Read Scripture In A Year: November 9

Passage 1: Ezra 3-4

(Ezr 3:1) And when the seuenth moneth was come, and the children of Israel were in their cities, the people assembled themselues as one man vnto Ierusalem.

(Notes Reference) And when the (a) seventh month was come, and the children of Israel [were] in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem.

(a) Called Tishri which had part of September and part of October.

(Ezr 3:2) Then stoode vp Ieshua rhe sonne of Iozadak, and his brethren the Priests, and Zerubbabel the sonne of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in ye Lawe of Moses the man of God,

(Notes Reference) Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the (b) son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as [it is] written in the law of Moses the man of God.

(b) Meaning nephew, for he was the son of Pedaiah, (1Ch 3:19).

(Ezr 3:3) And they set the altar vpon his bases (for feare was among them, because of the people of those countreis) therefore they offered burnt offrings thereon vnto the Lord, euen burnt offrings in the morning, and at euen.

(Notes Reference) And they set the altar upon (c) his bases; for fear [was] upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, [even] burnt offerings morning and evening.

(Ezr 3:4) They kept also the feast of the Tabernacles, as it is written, and the burnt offring dayly, by nomber according to the custome day by day,

(Ezr 3:5) And afterwarde the continuall bnrnt offring, both in the newe moneths and in all the feast dayes that were consecrate vnto the Lord, and in all the oblations willingly offered vnto the Lord.

(Notes Reference) And afterward [offered] (d) the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the LORD.

(d) That is, after the feast of tabernacles.

(Ezr 3:6) From the first day of the seuenth moneth began they to offer burnt offrings vnto the Lord: but the foundation of the Temple of the Lord was not layed.

(Ezr 3:7) They gaue money also vnto the masons, and to the workemen, and meat and drinke, and oyle vnto them of Zidon and of Tyrus, to bring them cedar wood from Lebanon to the sea vnto Iapho, according to the graunt that they had of Cyrus King of Persia.

(Ezr 3:8) And in the seconde yeere of their comming vnto the house of God in Ierusalem in the second moneth began Zerubbabel the sonne of Shealtiel, and Ieshua the sonne of Iozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the Priests and the Leuites, and all they that were come out of the captiuitie vnto Ierusalem, and appointed the Leuites from twentie yeere olde and aboue, to set forwarde the worke of the house of the Lord.

(Notes Reference) Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the (e) second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.

(e) Which contains part of April and part of May, for in the mean season they had provided for things needed for the work.

(Ezr 3:9) And Ieshua stood with his sonnes, and his brethren, and Kadmiel with his sonnes, and the sonnes of Iudah together to set forward ye workemen in the house of God, and the sonnes of Henadad with their sonnes, and their brethren the Leuites.

(Notes Reference) Then stood Jeshua (f) [with] his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, [with] their sons and their brethren the Levites.

(f) They gave them exhortations and encouraged every man forward in the work.

(Ezr 3:10) And when the builders layed the foundation of the Temple of the Lord, they appoynted the Priestes in their apparel with trumpets, and the Leuites the sonnes of Asaph with cymbales, to prayse the Lord, after the ordinance of Dauid King of Israel.

(Ezr 3:11) Thus they sang when they gaue prayse, and when they gaue thankes vnto the Lord, For he is good, for his mercie endureth for euer toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shoute, when they praysed the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was layed.

(Ezr 3:12) Many also of the Priests and the Leuites and the chiefe of the fathers, ancient men which had seene the first house, (when the foundation of this house was layed before their eyes) wept with a loud voyce, and many shouted aloud for ioy,

(Notes Reference) But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, [who were] ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, (g) wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:

(g) Because they saw that it was not nearly as glorious as the temple Solomon had built, nonetheless Aggeus comforted them and prophesied that it would be more beautiful than the first, meaning the spiritual temple, they who are the members of Christ's body.

(Ezr 3:13) So that the people coulde not discerne the sound of the shoute for ioy, from the noyse of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loude crie, and the noyse was heard farre off.

