In that honorable Audience being permitted to speake, 2 he declareth to the king vvhat he first vvas, 1• and hovv miraculously he vvas conuerted, 19 and that he hath preached sinne, as he vvas commaunded from heauen, and as the Prophets had foretold of Christ. 24 Which strange tale Festus the Heathen President hearing, saith that he is mad. 25 But he ansvvereth, and exhorteth them al to be Christians as he is. •0 They finally pronounce that he might be set at libertie, but only for his appeale.
1Then Agrippa said to Paul: Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul, stretching forth his hand, began to make his answer.Agrippa perciò disse a Paolo: Ti è permesso di parlare per te stesso. Allora Paolo stesa la mano principiò a far sua difesa.BVT Agrippa said to Paul, Thou art permitted to speake for thy self. Then Paul stretching forth his hand, began to make his ansvver.Agrippa vero ad Paulum ait: Permittitur tibi loqui pro temetipso. Tunc Paulus extenta manu cœpit rationem reddere: 2I think myself happy, O king Agrippa, that I am to answer for myself this day before thee, touching all the things whereof I am accused by the Jews.Io mi stimo fortunato, o re Agrippa, perché sono per dir mia ragione quest'oggi alla tua presenza su tutti i capi, ond'io sono accusato da' Giudei,Touching al things vvhereof I am accused of the Ievves, king Agrippa, I account my self happie for that I am to defend my self this day before thee,De omnibus quibus accusor a Judæis, rex Agrippa, æstimo me beatum apud te cum sim defensurus me hodie, 3Especially as thou knowest all, both customs and questions, that are among the Jews. Wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.Massimamente essendo tu conoscitore di tutte le consuetudini, e quistioni, che sono tra gli Ebrei; per la qual cosa ti prego di udirmi pazientemente.especially vvhereas thou knovvest al things that are among the Ievves, customes and questions: for the vvhich cause I beseeche thee, heare me patiently.maxime te sciente omnia, et quæ apud Judæos sunt consuetudines et quæstiones: propter quod obsecro patienter me audias. 4And my life indeed from my youth, which was from the beginning among my own nation in Jerusalem, all the Jews do know:E quanto alla vita, ch'io ho menato dalla gioventù tra que' della mia nazione in Gerusalemme fino da principio, ella è nota a tutti i Giudei:And my life truely from my youth, vvhich vvas from the beginning in my nation in Hierusalem, al the Ievves doe knovv:Et quidem vitam meam a juventute, quæ ab initio fuit in gente mea in Jerosolymis, noverunt omnes Judæi: 5Having known me from the beginning (if they will give testimony) that according to the most sure sect of our religion I lived, a Pharisee.I quali (se render voglion testimonianza) prima d'ora hanno saputo, com' io da prima secondo la più sicura setta della nostra religione vissi Fariseo.knovving me before from the beginning (if they vvil giue testimonie) that according to the most sure secte of our religion I liued a Pharisee.præscientes me ab initio (si velint testimonium perhibere) quoniam secundum certissimam sectam nostræ religionis vixi pharisæus.
6And now for the hope of the promise that was made by God to the fathers, do I stand subject to judgment:Ora poi per la speranza della promessa fatta da Dio ai padri nostri sto qual reo in giudizio:And novv for the hope of the promisse that vvas made of God to our fathers, doe I stand subiect to iudgement.Et nunc, in spe quæ ad patres nostros repromissionis facta est a Deo, sto judicio subjectus: 7Unto which, our twelve tribes, serving night and day, hope to come. For which hope, O king, I am accused by the Jews.Alla quale (promessa) le dodici nostre tribù, servendo notte, e giorno a Dio, sperano di arrivare. Per cagione di questa speranza sono io accusato da' Giudei, o re.the vvhich, our tvvelue tribes seruing night and day, hope to come vnto. Of the vvhich hope, o king, I am accused of the Ievves.in quam duodecim tribus nostræ nocte ac die deservientes, sperant devenire. De qua spe accusor a Judæis, rex. 8Why should it be thought a thing incredible that God should raise the dead?Come incredibil cosa si giudica da voi, che Dio risusciti i morti?Vvhat incredible thing is it iudged vvith you, if God raise the dead?Quid incredibile judicatur apud vos, si Deus mortuos suscitat ? 9And I indeed did formerly think that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.E quanto a me io mi era messo in cuore di dover fare da nemico molte cose contro il nome di Gesù Nazareno:And my self truely had thought that I ought to doe against the name of IESVS of Nazareth many contrarie things.Et ego quidem existimaveram me adversus nomen Jesu Nazareni debere multa contraria agere, 10Which also I did at Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority of the chief priests. And when they were put to death, I brought the sentence.Come anche feci in Gerusalemme, e molti de' Santi io chiusi nelle prigioni, avutone il potere dai principi de' sacerdoti: e quando erano uccisi, io diedi il mio voto.Vvhich also I did at Hierusalem, and many of the saincts did I shut vp in prisons, hauing receiued authoritie of the cheefe priests: and vvhen they vvere put to death, I brought the sentence.quod et feci Jerosolymis, et multos sanctorum ego in carceribus inclusi, a principibus sacerdotum potestate accepta: et cum occiderentur, detuli sententiam. 11And oftentimes punishing them, in every synagogue, I compelled them to blaspheme: and being yet more mad against them, I persecuted them even unto foreign cities.E per tutte le sinagoghe spesse volte a forza di castighi li costringeva a bestemmiare: e sempre pia infuriando contro di essi, li perseguitava anche per le città di fuora.And through out al the synagogs often times punishing them, I cōpelled them to blaspheme: and yet more mad against them, I persecuted them euen vnto foraine cities.Et per omnes synagogas frequenter puniens eos, compellebam blasphemare: et amplius insaniens in eos, persequebar usque in exteras civitates.
12Whereupon, when I was going to Damascus with authority and permission of the chief priest,Tra le quali cose essendo io andato in Damasco con potestà, e per commissione de' principi de' sacerdoti,Among vvhich things vvhiles I vvent to Damascus vvith authoritie and permission of the cheefe priests,In quibus dum irem Damascum cum potestate et permissu principum sacerdotum, 13At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them that were in company with me.Di mezzogiorno vidi, o re, nella strada una luce del cielo più splendente del sole lampeggiare intorno a me, e a que', ch'erano meco,at midday, in the vvay, I savv (o king) from heauen a light to haue shined round about me and them that vvere in companie vvith me, aboue the brightnes of the sunne.die media in via vidi, rex, de cælo supra splendorem solis circumfulsisse me lumen, et eos qui mecum simul erant. 14And when we were all fallen down on the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew tongue: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the goad.Ed essendo noi tutti caduti per terra, udii una voce, che a me diceva in Ebreo: Saulo, Saulo perché mi perseguiti? Dura cosa è per te il ricalcitrare contro il pungolo.And vvhen al vve vvere fallen dovvne on the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew tongue: Saul, Saul, vvhy persecurest thou me? It is hard for thee to kicke against the pricke.Omnesque nos cum decidissemus in terram, audivi vocem loquentem mihi hebraica lingua: Saule, Saule, quid me persequeris ? durum est tibi contra stimulum calcitrare. 15And I said: Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord answered: I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.Allora io risposi: Chi se' tu, o Signore? E quegli disse: io sono Gesù, cui tu perseguiti.And I said, Vvho art thou Lord? And our Lord ansvvered, I am IESVS vvhom thou doest persecure.Ego autem dixi: Quis es, domine ? Dominus autem dixit: Ego sum Jesus, quem tu persequeris. 16But rise up and stand upon thy feet: for to this end have I appeared to thee, that I may make thee a minister and a witness of those things which thou hast seen and of those things wherein I will appear to thee,Ma levati su, e sta' ritto su' tuoi piedi: Imperocché a questo fine ti sono apparito per costituirti ministro, e testimone delle cose, che hai vedute, e di di quelle, per le quali ti apparirò,But rise vp and stand vpon thy feete: for to this end haue I appeared to thee, that I may ordaine thee a minister and vvitnes of those things vvhich thou hast seen, and of those things vvherein I vvil appeare to thee,Sed exsurge, et sta super pedes tuos: ad hoc enim apparui tibi, ut constituam te ministrum, et testem eorum quæ vidisti, et eorum quibus apparebo tibi, 17Delivering thee from the people and from the nations unto which now I send thee:E ti libererò da questo popolo, e da' Gentili, tra i quali ora ti mandodeliuering thee out of the peoples & natiōs vnto the vvhich novv I send thee,eripiens te de populo et gentibus, in quas nunc ego mitto te,
18To open their eyes, that they may be converted from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a lot among the saints, by the faith that is in me.Ad aprile i loro occhi, affinchè si convertano dalle tenebre alla luce, e dalla podestà di Satana a Dio, affinchè ricevano la remissione de' peccati, e l'eredità trai Santi, mediante la fede, che è in me.to opē their eies, that they may be conuerted from darkenes to light, and from the povver of Satan to God, that they may receiue remission of sinnes and lot among the saincts by the faith that is in me.aperire oculos eorum, ut convertantur a tenebris ad lucem, et de potestate Satanæ ad Deum, ut accipiant remissionem peccatorum, et sortem inter sanctos, per fidem quæ est in me. 19Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not incredulous to the heavenly vision.Per la qual cosa, o re Agrippa non fui ribelle alla celeste visione:Vvherevpon, king Agrippa, I vvas not incredulous to the heauenly vision:Unde, rex Agrippa, non fui incredulus cælesti visioni: 20But to them first that are at Damascus and at Jerusalem, and unto all the country of Judea, and to the Gentiles did I preach, that they should do penance and turn to God, doing works worthy of penance.Ma primieramente a quelli, che sono in Damasco, e in Gerusalemme, e per tutto il paese della Giudea, di poi anche alle genti predicava, che si pentissero, e si convenissero a Dio, e facessero degne opere di penitenza.but to them first that are at Damascus, and at Hierusalem, and vnto al the countrie of levvrie, and to the Gentiles did I preach that they should doe penāce, and turne to God, doing vvorkes vvorthie of penance.sed his qui sunt Damasci primum, et Jerosolymis, et in omnem regionem Judææ, et gentibus, annuntiabam, ut pœnitentiam agerent, et converterentur ad Deum, digna pœnitentiæ opera facientes. 21For this cause, the Jews, when I was in the temple, having apprehended me, went about to kill me.Per questa cagione i Giudei avendomi preso nel tempio, tentavano di uccidermi.For this cause the Ievves, vvhen I vvas in the temple, apprehending me, attēpted meaning to kil me.Hac ex causa me Judæi, cum essem in templo, comprehensum tentabant interficere. 22But being aided by the help of God, I stand unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other thing than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come to pass:Ma sostenuto dall'aiuto divino, ho perseverato sino a questo giorno, insegnando ai piccoli, e ai grandi, niun'altra cosa dicendo fuori di quello, che i profeti, e Mosè hanno detto dover succedere,But aided by the help of God, I stand vntil this day, testifying to small and to great, saying nothing beside those things vvhich the Prophets did speake should come to passe, & Moyses,Auxilio autem adjutus Dei usque in hodiernum diem, sto, testificans minori atque majori, nihil extra dicens quam ea quæ prophetæ locuti sunt futura esse, et Moyses,
