Day #346

Sermon - Audio
Acts 20:4-23:35 - Reading
Acts 20:4-23:35 - Audio

Daily Insights - Please Comment

Acts 20.4-23.35

• 20.9-12: “young man” can also be translated, “servant” It could be that Eutychus had a long day at work and was worn out. Paul’s long speech could not keep him awake and he fell out of the window.
• 20.17: This is a 30 mile journey. People had to move fast to make this journey in about a day and a half. Not only was the journey fast, but it would have also been very costly for the elders to take off work to come and see Paul. Behind this conversation lies a lot of sacrifice on the part of the elders.
• 20.25: Paul, does in fact see them again according to 1 Timothy 1.3. His impending imprisonment, however, makes him believe that this is the last time.
• 20.31: “for three years” In Acts 19.22 we are told that Paul decides to stay a little longer. Apparently a little longer turns out to be about a year. But in pointing out that Paul stayed three years with the disciples in Ephesus, Luke again makes the link to Paul following his Rabbi who taught his disciples for three years.
• 21.4: Hospitality was expected by Christians traveling from one place to another. For Christians to refuse hospitality to one another was unthinkable.
• 21.4: In Acts 20.22 we find that Paul is being compelled by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. These fellow Christians know the Spirit’s message and decide they are being told what will happen to Paul so they can stop it. Instead, they are told so they can prepare for Paul’s arrest. Paul knows the truth and will not be dissuaded from his call.
• 21.17: To receive the brothers gladly is a powerful statement since some of the brothers were Gentiles. This meant that Jewish Christians welcomes Gentiles into their homes and to their tables.
• 21.22: The problem here is deeper than it seems on the surface. Jewish nationalism is on the rise and along with it the assassinations of Jewish people who are seen as collaborators with the Romans/Greeks by Jewish Zealots. If Christianity is seen as a collaborating with the Romans Paul and many others in the Christian community will be unnecessarily at risk.
• 21.30: The gates are shut so that the blood of violence will not be spilled in the temple proper and defile it.
• Acts 21.37: The surprise is not that Paul speaks Greek, but that he speaks it well i.e. in an educated fashion without an accent. The commander assumed he was the leader of a group of assassins. Such a man would not have a command of the Greek language.
• 22.22: In a time of rising nationalism Paul’s words are not at all welcomed.
• 23.2: Ananias was High Priest from 47-59 A.D. He was know to be corrupt and cruel. He even stole tithes from poorer priests. Early in the revolt against Rome (66-70 A.D.) he was assassinated by fellow Jews.
• 23.5: Many believe Paul is speaking sarcastically here i.e. “He’s the high priest? He certainly doesn’t act like it.”
• 23.6-10: For Greek readers the description of this scene would have made them laugh.
• 23.12: Most likely those who are trying to kill Paul are the assassins we’ve been introduced to earlier. While they have little use for the chief priests they are willing to work with them to kill a person they see as a collaborator.
• 23.14: When Paul is not killed, these people do not stave to death. They can break their vow and bring a sacrifice to the temple or a rabbi can nullify their vow under certain circumstances.
• 23.16: We have no idea how this young man learned of the ambush.
• 23.19: The tribune might have been hoping that Paul sent the young man with a bribe.
• 23.23-24: The roads could be very dangerous at night because of bands of robbers. The tribune is taking no chances with the life of a Roman citizen.
• 23.26-30: The tribune/commander tells a number of half-truths to make himself look good.
• 23.26: Felix was appointed governor in 52 A.D. He was known to be cruel. He is a former slave who earned his freedom. One person commented that he had the power of a king and the wiles of a slave.