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Here begins the apostle's apology, or defensative plea, which he makes for himself before the people at Jerusalem, who, in the foregoing chapter, had so injuriously treated him: In which apologetical narration, we have these particulars observable.
First observe, With what lenity and mildness he bespeaks his cruel and pestilent persecutors, the people of the Jews; he accosts them with titles of respect and honour; Men, brethern, and fathers; not with opprobrious invectives; he doth not render evil for evil, or railing for reviling; he had not so learned Christ, he know how to suffer reproach for the gospel; but to persecute his persecutors with hard names and characters of reproach, was a piece of zeal which St. Paul and the holy sufferers of those times were little acquainted with.
Observe, 2. How the apostle insinuates himself into his auditors, that so he might gain their attention to what was spoken; Men, brethern, and fathers, hear ye, I pray, my defence which I make unto you. There is a lawful and pious insinuation for gaining the attention of our auditors, which the ministers of Christ may and ought to make use of; as the workman that would drive his nail, dips it in oil. We gain our auditors' attention by courteous and loving compellations: Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken.
Observe, 3. The apology or plea itself, in which he sets before them,
1. His extraction, I am a Jew, born in Tarsus.
2. His education, brought up at the feet of Gamaliel.
3. His profession, he was zealous towards God; that is, he was one of the sect among the Jews which were called Zealots, and was very strict and exact in the observation of the law,