23That Christ should suffer and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead and should shew light to the people and to the Gentiles.Che il Cristo dovea patire, che essendo egli il primo a risorger da morte, annunziar dee la luce a questo popolo, e alle nazioni.if CHRIST vvere passible, if the first of the resurrection from the dead, he vvere to shevv light to the people and to the Gentiles.si passibilis Christus, si primus ex resurrectione mortuorum, lumen annuntiaturus est populo et gentibus. 24As he spoke these things and made his answer, Festus said with a loud voice: Paul, thou art beside thyself: much learning doth make thee mad.Tali cose dicendo egli in sua difesa. Pesto ad alta voce disse: Tu se' impazzito, o Paolo: la molta dottrina ti fa dare in pazzie.As he spake these things made his ansvver, Festus vvith a loud voice said, Thou art mad, Paul: much learning turneth thee to madnesse.Hæc loquente eo, et rationem reddente, Festus magna voce dixit: Insanis, Paule: multæ te litteræ ad insaniam convertunt. 25And Paul said: I am not mad, most excellent Festus, but I speak words of truth and soberness.Ma Paolo: Non son pazzo, disse, o ottimo Festo, ma proferisco parole di verità, e di saggezza.And Paul said, I am not mad, most excellent Festus: but I speake vvordes of veritie and so brietie.Et Paulus: Non insanio, inquit, optime Feste, sed veritatis et sobrietatis verba loquor. 26For the king knoweth of these things, to whom also I speak with confidence. For I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him. For neither was any of these things done in a corner.Imperocché sono note queste cose al re, dinanzi a cui liberamente ragiono: dacché niuna di queste cose credo nascosta a lui. Conciossiachè niente di questo è stato fatto in un cantone.for the king knovveth of these things, to vvhom also I speake constantly for I thinke none, of these things to be vnknovven to him. For neither vvas any of these things done in a corner.Scit enim de his rex, ad quem et constanter loquor: latere enim eum nihil horum arbitror. Neque enim in angulo quidquam horum gestum est. 27Believest thou the prophets, O king Agrippa? I know that thou believest.Credi tu, o re Agrippa, ai profeti? So, che tu credi.Beleeuest thou the prophets, king Agrippa? I knovv that thou beleeuest,Credis, rex Agrippa, prophetis ? Scio quia credis. 28And Agrippa said to Paul: In a little thou persuadest me to become a Christian.Ma Agrippa disse a Paolo: Quasi quasi mi persuadi a diventar Cristiano.And Agrippa said to Paul: A litle thou persuadest me to become a CHRISTIAN.Agrippa autem ad Paulum: In modico suades me christianum fieri.
29And Paul said: I would to God that both in a little and in much, not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, should become such as I also am, except these bands.E Paolo: Bramo da Dio, che o quasi, o senza quasi non solamente tu, ma anche tutti que', che mi ascoltano, diventiate oggi quale son io, eccettuate queste catene.And Paul said, I vvish of God, both in litle, and in much, not only thee, but also al that heare this day, to become such as I am also, except these bandes.Et Paulus: Opto apud Deum, et in modico et in magno, non tantum te, sed etiam omnes qui audiunt hodie fieri tales, qualis et ego sum, exceptis vinculis his. 30And the king rose up, and the governor and Bernice and they that sat with them.E si alzò il re, e il preside, e Berenice, e quelli, che sedevano con essi.And the king rose vp, and the President, and Bernice, and they that sate by them.Et exsurrexit rex, et præses, et Bernice, et qui assidebant eis. 31And when they were gone aside, they spoke among themselves, saying: This man hath done nothing worthy of death or of bands.E ritiratisi in disparte, discorrevan tra loro, dicendo: Quest'uomo non ha fatto cosa, che meriti morte, o prigionia.And going a side, they spake among them selues, saying, That this man hath done nothing vvorthie of death or bandes.Et cum secessissent, loquebantur ad invicem, dicentes: Quia nihil morte aut vinculis dignum quid fecit homo iste. 32And Agrippa said to Festus: This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed to Caesar.E Agrippa disse a Festo: Quest'uomo poteva essere liberato, se non avesse appellato a Cesare.And Agrippa said to Festus, This man might be released, if he had not appealed to Caesar.Agrippa autem Festo dixit: Dimitti poterat homo hic, si non appellasset Cæsarem.
26:1
about the year A.D. 60.
Calmet
St. Paul having obtained liberty of speaking, stretches out his right hand, disengaged from his cloak. We must recollect that St. Paul still bore his chains about him, those chains in which he gloried; (ver. 26.) it is therefore necessary to suppose that his left hand only was tied; or, what is less likely, that these chains were not so tight nor heavy as to hinder the easy motion of the right. It is observed by Apuleius, that orators in this action closed the two shorter fingers, and had the others extended. (Calmet)
26:5
Witham
According to the most sure sect.[Ver. 5. Certissimam, akribestaten, accuratissimam.] In the Greek, the most exact or approved: for such was esteemed that of the Pharisees. (Witham)
26:6
Witham
For the hope of the promise. That is, of the promised Messias, and of salvation by him. (Witham)
26:8
St. Gregory
He speaks now to the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection. Can you say it is impossible for Him, whom you all allow to be omnipotent, to raise any of the dead to life? Is it not easier to reanimate a body, whose parts are dissolved by death, than create what had no existence? "And why should He, who daily form the corrupted seed brings forth plants, leaves, wood, not be able to call back into their primitive state the flesh and bones from the dust into which they have been dissolved." (St. Gregory, hom. xxvi. in Evang.)
26:10
I brought the sentence.[Ver. 10. Ego sententiam detuli, katenegka psephon, calculum, suffragium. It was the custom for judges to give their votes either by taking up a white or a black stone: that it, a white stone, if the persons judged were found not guilty, and a black stone, if guilty: so Ovid, Mos erat antiquis niveis, atrisque lapillis, His damnare reos, illis absolvere culpa.
Witham
So that psephos was a lapillus, or a little stone made use of in giving sentence, and from thence taken for the sentence itself.] That is, from those who in the great council were judges of life and death, to those officers who were to put the sentence in execution. This seems to be the sense of these words, rather than, I voted, or gave my voice in condemning them; for we have no grounds to think St. Paul was one of the council, or of the judges. (Witham)
26:14
Bible de Vence
It is generally supposed that St. Paul addresses king Agrippa in the Greek language, which was the common tongue of a great part of the East. (Bible de Vence)
26:16
Witham
Wherein I will appear to thee. From whence interpreters take notice, that Christ divers times appeared to St. Paul to reveal things to him. (Witham)
26:17
26:18
26:23
Witham
That Christ should suffer, etc. Literally, if Christ be passible. If, here is expounded not as implying a condition, but as an affirmation; so that the sense is, that Christ, according to the predictions of the prophets, was to suffer, was to be the first that should rise from the dead, etc. (Witham)
Calmet
First, etc. Many had been raised from the dead before Jesus; the child of the widow of Sarepta, Lazarus, and others. How, then, is Jesus first? He is the first who rises not to die again; and as such the Messias is always represented by the prophets. Others were raised from the dead, but returned again to their graves. Jesus dies no more. He is the first too who raises himself. (Calmet)
26:24
It is not surprising that Festus should have taken St. Paul for a madman. The resurrection of the dead, remission of sins, receiving baptism, and faith, announcing light to the nations, etc. were subjects completely unintelligible to a Roman. To a Jew the terms were customary and common. The eloquence and manner in which he spoke on these subjects, might shew him to be a man of great learning.
26:28
Witham
In a little thou persuadest me to become a Christian. According to the common exposition, Agrippa speaks in a jest, and ironically; and as for the words, they are the same as, thou almost persuadest me, etc. (Witham)
26:29
Witham
Except these chains. That is, I heartily wish all men in the same condition as myself, not only to be prisoners as I am, but to be Christians, as I am. (Witham)
26:5
〈Greek〉
26:7
inquā
〈Greek〉
26:9
Concordanza Act. 8, 3.
26:10
detuli sententi••.
26:11
Concordanza Act. 9, 3.
26:20
Concordanza Act. 9, 20.
Penāce often inculcated, and vvorkes agreable to the same.
26:21
Concordanza Act. 21, 30.
26:1
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. Concerning Lowliness of Mind 13
… If we have thus persuaded ourselves; and with a soul deeply pained and fervent, and thoroughly roused purpose; and such as that with which the woman of Chanaan approached, we too come to him, even if we be dogs; even if we have done anything whatever dreadful; we shall both rebut our own crimes, and obtain so great liberty of speech
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles 52
… “Therefore I have brought him forth,” he says, “before you. For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crime laid against him.” Such were the great straits into which the Jews brought themselves and their rulers! What then? “Agrippa said to Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself.” (
26:2
sant'Atanasio di Alessandria † 373 d.C. Apology to the Emperor. (Apologia Ad Constantium.) 1
1. Knowing that you have been a Christian for many years
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles 52
… “Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself. I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews. Especially because I know thee to be expert in all questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.” (
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. Homilies on First Corinthians 33
[7.] And that thou mayest clearly know how great a thing this is, hear how even Paul, going before an unbelieving judge, made his defence. “I think myself happy,” saith he, “That I am to make my defence before thee.” (
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. Homilies on Colossians 11
… Seest thou not Paul, how submissive he is, where he was not likely to harm the Preaching. For hear him saying to Agrippa, “I think myself happy, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee, especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews.” (
san Girolamo † 420 d.C. The Letters of St. Jerome 57.1
… “I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused by the Jews: especially because thou art expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews.”