(Ezr 4:1) Bvt the aduersaries of Iudah and Beniamin heard, that the children of the captiuitie builded the Temple vnto the Lord God of Israel.

(Notes Reference) Now when (a) the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel;

(a) Meaning, the inhabitants of Samaria, whom the king of Assyria had placed in the place of the ten tribes, (2Ki 17:24, 2Ki 19:37). They professed God but worshipped idols and therefore were the greatest enemies to the true servants of God.

(Ezr 4:2) And they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chiefe fathers, and sayd vnto them, We wil builde with you: for we seeke the Lord your God as ye do, and we haue sacrificed vnto him since the time of Esar Haddon king of Asshur, which brought vs vp hither.

(Ezr 4:3) Then Zerubbabel, and Ieshua, and the rest of the chiefe fathers of Israel, sayde vnto them, It is not for you, but for vs to buyld the house vnto our God: for we our selues together wil buylde it vnto the Lord God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded vs.

(Notes Reference) But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; (b) but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.

(b) For they knew their pretence, that is to erect idolatry instead of true religion.

(Ezr 4:4) Wherefore the people of the land discouraged the people of Iudah, and troubled them in buylding,

(Ezr 4:5) And they hired counsellers against them, to hinder their deuise, all the dayes of Cyrus King of Persia, euen vntill the reigne of Darius King of Persia.

(Notes Reference) And (c) hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.

(c) They bribed the governors under the king to hinder their work, thus they that hinder cannot understand that God would be purely served.

(Ezr 4:6) And in the reigne of Ahashuerosh (in the beginning of his reigne) wrote they an accusation against the inhabitants of Iudah and Ierusalem.

(Notes Reference) And in the reign of (d) Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they [unto him] an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

(d) He was also called Artaxerxes which is a Persian name, some think it was Cambises Cyrus' son, or Darius, as in (Ezr 4:5).

(Ezr 4:7) And in the daies of Artahshashte, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions wrote when it was peace, vnto Artahshashte king of Persia, and the writing of the letter was the Aramites writing, and the thing declared was in the language of the Aramites.

(Notes Reference) And in the days of (e) Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter [was] written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.

(e) Called Artaxerxes, which signifies in the Persian tongue an excellent warrior.

(Ezr 4:8) Rehum the chancelour, and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Ierusalem to Artahshashte the King, in this sort.

(Ezr 4:9) Then wrote Rehum the chauncelour, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions Dinaie, and Apharsathcaie, Tarpelaie, Apharsaie, Archeuaie, Bablaie, Shushanchaie, Dehaue, Elmaie,

(Notes Reference) Then [wrote] Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the (f) Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, [and] the Elamites,

(f) These were people whom the Assyrians placed in Samaria instead of the ten tribes.

(Ezr 4:10) And the rest of the people whom the great and noble Asnappar brought ouer, and set in the cities of Samaria, and other that are beyonde the Riuer and Cheeneth.

(Notes Reference) And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble (g) Asnappar brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest [that are] on this side the (h) river, and (i) at such a time.

(g) Some think it was not Sennacherib, but rather Salmanasar.

(h) That is, Euphrates, and he means in respect to Babel that they dwelt beyond it.

(i) Or Cheeneth, who were a certain people who envied the Jews.

(Ezr 4:11) This is the copie of the letter that they sent vnto King Artahshashte, THY SERVANTS the men beyond the Riuer and Cheeneth, salute thee.

(Ezr 4:12) Be it knowen vnto the King that ye Iewes, which came vp from thee to vs, are come vnto Ierusalem (a citie rebellious and wicked) and buylde, and lay the foundations of the walles, and haue ioyned the foundations.

(Ezr 4:13) Be it knowen nowe vnto the King, that if this citie be built, and the foundations of the walles layed, they will not giue tolle, tribute, nor custome: so shalt thou hinder the Kings tribute.

(Notes Reference) Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up [again, then] will they not pay toll, tribute, and (k) custom, and [so] thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.

(k) Meaning, the gifts that are wont to be given to kings when they pass by any country.

