Vincent's Word Studies But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. Street (ῥύμην)
See on Luke 14:21. A narrow street or lane. Straight So called from its running in a direct line from the eastern to the western gate of the city. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. Chosen vessel (σκεῦος ἐκλογῆς)
Lit., an instrument of choice. On vessel, see on Matthew 12:29; and on the figure, compare 2 Corinthians 4:7. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. How great things (ὅσα)
Rev., more correctly, how many. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Brother
In Christ. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. There fell - scales (ἀπέπεσον - λεπίδες)
Both words occur only here in the New Testament. In Paul's own account of his conversion in ch. 26 he does not mention his blindness: in ch. 22 he mentions both the blindness and the recovery of sight, but not the particular circumstances which Luke records. The mention of the scales, or incrustations, such as are incidental to ophthalmia, is characteristic of the physician, and ἀποπίπτειν, to fall off, was used technically by medical writers of the falling of scales from the skin, and of particles from diseased parts of the body. "We may suppose that Luke had often heard Paul relate how he felt at that moment" (Hackett). Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. Christ
The correct reading is Jesus, the individual or personal name of the Lord. Christ was not yet current as his personal name. Paul's object was to establish the identity of Jesus the Nazarene with the Messiah. And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. Destroyed (πορθήσας)
Rather, laid waste, made havoc of, as Rev. Compare Acts 8:3. Paul uses the same word in Galatians 1:13. And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. Confounded
See on Acts 2:6. Proving (συμβιβάζων) The verb means to bring or put together: hence to compare and examine, as evidence, and so to prove. Used in the literal and physical sense in Ephesians 4:16. In Colossians 2:2, of being knit together in love. In 1 Corinthians 2:16, of instructing, building up, by putting together. In this sense the word occurs in the Septuagint. See Leviticus 10:11; Judges 13:8. The Christ Note the article. Not a proper name, but an appellative. See on Acts 9:20. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) To kill
See on Luke 23:32. Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. Laying await (ἐπιβουλὴ)
So rendered by A. V. wherever it occurs, viz., Acts 20:3, Acts 20:19; Acts 23:30; but properly changed by Rev., in every case, to plot. "Laying await" refers rather to the execution of the plot than to the plot itself. Watched See on Mark 3:2. Imperfect: they were or kept watching, day and night. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. By the wall (διὰ τοῦ τείχους)
Rev., more accurately, through the wall, as is explained by 2 Corinthians 11:33. Either through the window of a house overhanging the wall, or through a window in the wall itself opening to houses on its inner side. Hackett says that he observed such windows in the wall at Damascus. On the mode of escape, compare Joshua 2:15; 1 Samuel 19:12. Basket (σπυρίδι) See on Matthew 14:20. In Paul's account of this adventure he uses σαργάνη, a plaited or braided basket of wicker-work; or, as some think, of ropes. Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, Join himself
See on Acts 5:13; and Luke 15:15; and Luke 10:11. And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. Declared (διηγήσατο)
Related throughout. See on Luke 8:39; and compare on declaration, Luke 1:1. Had preached boldly (ἐπαῥῤησιάσατο) See on freely, Acts 2:29. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. Grecians
Rev., correctly, Grecian Jews. See on Acts 6:1. Went about (ἐπεχείρουν) Better, attempted : lit., took in hand. And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, The churches
The best texts read the church; embracing all the different churches throughout the three provinces of Palestine. Edified Or built up. Comfort (παρακλήσει) From παρακαλέω, call toward or to one's side for help. The word is rendered in the New Testament both exhortation and consolation. Compare Acts 13:15; Romans 12:8; 2 Corinthians 8:17; Hebrews 12:5; and Luke 2:25 (see note); 2 Thessalonians 2:16; Matthew 5:4. In some passages the meaning is disputed, as Philippians 2:1, where, as in 1 Corinthians 14:3, it is joined with παραμύθιον or παραμυθία, the meaning of which also varies between incentive and consolation or assuagement. Here exhortation is the rendering approved by the best authorities, to be construed with was multiplied: was multiplied by the exhortation of the Holy Ghost; i.e., by the Holy Spirit inspiring the preachers, and moving the hearts of the hearers. Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within. Lydda