26:4
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles 52
… “My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews: which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.” (
26:6
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles 52
… “And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?” (
26:8
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles 25
… 26 .) Verily this is the reason why it was there they were appointed to be called Christians, because Paul there spent so long time! “And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the Church, and taught much people. And the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.”
26:9
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles 52
… delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins (
26:12
Giovanni Cassiano † 435 d.C. The Seven Books of John Cassian on the Incarnation of the Lord, Against Nestorius 3.6
… And when we were all fallen down to the ground, I heard a voice saying unto me in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? It is hard for thee to kick against the goad. And I said, Who art Thou, Lord? And the Lord said to me: I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.”
26:13
sant'Efrem il Siro † 373 d.C. Ephraim Syrus: Three Homilies 1.27
27. For I saw a light from heaven that excelled the sun, and its light shone upon me .
26:14
sant'Ignazio di Antiochia † 108 d.C. Epistle to the Philadelphians: Shorter and Longer Versions 8
… My authentic archives are His cross, and death, and resurrection, and the faith which bears on these things, by which I desire, through your prayers, to be justified. He who disbelieves the Gospel disbelieves everything along with it. For the archives ought not to be preferred to the Spirit. “It is hard to kick against the pricks;”
26:15
sant'Ireneo di Lione † 202 d.C. Against Heresies 3.15.1
… or else, if they do receive all these, they must necessarily admit also that testimony concerning Paul, when he (Luke) tells us that the Lord spoke at first to him from heaven: “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? I am Jesus Christ, whom thou persecutest;”
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles 19
… Had they heard the other Voice, they would not have believed; but perceiving Paul answering (some person), they marvelled. “But arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.” ( v. 6 .) Observe, how He does not immediately add all, but first softens his mind. In the same way He called the disciples also a second time.
26:16
san Basilio † 379 d.C. De Spiritu Sancto 8
… The apostle, it is true, says, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” But in a phrase of this kind there is no suggestion of any lowly and subordinate ministry,
sant'Ambrogio † 397 d.C. On the Holy Spirit 3.22
… Wherefore the Lord says: “For to this end I have appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness of the things wherein thou hast seen Me, and of the things wherein thou shalt see Me.”
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles 52
… for the prophets, he says, say this. Therefore receive ye also the rest. Since he has mentioned the vision, he then without fear goes on to speak also of the good wrought by it. “To turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. For to this end have I appeared unto thee” (
sant'Agostino d'Ippona † 430 d.C. On the Holy Trinity 13.15
… delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open the eyes of the blind, and to turn them from darkness [to light], and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified, and faith that is in me.”
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Tertulliano † 220 d.C. An Answer to the Jews 13
… whence the People, which was perishing of thirst in the desert, drank and revived; just as we do, who, drawn out from the calamities of the heathendom in which we were tarrying perishing with thirst (that is, deprived of the divine word), drinking, “by the faith which is on Him,”
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles 52
… delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins ( v. 9–18 ):—observe
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san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles 52
… “Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: but showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.” (
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san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles 52
… “For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come.” (
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Tertulliano † 220 d.C. On the Resurrection of the Flesh 39
… That belief, therefore, in the resurrection which he would not appear to impair, he really confirmed in the opinion of the Pharisees, since he rejected the views of the Sadducees, who denied it. In like manner, before Agrippa also, he says that he was advancing “none other things than those which the prophets had announced.”
sant'Ambrogio † 397 d.C. On the Duties of the Clergy 2.10
53. What women are blessed but those of whom it is said “that many hear the word of God and bring forth fruit”? And again: “Whosoever doeth the word of God is My father and sister and mother.” And who are those blessed servants, who stand before Him, but Paul, who said: “Even to this day I stand witnessing both to great and small;”
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles 52
… Whereupon, O king Agrippa,” etc. ( v. 19, 20 .) He not only exhorts them to repent, but also to show forth a life worthy of admiration. And see how everywhere the Gentiles are admitted into connection with the people (Israel): for those who were present were of the Gentiles. “Testifying,” he says, “both to great and small,” (
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sant'Ignazio di Antiochia † 108 d.C. Epistle to the Tarsians 3
… and was as truly crucified. For, says he, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of the Lord Jesus.” And He really suffered, and died, and rose again. For says [Paul], “If Christ should become passible, and should be the first to rise again from the dead.”
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles 52
… Then his boldness—but neither do I now desist: and the sure grounds—for it is from the prophets that I urge the question, “Whether the Christ was to suffer:” then the Resurrection and the promise, “Whether He, as the first to rise from the dead, should show light unto the people and to the Gentiles.” (
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san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles 52
… 23 .) Festus saw the boldness, and what says he? For Paul was all along addressing himself to the king—he was in a manner annoyed, and says to him, “Thou art beside thyself, Paul:” for, “while he thus discoursed, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself: much learning doth make thee mad.” (
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles 53
See how again also they pass sentence in his favor, and after having said, “Thou art beside thyself,” (
san Girolamo † 420 d.C. Jerome's Apology for Himself Against the Books of Rufinus 1.17
“Paul thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.”
san Girolamo † 420 d.C. The Letters of St. Jerome 27.1
… Let them charge the great apostle with want of literary skill, although it is said of him that much learning made him mad.
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Costantino I † 337 d.C. The Oration of Constantine 6
… if, therefore, fate itself be a law, it must be a law devised by God. All things, therefore, are subject to God, and nothing is beyond the sphere of his power. If it be said that fate is the will of God, and is so considered, we admit the fact. But in what respect do justice, or self-control,
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles 52
… much learning doth make thee mad.” ( v. 24 .) What then says Paul? With gentleness, “I am not mad,” says he, “most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.” (
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Tertulliano † 220 d.C. Ad Nationes appendix-a-fragment-concerning
… the son, again, whom they believe the mightier god, knows not that the father whom himself had banished is lurking in Italy. If he was in heaven, when would he not see what was doing in Italy? For the Italian land is “not in a corner.”
sant'Atanasio di Alessandria † 373 d.C. On the Incarnation of the Word 22
But even if, without any disease and without any pain, He had hidden His body away privily and by Himself “in
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles 52
… but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.” ( v. 25 .) Then too he gives him to understand why, turning from him, he addressed his speech to the king: “For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him: for this thing was not done in a corner.” (
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san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles 52
… 26 .) He shows, that (the king) knows all perfectly; at the same time, all but saying to the Jews, And ye indeed ought to have known these things—for this is the meaning of that which he adds, “For this thing was not done in a corner. And Agrippa, said to Paul, ᾽Εν ὀλίγῳ thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” What is ἐν ὀλίγῳ ?
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san Cirillo di Gerusalemme † 386 d.C. The Catechetical Lectures of S. Cyril 17.31
… And when brought to Cesarea, and set amid tribunals of justice, at one time before Felix, and at another before Festus the governor and King Agrippa, Paul obtained of the Holy Ghost grace so great, and triumphant in wisdom, that at last Agrippa himself the king of the Jews said, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. Two Homilies on Eutropius 2.14
… and Paul stood alone. How did he escape being overwhelmed, or torn in pieces? How could he open his mouth? He entered the Thebaid, and made captives of men, He entered the royal palace, and made a disciple of the king. He entered the hall of judgment, and the judge saith to him “almost thou persuadest me to become a Christian,”
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. The Homilies on the Statues to the People of Antioch 16.7
… when they have fallen into dangers, they do not consider how they may be delivered from dangers, but strive every way how they may capture their persecutors. Just so did it then happen. He came in to defend himself, and he departed taking the judge with him! And to this the judge bore witness, saying, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. The Homilies on the Statues to the People of Antioch 16.9
… It flutters eagerly after worldly show. It loves a glory that is present. Should he hear at once, even from the first, that if he becomes a Christian he will become immediately a prisoner, and will be encompassed with a chain; feeling ashamed and indignant, he will recoil from the word preached. Therefore, saith he, “Except these bonds.”
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles 52
… “Within a little, παρὰ μικρόν . “And Paul said, I could pray to God,” καὶ ἐν ὀλίγῳ καὶ ἐν πολλᾥ , (that is) “I could pray to God,” for my part, not “in little” (but “in much”): he does not simply pray, he prays (not briefly, but) with largeness—“that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were such as I am.”
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. Homilies on First Corinthians 33
… but wishing to gain him by his gentleness. And he did in part gain him, and he that was till then considered to be condemned took captive his judge, and the victory is confessed by the person himself who was made captive, with a loud voice in the presence of all, saying, “With but little persuasion thou wouldst fain make me a Christian.” (
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. Homilies on Ephesians 8
… Paul was imprisoned; and in the prison he did these things, yea, saith he, by my very bonds themselves. He was imprisoned at Rome, and brought the more converts to the faith; for not only was he himself emboldened, but many others also because of him. He was imprisoned at Jerusalem, and preaching in his bonds he struck the king with amazement, (
Teodoreto di Cirro † 458 d.C. Letters of the Blessed Theodoret, Bishop of Cyprus 147
… Master, constantly carry on their lips this His dearest name and cry in the words of the Song of Songs “My beloved is mine and I am his;” “I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.” And besides all this that name of ours which we love so well we have derived from the name of Christ. We are called Christians.
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san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. The Homilies on the Statues to the People of Antioch 16.8
8. But as I was saying:—When Paul had caught him, and he said, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian,” Paul answered thus, “I would to God that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.”
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles 52
… “Within a little, παρὰ μικρόν . “And Paul said, I could pray to God,” καὶ ἐν ὀλίγῳ καὶ ἐν πολλᾥ , (that is) “I could pray to God,” for my part, not “in little” (but “in much”): he does not simply pray, he prays (not briefly, but) with largeness—“that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were such as I am.”
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. Homilies on Ephesians 9
But now do not become drowsy: for I am yet desirous to solve that other question, which many raise, when they say, Why, if tribulation be a glory, how came Paul himself to say in his defence to Agrippa, “I would to God that whether with little or with much not thou only, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as I am, except these bonds?” (
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1. Tunc Paulus, extenta manu, — non versus Agrippam, quasi hoc signo gratias egerit Agrippae de data sibi ab eo loquendi facultate, ut vult Cajetanus; sed primo, more oratorum, extenta manu silentium indicens, ut ex Apuleio, lib. II De Asino aureo, Persio et aliis dixi, cap. xii; secundo, in signum libertatis et confidentiae, quod innocentiae suae conscius non dubitaret de victoria in hac sua causa et lite; tertio, in signum auctoritatis, quod quasi Apostolus, doctor et legatus Christi concionaturus esset: unde extenta manu loquitur, quasi potestatem habens.