(Ezr 4:14) Nowe therefore because wee haue bene brought vp in the Kings palace, it was not meete for vs to see the Kings dishonour: for this cause haue we sent and certified the King,

(Ezr 4:15) That one may searche in the booke of the Chronicles of thy fathers, and thou shalt finde in the booke of the Chronicles, and perceiue that this citie is rebellious and noysome vnto Kings and prouinces, and that they haue moued sedition of olde time, for the which cause this citie was destroyed.

(Ezr 4:16) Wee certifie the King therefore, that if this citie be buylded, and the foundation of the walles layd, by this meanes the portion beyonde the Riuer shall not be thine.

(Ezr 4:17) The King sent an answere vnto Rehum the Chauncelour, and Shimshai the Scribe, and so the rest of their companions that dwelt in Samaria, and vnto the other beyond the Riuer, Shelam and Cheeth.

(Notes Reference) [Then] sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and [to] Shimshai the scribe, and [to] the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and [unto] the rest beyond the river, (l) Peace, and (m) at such a time.

(l) Or Shalom, salvation or greeting.

(m) Or, Cheeth, also called Cheeneth as in (Ezr 4:10).

(Ezr 4:18) The letter which yee sent vnto vs, hath bene openly read before me,

(Ezr 4:19) And I haue commanded and they haue searched, and founde, that this citie of olde time hath made insurrection against kings, and hath rebelled, and rebellion hath bene committed therein.

(Ezr 4:20) There haue bene mightie kings also ouer Ierusalem, which haue ruled ouer all beyonde the Riuer, and tolle, tribute, and custome was giuen vnto them.

(Ezr 4:21) Make ye now a decree, that those men may cease, and that the citie be not buylt, till I haue giuen another commandement.

(Ezr 4:22) Take heede nowe that ye fayle not to doe this: why should domage grow to hurt the King?

(Ezr 4:23) When the copie of king Artahshashtes letter was read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went vp in all the haste to Ierusalem vnto the Iewes, and caused them to cease by force and power.

(Ezr 4:24) Then ceased the worke of the house of God, which was in Ierusalem, and did stay vnto the second yeere of Darius King of Persia.

(Notes Reference) Then (n) ceased the work of the house of God which [is] at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

(n) Not altogether for the prophets exhorted them to continue but they used less diligence because of the troubles.

Passage 2: Hosea 6

(Hos 6:1) Come, and let vs returne to the Lord: for he hath spoyled, and he will heale vs: he hath wounded vs, and he will binde vs vp.

(Notes Reference) Come, and let (a) us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.

(a) He shows the people that they ought to turn to the Lord, so that he might stop his plagues.

(Hos 6:2) After two dayes will he reuiue vs, and in the third day he will raise vs vp, and we shall liue in his sight.

(Notes Reference) After two days will (b) he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.

(b) Though he correct us from time to time, yet his help will not be far off, if we return to him.

(Hos 6:3) Then shall we haue knowledge, and indeuour our selues to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning, and he shall come vnto vs as the raine, and as the latter raine vnto the earth.

(Hos 6:4) O Ephraim, what shall I doe vnto thee? O Iudah, how shall I intreate thee? for your goodnesse is as a morning cloude, and as the morning dewe it goeth away.

(Notes Reference) O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for (c) your goodness [is] as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.

(Hos 6:5) Therefore haue I cut downe by the Prophets: I haue slaine them by the wordes of my mouth, and thy iudgements were as the light that goeth forth.

(Notes Reference) Therefore have I (d) hewed [them] by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy (e) judgments [are as] the light [that] goeth forth.

(d) I have still laboured by my prophets, and as it were prepared you to bring you to correction, but all was in vain: for my word was not food to feed them, but a sword to slay them.

(e) My doctrine which I taught you, was most evident.

(Hos 6:6) For I desired mercie, and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more then burnt offrings.

(Notes Reference) For I desired (f) mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

(f) He shows to what his doctrine was aimed at, that they should unite the obedience of God, and the love of their neighbour, with outward sacrifices.

