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John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 28:19

19 But when the Jews spake against it , I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of. Ver. 19. To accuse my nation of ] But to defend Christ’s cause and mine own innocence, with as little reflex on the Jews as may be. It is an ill business to defame a whole nation (one’s own especially), as Scaliger, that proud hypercritic, who gave this base and unmannerly character, Gothi belluae, Scoti non minus, Angli perfidi, inflati, feri, contemptores, stolidi,... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 28:20

20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you , and to speak with you : because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. Ver. 20. For the hope of Israel ] That is, for the resurrection of the dead and that eternal life that Israel hopes and looks for. Hallucinantur philosophi, qui sapientem non metu solum sed et spe vacare vellent. Spes in terrenis incerti nomen boni, spes in divinis nomen est certissimi,Hebrews 11:1; Hebrews 11:1 . Hope in God, saith every... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 28:21

21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee. Ver. 21. We neither received letters ] Not because the priests and elders were now grown better minded toward Paul than they were wont to be (for malice is like the crocodile, that groweth as long as it liveth; and, as we used to say of cheeze, the older it is, the stronger), but that they could not so well deal with him at such a... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 28:22

22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against. Ver. 22. Everywhere it is spoken against ] Nomen in Christianis damnabatur, non crimen, saith Tertullian. When Attalus the martyr was put to death at Lyons, a table was set up over his head with this inscription, Hic est Attalus Christianus, This is Attalus the Christian; that was all they had to charge him with. So when Polycarp was martyred, all the crime... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 28:23

23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. Ver. 23. There came into his lodging ] Tertullian telleth us that it was forbidden the primitive Christians by a public statute, to have temples or places of public meetings. It is yet better with us, blessed be God. We have, as Joseph... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 28:24

24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. Ver. 24. And some believed not ] The word, as Moses, slays the Egyptian, saves the Israelite. It is to some the savour of life, to others of death, as Obededom was blessed for the ark, the Philistines cursed. read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 28:25

25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, Ver. 25. And when they agreed not ] They jarred. It is a metaphor from musical instruments that make no harmony, ασυμφωνοι . Had spoken one word ] A terrible stinging word, that would stick in their souls and flesh, as the envenomed arrows of the Almighty, throughout all eternity. read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 28:26

26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: Ver. 26. Hearing, ye shall hear, &c. ] A heavy ear is a singular judgment. Antagoras, cum Thebaidos librum apud Boeotos recitaret, nec quisquam recitanti applauderet, complicato volumine, Merito, inquit, Boeoti vocamini, quia boum habetis aures. (Erasm. Chiliad.) The Greeks have a proverb, Asino quispiam narrabat fabulam, ac ille movebat aures. Seeing, ye... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 28:27

27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Ver. 27. Is waxed gross ] "Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law," saith David, Psalms 119:70 . Naturalists tell us that fat-hearted men are dull-witted. Γαστηρ παχεια λεπτον ου τικτει νοον . It is a heavy case... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 28:28

28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. Ver. 28. That the salvation of God ] i.e. The gospel, that "grace of God that bringeth salvation," Titus 2:11 , and is the power of God to salvation to as many as believe,Romans 1:16; Romans 1:16 ; therefore called the word of this life, that is able to save souls; and hath heaven in it, potentially, as the kernel hath the tree, or the seed the harvest. read more

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