THEMES:
- Gentleness in Adversity: Paul is falsely accused by religious Jews of bringing Gentiles into the inner courts of the temple which is deserving of death in certain cases. By falsely accusing Paul, the religious class Jews would be breaking the eighth commandment which states, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Paul would have known the immense hypocrisy of these Jewish men, and would have every right to preach a righteous anger to them. But, in this moment, Paul testifies of God’s great works and miracles in his personal life. Paul is bold yet very gentle in his response to these hypocrites. He is kind, even calling the High Priest, “his ruler.” Paul is submitting to an authority he doesn’t have to with the hope his gentleness will persuade his accusers. In this moment we see Paul imitating Christ as a meek and gentle servant. Jesus was falsely accused by his brothers, yet he always respond with a calm answer in meekness. And, even when Jesus was crucified, he begged God the Father, “Forgive them for they know not what they do.” Paul similarly does everything to respect the Jews, yet still they tear their clothes and yell like mad men to have him killed. For the Jews revile the message of truth. How often do we respond in anger and frustration when we are wronged? How often do we want immediate justice and vindication? When one faces adversity, whether at work, in family life, or for one’s faith, it is important to remember Jesus and Paul and how they responded to adversaries: with meekness and the truth. May we imitate Christ and Paul in this.
CULTURE:
Places
- The Castle of Antonia: “A fortress in Jerusalem, at the north-west corner of the temple area. It is called "the castle" (Acts 21:34, 37). From the stairs of this castle Paul delivered his famous speech to the multitude in the area below (Acts 22:1-21). It was originally a place in which were kept the vestments of the high priest. Herod fortified it, and called it Antonia in honour of his friend Mark Antony. It was of great size, and commanded the temple. It was built on a plateau of rock, separated on the north from the hill Bezetha by a ditch about 30 feet deep and 165 feet wide.”
Cultural Background
- Roman Citizenships: “Roman law forbade flogging a “Roman citizen” without a hearing or formal sentence (“uncondemned”). Officers who did this would face serious charges. Persons who obtained Roman citizenship other than by birth usually took the name of their sponsor. That the tribune’s name was Claudius Lysias (23:26) may indicate he purchased his citizenship through the sponsorship of the emperor Claudius. “Citizen by birth” implies that Paul’s father had been a Roman citizen before him. Also, “citizen by birth” was especially prestigious. Now the officer realised that he had gone too far, and treated Paul henceforth with proper respect. He must now proceed according to the strict letter of the law, so he ordered the Jewish Sanhedrin to convene a meeting on the following day and had Paul brought before them.”
CONTEMPLATING GOD:
Voice of the Past: Gentleness in the face of Adversity - “See, with what gentleness Paul addresses his accusers: ‘I knew not,’ he says, ‘that he was God's high priest’ (v. 4, 5): and, (to show) that he was not being fake he adds, ‘You shall not speak evil of the ruler of your people.’ He confesses the high priest accusing him to be still ruler. Let us learn this same gentleness when we are pressured.”
Footnotes:
John Chrysostom. Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles. 46, paragraph 2.
Easton Bible Dictionary. “Antonia.”
ESV Study Bible, p.2134; Commentary on Acts, F.F. Bruce, Chapter 22:22-30.
John Chrysostom. Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles. 48 paragraph .