(Hos 6:7) But they like men haue transgressed the couenant: there haue they trespassed against me.

(Notes Reference) But they (g) like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.

(g) That is, like small and weak persons.

(Hos 6:8) Gilead is a citie of them that worke iniquitie, and is polluted with blood.

(Notes Reference) (h) Gilead [is] a city of them that work iniquity, [and is] polluted with blood.

(h) Which was the place where the priests dwelt, and which should have been best instructed in my word.

(Hos 6:9) And as the eues waite for a man, so the companie of Priestes murder in the way by consent: for they worke mischiefe.

(Hos 6:10) I haue seene vileny in the house of Israel: there is ye whoredome of Ephraim: Israel is defiled.

(Hos 6:11) Yea, Iudah hath set a plant for thee, whiles I woulde returne ye captiuitie of my people.

(Notes Reference) Also, O Judah, he hath set an (i) harvest for thee, when I returned the captivity of my people.

(i) That is, imitates your idolatry, and has taken grafts of your trees.

Passage 3: Acts 23-24

(Act 23:1) And Paul behelde earnestly the Councill, and sayde, Men and brethren, I haue in all good conscience serued God vntill this day.

(Notes Reference) And (1) Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men [and] brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

(1) Paul, against the false accusations of his enemies, displays a clear conscience, for proof of which he repeats the whole course of his life.

(Act 23:2) Then the hie Priest Ananias commanded them that stood by, to smite him on the mouth.

(Notes Reference) (2) And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

(2) Hypocrites are forced at length to betray themselves by their violence.

(Act 23:3) Then sayd Paul to him, God will smite thee, thou whited wall: for thou sittest to iudge me according to the Lawe, and transgressing the Lawe, commaundest thou me to be smitten?

(Notes Reference) (3) Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, [thou] (b) whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten (c) contrary to the law?

(3) It is lawful for us to complain of injuries, and to summon the wicked to the judgment seat of God, but yet we must do it without hatred, and with a quiet and peaceable mind.

(b) This is a vehement and severe speech, but yet not reproachful: for the godly may speak severely, and yet be void of the bitter affection of a severe and angry mind.

(c) For the Law commands the judge to hear the person that is accused patiently, and to pronounce the sentence judiciously.

(Act 23:4) And they that stood by, sayd, Reuilest thou Gods hie Priest?

(Act 23:5) Then sayd Paul, I knewe not, brethren, that he was the hie Priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speake euill of the ruler of thy people.

(Notes Reference) (4) Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

(4) We must willingly and from the heart give honour to magistrates, although they are tyrants.

(Act 23:6) But when Paul perceiued that the one part were of the Sadduces, and the other of the Pharises, hee cried in the Council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharise, the sonne of a Pharise: I am accused of the hope and resurrection of the dead.

(Notes Reference) (5) But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men [and] brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

(5) We may sometimes lawfully set the wicked against themselves, so that they stop assaulting us, in order that the truth is not hindered.

(Act 23:7) And when hee had saide this, there was a dissension betweene the Pharises and the Sadduces, so that the multitude was deuided.

(Notes Reference) (6) And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.

(6) The agreement between the wicked is weak, even though they conspire together to oppress the truth.

(Act 23:8) For the Sadduces say that there is no resurrection, neither Angel, nor spirit: but the Pharises confesse both.

(Notes Reference) (7) For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither (d) angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

(7) It is an old heresy of the Sadducees to deny the existence of angels and souls, and in addition the resurrection of the dead.

(d) Things that exist without a body.

(Act 23:9) Then there was a great crye: and the Scribes of the Pharises part rose vp, and stroue, saying, Wee finde none euill in this man: but if a spirit or an Angel hath spoken to him, let vs not fight against God.

(Notes Reference) (8) And there arose a great cry: and the (e) scribes [that were] of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

(8) The Lord, when it pleases him, finds defenders of his cause, even amongst his enemies.

(e) The scribe's office was a public office, and the name of the Pharisees was the name of a sect.