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2. Aestimo me beatum. — Quia, ut ait S. Hieronymus, epist. 49: « Paulus legerat illud Jesu Sirach, Eccli. xxv, 12: Beatus qui loquitur in aures audientis; et noverat tantum oratoris verba proficere, quantum judicis providentia cognovisset. Unde et ego me beatum in hoc duntaxat negotio judico, quod apud eruditas aures (tuas, o Pammachi) imperita lingua responsurus sum. » Ex adverso, « ubi auditus non est, non effundas sermonem, » ait Eccli. xxxii, 6. Quocirca Xenocrates quemdam mathematicae ignarum, a sua schola ad mathesin ablegans ait: « Apud me velus non maceratur, scilicet lana rudis non statim traditur vestiario, sed fulloni; » ita Laertius, lib. IV, cap. ii. Paulus hic omnem sermonem convertit ad Agrippam, non ad Festum: primo, quia coram Festo jam causam suam egerat; secundo, quia Festus ad Agrippam Pauli causam rejecerat, eaque de causa Paulum hic in conspectum ejus produxerat; tertio, quia Agrippa avidus erat audiendi Paulum; quarto, quia Agrippa erat Judaeus: unde melius capiebat litem hanc Pauli cum Judaeis de Judaismo, quam Festus Gentilis; quinto, quia sperabat Paulus se Agrippam ad Christum conversurum, demonstrando ei e Mose et Prophetis Jesum esse Messiam, erat enim Agrippa bonae indolis, sedatae mentis, intelligens et prudens. Unde et Judaeis bellum contra Romanos omni ratione dissuadere conatus est, dictitans illud fore Judaeis ruinae et excidio, uti exitus demonstravit; ita Josephus, lib. II Belli, cap. xvi.
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3. Maxime te sciente omnia. — Maxime cum sciam te scire omnia, scilicet quae ad rem praesentem et litigium meum cum Judaeis pertinent. Captat Paulus benevolentiam Agrippae, non tamen adulando, uti faciunt rabulae, sed vere eum laudando, quia lucrari eum volebat: quod et ex parte consecutus est, ait Chrysostomus, hom. 33 in I ad Corinth.
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4. Vitam, — βίωσιν, id est vitae actus et mores, puta conversationem meam, ut vertit Syrus. In Hierosolymis. — Ergo ibi docentem et concionantem Christum vel oculo et aure, vel fama oculisque et auribus aliorum viderat et audierat Paulus; sed nimius zelator Mosis et legis aures mentemque illi occluserat, donec illas vi reseravit Christus, prosternendo eum in terram, et dicendo: « Saule, Saule, quid me persequeris? » Act. ix.
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5. Praescientes me ab initio, — προγινώσκοντες, id est praecognoscentes me, qui scilicet noverunt me et mea facta ante Christianismum. Quoniam secundum certissimam sectam, — ἀκριβεστάτην, id est diligentissimam, exactissimam, religiosissimam inter Judaeos, talis enim erat secta Pharisaeorum. Aliter Mariana: Erant, inquit, septem sectae Pharisaeorum, teste Thalmud in tract. Sota. Paulus ex hisce septem amplexus erat optimam et perfectissimam. Et Arias: Paulus, inquit, a Gamaliele edoctus erat in domo Hillel, quae selectior habebatur, quam domus Samai, uti patet ex libro Misnaioth.
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6. In spe quae ad patres nostros repromissionis facta est, — q. d. Vocor in judicium ob fidem et spem salutis assequendae per Christum salvatorem, patribus nostris repromissum; ac proinde adeo non recedo a lege, fide et spe majorum, ut illi prorsus insistam, ac propter eam tot tantaque assidue patiar. Apologia Pauli est efficax, probat enim se non esse seditiosum, nec apostatam a lege et fide patrum, quod praedicet fidem et spem in Christum quam omnes patres habuerunt, per eamque salvati sunt. Secundo, et aptius per metonymiam spem accipe pro re sperata, puta pro justitia et salute per Christum parta: haec enim patribus promissa erat, et ob hanc praedicatam a Judaeis accusabatur Paulus. Unde et subdit:
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7. In quam duodecim tribus nostrae, nocte ac die (Graeca addunt, ἐν ἐκτενείᾳ, in assiduitate, vel contentione) deservientes (puta latria Deum colentes, adorantes et invocantes; hoc enim est λατρεύοντες; Syrus, precibus assiduis vacantes), sperant devenire. — Judaei enim sperabant justitiam et salutem per Messiam, sive Christum; verum negabant eum jam venisse esseque illum quem praedicabat Paulus: sed adhuc exspectari esseque venturum. Hinc patet spem sumi pro re et salute sperata, nec enim Judaei sperabant devenire in spem, utpote quam jam habebant et ex qua sperabant, sed in ipsam rem speratam, puta ad salutem, resurrectionem et beatitudinem aeternam: in hanc enim sperabant devenire.
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8. Quid incredibile judicatur apud vos, si Deus mortuos suscitat? — Probavit Apostolus resurrectionem Christi et nostram ex testimonio Patrum, qui omnes illam crediderunt et sperarunt; nunc eamdem probat ex omnipotentia Dei, q. d. Deus est Deus, id est omnipotens, ac consequenter Dominus vitae et mortis: ergo credibile est, imo certum, eum posse mortuos suscitare. Si enim potuit homines, cum non essent, ex nihilo creare, cur non possit eosdem jam creatos, et per mortem dissolutos redintegrare et resuscitare?
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9. Et ego quidem existimaveram, — ἔδοξα ἐμαυτῷ, id est mihi ipsi persuaseram, prorsusque decreveram. Ostendit se non ex levitate a Judaismo transisse ad Christianismum, sed illustratione et vi divina immutatum et adactum.
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10. Multos Sanctorum, — multos Christianorum. Et cum occiderentur, detuli sententiam, — latam a judicibus, puta a principibus sacerdotum: hanc enim ego detuli ad Officiales quorum erat eam exsequi, et Christianos a judicibus damnatos occidere. Hinc videtur plures tunc fuisse occisos. Idem patet ex Act. ix, 1: « Saulus autem adhuc spirans minarum et caedis. » Quod enim aliqui id ad unum S. Stephanum arctant per synecdochen, violentum videtur, praesertim quia Paulus in nece Stephani non detulit sententiam, utpote quae tunc nulla fuit. Occisus est enim Stephanus, non per sententiam judicis, sed per furorem populi. Addit Cajetanus Paulum sententiam mortis a Judaeis judicibus latam in Christianos, detulisse ad Praesidem Romanum, ut is eam confirmaret, sine cujus approbatione robur non habuisset, atque ab eo subscriptam retulisse, ut executioni mandaretur. Nota: Pro sententiam, graece est ψῆφος; quod ψῆφος multa significat, nimirum primo, computum et quadrabilem rationem, q. d. Detuli computum et rationem damnatorum occidendorum, v. g. tot esse occidendos gladio, tot strangulatione, tot suspendio, etc.; secundo, suffragium: unde Syrus vertit, « suffragabar iis qui damnabant eos, » probando, laudando et exsequendo eorum sententiam; tertio, calculum, q. d. Cum judicarentur et occiderentur, ego inter judices meum quoque dedi calculum, eoque illos damnavi; quarto, Noster optime vertit, « detuli sententiam, » scilicet a judicibus ad executores: Paulum enim non fuisse judicem, sed judicum administrum, patet Act. ix, 1, ubi dicitur: « Saulus autem adhuc spirans minarum et caedis in discipulos Domini, accessit ad principem sacerdotum, et petiit ab eo epistolas in Damascum ad synagogas, ut si quos invenisset hujus viae viros ac mulieres, vinctos perduceret in Jerusalem, » judicandos a principibus sacerdotum et populi.
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11. Compellebam blasphemare, — cogebam eos negare Jesum, ut dicerent Jesum non esse Messiam, sive Christum, sed juste a pontificibus damnatum et crucifixum: hoc enim est blasphemum, utpote Christo Deoque injurium. Nota hic humilitatem Pauli, qua sua scelera publice confitetur et exaggerat.
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12. In quibus — civitatibus, vel operibus insaniae, ait Hugo. Unde Pagninus vertit, « quarum rerum studio. » Cum potestate et permissu. — Alii vertunt, « cum potestate et commissione »: ἐπιτροπή enim significat non tantum permissionem, sed et curationem, procurationem, commissionem. Unde ἐπίτροπος est curator, tutor, procurator, vicarius, praefectus, cui quid committitur. Noster solerter vertit, « permissu, » ut significet missionem hanc et commissionem Pauli ad persequendum Christianos, fuisse non tam a principibus et judicibus sponte demandatam, quam ab ipso Paulo sollicitatam, procuratam, et pene ab invitis, vel certe non mittentibus, sed permittentibus extortam: quo significatur ingens zelus et ardor Pauli pro Judaismo contra Christum et Christianos. Utroque ergo sensu crescit oratio Pauli.
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13. Supra splendorem solis circumfulsisse me lumen. — Erat ergo hoc lumen ingens et eximium, utpote referens majestatem Christi, ab ejusque corpore glorioso, quod solis splendorem longe superat, emanans. Sic de stella Magis missa a Christo, qui est lux mundi, ut eos ad se evocaret, canit Prudentius in hymno Epiphan.: Quem stella, quae solis rotam Vincit decore ac lumine, Venisse terris nuntiat, Cum carne terrestri Deum. Et S. Ignatius, epist. ad Ephesios, de stella hac ait: « Stella effulsit, exsuperans omnes quotquot ante fuerant: lux enim illius inenarrabilis erat, et stuporem incussit omnibus aspicientibus eam rei novitas; omnia autem reliqua astra cum sole et luna, chorus fuere stellae ipsius; ipsa vero claritate exsuperabat omnes. » Haec tanta lux Paulo et Magis discussit infidelitatis et errorum tenebras, ut per eam cernerent Christum, qui est via, veritas et vita, ac verus sol mundi. Unde probabile est quod nonnulli censent lumen hoc fuisse orbiculare instar solis, ut quasi globus lucidus ambiret Paulum. Hoc enim innuit τὸ circumfulsisse, scilicet circumcirca in modum circuli fulsisse. Praeclare S. Augustinus, serm. 28 De Sanctis: « Dum portat, inquit, Saulus funereum contra milites Christi gladium, fulmineum de coelo accipit testimonium. Dum grassatur, percutitur; dum Christi Sanctos persequitur, violento radio coelestis luminis caecatur. » Caetera de Pauli conversione dixi vers. 9.
