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Text -- Acts 23:9 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
23:9 There was a great commotion, and some experts in the law from the party of the Pharisees stood up and protested strongly, “We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Names, People and Places:
 · Pharisee a religious group or sect of the Jews


Dictionary Themes and Topics: Tact | Strife | Self-defense | Sanhedrim | SCRIBES | Prisoners | PROVINCE | PERSECUTION | PAUL, THE APOSTLE, 5 | Immortality | ESCHATOLOGY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT | Diplomacy | CRY, CRYING | ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, 8-12 | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Vincent , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , Combined Bible , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College , McGarvey

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: Act 23:9 - -- Strove ( diemachonto ). Imperfect middle of diamachomai , old Attic verb, to fight it out (between, back and forth, fiercely). Here only in the N.T. ...

Strove ( diemachonto ).

Imperfect middle of diamachomai , old Attic verb, to fight it out (between, back and forth, fiercely). Here only in the N.T. It was a lively scrap and Luke pictures it as going on. The Pharisees definitely take Paul’ s side.

Robertson: Act 23:9 - -- And what if a spirit hath spoken to him or an angel? ( ei de pneuma elalēsen autōi ē aggeloṡ ). This is aposiopesis, not uncommon in the N.T....

And what if a spirit hath spoken to him or an angel? ( ei de pneuma elalēsen autōi ē aggeloṡ ).

This is aposiopesis, not uncommon in the N.T., as in Luk 13:9; Joh 6:62 (Robertson, Grammar , p. 1203). See one also in Exo 32:32.

Vincent: Act 23:9 - -- Strove The diversion was successful. The Pharisees' hatred of the Sadducees was greater than their hatred of Christianity.

Strove

The diversion was successful. The Pharisees' hatred of the Sadducees was greater than their hatred of Christianity.

Vincent: Act 23:9 - -- What if a spirit, etc Neither the A. V. nor Rev. give the precise form of this expression. The words form a broken sentence, followed by a signi...

What if a spirit, etc

Neither the A. V. nor Rev. give the precise form of this expression. The words form a broken sentence, followed by a significant silence, which leaves the hearers to supply the omission for themselves: " But if a spirit or angel has spoken to him ..." The words which the A. V. supplies to complete the sentence, let us not fight against God, are spurious, borrowed from Act 5:39.

Wesley: Act 23:9 - -- Every sect contains both learned and unlearned. The former used to be the mouth of the party.

Every sect contains both learned and unlearned. The former used to be the mouth of the party.

Wesley: Act 23:9 - -- St. Paul in his speech from the stairs had affirmed, that Jesus, whom they knew to have been dead, was alive, and that he had spoken to him from heave...

St. Paul in his speech from the stairs had affirmed, that Jesus, whom they knew to have been dead, was alive, and that he had spoken to him from heaven, and again in a vision. So they add nothing, only they construe it in their own way, putting an angel or spirit for Jesus.

JFB: Act 23:6-9 - -- From the discussion which plainly had by this time arisen between the parties.

From the discussion which plainly had by this time arisen between the parties.

JFB: Act 23:6-9 - -- Raising his voice above both parties.

Raising his voice above both parties.

JFB: Act 23:6-9 - -- The true reading seems to be, "the son of Pharisees," that is, belonging to a family who from father to son had long been such.

The true reading seems to be, "the son of Pharisees," that is, belonging to a family who from father to son had long been such.

JFB: Act 23:6-9 - -- That is, not the vague hope of immortality, but the definite expectation of the resurrection.

That is, not the vague hope of immortality, but the definite expectation of the resurrection.

JFB: Act 23:6-9 - -- By this adroit stroke, Paul engages the whole Pharisaic section of the council in his favor; the doctrine of a resurrection being common to both, thou...

By this adroit stroke, Paul engages the whole Pharisaic section of the council in his favor; the doctrine of a resurrection being common to both, though they would totally differ in their application of it. This was, of course, quite warrantable, and the more so as it was already evident that no impartiality in trying his cause was to be looked for from such an assembly.