(Act 23:10) And when there was a great dissension, the chiefe captaine, fearing lest Paul should haue bene pulled in pieces of them, commanded the souldiers to go downe, and take him from among them, and to bring him into the castel.

(Notes Reference) (9) And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring [him] into the castle.

(9) God will not forsake his own, even to the very end.

(Act 23:11) Nowe the night folowing, the Lord stoode by him, and saide, Be of good courage, Paul: for as thou hast testified of mee in Hierusalem, so must thou beare witnesse also at Rome.

(Act 23:12) And when the day was come, certaine of the Iewes made an assemblie, and bounde themselues with a curse, saying, that they woulde neither eate nor drinke, till they had killed Paul.

(Notes Reference) (10) And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves (f) under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

(10) Those who are carried away with a foolish zeal think that they may lie and murder, and do whatever mischief they wish.

(f) Cursing and prohibiting themselves, they promised.

(Act 23:13) And they were more then fourtie, which had made this conspiracie.

(Act 23:14) And they came to the chiefe Priestes and Elders, and said, We haue bound our selues with a solemne curse, that wee will eate nothing, vntill we haue slaine Paul.

(Act 23:15) Nowe therefore, ye and the Council signifie to the chiefe captaine, that hee bring him foorth vnto you to morow: as though you would know some thing more perfectly of him, and we, or euer he come neere, will be readie to kill him.

(Notes Reference) Now therefore ye with the (g) council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.

(g) You and the senate ask that the same thing should be done, so that the tribune will not think that it was demanded of him because of an individual's private interests.

(Act 23:16) But when Pauls sisters sonne heard of their laying awaite, he went, and entred into the castel, and tolde Paul.

(Act 23:17) And Paul called one of the Centurions vnto him, and said, Take this yong man hence vnto the chiefe captaine: for he hath a certaine thing to shewe him.

(Notes Reference) (11) Then Paul called one of the centurions unto [him], and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.

(11) The wisdom of the Spirit must be joined with simplicity.

(Act 23:18) So hee tooke him, and brought him to the chiefe captaine, and saide, Paul the prisoner called mee vnto him, and prayed mee to bring this yong man vnto thee, which hath some thing to say vnto thee.

(Act 23:19) Then the chiefe captaine tooke him by the hande, and went apart with him alone, and asked him, What hast thou to shewe me?

(Act 23:20) And he saide, The Iewes haue conspired to desire thee, that thou wouldest bring foorth Paul to morow into the Council, as though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly:

(Act 23:21) But let them not perswade thee: for there lie in waite for him of them, more then fourtie men, which haue bound themselues with a curse, that they will neither eate nor drinke, till they haue killed him: and nowe are they readie, and waite for thy promise.

(Act 23:22) The chiefe captaine then let the yong man depart, after hee had charged him to vtter it to no man, that he had shewed him these things.

(Notes Reference) (12) So the chief captain [then] let the young man depart, and charged [him, See thou] tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.

(12) There is no counsel against the Lord and his servants.

(Act 23:23) And he called vnto him two certaine Centurions, saying, Make readie two hundred souldiers, that they may go to Cæsarea, and horsemen three score and ten, and two hundred with dartes, at the thirde houre of the night.

(Act 23:24) And let them make readie an horse, that Paul being set on, may be brought safe vnto Felix the Gouernour.

(Act 23:25) And he wrote an epistle in this maner:

(Act 23:26) Claudius Lysias vnto the most noble Gouernour Felix sendeth greeting.

(Notes Reference) (13) Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix [sendeth] greeting.

(13) Lysias is suddenly made by the Lord to be Paul's protector.

(Act 23:27) As this man was taken of the Iewes, and shoulde haue bene killed of them, I came vpon them with the garison, and rescued him, perceiuing that he was a Romane.

(Act 23:28) And when I would haue knowen the cause, wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their Council.

(Act 23:29) There I perceiued that hee was accused of questions of their Lawe, but had no crime worthy of death, or of bondes.