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14. Decidissemus in terram, — sed ita ut comites Pauli illico e terra surgerent starentque attoniti, Paulus vero in terra prostratus jaceret, uti dixi cap. ix. Hebraica lingua. — Unde videtur Paulus hic non hebraice, sed graece, uti locutus erat Lysiae, cap. xxi, 37, vel certe latine esse locutus. Agebat enim causam coram Festo, praeside Romano, et latine norat Agrippa, utpote Romae a puero versatus.
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16. Ad hoc enim apparui tibi. — Ergo Paulus tunc realiter vidit Christum sibi praesentem et astantem, idque ad hoc, ut ab eo edoctus et missus, oculatus posset ejus esse testis. Et eorum quibus apparebo tibi. — « Quibus, » id est quorum causa, ait Sanchez; Pagninus, « in quibus. » Hinc liquet Christum saepius apparuisse Paulo multaque ei revelasse.
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19. Non fui incredulus, — ἀπειθής, insuasibilis, incredulus, inobediens; sed statim mihi persuaderi permisi fidem in Christum, statim credidi, statim illi obedivi. Coelesti visioni. — Graece ὀπτασία, quae, ait Oecumenius, est pura rei inspectio, quae hominem excedit, et quam, qui est in carne, videre nullo modo potest, nisi coelitus aperiantur ei oculi.
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22. Nihil extra (id est, ut vertit Pagninus, nihil aliud) dicens quam ea quae Prophetae locuti sunt futura esse. — Est hoc tertium argumentum apologiae Pauli. Primum enim fuit ex testimonio patrum, vers. 6; secundum, ex visione Christi, oculos et mentem illuminantis, vers. 13; tertium est hoc loco ex oraculis Prophetarum, qui praedixerunt futura de Christo, quae Paulus jam facta praedicabat. Nota: Prophetae praedixerunt Christum venturum, ac novam legem, Ecclesiam et Sacramenta sanciturum: quae autem et qualia illa futura essent, non explicarunt, sed id Christo decernendum, et Paulo ac Apostolis explicandum reliquerunt. Quare evanescit sophisma Kemnitii, dum sic argumentatur: Paulus ait se non aliam poenitentiam praedicare, quam quae a Prophetis suo aevo praedicata fuerat: illa non erat Sacramentum; ergo nec ea quae a Paulo in lege nova praedicata est, est Sacramentum. Major enim in rigore est falsa: nam Paulus loquitur in genere, non in specie, de poenitentia; poenitentia enim a Prophetis praedicata, fuit virtus poenitentiae: a Paulo vero praedicata, fuit virtus et sacramentum Poenitentiae, quod Prophetae non praedicarunt, sed praedixerunt in genere, dum per Christum afferendam remissionem peccatorum modumque eam condonandi sanciendum vaticinati sunt; quis autem ille modus in particulari futurus esset, nimirum per sacramentum Poenitentiae a Christo instituendum, non edixerunt, sed Christo edicendum resignarunt.
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23. Si passibilis Christus. — τὸ si non est conditionale, sed assertivum, per hebraismum significans quod, q. d. Prophetae praedixerunt quod Christus futurus esset passibilis, moreretur et primus a morte resurgeret, ac deinde per eum caeteri Christiani. Ita Lyranus, Hugo, Dionysius, Sanchez et alii. « Quid mirum, ait S. Gregorius, hom. 26 in Evangel., si ossa, nervos, carnem, capillosque reducat ex pulvere, qui lignum, fructus, folia in magna mole arboris ex parvo quotidie semine restaurat? » Lumen (veritatis veraeque religionis, fidei et salutis) annuntiaturus est populo (Judaico) et Gentibus. — Hinc Simeon Christum vocat « lumen ad revelationem Gentium, et gloriam plebis Israel, » Lucae ii, 32.
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24. Insanis, Paule. — Dixit hoc Festus, tum ob altitudinem mysteriorum, puta passionis Christi Filii Dei et resurrectionis, quae ipse, utpote homo Gentilis, non capiebat et delira censebat; tum ob visionem Christi et lucis tam fulgidae, vers. 13, in qua eum delirare putabat; tum ob ardorem, vim et impetum dicendi in Paulo, qui tantus erat, ut videretur esse emotae mentis. Verum dicebat Festus in sensu, non suo, sed mystico: ebrius enim erat Paulus et insanus, non mero, sed vero; non furore, sed amore: amor enim Dei faciebat eum stultum et insanum mundo. Audi S. Bernardum, tractat. De Natura divini amoris, cap. iii: « Mirumne, ait, erat, si insanire pronuntiabatur, qui in ipso mortis periculo ipsos judices, a quibus pro Christo judicabatur, ad Christum convertere nitebatur? Non hanc insaniam multae litterae in eo faciebant, sicut dicebat Rex veritatem intelligens, sed dissimulans; sed Spiritus Sancti ebrietas, in qua et in parvo, et in magno, similes eos sibi facere gestiebat, qui eum judicabant. » Vide dicta Act. ii, 13. Nota: Paulus hic in multis refert Christum; Christus vocatus est potator vini, et daemonium habere: ita Paulus vocatur hic maniacus et insanus. Christus publice docuit, idque Pontifici in passione respondit, Matth. xxvi, 55. Ita Paulus ait vers. 26: « Latere eum nihil horum arbitror; neque enim in angulo quidquam horum gestum est. » Multae te litterae ad insaniam convertunt. — Studiosi enim et litterati nimis litteris addicti, facile in melancholiam, phrenesin et maniam incidunt. Quin et Aristoteles asserit nullum magnum ingenium sine mixtura dementiae fuisse. Vide eum in Problem., sect. 30, ubi docet Platonem, Socratem, Empedoclem, poetas et heroes laborasse melancholia, nonnullos etiam mania. Porro Oecumenius: « Festus, inquit, dixit haec turbatus ac indignatus, quod se despici crederet (eo quod Paulus vultum et vocem converteret ad Agrippam, non ad Festum), quod regem, qui tantopere cupierat illum audire, ab illo adeo praefractis oculis conspici cerneret, quod non tam purgare calumniam videretur, quam gloriari de sua doctrina vel vita. » Moraliter nota: Mundus sui contemptores virosque zelosos et divinos censet insanire, vocatque insanos. Sic Propheta uncturus Jehu in regem, audiit: « Quid venit iste insanus ad te? » IV Reg. ix. Sic de Christo dicitur: « Et cum audissent sui, exierunt tenere eum, dicentes, quia in furorem versus est, » Marc. iii, 21. Sic hodie viri religiosi et contemplativi a mundanis habentur ludibrio et vocantur fatui; sed in die judicii suum errorem agnoscent, seroque dicent: « Nos insensati vitam illorum aestimabamus insaniam, etc. Ecce quomodo computati sunt inter filios Dei, et inter Sanctos sors illorum est, » Sap. v, 4.
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25. Sed veritatis et sobrietatis verba loquor. — Primo, q. d. Non sum ebrius et insanus, sed sobrius, sanae mentis et veridicus. Sobrietas enim hic opponitur insaniae et furori; hic enim facit hominem loqui clamose et turbulente instar ebrii. Secundo, q. d. Vera loquor, idque moderate et sobrie, non nimis ea exaggerando et supra veritatem extollendo, q. d. In veritate praedicanda modum non excedo. Sic Paulus ait: « Sive mente excedimus, Deo: sive sobrii sumus, vobis, » II Cor. v, 13. Tertio, q. d. « Falsitas abest a dictis, petulantia a factis, quae duo sunt insaniae propria, » ait Glossa.
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27. Credis, rex Agrippa, Prophetis, — q. d. Si credis Prophetis, ut credis quia Judaeus es, ergo crede et Christo iisque quae ego de Christo praedico, quia eadem de eo praedixerunt Prophetae: est in hac apostrophe acer stimulus quo pungit Agrippam, ut credat in Christum.
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28. In modico suades me Christianum fieri. — Primo, q. d. Modicum abest quin suadeas et persuadeas mihi ut fiam Christianus; modico negotio persuaderes mihi Christianismum. « Parum abest quin me feceris Christianum, » ait Cyrillus Hierosolymitanus, Catechesi 17; Cajetanus, Sanchez et alii, quin et Chrysostomus, hom. 16 ad Popul.: « Sancti enim, inquit, in periculis non considerant quomodo iis liberentur, sed quomodo persequentes lucrentur. » Unde Gagneius et Salmeron censent Agrippam occulte fuisse Christianum; verum huic sensui non concordat responsio Pauli: « Opto apud Deum, et in modico, et in magno, » etc. Unde Chrysostomus censet Paulum non satis assecutum esse mentem Agrippae; quod parum videtur credibile. Secundo, Oecumenius, q. d. Modico tempore, labore et sermone, quo mecum locutus es, suades me fieri Christianum; et Vatablus et Lyranus, q. d. Ex parte et modice suades me fieri Christianum; sed perfecte non suades, non persuades, ut ἐν ὀλίγῳ sit idem quod δι' ὀλίγου, scilicet χρόνου καὶ λόγου, id est per modicum tempus et sermonem. Cui Paulus congrue opponit: « Et in modico et in magno, » q. d. Opto te non tantum cum modico, sed et cum magno tempore, labore et sermone meo, fieri Christianum. Tertio, et genuine, τὸ ἐν ὀλίγῳ, id est in modico, opponitur pro παρ' ὀλίγον, ac respondet Hebraeo כמעט kimat, id est modice, parum, aliquantulum suades. Cui Paulus congrue opponit: « Et in modico, et in magno, » q. d. Non tantum modice, sed et multum, toto corde et affectu opto suadeoque te fieri mei similem, puta Christianum: nec tantum te, sed et omnes qui me audiunt. Nota hic zelum Pauli, quo Agrippam, regem Judaeorum, judicem suum, apud quem a Judaeis accusabatur, quod Judaeos a Judaismo ad Christianismum traduceret, ad eumdem traducere et convertere satagit: sed incestuosus rex, veniens cum tanta pompa et fastu, parum aptus erat Evangelio, ejusque continentiae, modestiae et humilitati; unde illico surgens, Pauli sermonem incidit et abrupit.