Clarke: Act 23:9 - -- The scribes - arose, and strove - Διεμαχοντο, They contended forcibly - they came to an open rupture with the Sadducees; and, in order to...

The scribes - arose, and strove - Διεμαχοντο, They contended forcibly - they came to an open rupture with the Sadducees; and, in order to support their own party against them, they even admitted as truth, St. Paul’ s account of his miraculous conversion, and therefore they said, if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, etc. He had previously mentioned that Jesus Christ had appeared to him, when on his way to Damascus; and, though they might not be ready to admit the doctrine of Christ’ s resurrection, yet they could, consistently with their own principles, allow that the soul of Christ might appear to him; and they immediately caught at this, as furnishing a strong proof against the doctrine of the Sadducees, who neither believed in angel nor spirit, while the Pharisees confessed both

Clarke: Act 23:9 - -- Let us not fight against God - These words are wanting in ABCE, several others, with the Coptic, Ethiopic, Armenian, later Syriac, Vulgate, and some...

Let us not fight against God - These words are wanting in ABCE, several others, with the Coptic, Ethiopic, Armenian, later Syriac, Vulgate, and some of the fathers.

Calvin: Act 23:9 - -- 9.There was a great cry That sedition whereof Luke spake a little before is more plainly expressed in this place; to wit, that they were not only of ...

9.There was a great cry That sedition whereof Luke spake a little before is more plainly expressed in this place; to wit, that they were not only of diverse opinions, but did strive clamorously with outcries. Wherefore, ςασις doth signify somewhat more than dissension. Furthermore, this place doth teach what mischief disagreements bring with them. For because they take their beginning for the most part of ambition, men proceed thence unto contention, and straightway stubbornness breaketh out. When they be come thither, because there is no place left either for judgment or moderation, they can no longer judge of the cause. Those who did detest Paul begin at a sudden to defend him. It was well done, if they had done it with judgment. But because they inveigh against the Sadducees, they are so inflamed with hatred against them, that they be blind in Paul’s matter. For which cause we must beware of heat of contention, which disturbeth all things. −

If the Spirit This ought undoubtedly to be expounded of the Holy Ghost. And nothing could be spoken either more godly or modestly. For so soon as it is apparent that any doctrine is revealed from heaven, those do wickedly resist God who do not receive the same. But how is it that the scribes do so suddenly count Paul a prophet of God whom they were once ready to have murdered — whom they had condemned with their prejudice until the contention arose? − 543 Furthermore, as they did cut their own throats with these words as with a sword, so God would have them to be to us teachers to instruct us, that we despise not the oracles which come from heaven. Notwithstanding, we see again that those stand in doubt who take not good heed, and are not careful to mark the word of God; and that they waver so often as any thing is brought to light, because they be unworthy to understand the certain truth. Wherefore, if we be desirous to have our studies governed by the spirit of discretion, let us apply ourselves to learn.

TSK: Act 23:9 - -- We : Act 25:25, Act 26:31; 1Sa 24:17; Pro 16:7; Luk 23:4, Luk 23:14, Luk 23:15, Luk 23:22 if : Act 23:8, Act 9:4, Act 22:7, Act 22:17, Act 22:18, Act ...

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Act 23:9 - -- A great cry - A great clamor and tumult. The scribes - The learned men. They would naturally be the chief speakers. Of the Pharisees...

A great cry - A great clamor and tumult.

The scribes - The learned men. They would naturally be the chief speakers.

Of the Pharisees’ part - Who were Pharisees, or who belonged to that party. The scribes were not a distinct sect, but might be either Pharisees or Sadducees.

We find no evil in this man - No opinion which is contrary to the Law of Moses; no conduct in spreading the doctrine of the resurrection which we do not approve. The importance of this doctrine, in their view, was so great as to throw into the background all the other doctrines that Paul might hold; and, provided this were propagated, they were willing to vindicate and sustain him. A similar testimony was offered to the innocence of the Saviour by Pilate, Joh 19:6.

