Read Scripture In A Year: November 8

Passage 1: Ezra 1-2

(Ezr 1:1) Nowe in the first yere of Cyrus King of Persia (that the worde of the Lord, spoken by the mouth of Ieremiah, might be accomplished) the Lord stirred vp the spirite of Cyrus King of Persia, and hee made a Proclamation thorowe all his Kingdome, and also by writing, saying,

(Notes Reference) Now in the (a) first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the (b) mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the (c) spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and [put it] also in writing, saying,

The Argument - As the Lord is always merciful to his Church, and does not punish them, but so that they should see their own miseries, and be exercised under the cross, that they might contemn the world, and aspire to the heavens: so after he had visited the Jews, and kept them in bondage 70 years in a strange country among infidels and idolaters, he remembered his tender mercies and their infirmities, and therefore for his own sake raised up a deliverer, and moved both the heart of the chief ruler to pity them, and also by him punished those who had kept them in slavery. Nonetheless, lest they should grow into a contempt of God's great benefits, he keeps them still in exercise, and raises domestic enemies, who try as much as they can to hinder their worthy enterprises: yet by the exhortation of the prophet they went forward little by little till their work was finished. The author of this book was Ezra, who was a priest and scribe of the Law, as in (Ezr 7:6). He returned to Jerusalem the sixth year of Darius, who succeeded Cyrus, that is, about fifty years after the first return under Zerubbabel, when the temple was built. He brought with him a great company and much treasure, with letters to the king's officers for all things needed for the temple: and at his coming he fixed that which was amiss, and set things in order.

(a) After he and Darius had won Babylon.

(b) Who promised deliverance to them after 70 years were past, (Jer 25:12).

(Ezr 1:2) Thus saith Cyrus King of Persia, The Lord God of heauen hath giuen me all the kingdomes of the earth, and he hath commanded me to builde him an house in Ierusalem, which is in Iudah.

(Notes Reference) Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me (d) all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which [is] in Judah.

(d) For he was chief monarch and had many nations under his dominion, which this heathen king confesses to have received from the living God.

(Ezr 1:3) Who is he among you of all his people with whome his God is? let him goe vp to Ierusalem which is in Iudah, and buylde the house of the Lord God of Israel: he is the God, which is in Ierusalem.

(Ezr 1:4) And euery one that remayneth in any place (where he soiourneth) let the men of his place relieue him with siluer and with golde, and with substance, and with cattel, and with a willing offring, for the house of God that is in Ierusalem.

(Notes Reference) And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, (e) let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, (f) beside the freewill offering for the house of God that [is] in Jerusalem.

(e) If any through poverty were not able to return, the king's commission was that he should be furnished with all he needed.

(f) Which they themselves should send for the repairing of the temple.

(Ezr 1:5) Then the chiefe fathers of Iudah and Beniamin, and the Priests and Leuites rose vp, with al them whose spirit God had raysed to goe vp, to builde the house of the Lord which is in Ierusalem.

(Ezr 1:6) And all they that were about them, strengthened their handes with vessels of siluer, with golde, with substance and with cattell, and with precious thinges, besides all that was willingly offred.

(Notes Reference) And all (g) they that [were] about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all [that] was willingly offered.

(g) The Babylonians and Chaldeans gave them these presents: thus rather than have the children of God be in need, he would stir the heart of the infidels to help them.

(Ezr 1:7) Also the King Cyrus brought forth the vessels of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of Ierusalem, and had put them in the house of his god.

(Ezr 1:8) Euen them did Cyrus King of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and counted them vnto Sheshbazzar the Prince of Iudah.

(Notes Reference) Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto (h) Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.

(h) So the Chaldeans called Zerubbabel who was the chief governor, so that the preeminence still remained in the house of David.

(Ezr 1:9) And this is the nomber of them, thirtie basins of golde, a thousand basins of siluer, nine and twentie kniues,

(Notes Reference) And this [is] the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty (i) knives,

(i) Which served to kill the beasts that were offered in sacrifice.