The Lod of the Old Testament (Ezra 2:33); about a day's journey from Jerusalem. Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. Eight years
The duration of the malady, and the fact of his having been bedridden for the whole time, are characteristic of the physician's narrative. Bed See on Mark 2:4. Sick of the palsy Better, as Rev., palsied. See on Luke 5:18. Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. Jesus Christ
But note the article: Jesus the Christ; the Anointed; Messiah. Maketh thee whole (ἰᾶταί σε) Rev., healeth thee. See on Luke 6:19. Make thy bed (στρῶσον σεαυτῷ) Lit., strew for thyself. Not, henceforth, but on the spot, as an evidence of restoration. Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. Saron
Rev., properly, Sharon. Always with the definite article: the plain; extending thirty miles along the sea from Joppa to Caesarea. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Disciple (μαθήτρια)
A feminine form, only here in New Testament. Tabitha - Dorcas The latter word being the Greek equivalent of the former, which is Aramaic, and meaning gazelle, which in the East was a favorite type of beauty. See Sol 2:9, Sol 2:17; Sol 4:5; Sol 7:3. It was customary at this time for the Jews to have two names, one Hebrew and the other Greek or Latin; and this would especially be the case in a seaport like Joppa, which was both a Gentile and a Jewish town. She may have been known by both names. Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Upper chamber
See on Acts 1:13. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. That he would not delay (μὴ ὀκνῆσαι)
The best texts read ὀκνήσῃς putting the request in the form of a direct address, Delay not. To come (διελθεῖν) Lit., to come through. Rev., come on. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Coats and garments
See on Matthew 5:40. Which (ὅσα) Lit., as many as. Made (ἐποίει) The imperfect: was accustomed to make. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. Centurion
See on Luke 7:2. Band (σπείρης) See on Mark 15:16. Italian Probably because consisting of Roman soldiers, and not of natives of the country. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. Devout (εὐσεβὴς)
See on godliness, 2 Peter 1:3. Prayed (δεόμενος) See on prayers, Luke 5:33. "Unheard by all but angel ears The good Cornelius knelt alone, Nor dream'd his prayers and tears Would help a world undone. "The while upon his terrac'd roof The lov'd apostle to his Lord, In silent thought aloof For heavenly vision soared." Keble, Christian Year. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: When he looked (ἀτενίσας)
Rev., more accurately, fastening his eyes. Compare Acts 7:55; and see on Luke 4:20. But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. A tanner
Showing that the strictness of the Jewish law was losing its hold on Peter; since the tanner's occupation was regarded as unclean by strict Jews, and the tanners were commanded to dwell apart. "If a tanner married without mentioning his trade, his wife was permitted to get a divorce. The law of levirate marriage might be set aside if the brother-in-law of the childless widow was a tanner. A tanner's yard must be at least fifty cubits from any town" (Farrar, "Life and Work of St. Paul"). By the seaside Outside the walls, both for proximity to the business, and because of the ceremonial requirement referred to above. Mr. William C. Prime, describing a visit to Joppa, says: "I was walking along the sea-beach, looking for shells, and at about a fourth of a mile from the city, to the southward, I found two tanneries directly on the seaside. I observed that the rocks in front of them were covered with the water a few inches deep, and that they soaked their hides on these rocks, and also submitted them to some process in the water which I did not stop to understand" ("Tent-life in the Holy Land"). Of them that waited on him continually (προσκαρτερούν των αὐτῷ) See on Acts 1:14. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Declared (ἐξηγησάμενος) Better, as Rev., rehearsed. See on Luke 24:35. Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]. Text Courtesy of Internet Sacred Texts Archive. Bible Apps.com |