But if a spirit or an angel ... - They here referred, doubtless, to what Paul had said in Act 22:17-18. He had declared that he had gone among the I Gentiles in obedience to a command which he received in a vision in the temple. As the Pharisees held to the belief of spirits and angels, and to the doctrine that the will of God was often delivered to people by their agency, they were ready now to admit that he had received such a communication, and that he had gone among the Gentiles in obedience to it, to defend their great doctrine of the resurrection of the dead. We are not to suppose that the Pharisees had become the friends of Paul or of Christianity. The true solution of their conduct doubtless is, that they were so inflamed with hatred against the Sadducees that they were willing to make use of any argument against their doctrine. As the testimony of Paul might be turned to their account, they were willing to vindicate him. It is remarkable, too, that they perverted the statement of Paul in order to oppose the Sadducees. Paul had stated distinctly Act 22:17-18 that he had been commanded to go by the Lord, meaning the Lord Jesus. He had said nothing of "a spirit or an angel."Yet they would unite with the Sadducees so far as to maintain that he had received no such command from the Lord Jesus. But they might easily vary his statements, and suppose that an "angel or a spirit"had spoken to him, and thus make use of his conduct as an argument against the Sadducees. Men are not always very careful about the exact correctness of their statements when they wish to humble a rival.

Let us not fight against God - See the notes on Act 5:39. These words are missing in many mss. and in some of the ancient versions. The Syriac reads it, "If a spirit or an angel have spoken to him, what is there in this?"that is, what is there unusual or wrong?

Poole: Act 23:9 - -- Scribe is a name denoting an office or place; and the sribes were men skilled in the law A spirit or an angel ome take the latter to be exegetical...

Scribe is a name denoting an office or place; and the sribes were men skilled in the law

A spirit or an angel ome take the latter to be exegetical of the former, and that by a spirit is only meant an angel; by such messengers God many times sending his messages to the children of men. Yet others by spirit understand prophetical revelation, and the Spirit of prophecy, which was expected to be shed abroad in large measures about that time; as appears, Joh 7:39 .

Let us not fight against God: See Poole on "Act 5:39".

Gill: Act 23:9 - -- And there arose a great cry,.... Or noise, a loud clamour; they began to be very noisy, and to talk loud, and in high spirits, one against another: ...

And there arose a great cry,.... Or noise, a loud clamour; they began to be very noisy, and to talk loud, and in high spirits, one against another:

and the Scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose; there were Scribes in the sanhedrim, and these were some of them on the side of the Sadducees, and some on the side of the Pharisees; though, generally speaking, they agreed with the latter, and are often in Scripture mentioned with them, and for them: however, that part in this sanhedrim that were on their side rose up from their seats,

and strove; that is, contended, disputed, and litigated the point with the Sadducees:

saying, we find no evil in this man; why he should be hated, persecuted, and punished:

but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him; that is, if the Holy Spirit, as the Ethiopic version reads, has inspired him, or God by an angel has revealed anything to him, who has to say anything against it? This they said in agreement with their own principles, and more for the sake of establishing them, and in opposition to the Sadducees, than in favour of Paul:

let us not fight against God; as in Act 5:39. These words are not in the Alexandrian copy, nor in the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Act 23:9 “We find nothing wrong with this man.” Here is another declaration of innocence. These leaders recognized the possibility that Paul might ...

Geneva Bible: Act 23:9 ( 8 ) And there arose a great cry: and the ( e ) scribes [that were] of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: bu...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Act 23:1-35 - --1 As Paul pleads his cause,2 Ananias commands them to smite him.7 Dissension among his accusers.11 God encourages him.14 The Jews' laying wait for Pau...

Combined Bible: Act 23:9 - --notes on verse 6     

MHCC: Act 23:6-11 - --The Pharisees were correct in the faith of the Jewish church. The Sadducees were no friends to the Scripture or Divine revelation; they denied a futur...

Matthew Henry: Act 23:6-11 - -- Many are the troubles of the righteous, but some way or other the Lord delivereth them out of them all. Paul owned he had experienced the truth ...

Barclay: Act 23:1-10 - --There was a certain audacious recklessness about Paul's conduct before the Sanhedrin; he acted like a man who knew that he was burning his boats. Ev...