(Ezr 1:10) Thirtie boules of gold, and of siluer boules of the second sort, foure hundreth and tenne, and of other vessels, a thousand.

(Ezr 1:11) All the vessels of golde and siluer were fiue thousand and foure hundreth. Sheshbazzar brought vp all with them of the captiuitie that came vp from Babel to Ierusalem.

(Notes Reference) All the vessels of gold and of silver [were] five thousand and four hundred. All [these] did Sheshbazzar bring up (k) with [them of] the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.

(k) With the Jews who had been kept captive in Babylon.

(Ezr 2:1) These also are the sonnes of the prouince, that went vp out of the captiuitie (whome Nebuchadnezzar King of Babel had caried away vnto Babel) and returned to Ierusalem, and to Iudah, euery one vnto his citie,

(Notes Reference) Now these [are] the children (a) of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city;

(a) Meaning Judea, which was a province that is, a country which was in subjection.

(Ezr 2:2) Which came with Zerubbabel, to wit, Ieshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Biguai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel was,

(Notes Reference) Which came with (b) Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, (c) Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number (d) of the men of the people of Israel:

(b) Zerubbabel was chief captain and Joshua the high priest: but Nehemiah a man of great authority did not come now, but came after 64 years.

(d) Meaning, of the common people.

(Ezr 2:3) The sonnes of Parosh, two thousand, an hudreth seuentie and two:

(Ezr 2:4) The sonnes of Shephatiah, three hundreth, seuentie and two:

(Ezr 2:5) The sonnes of Arah, seuen hundreth, and seuentie and fiue:

(Ezr 2:6) The sonnes of Pahath Moab, of the sonnes of Ieshua and Ioab, two thousand, eight hundreth and twelue:

(Ezr 2:7) The sonnes of Elam, a thousande, two hundreth and foure and fiftie:

(Ezr 2:8) The sonnes of Zattu, nine hundreth and fiue and fourtie:

(Ezr 2:9) The sonnes of Zaccai, seuen hundreth and threescore:

(Ezr 2:10) The sonnes of Bani, sixe hundreth and two and fourtie:

(Ezr 2:11) The sonnes of Bebai, sixe hundreth, and three and twentie:

(Ezr 2:12) The sonnes of Azgad a thousand, two hundreth and two and twentie:

(Ezr 2:13) The sonnes of Adonikam, sixe hundreth, three score and sixe:

(Ezr 2:14) The sonnes of Biguai, two thousand, and sixe and fiftie:

(Ezr 2:15) The sonnes of Adin, foure hundreth and foure and fiftie:

(Ezr 2:16) The sonnes of Ater of Hizkiah, ninetie and eight:

(Notes Reference) The children of Ater of (e) Hezekiah, ninety and eight.

(e) Who were of the posterity of Hezekiah.

(Ezr 2:17) The sonnes of Bezai, three hundreth and three and twentie:

(Ezr 2:18) The sonnes of Iorah, an hudreth and twelue:

(Ezr 2:19) The sonnes of Hasshum, two hundreth and three and twentie:

(Ezr 2:20) The sonnes of Gibbar, ninetie and fiue:

(Ezr 2:21) The sonnes of Beth-lehem, an hundreth and three and twentie:

(Notes Reference) (f) The children of Bethlehem, an hundred twenty and three.

(f) That is inhabitants, for so this word

(some) signifies when it is joined with the names of places.

(Ezr 2:22) The men of Netophah, sixe and fiftie:

(Ezr 2:23) The men of Anothoth, an hundreth and eight and twentie:

(Ezr 2:24) The sonnes of Azmaueth, two and fourtie:

(Ezr 2:25) The sonnes of Kiriath-arim, of Chephirah, and Beeroth, seuen hundreth and three and fourtie:

(Ezr 2:26) The sonnes of Haramah and Gaba, six hundreth, and one and twentie:

(Ezr 2:27) The men of Michmas, an hundreth and two and twentie:

(Ezr 2:28) The sonnes of Beth-el and Ai, two hundreth, and three and twentie:

