Veprat e Apostujve 24:10

Shqip Bible

Atëherë Pali, mbasi qeveritari i bëri shenjë të flasë, u përgjigj: ''Duke ditur se prej shumë vjetësh ti je gjykatësi i këtij kombi, flas edhe më me guxim në mbrojtje të vetes.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

had: Acts 12:17, Acts 13:16, Acts 19:33, Acts 21:40, Acts 26:1

many: "Felix, made procurator over Judea, ad 53."

a judge: Acts 18:15, 1 Samuel 2:25, Luke 12:14, Luke 18:2

I do: 1 Peter 3:15

Reciprocal: Daniel 3:15 - we are Acts 22:1 - my Acts 23:24 - Felix Acts 23:29 - questions Acts 23:35 - when Acts 24:22 - having Acts 26:3 - because Acts 28:17 - though Acts 28:18 - General

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Then Paul, after the governor had beckoned unto him to speak,.... Tertullus having finished his account, Paul was silent to his charge and calumnies, until the governor beckoned with his hand or head, or made some sign to him to speak for himself; which he might not do, until leave was given him; and then he

answered as follows:

forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation; some say he was in the thirteenth, others in the tenth year of his government; some copies read a "just judge"; but this does not so well agree with the character of Felix;

:-.

I do the more cheerfully answer for myself; since if he had been such a mover of sedition everywhere, he must in this course of years have known or heard something of it; and seeing also he could be no stranger to the temper of the Jews, that they were given to envy, revenge, lying, and perjury, and therefore would not easily believe all they said, or rashly take their part, but rather would pity the apostle, who had fallen into such hands, and do him justice.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Had beckoned unto him to speak - Either by a nod or by the hand,

Hast been of many years - Felix and Cumanus had been joint governors of Judea; but after Cumanus had been condemned for his bad administration of affairs, the government fell entirely into the hands of Felix. This was about seven years before Paul was arraigned, and might be called many years, as he had been long enough there to become acquainted with the customs and habits of the Jews; and it might also be called long in comparison with the short time which his immediate predecessors had held the office. See Josephus, Antiq., book 20, chapters 7 and 7.

A judge - This word is evidently used here in the sense of magistrate, or one appointed to administer the affairs of government. To determine litigated matters was, however, one part of his office. It is remarkable that Paul did not begin his speech, as Tertullus had done, by any flattering address, or by any of the arts of rhetoric. He founded his plea on the justice of his cause, and on the fact that Felix had had so much experience in the affairs of Judea that he was well qualified to understand the merits of the case, and to judge impartially. Paul was well acquainted with his character (see the notes on Acts 24:25), and would not by flattering words declare what was not strictly true.

I do the more cheerfully ... - Since you are so well acquainted with the customs and habits of the Jews, I the more readily submit the case to your disposal. This address indicated great confidence in the justice of his cause, and was the language of a man bold, fearless, and conscious of innocence.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Acts 24:10. Then Paul - answered — The apostle's defence consists of two parts: -

1. The exordium, which has for its object the praise of his judge, whose qualifications to discern and decide on a question of this nature he fully allows; and expects, from this circumstance, to have a favourable hearing.

2. The tractation, which consists of two parts:

I. REFUTATION:

1. of the charge of polluting the temple;

2. of stirring up sedition;

3. of being a leader of any sect who had a different worship from the God of their fathers.

II. AFFIRMATION:

1. that he had lived so as to preserve a good conscience towards God, and towards men;

2. that so far from polluting the temple, he had been purified in it, and was found thus worshipping according to the law of God;

3. that what Tertullus and his companions had witnessed was perfectly false; and he defied them to produce a single proof, and appeals to those who had been witnesses of his conduct in Jerusalem, who should have been there could they have proved any thing against him.

Thou hast been of many years a judge — Cumanus and Felix were, for a time, joint governors of Judea; but, after the condemnation of Cumanus, the government fell entirely into the hands of Felix; and from Josephus we learn that this was now the sixth or seventh year of his administration, which might be called many years, when the very frequent removals of the governors of the provinces are considered. See Jos. Antiq. lib. xx. 7, and see the margin.

A judge - κριτην, the same here in signification as the Hebrew שפט shophet, which means a ruler or governor. This was the title of the ancient governors of Israel.

The more cheerfully — ευθυμοτερον, With a better heart or courage, because, as thy long residence among us has brought thee to a thorough acquaintance with our customs, I may expect a proper decision in my favour, my cause being perfectly sound.