John Bengel Commentary - Acts 3:1 - 3:1

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John Bengel Commentary - Acts 3:1 - 3:1


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Act 3:1. Ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ, together) This being put in the beginning, emphatically signifies the union (joining) together of Peter and John.[25] Hesychius remarks, ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ, i.e. ὁμοῦ, εἰς τὸν αὐτὸν τόπον.-Πέτρος) Others have written Πετρος δὲ, supposing that ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ should be joined with the preceding words [ch. Act 2:47]. More conveniently, others, though of a later date, have inserted δὲ after ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτό. The short reading without the δὲ, is the mean between the extremes [the starting-point from which the others have departed, one on the one side, the other on the other], and the ancient reading.-[τὴν ὥραν τῆς προσευχῆς, the hour of prayer) It is right that public prayers should be frequented even by men who are adult, and in higher positions of honour than most men.-V. g.]-τὴν ἐννάτην, the ninth) the wonted hour, suited for prayer, on account of soberness [the mind not being heavy, as it is apt to be after meals], before supper: ch. Act 10:3. [This is our three o’clock in the afternoon. He who would accustom himself to collect his thoughts at that time, and to apply himself to (to find time for) prayer, would derive no common profit from the practice. There is no difference as to time, regarded in itself. But it is a proof of choice obedience to cut short or interrupt labour, when we are in the height of business, for such a purpose. It was about mid-day that Peter prayed in private: ch. Act 10:9.-V. g.]

[25] Lachm., after the oldest MSS. ABC Vulg. Memph. Theb. Lucif. 199, puts ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ at the end of the last verse of ch. 2, and reads in ch. Act 3:1, Πέτρος δέ. But Tisch., with Ee Syr. and Rec. Text, puts them at the beginning of ch. 3. Ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ δέ.-E. and T.