27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus, in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. 29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. not shown himself before this at Jerusalem? The next verse seems to convey the impression that they had little or no knowledge either of his conversion or of his faithfulness in preaching the gospel. They, therefore, looked upon him as a spy, and avoided his pre sence. 27. But Barnabas took him] Some suppose that Barnabas was acquainted with Saul, being a resident of Cyprus, an island not far from Tarsus; it has been even conjectured that he was also a fellow-student of Gamaliel. Barnabas was a man full of the Holy Ghost, a generous, self-denying man, and a proper one to perform this office of kindness. Acts iv, 36, 37; xi, 24. He had made himself acquainted with the events of the last three years in Saul's life, and become his advocate. He rehearsed this to the disciples. A strong friendship grew up between them, and they were companions and fellow-laborers during the first missionary tour in Asia Minor. Acts xi, 25, 26, 30; xii, 25; xiii, 2, 50. Took him, and brought him to the apostles] As we sometimes say when we assist a person, we take him by the hand-undertake his cause; this is the signification of the passage here. He gave him his countenance and society, took upon him to advocate his cause, and introduced him to the apostles; that is, to Peter and James, for the others, it seems, were not then in Jerusalem. Gal. i, 19. Declared unto them] Described, related the marvelous events connected with his conversion, and his faithfulness in Damascus. 28. And he was with them coming in and going out] Upon terms of familiarity and perfect equality, conversing freely, giving and receiving views upon the gospel, of which they were alike apostles. The time he spent was but fifteen days. Gal. i, 18. 29. Spake boldly] Openly, perhaps in their synagogues. The Gre cians] That is, Jews who had been born in Grecian cities, and those who had been proselytes, who spake the Greek language, and for whom the Greek, or Septuagint translation of the Scriptures had been made. Many of them preferring to spend their last days, and die in the precincts of the Holy City, had obtained a permanent residence, while others, perhaps, were sojourners for a limited time. 30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Cesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. 31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria, and were edified: and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. 32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. They had, it appears, synagogues by themselves. (See Acts vi, 1.) They went about] Formed their plans. 30. Cesarea] (See Acts viii, 40.) Cesarea of Palestine, (and not Cesarea Philippi,) situated on the seacoast, from whence Saul would be likely to secure a passage in some vessel sailing for Tarsus or the adjoining ports, as probably he thus sailed from port to port, preaching on the way. And sent him forth to Tarsus] His native city, verse 11; where he would be beyond the power of the Jews, and be able to do greater good among his immediate neighbors and fellowcitizens. 31. Then had the churches rest] As some say, because Saul, who was one of the chief instigators and most active agents in the first persecution, being converted, the arm of the enemies of the Christians was weakened, and there being no other leader to take his place, and carry on the bloody strife, it subsided. Another reason might have been, the removal of so many Christians to distant places, out of Palestine, on account of the persecutions; but the most probable reason is, the serious civil commotions that disturbed at this time the whole Jewish nation. A movement of the Roman emperor, Caligula, threatened to involve the nation in war with the Romans; and so occupied were they with their own concerns, that the progress of the Christian church was unnoticed, and the sword of persecution sheathed. Were edified] Were built up in knowledge, faith, and holiness, and also increased in numbers. Walking in the fear of the Lord] Living and discharging the duties of life with a filial fear of God, as a constant element in the soul. Acting, speaking, and thinking as under the eye of God, and fearing to do aught that would meet his disapprobation. Comfort of the Holy Ghost] Enjoyed the presence, the witness, and all the heavenly offices of the Holy Spirit in their hearts and lives. Were multiplied] Increased in numbers. A holy, humble walk, on the part of Christians, and the presence of the Holy Ghost, will always secure prosperity and increase in the church. 32. And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters] The sacred writer introduces here a short summary of the labors of l'etes 33 And there he found a certain man named Eneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. 34 And Peter said unto him, Eneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. out of Jerusalem. With the exception of a short visit to Samaria, (Acts viii, 14,) he had confined his labors to Jerusalem; in the critical and persecuted state of the church in that city, and on account of the opportunity of reaching distant places through the conversion of foreign Jews who might come up to Jerusalem, he, with the other apostles, had remained in the Jewish metropolis. The period of persecution being now, for the time being, passed, and the church being tranquil and settled, he takes this opportunity of journeying to the neighboring churches to confirm and strengthen them, and to secure, through the preaching of the gospel, an addition to their numbers. Throughout all quarters] Visited the various places where the gospel had been preached, and a church gathered. Lydda] This was an ancient town, situated about fifteen miles south-east of Joppa. It is mentioned by Nehemiah (vii, 37) under the name of Lod; and, in New Testament times, had reached the size and appearance of a city. It was noted as the birthplace and residence of several of their famous rabbins; and, after the destruction of Jerusalem, became the seat of one of the rabbinical schools. It afterward became the seat of a Christian bishopric, and was noted for its church, reputed to have been built in honor of St. George, of Cappadocia, who was said to have been martyred and buried at Lydda. It is now a heap of ruins. 