(Ezr 2:29) The sonnes of Nebo, two and fiftie:

(Ezr 2:30) The sonnes of Magbish, an hundreth and sixe and fiftie:

(Ezr 2:31) The sonnes of the other Elam, a thousand, and two hundreth, and foure and fiftie:

(Ezr 2:32) The sonnes of Harim, three hundreth and twentie:

(Ezr 2:33) The sonnes of Lod-hadid, and Ono, seuen hundreth, and fiue and twentie:

(Ezr 2:34) The sonnes of Iericho, three hundreth and fiue and fourtie:

(Ezr 2:35) The sonnes of Senaah, three thousand, sixe hundreth and thirtie.

(Ezr 2:36) The Priests: of the sonnes of Iedaiah of the house of Ieshua, nine hundreth seuentie and three:

(Notes Reference) The (g) priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.

(g) Before he has declared the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and now comes to the tribe of Levi and begins at the priests.

(Ezr 2:37) The sonnes of Immer, a thousand and two and fiftie:

(Ezr 2:38) The sonnes of Pashur, a thousand, two hundreth and seuen and fourtie:

(Ezr 2:39) The sonnes of Harim, a thousande and seuenteene.

(Ezr 2:40) The Leuites: the sonnes of Ieshua, and Kadmiel of the sonnes of Hodauiah, seuentie and foure.

(Ezr 2:41) The Singers: the sonnes of Asaph, an hundreth and eight and twentie.

(Ezr 2:42) The sonnes of the porters: the sonnes of Shallum, the sonnes of Ater, the sonnes of Talmon, the sonnes of Akkub, the sonnes of Hatita, the sonnes of Shobai: all were an hundreth and nine and thirtie.

(Ezr 2:43) The Nethinims: the sonnes of Ziha, the sonnes of Hasupha, the sonnes of Tabbaoth,

(Notes Reference) The (h) Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,

(h) So called because they were given to the temple, to cut wood and bear water for the use of the sacrifices and came of the Gibeonites who were appointed to this use by Joshua, (Jos 9:23).

(Ezr 2:44) The sonnes of Keros, the sonnes of Siaha, the sonnes of Padon,

(Ezr 2:45) The sonnes of Lebanah, the sonnes of Hagabah, the sonnes of Akkub,

(Ezr 2:46) The sonnes of Hagab, the sonnes of Shamlai, the sonnes of Hanan,

(Ezr 2:47) The sonnes of Giddel, the sonnes of Gahar, the sonnes of Reaiah,

(Ezr 2:48) The sonnes of Rezin, the sonnes of Nekoda, the sonnes of Gazzam,

(Ezr 2:49) The sonnes of Vzza, the sonnes of Paseah, the sonnes of Besai,

(Ezr 2:50) The sonnes of Asnah, the sonnes of Meunim, the sonnes of Nephusim,

(Ezr 2:51) The sonnes of Bakbuk, the sonnes of Hakupa, the sonnes of Harhur,

(Ezr 2:52) The sonnes of Bazluth, the sonnes of Mehida, the sonnes of Harsha,

(Ezr 2:53) The sonnes of Barcos, the sonnes of Sisara, the sonnes of Thamah,

(Ezr 2:54) The sonnes of Neziah, the sonnes of Hatipha,

(Ezr 2:55) The sonnes of Salomons seruantes: the sonnes of Sotai, the sonnes of Sophereth, the sonnes of Peruda,

(Notes Reference) The children of Solomon's (i) servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Peruda,

(i) Which came of them that Solomon had appointed for the work of the temple.

(Ezr 2:56) The sonnes of Iaalah, the sonnes of Darkon, the sonnes of Giddel,

(Ezr 2:57) The sonnes of Shephatiah, the sonnes of Hattil, the sonnes of Pochereth Hazzebaim, the sonnes of Ami.

(Ezr 2:58) All the Nethinims, and the sonnes of Salomons seruants were three hundreth ninetie and two.