(Act 23:30) And when it was shewed me, how that the Iewes layd waite for the man, I sent him straightway to thee, and commanded his accusers to speake before thee the thinges that they had against him. Farewell.

(Act 23:31) Then the souldiers as it was commanded them, tooke Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.

(Act 23:32) And the next day, they left the horsemen to goe with him, and returned vnto the Castel.

(Act 23:33) Now when they came to Cæsarea, they deliuered the epistle to the Gouernour, and presented Paul also vnto him.

(Act 23:34) So when the Gouernour had read it, hee asked of what prouince he was: and when he vnderstoode that he was of Cilicia,

(Act 23:35) I will heare thee, said he, when thine accusers also are come, and commanded him to bee kept in Herods iudgement hall.

(Act 24:1) Now after fiue dayes, Ananias the hie Priest came downe with the Elders, and with Tertullus a certaine oratour, which appeared before the Gouernour against Paul.

(Notes Reference) And (1) after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and [with] a certain orator [named] Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.

(1) Hypocrites, when they can not do what they want to do by force and deceit, at length they go about to accomplish it by a show of law.

(Act 24:2) And when he was called foorth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that we haue obtained great quietnesse through thee, and that many worthy things are done vnto this nation through thy prouidence,

(Notes Reference) And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse [him], saying, Seeing that (a) by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very (b) worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,

(a) Felix ruled that province with great cruelty and covetousness, and yet Josephus records that he did many worthy things, such as taking Eleazar the captain of certain cutthroats, and put that deceiving wretch the Egyptian to flight, who caused great troubles in Judea.

(b) He uses a word which the Stoics defined as a perfect duty and perfect behaviour.

(Act 24:3) We acknowledge it wholy, and in all places most noble Felix, with all thankes,

(Act 24:4) But that I be not tedious vnto thee, I pray thee, that thou wouldest heare vs of thy courtesie a fewe wordes.

(Act 24:5) Certainely we haue found this man a pestilent fellowe, and a moouer of sedition among all the Iewes throughout the world, and a chiefe maintainer of the secte of the Nazarites:

(Notes Reference) For we have found this man [a] (c) pestilent [fellow], and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a (d) ringleader of the sect of the (e) Nazarenes:

(d) As one would say, a ringleader, or a flag bearer.

(e) So they scoffingly called the Christians, taking the name from the towns where they thought that Christ was born, whereupon it happened that Julian the apostate called Christ a Galilean.

(Act 24:6) And hath gone about to pollute the Temple: therefore wee tooke him, and woulde haue iudged him according to our Lawe:

(Act 24:7) But the chiefe captaine Lysias came vpon vs, and with great violence tooke him out of our handes,

(Act 24:8) Commanding his accusers to come to thee: of whom thou mayest (if thou wilt inquire) know all these things whereof we accuse him.

(Act 24:9) And the Iewes likewise affirmed, saying that it was so.

(Notes Reference) And the Jews also (f) assented, saying that these things were so.

(f) Confirmed what Tertullus said.

(Act 24:10) Then Paul, after that the gouernour had beckened vnto him that hee shoulde speake, answered, I do the more gladly answere for my selfe, for as much as I knowe that thou hast bene of many yeres a iudge vnto this nation,

(Notes Reference) (2) Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of (g) many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:

(2) Tertullus, by the devil's rhetoric, begins with flattery and finishes with lies: but Paul using heavenly eloquence, and but a simple beginning, casts off from himself the crime of sedition, with which he was being charged, with a simple denial.

(g) Paul pleaded his cause two years before Felix departed out of the province, see (Act 24:27), but he had governed Trachonite, and Batanea, and Galavnite, before Claudius made him governor of Judea; see Josephus in the History of the Jewish War, lib. 2, cap. 11.

(Act 24:11) Seeing that thou mayest knowe, that there are but twelue dayes since I came vp to worship in Hierusalem.

(Act 24:12) And they neither found mee in the Temple disputing with any man, neither making vproare among the people, neither in the Synagogues, nor in the citie.

