20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.



Ver. 20. And because] He tells not Agrippa, that to gratify the Jews (who in all likelihood had bribed him) he asked, whether he would go up to Jerusalem; but pretends another matter. Nature need not be taught to tell her own tale, or to make the best of her own case, bad though it be. And this is incident to the very best, as to do what we can to hide our bodily deformities, so our moral defects and frailties. What dost thou here, Elias? saith God. I have been very zealous for the Lord of hosts, saith he. He had rather say so, than, I was fearful of Jezebel, and here I hide me from her malicious pursuit. But were it not better to speak out, and to acknowledge all with aggravation of circumstances? since such only find mercy as in confession show the Lord the iniquity of their sin, the filthiness of their lewdness, the abomination of their provocations.