently come to the point at once, without circumlocution.

Acts 11:4

He desired Philip to come up and sit with him - Such was his modesty, and thirst after instruction.

Acts 11:5

The portion of Scripture - By reading that very chapter, the fifty - third of Isaiah, many Jews, yea, and atheists, have been converted. Some of them history records. God knoweth them all. Isaiah 53:7

Acts 11:6

In his humiliation his judgment was taken away - That is, when he was a man, he had no justice shown him. To take away a person’s judgment, is a proverbial phrase for oppressing him. And who shall declare, or count his generation - That is, who can number his seed, Isaiah 53:10; which he hath purchased by laying down his life?

Acts 11:9

And as they went on the way they came to a certain water - Thus, even the circumstances of the journey were under the direction of God. The kingdom of God suits itself to external circumstances, without any violence, as air yields to all bodies, and yet pervades all. What hindereth me to be baptized? - Probably he had been circumcised: otherwise Cornelius would not have been the first fruits of the Gentiles.

Acts 11:11

And they both went down - Out of the chariot. It does not follow that he was baptized by immersion. The text neither affirms nor intimates any thing concerning it.

Acts 11:12

The Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip - Carried him away with a miraculous swiftness, without any action or labour of his own. This had befallen several of the prophets.

Acts 11:13

But Philip was found at Azotus - Probably none saw him, from his leaving the eunuch, till he was there.

Acts 11:15

Acts 22:3, &c; Acts 26:9, &c.

Acts 11:16

Bound - By the connivance, if not authority, of the governor, under Aretas the king. See Acts 9:14,24.

Acts 11:17

And suddenly - When God suddenly and vehemently attacks a sinner, it is the highest act of mercy. So Saul, when his rage was come to the height, is taught not to breathe slaughter. And what was wanting in time to confirm him in his discipleship, is compensated by the inexpressible terror he sustained. By his also the suddenly constituted apostle was guarded against the grand snare into which novices are apt to fall.

Acts 11:18

He heard a voice - Severe, yet full of grace.

Acts 11:19

To kick against the goads - is a Syriac proverb, expressing an attempt that brings nothing but pain.

Acts 11:20

It shall be told thee - So God himself sends Saul to be taught by a man, as the angel does Cornelius, Acts 10:5. Admirable condescension! that the Lord deals with us by men, like ourselves.

Acts 11:21

The men - stood - Having risen before Saul; for they also fell to the ground, Acts 26:14. It is probable they all journeyed on foot. Hearing the noise - But not an articulate voice. And seeing the light, but not Jesus himself, Acts 26:13, &c.

Acts 11:23

And he was three days - An important season! So long he seems to have been in the pangs of the new birth. Without sight - By scales growing over his eyes, to intimate to him the blindness of the state he had been in, to impress him with a deeper sense of the almighty power of Christ, and to turn his thoughts inward, while he was less capable of conversing with outward objects. This was likewise a manifest token to others, of what had happened to him in his journey, and ought to have humbled and convinced those bigoted Jews, to whom he had been sent from the sanhedrim.

Acts 11:25

Behold he is praying - He was shown thus to Ananias.

Acts 11:26

A man called Ananias - His name also was revealed to Saul.

Acts 11:27

But he answered - How natural it is to reason against God.

Acts 11:28

All that call on thy name - That is, all Christians.

Acts 11:29

He is a chosen vessel to bear my name - That is, to testify of me. It is undeniable, that some men are unconditionally chosen or elected, to do some works for God

Acts 11:30

For I - Do thou as thou art commanded. I will take care of the rest; will show him - In fact, through the whole course of his ministry. How great things he must suffer - So far will he be now from persecuting others.