(Ezr 2:59) And these went vp from Telmelah, and from Telharsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, but they could not discerne their fathers house and their seede, whether they were of Israel.

(Ezr 2:60) The sonnes of Delaiah, the sonnes of Tobiah, the sonnes of Nekoda, six hundreth and two and fiftie.

(Ezr 2:61) And of the sonnes of the Priestes, the sonnes of Habaiah, the sonnes of Coz, the sonnes of Barzillai: which tooke of the daughters of Barzillai the Giliadite to wife, and was called after their name.

(Notes Reference) And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of (k) Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name:

(k) He is mentioned in (2Sa 17:27, 2Sa 19:31) and because the priest's office was held in contempt these would have changed their estate by their name, and so by God's just judgment lost both the estimation of the world and the dignity of their office.

(Ezr 2:62) These sought their writing of the genealogies, but they were not founde: therefore were they put from the Priesthood.

(Ezr 2:63) And Tirshatha saide vnto them, that they should not eate of the most holy thing, tell there rose vp a Priest with Vrim and Thummim.

(Notes Reference) And the (l) Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with (m) Urim and with Thummim.

(l) This is a Chaldee name, and signifies him who has authority over others.

(m) Read (Exo 28:30).

(Ezr 2:64) The whole Congregation together was two and fourtie thousande, three hundreth and threescore,

(Ezr 2:65) Beside their seruants and their maydes: of whome were seuen thousande, three hundreth and seuen and thirtie: and among them were two hundreth singing men and singing women.

(Ezr 2:66) Their horses were seuen hundreth, and sixe and thirtie: their mules, two hundreth and fiue and fourtie:

(Ezr 2:67) Their camels foure hundreth, and fiue and thirtie: their asses, sixe thousand, seuen hundreth and twentie.

(Ezr 2:68) And certeine of the chiefe fathers, when they came to the house of the Lord, which was in Ierusalem, they offred willingly for the house of God, to set it vp vpon his fundation.

(Ezr 2:69) They gaue after their abilitie vnto the treasure of the worke, euen one and threescore thousand drammes of golde, and fiue thousand pieces of siluer, and an hundreth Priests garments.

(Notes Reference) They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand (n) drams of gold, and five thousand (o) pounds of silver, and one hundred priests' garments.

(n) Which in our money amounts to 24,826 pounds, 13 shillings and 4 pence, valuing the french crown at 6 shillings and 4 pence for the dram is the eighth part of an ounce, and the ounce the eighth part of a mark.

(o) Which are called "mina" and contain 2 marks apiece, so 50,000 minas make 55,000 franks which in our money amounts to 69,666 pounds, 13 shillings and 4 pence so that the whole sum was 94,493 pounds, 6 shillings, and 8 pence.

(Ezr 2:70) So the Priests and the Leuites, and a certeine of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.

Passage 2: Hosea 5

(Hos 5:1) O ye Priestes, heare this, and hearken ye, O house of Israel, and giue ye eare, O house of the King: for iudgement is towarde you, because you haue bene a snare on Mizpah, and a net spred vpon Tabor.

(Notes Reference) Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment [is] toward you, because ye have been a (a) snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor.

(a) The priests and princes caught the poor people in their snares, as the fowlers did the birds, in these two high mountains.

(Hos 5:2) Yet they were profounde, to decline to slaughter, though I haue bene a rebuker of them all.

(Notes Reference) And the revolters are profound to make (b) slaughter, though I [have been] a (c) rebuker of them all.

(b) Even though they seemed to be given altogether to holiness, and to sacrifices which here he calls slaughter in contempt.

(Hos 5:3) I knowe Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for nowe, O Ephraim thou art become an harlot, and Israel is defiled.

(Notes Reference) I know (d) Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, [and] Israel is defiled.

(d) They boasted themselves not only to be Israelites, but also Ephraimites, because their King Jeroboam came from that tribe.

(Hos 5:4) They will not giue their mindes to turne vnto their God: for the spirit of fornication is in the middes of them, and they haue not knowen the Lord.