(Act 24:13) Neither can they proue the things, whereof they now accuse me.

(Notes Reference) Neither can they (h) prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

(h) They cannot lay forth before you and prove with good reasons.

(Act 24:14) But this I confesse vnto thee, that after the way (which they call heresie) so worship I the God of my fathers, beleeuing all things which are written in the Lawe and the Prophets,

(Notes Reference) (3) But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call (i) heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

(3) Paul proceeds in the case of religion from a conjectural state to a practical state, not only admitting of the religion which he was accused of, but also proving it to be true, to be heavenly and from God, and to be the oldest of all religions.

(i) Here this word "heresy" or "sect" is taken in a good sense.

(Act 24:15) And haue hope towardes God, that the resurrection of the dead, which they themselues looke for also, shalbe both of iust and vniust.

(Act 24:16) And herein I endeuour my selfe to haue alway a cleare conscience towarde God, and toward men.

(Act 24:17) Now after many yeres, I came and brought almes to my nation and offerings.

(Notes Reference) (4) Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.

(4) Paul in conclusion tells the things thing which was truly done, which Tertullus before him had corrupted in various ways.

(Act 24:18) At what time, certaine Iewes of Asia founde mee purified in the Temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.

(Notes Reference) (k) Whereupon certain Jews from (l) Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.

(k) And while I was occupied with those things.

(l) By this it is evident that these from Asia were Paul's enemies, and the ones that stirred up the people against him.

(Act 24:19) Who ought to haue bene present before thee, and accuse me, if they had ought against me.

(Act 24:20) Or let these themselues say, if they haue found any vniust thing in mee, while I stoode in the Council,

(Notes Reference) Or else let these same [here] say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the (m) council,

(m) Where the tribune brought me.

(Act 24:21) Except it be for this one voyce, that I cried standing among them, Of the resurrection of the dead am I accused of you this day.

(Act 24:22) Nowe when Felix heard these things, he deferred them, and said, When I shall more perfectly know the things which concerne this way, by the comming of Lysias the chiefe Captaine, I will decise your matter.

(Notes Reference) (5) And when Felix heard these things, having more (n) perfect knowledge of [that] way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.

(5) The judge suspends his sentence because the matter is doubtful.

(n) Felix could not judge whether he had done wickedly in the matter of his religion or not until he had a better understanding of the way which Paul professed: and as for other matters with regard to the charge of sedition, he considers it good to defer it until he hears Lysias, and therefore he gives Paul somewhat more liberty.

(Act 24:23) Then hee commanded a Centurion to keepe Paul, and that he should haue ease, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister vnto him, or to come vnto him.

(Notes Reference) (6) And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let [him] have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.

(6) God is a most faithful keeper of his servants, and the power of the truth is wonderful, even amongst men who are otherwise profane.

(Act 24:24) And after certaine dayes, came Felix with his wife Drusilla, which was a Iewesse, and he called foorth Paul, and heard him of the faith in Christ.

(Notes Reference) And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife (o) Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

(o) This Drusilla was Agrippa's sister of whom Luke speaks afterwards, a harlot and very licentious woman, and being the wife of Azizus king of the Emesens, who was circumcised, departed from him, and went to this Felix the brother of Pallas, who was at one time the slave of Nero.

(Act 24:25) And as he disputed of righteousnes and temperance, and of the iudgement to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time, and when I haue conuenient time, I will call for thee.

(Act 24:26) Hee hoped also that money shoulde haue bene giuen him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore hee sent for him the oftner, and communed with him.

(Act 24:27) When two yeeres were expired, Porcius Festus came into Felix roume: and Felix willing to get fauour of the Iewes, left Paul bound.

(Notes Reference) (7) But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to (p) shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

(7) With an evil mind, that is guilty in itself, and although sometimes there is some show of fairness, yet eventually the conscience will be extinguished: but in the meanwhile we have need of continual patience.

(p) For he had behaved himself very wickedly in the province, and had it not been for favour of his brother Pallas, he would have died for it: so that we may gather by this why he would have pleased the Jews.