ACC ~ Acts 21 v37 - 39

OVERVIEW:

This narrative introduction is matched by a transitional narrative at the end of the speech (Acts 21:22-29). Luke records the remark about the Egyptian to clarify that Paul is not an agitator or insurrectionist; he also shows the impartiality of the representative of Rome. Chrysostom sees chiaroscuro in the conflict between good and evil, making good all the more brilliant.

21:38 | Are You Not the Egyptian?

THE TRUTH SHINES EVEN THROUGH THE DEVIL’S EFFORTS. CHRYSOSTOM: This Egyptian was a deceiving sorcerer, and the devil expected to triumph through him and implicate Christ and his apostles in charges leveled at these sorcerers. But he did not succeed. The truth became still more brilliant, having suffered no harm through the devil’s machinations but shining all the brighter. … Therefore let us not grieve that heresies exist where false Christs wished to attack Christ, both before and after this, to throw him into obscurity. For we find the truth shining through on every occasion. This is also what happened with the prophets. There were false prophets, by contrast with whom the true prophets shone all the more. For sickness shows off health clearly, darkness light, and stormy weather calm. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 46.

21:39 | A Citizen of Tarsus

PAUL AVAILS HIMSELF OF THE LAWS. CHRYSOSTOM: Look at him. When [Paul] argues with those from the outside, he does not hesitate to use the help of the laws. Here he impresses the tribune by the name of his city. And likewise on another occasion he says, [he was accosted] “publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison.” HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 47.

PAUL’S BACKGROUND. BEDE: The apostle was actually born in Gischala, a town in Galilee. “When it was taken by the Romans he moved with his parents to Tarsus in Cilicia. They sent him to Jerusalem in order to study the law, and he was instructed by the very learned man Gamaliel,” as he himself recalls below. Now he does not name himself a citizen but a burgher from [the word for] the municipality or the territory of the same city in which he grew up. A municipality was so-called because “it gave in return [for such status] great duties, that is, tribute that was owed, or services for legal factors that pertain to freemen and those factors that are most celebrated, as well as things that emanate from a prince, relate to the dignity of a city.” Nor should we be surprised if he calls himself a Tarsean and not a Giscalite, since the Lord himself, who was born in Bethlehem, was not given the name Bethlehemite but Nazarean. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 21.39.