(Hos 5:5) And the pride of Israel doth testifie to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquitie: Iudah also shall fall with them.

(Notes Reference) And the (e) pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity; Judah also shall fall with them.

(e) Meaning their condemning of all admonitions.

(Hos 5:6) They shall goe with their sheepe, and with their bullockes to seeke the Lord: but they shall not finde him: for he hath withdrawne himselfe from them.

(Hos 5:7) They haue transgressed against the Lord: for they haue begotte strange children: now shall a moneth deuoure them with their portions.

(Notes Reference) They have dealt treacherously against the LORD: for they have begotten (f) strange children: now shall (g) a month devour them with their portions.

(f) That is, their children are degenerate, so that there is no hope in them.

(g) Their destruction is not far off.

(Hos 5:8) Blowe ye the trumpet in Gibeah, and the shaume in Ramah: crie out at Beth-auen, after thee, O Beniamin.

(Notes Reference) Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, [and] the trumpet in Ramah: cry aloud [at] Bethaven, after thee, O (h) Benjamin.

(h) That is, all of Israel that was included under this tribe, signifying that the Lord's plagues would pursue them from place to place until they were destroyed.

(Hos 5:9) Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke: among the tribes of Israel haue I caused to knowe the trueth.

(Notes Reference) Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke: among the tribes of Israel have I made (i) known that which shall surely be.

(i) By the success they will know that I have surely determined this.

(Hos 5:10) The princes of Iudah were like them that remoue the bounde: therefore will I powre out my wrath vpon them like water.

(Notes Reference) The princes of Judah were like them that (k) remove the bound: [therefore] I will pour out my wrath upon them like water.

(k) They have turned upside down all political order and all manner of religion.

(Hos 5:11) Ephraim is oppressed, and broken in iudgement, because he willingly walked after the commandement.

(Notes Reference) Ephraim [is] oppressed [and] broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the (l) commandment.

(l) That is, after King Jeroboam's commandment, and did not rather follow God.

(Hos 5:12) Therefore wil I be vnto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Iudah as a rottennesse.

(Hos 5:13) When Ephraim sawe his sickenes, and Iudah his wound, then went Ephraim vnto Asshur, and sent vnto King Iareb: yet coulde hee not heale you, nor cure you of your wound.

(Notes Reference) When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah [saw] his wound, then went Ephraim to (m) the Assyrian, and sent to king (n) Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.

(m) Instead of seeking for remedy from God's hand.

(n) Who was king of the Assyrians.

(Hos 5:14) For I will be vnto Ephraim as a lyon, and as a lyons whelpe to the house of Iudah: I, euen I will spoyle, and goe away: I will take away, and none shall rescue it.

(Hos 5:15) I will go, and returne to my place, til they acknowledge their fault, and seeke me: in their affliction they will seeke me diligently.

Passage 3: Acts 21-22

(Act 21:1) And as we launched forth, and were departed from them, we came with a straight course vnto Coos, and the day following vnto the Rhodes, and from thence vnto Patara.

(Notes Reference) And (1) it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the [day] following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:

(1) Not only ordinary men, but even our friends, and such as are endued with the Spirit of God, sometimes go about to hinder the course of our calling: but it is our part to go forward without any stopping or staggering, after we are sure of our calling from God.

(Act 21:2) And we found a ship that went ouer vnto Phenice, and went aboard, and set forth.

(Act 21:3) And whe we had discouered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed toward Syria, and arriued at Tyrus: for there the ship vnladed ye burden.

(Act 21:4) And when we had found disciples, we taried there seuen dayes. And they told Paul through the Spirit, that he should not goe vp to Hierusalem.

(Notes Reference) And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the (a) Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

(a) They foretold through the Spirit what dangers were about to befall Paul, and this they did as prophets: but they misdirected him away from Jerusalem because of a fleshly affection.

(Act 21:5) But when the dayes were ended, we departed and went our way, and they all accompanied vs with their wiues and children, euen out of the citie: and we kneeling downe on the shore, prayed.

(Act 21:6) Then when we had embraced one another, we tooke ship, and they returned home.