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29. Fieri tales, qualis et ego sum, — puta Christianos, imo apostolos et praecones Christi, qualis ego sum. Praeclare S. Augustinus, tract. 8 in Epist. S. Joannis: « Audi, inquit, Apostolum dicentem de visceribus charitatis: Vellem omnes homines esse sicut meipsum. Quomodo volebat omnes? Aequales. Ideo erat omnibus superior, quia charitate optabat omnes aequales. » Exceptis vinculis his. — Hinc liquet Paulum vinculis constrictum et onustum perorasse: nimirum vincula pro Christo ei animos non minuebant, sed augebant; unde in iis exultare et gloriari solet. Vide haec vincula Pauli mire celebrantem S. Chrysostomum, hom. 9 in Epist. ad Ephesios, tom. IV. Sed hanc sapientiam non capiebat Agrippa rex pompaticus; ideoque Paulus vincula ab illo eximit, aitque: « Exceptis vinculis his. » Capiebat eam S. Ignatius, fundator Societatis nostrae, qui pro Christi praedicatione incarceratus, multis ei condolentibus, respondit: « Nescitis quam felix et gloriosum sit vinciri pro Christo; non sunt tot compedes in urbe, quin et ego plures ferre pro Christo desiderem. » Quocirca continua experientia edoctus, dicebat et docebat compendiosam viam ad perfectionem, esse desiderium multa patiendi pro Christo; ita Ribadeneira in ejus Vita, lib. I, cap. xv. Vide S. Chrysostomum hic, hom. 52, ubi inter alia extollit Pauli animos et ignes, quod haec vincula quibus vinctus erat ut malefactor, nihili fecerit, ideoque in iisdem toto affectu incubuerit ad convertendum Agrippam omnesque astantes. « Talis, inquit, est anima coelesti amore sublimis: nam cum ii qui foedis amoribus capiuntur, nihil putant vel gloriosum, vel pretiosum, quam quod ipsorum concupiscentiis servit; id enim solum gloriosum ac honestum putant, et amasia fit eis omnia: multo magis qui tali amore flagrant, nihili faciunt pretiosa. Si autem non consideramus quae dicuntur, haud mirum est: imperiti enim sumus hujus philosophiae. Qui enim igne Christi captus fuerit, talis fit, qualis esset homo solus super terram habitans, adeo nihil curae ei est gloria et ignominia: sed quemadmodum si solus nihil curaret, ita et talis quoque non curaret. Tentationes autem sic contemnit, ac flagella et carceres, quasi in alieno corpore pateretur, vel quemadmodum si adamantinum possideret corpus. Ea autem quae suavia sunt in hac vita, ita ridet et non sentit, sicut nos vel ipsi mortui, corpora mortua. Tantum autem abest ne ab affectione quadam capiantur, quantum aurum quod igne probatur, a macula abscedit. Et sicut muscae in medium flammae incidunt, sed fugiunt: ita et affectiones illis accedere non audent. »
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32. Dimitti poterat homo hic, si non appellasset Caesarem. — Imo dimitti poterat, etiamsi appellasset, quia appellarat coactus, et appellatione sua non nisi dimissionem quaerebat: quare si eam praestitisset Praeses, ultro appellatione sua cessisset Paulus. Hoc ergo praetexit rex, quia Judaeos offendere nolebat dimittendo Paulum, sed eis gratificari mittendo eum vinctum ad Caesarem ad quem appellarat.
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v. 1 Agrippa vero ad Paulum ait : permittitur tibi loqui pro temettpso; adstat Paulus, prout ei praedictum erat 9,15, ut portet nomen Iesu etiam coram regibus; id hic facit, id Romae quoque eum fecisse, cum causa appellationis factae ageretur apud Caesarem, nemo facile in dubium vocaverit; (tunc Paulus extenta »hanu more oratorum; rhetorum morem describit Apuleius : porrigit dexteram et ad instar oratorum conformat arliculum, duobusque infimis conclusis digitis ceteros eminentes porrigit (Met. 2,91; Wetstein); est autem χείρ manus cum brachio (Bl.) coepit rationem reddere; notat Calm. : « catenae quibus tunc vinciebatur, sive laevam tantummodo impediebant sive utramque manum, sed laxiore nexu; nec forte graves erant adeo, ut motum et gestum impedirent; profecto captivi longioribus catenis vinciri solebant habebantque iisdem vinculis alligatum militem , comitem οἱ custodem perpetuum ». lHisce solvitur scrupulus qui viro critico Hi/g. adeo gravis videtur, ut cum etiam afferat inter alia ad fidem orationis impugnandam, nempe quomodo vinctus extendere possit manus — est scil. observatio viro critico digna! Oratorio modo prooemium quoddam cum quadam captatione benevolentiae praemittit (v. 2. 3). « Paulus praesente Agrippa rege de criminibus responsurus, quod possit intelligere qui auditurus erat, securus de causae victoria slatim in principio sibi gratulatur. Legerat enim illud Iesu (Eccli. 25,12) : beatus qui loquitur in aures audientis, et noverat tantum oratoris verba proficere, quantum iudicis providentia cognovisset » (Hieronymus, epist. 57,1; M.
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992, 568); v. 2 de omnibus quibus accusor a Iudaeis, rex Agrippa, aestimo me beatum apud te cum sim defensurus me hodie; in illo beatum... laus Agrippae continetur et fiducia rei quam habet de regis aequitate; cur se dicat beatum coram tali rerum arbitro causam suam defendentem, explicat
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v. 3 maxime (e sciente omnia et quae apud Iudaeos sunt consuetudines et quaestiones μάλιστα imprimis autem sibi gratulatur eo quod sciat regem nosse omnes Iudaeorum mores et quae inde enascuntur vel agitantur disquisitiones et controversias; ita μάλιστα ad antecedentia referunt (Lap. Feit. Bl. Weiss), dum alii particulam ad sequentia trahunt : imprimis gnarum esse regem (Beel. Wendt), uti iam Ch. μάλιστα εἰδότος 600., id quod minus placet. Unde in v. 9 regi quasi per se laudem defert, in v. 3 ex eius cognitione rerum iudaicarum etiam maiorem fiduciam capit sese beatum dicens quod talem habeat iudicem. Cum itaque rex cognitas habeat res iudaicas, petit ab eo ut cum longanimitate se audiat, etsi necesse sit longius perorare : propter quod obsecro patienter me audias ; cf. 2&,&. Constructio graeca γνώστην ἄντα est impedita; facilis redditur addito ἐπιστάμενος (vide lect. var.) quam vocem non posse abesse Μὲ. existimat; attamen Cr. Theoph. eam nou habent (habet Oec.), et iam Beel. advertit eiusmodi abnormis participii structurae exempla occurrere quoque apud auctores bene graecos!. Exspectares utique post ἐπὶ σοῦ sequi γνώστου ἔντος — alii explicant per anacoluthon, voluisse scil. Paulum postea dicere αἰτῶ-ἀχοῦσαι. Defensio eius simplici expositione veritalis continetur v. καὶ et quidem vitam meam τὴν μὲν οὖν ῥίωσίν uc», inserviunt μὲν οὖν transitioni (Klotz, Devar. 1 p. 125), עלוק (cf. Eccli. prolog.) recte explicat Lap. vitae actus et mores, conversationem a tuventute, quae ab initio fuit in. gente mea 1n Ilerosolymis (ab initio non habet gig) 1. e. ab ineunte iuventute versatus est non solum in Iudaea, sed in ipsa urbe sancta, cf. 99,3, noverunt omnes ludaei
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v. 5 praescientes me ab initio i. e. ante hoc tempus me norunt ab initio, si velint testimonium perhibere, quoniam secundum certissimam sectam nostrae religionis vizi pharisaeus ἀχριδεστάτην secundum exactissimam, severissimam sectam ; proin fuit legum omnium ac traditionum observantissimus; cf. Phil. 3,5. 6. Neque nunc, quamvis a Iudaeis accusatus et odio letali infestatus sit, ullo pacto defecit a religione paterna
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v. 6 e£ nunc tn spe ἐπ᾿ ἐλπίδι propter spem qae ad patres nostros repromissionis facta est a Deo sto iudicio subiectus, promissio est Messiae eiusque regni; hanc promissionem a Deo factam impletum iri speravit et eam impletam iam esse nunc novit; et hanc promissionem omnes ludaei magno desiderio consequi cupiunt
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v. 7 in quam duodecim tribus nostrae τὸ Σωδεχάφυλον vocem seligit qua simul peculiaris gentis a Deo provisa origo et electio declaratur, nocte ac die deservientes ἐν &xxevela intente, studiose λατρεῦον cultum adorationis per sacrificia quotidiana, per holocaustum perpetuum, mane ac vespere exercentes et ita promissionem Messiae efflagitantes qui tamquam verus agnus Dei peccata sit ablaturus, sperant devenire. Cum itaque Iudaei Messiam expetant, non sine magna admiratione clamat : de qua spe accusor a ludaeis, rer! nonne res indignatione plena est accusari de ea re quam ipsi illi accusatores consequi sperant et ad quam consequendam Deum colunt? [Nam promissus bic Messias ut cito veniret, ut veniret in diebus suis Israelitae Pauli coaetanei, ut et horum proavi, assidue precabantur (Beel.). Num fortasse ideo merito accusor de hac spe quia Messiam mortuum esse praedico? cur illi ad alterum quod adiungo, ad resurrectionem mentem non advertunt, ac si illis videretur resurrectio impossibilis! eo sensu adnectitur
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v. 8 quid incredibile tudicatur apud vos modo oratorio et animo concitato alloquitur accusatores quasi praesentes, s? Deus mortuos suscitat? credunt ludaei resurrectionem; qui ergo fit aut qua ratione consequens est, ut resurrectionem Messiae, Iesu mortui, ut rem incredibilem reiiciant? Messiam exspectari a ludaeis sine controversia etiam Agrippae constabat. At Paulum merito spem messianam iam esse impletam praedicare nondum constabat. Ad hoc itaque probandum nunc se convertit; quam probationem enarratione quis antea fuerit et quomodo conversus sit pluribus conficit
