THE KING’S BUSINESS
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Paul declared his nationality and his cit izenship. v The colonel did not notice at the time the force o f his saying that he was a citizen o f Tarsus, and so got himself into trouble, for being a citizen o f Tarsus he was a Roman citizen and should not have been subjected to the indignities that he was. Paul will tell him again in due time and get the consideration that the law required (cf. ch. 22:25, 29). Paul’s plea to speak is very urgent, “I beseech thee.” The ' sight o f that great crowd o f his unsaved courifrymen was an appeal to Paul’s heart that he could not resist; he felt that he must speak. It mattered not that they had just sought to kill him, he loved them just the same. What an example o f loyalty to Christ, love to man, and eager ness to preach the gospel anywhere and always. v. 40. “And when he had given him license (leave), Paul stdod (, standing) on the stairs, beckoned with the hand unto the people. And ( ; and) when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the. Hebrew tongue (language), saying.” Paul got the desire of his heart. They let him down, and standing there on the stairs he /beckons with his hand to the raging mob to be still. He had mastered his audience in a moment, “there was made a great silence.” It was one o f the most remark able displays o f personality and power. Paul at once drops his Greek and begins to speak the language of- the people. Would that all preachers would learn wisdom from Paul in this matter. What did these returned missionaries do? v. 19; 15:12. How did the thousands o f believing Jews feel about the law? v. 20. Were they rightly informed about Paul? 1 Cor. 7:18; Acts 16:3. How did the brethren assure Paul they were sound on grace? v. 25; 15:22-29. What vow had the four men taken ? Num. 6:1-8.
Master had trod (cf. John 19:15); Paul will hear that cry again (cf. ch. 22:22). v. 37. “And as Paul was to be led (about to be brought) into the castle, he said Unto the chief- captain, May I speak (say some thing) unto thee? He (And he) said, Const (Dost) thou speak (know) Greek?” During all this tumult Paul had but one thought and that was how he might witness for his Master and bring some o f his blind enemies to Christ. He at once asked the privilege o f speaking. He makes this request very courteously. Paul was a tactful gentleman as Well as a brave man. He united in him self qualities that are seldom united. He knew how to be deferential as well as brave. The Roman colonel was startled, not only by the language in which Paul made the request, but also by the tone and manner o f it. v. 38. “Art not thou that (Art thou not then the) Egyptian, which before these days modest an uproar, (stirred up to sedi tion) and leddest (led) out into the wilder ness (add,, the) four thousand men that were murderers (o f the' Assassins) ?” The colonel had taken Paul to be a notorious inciter o f insurrection and leader o f the party called “the assassins.” He too, as well as the men from Asia had jumped at a' conclusion. He saw one thing and inferred another. v. 39. “But Paul said, I am a Jew (add, of Tarsus, a city (omit, a city) in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.” (1 ) The Populace Stirred, vs. 17-32. Who were “we?” 1 Cor. 16:3; Acts 20:4; 2 Cor. 8:6, 18; Col. 4:14. O f what nation were “the brethren?” Rom. 9 :3. Did they approve, Paul’s Gospel? Gal. 2:9. Who was James? Gal. 1:19; 2 :9 ; Acts 12:17; 15:13.
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