33. Eneas] A Greek name. He was probably what was called a Hellenistic or Grecian Jew. Which had kept his bed eight years] Under a severe, and, to all human means, incurable attack of the palsy; he had become bed-ridden, as we say, that is, confined almost all the time, for eight years, to his bed. 34. Jesus Christ maketh thee whole] Or, literally, Jesus, the Messiah, healeth thee. It may be on account of the humility and piety of this man that God permitted this miracle to be wrought upon him, but chiefly to call the attention of the inhabitants of this vicinity to the preaching of Peter, and to serve as a confirmation of the truths he uttered. Observe the care with which Peter guards against the miraculous power being attributed to himself-Jesus Christ maketh thee whole. Peter was only the instrument. Arise, and make thy bed] To exhibit and confirm the truth of the miracle. For eight years he had been helpless, not rising without aid, his couch being 35 And all that dwelt in Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. 36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas; this woman was full of good works and alms-deeds which she did. arranged and prepared by others; but now, at once, he rises from his couch alone, and smooths his bed. 35. And all that dwelt in Lydda] That is, a great multitude of the inhabitants of these towns turned to the Lord. The effect of this cure was so general, that it seemed as if the whole town was moved. Saron] Called, in the Old Testament, Sharon. It was a highly fertile plain, stretching from Cesarea to Joppa; bounded on the east by the mountainous range that runs south-eastward from Mount Carmel, and on the west by the Mediterranean shore. Its great beauty and richness made it, in early times, celebrated in Hebrew poetry. Continued allusions are made to it in the Old Testament: "I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys." Song of Solomon i, 1. "The glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon." Isa. xxxv, 1, 2. It abounded in olive orchards and clustering vines, but is now a scene of desolation, only exhibiting the evidences of former fertility, and a capacity for the same again under proper cultivation. Saw him, and turned to the Lord] Came, and beheld the manifest miracle, probably having been previously acquainted, many of them, with his long, incurable infirmity, and were so convinced of the divine presence with Peter that they gave heed to his word, received, and believed in Jesus Christ, and were converted to God. 36. Now there was at Joppa] This was a seaport town on the Mediterranean, about thirty miles south of Cesarea and forty-five northwest of Jerusalem. It was one of the earliest seaports in the world; and although its harbor was very poor, being choked with sand, yet as it was so near Jerusalem, and the only port in Palestine proper, it acquired no small importance. In the days of Solomon it was the grand depot of all the immense preparations received from a distance for the temple. 2 Chron. ii, 16. From this place Jonah took his passage when flying from the command of the Lord. Jonah i, 3. Modern Jaffa or Yaffa, as Joppa is now called, stands on a promontory which rises about one hundred and fifty feet above the level of the sea, offering on all sides picturesque views. Its streets are very narrow, uneven, and dirty, and the houses are crowded closely together, altogether having a mean, dull, and gloomy aspect. The inhabitants are four or five thousand, the greater part Turks and Arabs. The house of the British vice-consul, in 1831, was reputed to stand on the 37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. 38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. 39 Then Peter arose, and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and pray site of the house which had belonged to Simon the tanner. Tabitha] A Syriac word, having the same meaning as Dorcas, a Greek term signifying a gazelle, or antelope. It has been, and still is, customary in the East to give the name of beautiful and mild-tempered animals to young women. Full of good works and alms-deeds] Abounding in, distinguished for her benevolent acts. Her life was filled up with charitable labors, and marked with generous gifts. 37. In those days] While Peter was at Lydda. When they had washed] The common custom before embalming. Laid her in an upper chamber] This was either upon, or connected with, the roof of the house, and was a room used, not for common purposes, but for prayer, for the reception of friends, or for the present solemn purpose. (See Acts i, 13.) 38. Lydda was nigh to Joppa] About six miles. They sent unto him] Perhaps to comfort them in their loss, and it may be, as they had heard of the miracle performed on Eneas, they might have harbored the hope of his raising her to life. The last clause seems to favor this supposition-they desire that he would not delay in coming. It was an exhibition of great faith on the part of the disciples, as no apostle had yet raised the dead. If any might have been raised, they might have reasoned that Stephen would have been. 39. And all the widows stood by him weeping] Persons who had been benefited by her bounty. Touching, indeed, must the scene have been. Sincere are the tears shed by the relieved and blessed over the tomb of their benefactors, and far more desirable are they than the proudest monuments or loudest eulogiums to the dead. Showing the coats and garments, &c.] Exhibiting such articles-outer and inner garments-as Dorcas made while living. 40. Peter put them all forth] It may be to avoid ostentation and display; or, as some have supposed, as Peter himself did not know whether God would raise up Tabitha, he desired to enter into earnest supplication that he might discover the will of God, and wished to |