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v. 9 et ego quidem ezistimaveram iv οὖν uli v. &, me adversus nomen Iesu Nazareni debere multa contraria agere,
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v. 10 quod et feci lerosolymis et multos sanctorum ego 1n carceribus inclusi, eos vocans sanctos simul fatetur nullum iis crimen fuisse nisi solam confessionem nominis Iesu; quare nomen sanctorum, de cuius usu hac in oratione aliqui mirantur, merito usurpatum est, a principibus sacerdotum | potestate accepta, et cum occiderentur, detuli sententiam , detuli calculum, tuli suffragium; sed cum Paulus non fuerit membrum seu assessor synedrii, locutio metaphorice intelligatur oportet de consensu et approbatione quasi de suo suffragio quod aliorum sententiae addiderit ex sua parte, nec aliud significat quam illud : erat consentiens συνευδοχῶν neci eius (7,59; Beel. Calm. Patr. Felt. Wendt, Dl. cf. 92,90); Weiss tamen explicat : testimonio meo effeci ut condemnarentur. Quaerunt sitne de una caede Stephani sermo et proin pluralis categoricus agnoscendus; sed ex 9,1 (spirans minarum et caedis) videtur colligi plures esse occisos propter nomen Iesu (Lap. Beel. Patr. Feit.). Nec obstat quod synedrio ius gladii erat ablatum. Nam synedristis nunquam deerant quorum ope quos volebant interimere poterant. (cf. 23,19 et quae alibi de sicariis dicta sunt). Haec omnia Paulus idcirco in medium profert , ut Agrippae persuadeat non temere se ad Christianos, quibus nemo alius fuerat infestior, transisse ac denique se nonnisi vi miraculorum et evidentia veritatis pertractum esse (Calm.);
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v. 11 et per omnes synagogas urbis Ierusalem 22,19 et patet ex oppositione ad exteras civitates freguenter puniens eos verberibus, flagellatione (cf. Matth. 10,17) compellebam blasphemare de repetito conatu potest explicari , quo eos voluit inducere ad maledicendum Iesu; non debet necessario intelligi de effectu obtento; et ampltus insaniens in eos persequebar usque in exteras civitates, v. 19 in quibus rebus, inter quae (B/.) 24,18, dum irem Damascum cum polestate et permissu principum sacerdotum,
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v. 13 die media in via vidi, rez, de coelo supra splendorem solis circumfulsisse me lumen et eos qui mecum simul erant cf. 22,6; lucem hic grandius describit;
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v. 1& omnesque nos cum decidissemus in terram (vide ad 9,7), audivi vocem loquentem mihi hebraica lingua * Saule, Saule, quid me persequeris? 9,8; 22,7; durum est. tibi contra stimulum calcitrare 9,5;
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v. 15 ego autem dizi : quis es, Domine? Dominus autem dixit : ego sum Iesus quem tu persequeris ; gig brevissime : ego enim sum Iesus Nazareus;
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v. 16 sed exsurge et sta super pedes tuos; ad hoc enim apparui libi, ul constituam te ministrum et testem eorum quae vidisti et eorum quibus apparebo tibi, 22,15; lectio ὧν τε εἶδες facilis est et attractio illa nota τούτων 5 habetur; difficilius explicatur ὧν εἶδές με; cogitari potest de attractione irregulari τούτων 2(' x εἶξές ys! (cf. Wendt), quo modo etiam alterum ὧν τε 2201520 σει exponunt (cf. Winer 39,3,1) vel dicunt sententiam ob concinnitatem esse ad prius illud ὧν εἶδες conformatam (Buttmann p. 2&7), utique paulo violentius (B/.). Promittitur itaque Paulo fore ut etiam postea apparitionibus Domini doceatur ad ministerium sibi impositum bene subeundum. Videtur apostolus summatim etiam ea referri quae Dominus per Ananiam ei dici iussit (cf. 9,15 seq. 22,15). Et simul Dominus ei promittit opem ac protectionem
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v. 17 eripiens te de populo et gentibus in quas nunc ego mitto te ἐξαιρούμενος 1. 6. apparebo tibi et servabo te, non enim est cur eligendi notionem huic verbo hoc solum 1000 tribuamus quae ne apta quidem est ad £x τῶν ἐθνῶν (Bl.); et saepuis iam expertus est Paulus hanc ereptionem de populo i. e. de insidiis Iudaeorum, et suo populo ereptus nunc adstat coram Festo et Agrippa; etiam inter gentes quam maxime opem Iesu sibi praesio esse experimentis didicit (16,18; 17,5. 13. 33; 18,13; 19,93. 1 Cor. 5,9-13. 2 Cor. 1,8; 11,23 seq.); quem in finem mittatur adiungitur :
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v. 18 aperire oculos eorum ut convertantur a tenebris ad lucem, quam dicendi formam familiarem fuisse apostolo apparet (2 Cor. &,6. Eph. 35,418; 5,8. Col. 1,13. 1 Thess. 5,&.5) et de potestate satanae ad Deum (cf. Hebr. 2,18), ut accipiant remissionem peccatorum et sortem inter sanctos per fidem quae est $n me; rem ita narrat, ut simul auditoribus aliquam evangelii annuntiationem et salutis messianae explicationem tradat, id quod ad Agrippam potissimum spectare videtur, qui iudaicae religionis non ignarus novit quid haec sibi velint. Iam de rebus a se gestis sermonem inferens apte regem compellat
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v. 19 unde, rez Agrippa, non fui incredulus ἀπειθής inobediens coelesti visioni,
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v. 30 sed his qui sunt Damasci primum et Ierosolymis et in omnem regionem Iudaeae et gentibus annuntiabam, ut poeniten- (1am agerent et converterentur αὐ Deum digna poenitentiae opera facientes; cf. 9, 20.22; in lerusalem quoque 06 Messia praedicasse Paulum, potest iam colligi 9,28; dein certe quando eleemosynas attulit 11,30, et cum ad concilium apostolorum veniret, in ipsa urbe etiam munere apostolico functus est; in illo autem itinere ubique narrabat conversionem gentium (15,3); in aliis quoque ad urbem itineribus poterat per Iudaeam fratres alloqui, cum ludaeis disputare et ipse scribit Rom. 15,19 : ita ut ab lerusalem per circuitum usque ad lllyricum repleverim evangelium. Argumentum praedicationis assignans (20,21) simul declarat quam longe abfuerit a seditione. Pari modo se nullatenus 8 religione paterna defecisse sequentibus probat. Iudaei quidem propter eam praedicationem eum occidere tentabant; at quanta iniuria! nam nihil aliud docuit nisi quod a Moyse et prophetis erat annuntiatum;
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v. 21 Áac ex causa me Iudaei, cum essem in templo, comprehensum tentabant interficere, iis praedicatio gentibus facta imprimis erat offensioni, uti quoque patet ex 92,92 et 1 Thess. 2,16;
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v. 92 auzilio autem adiutus Dei τυχών auxilium nactus a Deo «sque in hodiernum diem sto ἔστηχα subsisto incolumis (Bee. Felt.), non cecidi (B/.) testificans minori atque maiori, iuveni, seni, cf. 8,10, omnibus; adhortans omnes et obsecrans, nihil extra dicens quam ea quae prophetae locuti sunt futura esse et Moyses; unde apostolus insistit religionem christianam nihil aliud esse nisi impletionem eorum quae iam in vetere foedere erant annuntiata; Iudaeos proin si revera credant prophetis et Moysi debere perfectam hanc religionis formam amplecti. Quae vero a prophetis et Moyse annuntiata sint (gig scriptum est enim in Moyse), incipit exponere :
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v. 23 55 5858 Christus, si primus ez resurrectione mortuorum, lumen annunttaturus est populo et gentibus 1. e. an Messias qui venturus erat ad patiendum destinatus sit, an primus ex mortuis resuscitandus et lumen veritatis annuntiaturus sit Israeli et gentibus (Beel.); illud εἰ commode refertur ad λέγων i. e. in praedicatione, an Messias sit patibilis etc. nihil aliud dico et affirmo, nisi quod prophetae et Moyses annuntiarunt fore (Feit. Wendt). Merito primo loco mentionem facit de quaestione, sitne Messias patibilis; cum enim Iudaei gloriosum exspectarent Messiam qui regnum davidicum suscitaret, passio Iesu iis erat scandalum, unde Christus quoque dixit : beatus est qui non fuerit scandalizatus in me (Matth. 11,6). De Messia patibili iam indicium habetur Is. 11,1; clare eius passio annuntiatur Is. &9,&. 7; 50,6; 52,13-53,19. Zach. 12,10; 13,7; typice in oblatione Isaac, in agno paschali, in serpente aeneo; immo iam insinuatur in prima Servatoris promissione; nam victoria non erit sine vulnere : et tu conteres calcaneum eius (Gen. 3,15 hebr.); serpenti quidem conteritur caput, sed conterentis calcaneum conteritur. Reportabitur victoria plena de diabolo,at non sine dolore et vulnere. Messiae post mortem ad vitam reditus significatur Is. 53,10- 12 (vide meum Comment. in ἢ. 1.) et Ps. 15,10 vide ad 2,31 οἱ 13,34. 33 ; Messiam praedictum esse lumen vide Is. 9,2; 42,6 dedi te in foedus populi et in lucem gentium; item 59,6; 60,3; 65,1; salutem messianam gentibus quoque deslinari, iam antiquissimis vaticiniis declaratur; nam promissio illa Gen. 3,15 de victoria qua diabolus est conterendus, non ad unam stirpem restringitur; item Gen. 9,27 lapheth habitet in tabernaculis Sem, et Gen. 12,3; 18,18; 22,18 dc benedictione quae ex Israel in omnes redundatura sit, Gen. 49,10 de obedientia populorum quae Messiae erit. Apostolus itaque ea effert ex praedicatione messiana quae Iudaeis quam maxime erant offendiculo, passio Messiae et vocatio gentium ad regnum inessianum, atque ostendit haec plane congruere cum vaticiniis.
