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12.That he may pass over unto another history, he showeth that the disciples being returned unto Jerusalem, dwelt together in one parlor. For it was the upper part of the house, which used to be let out unto those which did hire houses; (46) for the most commodious places were reserved unto them that were masters of the house, (for their own use.) Wherefore, by this word Luke doth signify that they were driven into a strait room; (47) and yet, notwithstanding, though this commodity were great, yet they did not part asunder. They might have been more commodiously asunder, yet might they not part company before they had received the Spirit. In that he noteth here the distance of place, it bringeth credit unto the history. Unless, peradventure, he meant hereby to declare that they were not terrified with any fear of danger, but that they did all return and kept company together in one house, which was not so large, but that the company being greater than the place could well contain, it might breed some rumor (or noise.) A Sabbath-day’ journey was two miles, and that account doth well agree with the place of Joh_11:18, where he saith, “ Jerusalem was distant from Bethany almost fifteen furlongs;” which containeth about a thousand and nine hundred paces. And the mount Olivet was at the side of Bethany. There was no Sabbath-day’ journey prescribed in the law; for the Lord doth command them simply to rest upon the Sabbath-day in the law. (48) But because the Jews could not easily be ruled, but that they would run abroad about their business upon the Sabbath-day, (as the Lord himself doth complain, “ they did bear burdens out at the gates,” (Jer_17:24,) therefore, it is to be thought that it was determined by the priests, (49) (to the end they might restrain such enormities,) that no man should travel upon the Sabbath-day above two miles. Although Jerome, in his Answers unto Algasia, doth say that this tradition did come from two Rabbins, namely, from Atriba, and from Simon Heli.
(46) “Inquilinis,” tenants or lodgers.
(47) “In angustum locum fuisse constrictos,” were confined to a narrow space.
(48) More properly, For the Lord doth in the law command, etc.
(49) “Communi sacerdotum concilio,” by the common council of the priests, the Sanhedrim.