(Act 21:7) And when we had ended the course from Tyrus, we arriued at Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.

(Act 21:8) And the next day, Paul and we that were with him, departed, and came vnto Cesarea: and we entred into the house of Philippe the Euangelist, which was one of the seuen Deacons, and abode with him.

(Notes Reference) And the next [day] we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was [one] of the (b) seven; and abode with him.

(b) He speaks of the seven deacons which he mentioned before in (Act 6:1-7).

(Act 21:9) Now he had foure daughters virgins, which did prophecie.

(Notes Reference) And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did (c) prophesy.

(Act 21:10) And as we taried there many dayes, there came a certaine Prophet from Iudea, named Agabus.

(Act 21:11) And when he was come vnto vs, he tooke Pauls girdle, and bound his owne hands and feete, and sayd, Thus sayth the holy Ghost, So shall the Iewes at Hierusalem binde the man that oweth this girdle, and shall deliuer him into the hands of the Gentiles.

(Act 21:12) And when we had heard these things, both we and other of the same place besought him that he would not go vp to Hierusalem.

(Act 21:13) Then Paul answered, and sayd, What doe ye weeping and breaking mine heart? For I am ready not to be bound onely, but also to die at Hierusalem for the Name of the Lord Iesus.

(Act 21:14) So when he would not be perswaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

(Notes Reference) (2) And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

(2) The will of God bridles all affections in those who earnestly seek the glory of God.

(Act 21:15) And after those dayes we trussed vp our fardels, and went vp to Hierusalem.

(Act 21:16) There went with vs also certaine of the disciples of Cesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an olde disciple, with whome we should lodge.

(Act 21:17) And when we were come to Hierusalem, the brethren receiued vs gladly.

(Act 21:18) And the next day Paul went in with vs vnto Iames: and all the Elders were there assembled.

(Act 21:19) And when he had embraced them, hee tolde by order all things, that God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministration.

(Notes Reference) (3) And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.

(3) God is to be praised, who is the author of all good sayings and deeds.

(Act 21:20) So when they heard it, they glorified God, and sayd vnto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousand Iewes there are which beleeue, and they are all zealous of the Law:

(Notes Reference) (4) And when they heard [it], they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

(4) In things indifferent (of which sort the traditions of the Pharisees were not, but rather the ceremonies of the Law, until the time when Christian liberty was more fully revealed to the Jews) charity exhorts us to conform or apply ourselves willingly so far as we may, to our brethren who do not stubbornly and maliciously resist the truth (but are not thoroughly instructed), especially if the question pertains to a whole multitude.

(Act 21:21) Now they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Iewes, which are among the Gentiles, to forsake Moses, and sayest that they ought not to circumcise their sonnes, neither to liue after the customes.

(Act 21:22) What is then to be done? the multitude must needes come together: for they shall heare that thou art come.

(Act 21:23) Doe therefore this that we say to thee. We haue foure men, which haue made a vowe,

(Act 21:24) Them take, and purifie thy selfe with them, and contribute with them, that they may shaue their heads: and all shall knowe, that those things, whereof they haue bene informed concerning thee, are nothing, but that thou thy selfe also walkest and keepest the Lawe.

(Notes Reference) Them take, and (d) purify thyself with them, and (e) be at charges with them, that they may shave [their] heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but [that] thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.

(d) That is, consecrate thyself: for he does not speak here of the unclean, but of those who are subject to the vow of the Nazarites.

(e) That it may be known that you were not only present at the vow, but also a main participator in it: and therefore it is said afterwards that Paul declared the days of purification: for although the offerings for the Nazarites offerings were appointed, yet they might add somewhat unto them; see (Num 6:21).

(Act 21:25) For as touching ye Gentiles, which beleeue, we haue written, and determined that they obserue no such thing, but that they keepe themselues from things offred to idoles, and from blood, and from that that is strangled, and from fornication.

(Act 21:26) Then Paul tooke the men, and the next day was purified with them, and entred into the Temple, declaring the accomplishment of the dayes of the purification, vntill that an offering should be offered for euery one of them.