Constable: Act 9:32--Rom 1:1 - --III. THE WITNESS TO THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH 9:32--28:31 Luke next recorded the church's expansion beyond...

Constable: Act 19:21--Rom 1:1 - --D. The extension of the church to Rome 19:21-28:31 "The panel is introduced by the programmatic statemen...

Constable: Act 21:17--23:33 - --2. Ministry in Jerusalem 21:17-23:32 The events that transpired in Jerusalem when Paul visited t...

Constable: Act 22:30--23:11 - --Paul's defense before the Sanhedrin 22:30-23:10 "The irregular structure of Luke's account of Paul's defense before the Sanhedrin evidently reflects t...

College: Act 23:1-35 - --ACTS 23 7. The Trial before the Sanhedrin (22:30-23:10) (continued) The Confrontation with the High Priest (23:1-5) (continued) 1 Paul looked stra...

McGarvey: Act 23:6-10 - --6-10. The presence in which Paul stood was not unfamiliar to him. He doubtless remembered the faces of many in the Sanhedrim, and was intimately acqua...

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: Acts (Book Introduction) THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES By Way of Introduction But for the Acts we should know nothing of the early apostolic period save what is told in the Epi...

JFB: Acts (Book Introduction) THIS book is to the Gospels what the fruit is to the tree that bears it. In the Gospels we see the corn of wheat falling into the ground and dying: in...

JFB: Acts (Outline) INTRODUCTION--LAST DAYS OF OUR LORD UPON EARTH--HIS ASCENSION. (Act 1:1-11) RETURN OF THE ELEVEN TO JERUSALEM--PROCEEDINGS IN THE UPPER ROOM TILL PEN...

TSK: Acts (Book Introduction) The Acts of the Apostles is a most valuable portion of Divine revelation; and, independently of its universal reception in the Christian church, as an...

TSK: Acts 23 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Act 23:1, As Paul pleads his cause, Act 23:2, Ananias commands them to smite him; Act 23:7, Dissension among his accusers; Act 23:11, God...

Poole: Acts 23 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 23

MHCC: Acts (Book Introduction) This book unites the Gospels to the Epistles. It contains many particulars concerning the apostles Peter and Paul, and of the Christian church from th...

MHCC: Acts 23 (Chapter Introduction) (Act 23:1-5) Paul's defence before the council of the Jews. (Act 23:6-11) Paul's defence. He receives a Divine assurance that he shall go to Rome. (...

Matthew Henry: Acts (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Acts of the Apostles We have with an abundant satisfaction seen the foundation of our holy religion...

Matthew Henry: Acts 23 (Chapter Introduction) The close of the foregoing chapter left Paul in the high priest's court, into which the chief captain (whether to his advantage or no I know not) h...

Barclay: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES A Precious Book In one sense Acts is the most important book in the New Testament. It is the simple truth t...

Barclay: Acts 23 (Chapter Introduction) The Strategy Of Paul (Act_23:1-10) A Plot Unmasked (Act_23:11-24) The Captain's Letter (Act_23:25-35)

Constable: Acts (Book Introduction) Introduction Title The title "Acts of the Apostles" is very ancient. The Anti-Marcioni...

Constable: Acts (Outline) Outline I. The witness in Jerusalem 1:1-6:7 A. The founding of the church 1:1-2:46 ...

Constable: Acts Acts Bibliography Albright, William Foxwell. The Archaeology of Palestine. 1949. Revised ed. Pelican Archaeolog...

Haydock: Acts (Book Introduction) THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. INTRODUCTION. St. Luke, who had published his gospel, wrote also a second volume, which, from the first ages, hath bee...

Gill: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO ACTS This book, in some copies, is called, "The Acts of the holy Apostles". It contains an history of the ministry and miracles of ...

College: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION As early as the second century the title "The Acts of the Apostles" was given to this document. Before that time the work probably circu...

College: Acts (Outline) OUTLINE I. THE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM - 1:1-8:1a A. INTRODUCTION OF THE BOOK - 1:1-3 B. THE COMMISSIONING OF THE APOSTLES - 1:4-8 C. THE ASCENSI...

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