Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - Acts 23:6 - 23:6
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Act 23:6. Ἔκραξεν, he cried out) Making an open profession, in order that all in the crowd might hear: ch. Act 24:21. Here the saying held good, in a good sense, “Divide et impera,” divide, and you will thereby command. Paul did not use craft of reason or dialectical stratagem, but simply invites to his defence those who were less far removed from the truth.-Φαρισαῖος εἰμι, I am a Pharisee) according to my ancient discipline (training); and even yet am so, as far as concerns faith in the resurrection.-υἱὸς Φαρισαίου) υἱὸς Φαρισαίων, others read, whose testimony is corroborated by the ancient authority, Tertullian. [The Gnomon here follows, not the margin of the larger Edition, but that of the 2d Edition, along with the Germ. Vers.-E. B. Φαρισαίων is read by [126]
[127]
[128] Vulg. Syr[129]; but ΦΑΡΙΣΑΊΟΥ of the Rec. Text, only by [130]
[131] of the very old authorities.] Moreover Paul calls himself a son of the Pharisees, not meaning his preceptors, which would give tautology in the sense, a Pharisee, a son of the Pharisees, nor does Paul mention in ch. Act 22:3 a number of preceptors, but Gamaliel alone; but he means that he had parents, or a father and grandfather or forefathers, Pharisees: comp. 2Ti 1:3. In this way there is a Climax: a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees.-ἐλπίδος καὶ ἀναστάσεως, of the hope and resurrection) A Hendiadys: for it was the resurrection that they hoped for.-ἐγὼ κρίνομαι, I am judged, called in question) In the present judicial procedure, in which Ananias acts the part of president, saith Paul, the case has come to this, that the hope and resurrection of the dead is being impugned. The predecessors of Ananias had been Sadducees, ch. Act 5:17, and now also he himself was a Sadducee. Now, when more than twenty years had elapsed from the resurrection of Jesus Christ, they did not so unceasingly assail the preaching concerning Jesus Christ and His resurrection, as they did the dogma itself concerning the Resurrection of the dead, which was long ago odious to them; as indeed they had already done, ch. Act 4:2 : whereas the Pharisees, in this respect, were not so far removed from the Christian faith. Therefore Paul conciliates them to himself, whilst the Sadducees were the more enraged in consequence. This then was what at that time the state of the controversy became, which Paul earnestly and stedfastly mentions subsequently, ch. Act 24:15; Act 24:21, Act 26:6-7, Act 28:20.
[126] the Alexandrine MS.: in Brit. Museum: fifth century: publ. by Woide, 1786-1819: O. and N. Test. defective.
[127] Cod. Basilianus (not the B. Vaticanus): Revelation: in the Vatican: edited by Tisch., who assigns it to the beginning of the eighth century.
[128] Ephræmi Rescriptus: Royal libr., Paris: fifth or sixth cent.: publ. by Tisch. 1843: O. and N. T. def.
[129] yr. the Peschito Syriac Version: second cent.: publ. and corrected by Cureton, from MS. of fifth cent.
[130] Laudianus: Bodl. libr., Oxford: seventh or eighth cent.: publ. 1715: Acts def.
[131] Laudianus, do.: Acts.