(Notes Reference) Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, (f) to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

(f) The priests were to be informed of the accomplishment of the days of the purification, because there were sacrifices to be offered the same day that their vow was ended.

(Act 21:27) And when the seuen dayes were almost ended, the Iewes which were of Asia (when they sawe him in the Temple) moued all the people, and laide hands on him,

(Notes Reference) (5) And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,

(5) A preposterous zeal is the cause of great confusion and great troubles.

(Act 21:28) Crying, Men of Israel, helpe: this is the man that teacheth all men euery where against the people, and the Lawe, and this place: moreouer, he hath brought Grecians into the Temple, and hath polluted this holy place.

(Act 21:29) For they had seene before Trophimus an Ephesian with him in the citie, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the Temple.

(Act 21:30) Then all the citie was moued, and the people ran together: and they tooke Paul and drewe him out of the Temple, and forth with the doores were shut.

(Act 21:31) But as they went about to kill him, tydings came vnto the chiefe captaine of the band, that all Hierusalem was on an vproare.

(Notes Reference) (6) And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

(6) God finds some even amongst the wicked and profane themselves, to hinder the endeavours of the rest.

(Act 21:32) Who immediately tooke souldiers and Centurions, and ran downe vnto them: and when they sawe the chiefe Captaine and the souldiers, they left beating of Paul.

(Act 21:33) Then the chiefe Captaine came neere and tooke him, and commanded him to be bound with two chaines, and demaunded who he was, and what he had done.

(Act 21:34) And one cryed this, another that, among the people. So when he could not know the certeintie for the tumult, he commanded him to be led into the castell.

(Act 21:35) And when hee came vnto the grieces, it was so that he was borne of the souldiers, for the violence of the people.

(Act 21:36) For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.

(Act 21:37) And as Paul should haue bene led into the castell, he sayd vnto the chiefe Captaine, May I speake vnto thee? Who sayd, Canst thou speake Greeke?

(Act 21:38) Art not thou the Egyptian who before these dayes raised a sedition, and led out into the wildernesse foure thousande men that were murtherers?

(Notes Reference) Art not thou that (g) Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?

(g) Concerning this Egyptian who assembled thirty thousand men, read Josephus, book 2, chap. 12.

(Act 21:39) Then Paul sayde, Doubtlesse, I am a man which am a Iewe, and citizen of Tarsus, a famous citie of Cilicia, and I beseech thee, suffer mee to speake vnto the people.

(Act 21:40) And when he had giuen him licence, Paul stoode on the grieces, and beckened with the hand vnto the people: and when there was made great silence, hee spake vnto them in the Hebrewe tongue, saying,

(Act 22:1) Ye men, brethren and Fathers, heare my defence nowe towards you.

(Act 22:2) (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrewe tongue to them, they kept the more silence, and he sayd)

(Act 22:3) I am verely a man, which am a Iew, borne in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought vp in this citie at the feete of Gamaliel, and instructed according to the perfect maner of the Lawe of the Fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

(Notes Reference) (1) I am verily a man [which am] a Jew, born in Tarsus, [a city] in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the (a) feet of Gamaliel, [and] taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

(1) Paul, making a short declaration of his former life, proves both his calling and doctrine to be from God.

(a) That is, his daily hearer: the reason of this speech is this: those who teach commonly sit in the higher place, speaking to their students who sit upon benches beneath, and therefore he says "at the feet of Gamaliel".

(Act 22:4) And I persecuted this way vnto the death, binding and deliuering into prison both men and women.

(Act 22:5) As also ye chiefe Priest doeth beare me witnes, and al the company of the Elders: of whom also I receiued letters vnto the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring them which were there, bound vnto Hierusalem, that they might be punished.

(Act 22:6) And so it was, as I iourneyed and was come neere vnto Damascus about noone, that suddenly there shone from heauen a great light round about me.

(Act 22:7) So I fell vnto the earth, and heard a voyce, saying vnto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou mee?

(Act 22:8) Then I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said to me, I am Iesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.

(Act 22:9) Moreouer they that were with me, sawe in deede a light and were afraide: but they heard not the voyce of him that spake vnto me.

(Act 22:10) Then I sayd, What shall I doe, Lord? And the Lord sayde vnto me, Arise, and goe into Damascus: and there it shall be tolde thee of all things, which are appointed for thee to doe.

(Act 22:11) So when I could not see for the glory of that light, I was led by the hand of them that were with me, and came into Damascus.

(Act 22:12) And one Ananias a godly man, as perteining to the Lawe, hauing good report of all the Iewes which dwelt there,

(Act 22:13) Came vnto me, and stoode, and sayd vnto me, Brother Saul, receiue thy sight: and that same houre I looked vpon him.

(Act 22:14) And he sayd, The God of our fathers hath appointed thee, that thou shouldest knowe his wil, and shouldest see that Iust one, and shouldest heare the voyce of his mouth.

(Act 22:15) For thou shalt be his witnes vnto all men, of the things which thou hast seene and heard.

(Act 22:16) Now therefore why tariest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sinnes, in calling on the Name of the Lord.

(Act 22:17) And it came to passe, that when I was come againe to Hierusalem, and prayed in the Temple, I was in a traunce,

(Act 22:18) And saw him saying vnto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Hierusalem: for they will not receiue thy witnes concerning me.

(Act 22:19) Then I sayd, Lord, they know that I prisoned, and beat in euery Synagogue them that beleeued in thee.

(Act 22:20) And when the blood of thy martyr Steuen was shed, I also stood by, and consented vnto his death, and kept the clothes of them that slew him.

(Notes Reference) And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that (b) slew him.

(b) This is properly spoken, for Steven was murdered by a bunch of cutthroats, not by order of justice, but by open force: for at that time the Jews could not put any man to death by law.

(Act 22:21) Then he sayd vnto me, Depart: for I will send thee farre hence vnto the Gentiles.

(Act 22:22) And they heard him vnto this worde, but then they lift vp their voyces, and sayd, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not meete that he should liue.

(Notes Reference) (2) And they gave him audience unto this word, and [then] lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a [fellow] from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

(2) Resolute and stubborn pride will neither embrace the truth itself, neither allow others to receive it.

(Act 22:23) And as they cried and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the aire,

(Notes Reference) And as they (c) cried out, and cast off [their] clothes, and threw dust into the air,

(Act 22:24) The chiefe captaine commanded him to be led into the castle, and bade that he should be scourged, and examined, that he might knowe wherefore they cryed so on him.

(Notes Reference) (3) The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.

(3) The wisdom of the flesh does not consider what is just, but what is profitable, and in addition takes into account the profit that can be gained, according as it presently appears.

(Act 22:25) And as they bound him with thongs, Paul sayd vnto the Centurion that stood by, Is it lawfull for you to scourge one that is a Romane, and not condemned?

(Notes Reference) (4) And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

(4) There is no reason why we may not use those lawful means which God gives us in order to repel or prevent an injury.

(Act 22:26) Nowe when the Centurion heard it, hee went, and tolde the chiefe captaine, saying, Take heede what thou doest: for this man is a Romane.

(Act 22:27) Then the chiefe captaine came, and sayd to him, Tel me, art thou a Romane? And he said, Yea.

(Act 22:28) And the chiefe captaine answered, With a great summe obtained I this freedome. Then Paul sayd, But I was so borne.

(Act 22:29) Then straightway they departed from him, which should haue examined him: and the chiefe captaine also was afrayd, after he knewe that hee was a Romane, and that he had bound him.

(Notes Reference) Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was (d) a Roman, and because he had bound him.

(d) Not by nation, but by the law of his city of birth.

(Act 22:30) On the next day, because hee would haue knowen the certaintie wherefore he was accused of the Iewes, he loosed him from his bonds, and commanded the hie Priests and all their Councill to come together: and he brought Paul, and set him before them.