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v. 9& haec loquente eo et rationem reddente Festus magna voce, ut ipsa voce elata declararet stuporem de deliramentis quae sibi videbatur Paulus effundere , dixit < insanis Paule, multae te litterae ad insaniam convertunt, mentem tuam lectio multa confundit (Cassiod.); multa tua studia litterarum sanam mentem tibi eripiunt (Bee/.); haec verba Festus non ideo profert solum, quia de prophetis et Moyse Paulum loquentem audivit, sed quia compertum habet Paulum tempus captivitatis impendere litteris. Unde nobis concludere licet apostolum sedula lectione legis et prophetarum doctrinam a Christo acceptam excoluisse; nam cum iam mortem vicinam 860811) , tamen scribit Timotheo : affer tecum libros et maxime membranas (2 Tim. &,13);
Yerum cum de resurrectione mortuorum mentio fieret, iam ultra non se continens orationem Pauli interrumpit, ut ex ipsa voce ἀξολογουμέ- νου patet
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v. 25 et Paulus : non insanio (inquit) optime Feste χράτιστε, 25,3 vide Luc. 1,3, compellatio est viri dignitate conspicui, sed ceritatis et sobrietalis verba loquor; non sunt deliramenta, sed res sunt omnino verae, quas ego quoque sana mente proloquor, ἀποφθέγγομαι, vox grandis et sollemnioris orationis est : pronuntio. Proin affirmat fervore dicendi et animi affectu se minime abreptum esse neque ulla figmenta protulisse, verum quae plena veritate consistant a se cum integra mentis sanitate dici. | Et huius rei testem appellat Agrippam
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v. 26 scitenim de his rez, ad quem et constanter loquor, haec scil. novit et intelligit rex, ad eum παρρησιαζόμενος libere et confidenti animo sermonem dirigo; proin innuit orationem a se conformari non pro captu Festi, sed secundum 68 quae Agrippa bene nota habeat; latere enim eum nihil horum arbitror. πείθομαι mihi persuadeo; neque entm 1n angulo quidquam horum gestum est; litote minus dicit, plusintelligi vult : « hic de cruce loquitur et de resurrectione et quod dogma ubique terrarum pervaserit » (CÀr.). Iesus enim palam per tres annos in Galilaea et Iudaea praedicavit, miracula patravit; ipsi eius adversarii infensissimi confiteri cogebantur : ecce mundus totus post eum abiit (Ioan. 12,19); pariter supplicium eius et loco et tempore quam plurimis innotuit; ex eo tempore per plus viginti annos praedicatur eius resurrectio ab iis qui cum ipso post resurrectionem manducarunt et conversati sunt et insuper salus haec messiana iam longe lateque inter gentes annuntiata et agnita et assumpta est. Quae omnia plane congruunt oraculis prophetarum ; unde ex illis et rebus gestis probatur Iesum esse Messiam de quo illi vaticinati sunt. Quare audacter compellat regem
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v. 27 credis, rex Agrippa, prophetis? sed aeque prudenter ipse statim adiungit : scio quia credis; nam de 100860 id praesumi potest merito; quaestione stimulat eum, ut consideret vaticinia Iesu Nazareno plane convenire; responsione adiuncta praecavet ne de rege minus bene sentirc videatur neve eum videatur velle inducere, ut sibi coram omnibus respondeat; proin regiae dignitatis rationem habet optime sentiens quid in ea rerum personarumque conditione deceat. Censet Patr. : Paulus forsitan ita locutus est quia leges Christi iubent nos bene sentire de omnibus; an vero Agrippa prophetis crederet, ut non est cur negemus, ita ex his Pauli verbis non id sequitur necessario. Contra illud Festi : insanis, compellavit regem de veritate rerum gestarum. Quid ergo rex?
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v. 28 Agrippa autem ad Paulum : in modico suades me christianum fieri; lectio longe communior 67) Χριστιανὸν ποιῆσαι quam aliqui ferri posse negant (B/..)!, alii tamen explicari posse existimant : mihi persuadere niteris, ut me christianum reddas (cf. Felt. Dels. Weiss, Wendt); unde ποιῆσαι infinitivus est finalis, qui saepius habetur post verba dandi, mittendi, eundi, constituendi etc. ; cf. Matth. 5,17 cj» ἦλθον χαταλῦσαι (cf. Blass, Gram. p. 218; Winer, &&,1; Buttmann p. 394). Alii praeferunt πείθῃ, tibi per- 808005 , existimas me reddere christianum (Bels.); ἐν ὀλίγῳ explicandum erit cum Oec. δι᾿ ὀλίγων ῥημάτων, ἐν βραχέσι λόγοις, χωρὶς πολλοῦ πόνου, ita ut ἐν dicatur de instrumento : parvo labore, ἐν ὀλίγη διδα- σχαλία, parva seu brevi expositione mihi persuades; alii explicant : brevi tempore tibi persuades te christianum me reddidisse (B/.). Quo sensu haec a rege dicantur, videtur desumi posse ex responso Pauli, ex quo certum esse videtur haec non dici a rege ironice et derisorie (Beel. Bl.), neque iocando (Patr.), sed potius cum aliqua admiratione, quod Paulus videatur inferre ex eo quod rex prophetis credat eum etiam statim agniturum esse Iesum Messiam. Tali exclamatione admirationis de opinione Pauli adeo celeriter concepta Agrippa et Romanis consulit et Iudaeis. Illis eximit opinionem ac si multum momenti rationibus Pauli attribueret; hisce declarat se quidem credere prophetis (nam illud Pauli : scio te credere, non negat), attamen oracula in Iesu esse completa non sibi a Paulo persuaderi et Paulum falli si putet sine multo labore hoc demonstrari. Censent quidem alii regem serio dixisse non multum deesse ut sibi persuadeatur (cf. Felt. Wendt); verum hanc regis mentem non fuisse censeo iam ex eo quia statim ulteriore disquisitione omissa recedit. Insuper plurimum deferre Romanis Agrippa solebat. Quare non puto eum tale quid dicturum fuisse tantumque voluisse tribuere verbis Pauli, postquam Festus dixit : insanis, Paule, etc. Sed exclamatio cum admiratione coniuncta talis est, qua Festus ab ipso rege confirmari audit Paulum limites fervore . dicendi esse praetergressum. Respondet Paulus pro suo animarum zelo, se omnium conversionem exoptare neque sua referre, utrum parvo labore an magno efficiatur
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v. 29 et Paulus : opto apud Deum, Deum precari velim (Bee/.) et in modico et in magno, sive modico sive magno labore opus sit, non tantum te, sed etiam omnes qui audiunt hodie fieri tales qualis et ego sum, exceptis vinculis his id quod sane subridendo addidit; « totum responsum et urbanissimum et christiano homine dignissimum » )]2/.( Verum rex ulteriori disquisitioni finem imponit fortasse veritus, ne Paulus post audaciorem illam quaestionem v. 27 pergat pluribus ipsum urgere et prosequi quod modo indicaverat a se ardenter desiderari;
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v. 30 et exsurrezit rez et praeses et Bernice et quiassidebant eis surgit primus rex, reliqui ex dignitatis ordine;
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v. 31 δέ cum secessissent, ad deliberationem habendàm, vide 25,96, loquebantur ad invicem dicentes , quia nihil morte aut vinculis dignum quid fecit homo iste, πράσσει agit, tractat; «dicunt in praesenti, quia considerant universam vitae Pauli rationem seu institutum » (Beel. Patr. Felt.); gig nihil.. homines isti faciunt. Neque aliter censet Agrippa, cuius sententia cumprimis a Festo expetebatur (25,96);
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v. 32 Agrippa autem Festo dixit : dimitti poterat ἀπολελύσθαι dimissus esse, iam liberatus esse poterat homo htc, si non appellasset Caesarem; innuit Festum antea potuisse Paulum absolvere; Festus vero bene sibi conscius est qua re coegerit Paulum appellare Caesarem. Nunc vero appellatione facta iam non poterat res iudicari ἃ procuratore neque Paulus absolvi aut dimitti. Nihil restat , nisi ut ad Caesarem mittatur. postero vocasset; diei crastini mentio fit etiam in fl; gig centurioncm cohortis italiae. In v. 2 μέλλοντι א \ B mu mínusc cat syr cop arm gig; ph ex Thessalonicensibus autem Aristarchus et Secundus, item 137. In v. 5 B uvgpa ph Hicr; al μυρα; 500 ΝΑ λυστρὰν vulg Bed Cassiod gig codd apud Hier; etíam σμυρναν fertur testibus Micr et Bed; διαπλευσαντες OU Ὡμέρων δεχαπεντε 137. ph c* fl. In v. 8 pler Aacaua, D λασεα, A ἀλασσα; Hier Lasaea,... pro qua quidam corrupte Thalassa legunt. In v. 13 gig levantes iuxta colligebant creten, ph sustulerunt prope litus et navigabant circa Creten. Comites itineris romani sese adiunxerunt Paulo Lucas et Aristarchus (etiamne Secundus? ita ex philox., sed nomen videtur desumptum ex 20,4);
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… Nazaraeus); 26, 71; Lc. 18, 37; Io. 18, 5, 7; 19, 19; Act. 2, 22; 3, 6; 4, 10; 6, 14; 22, 8; 26, 9. In Act. 24, 5 sg. Paolo viene accusato come «capo della setta dei Nazorei». …
… deposero le loro vesti « ai piedi di un giovanetto chiamato Saulo » (con tale nome egli è sempre ricordato fino al suo primo viaggio missionario). È certo, invece, che, subito dopo, questo « giovane » assunse una parte molto attiva nella persecuzione (Act. 26, 9-11).
1. La carriera dell'apostolo Paolo. - Supponiamo che si possa contestare il carattere miracoloso del fatto avvenuto a Damasco verso il 34 d. C. (Act. 9, 1-22; 22, 4-16; 26, 9-20; Gal. 1, 13-17) e quello delle rivelazioni che il convertito rivendica a sé (Act. 22, 17-21; II Cor. 12, 1-4, ecc.). …
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… Il fenomeno soprannaturale fu constatato dai compagni, che caddero storditi (Act. 9, 3-7; 22, 7-10; 26, 14-18); esso produsse,
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… di ἐθνικός (sost.): Mt. 5, 47; 6, 7; 13, 17; sinonimo al plur. di τὰ ἐθνή che nel Settanta traduce l'ebr. haggājim (Ex. 34, 24; Lev. 18, 24, ecc.; Is. 9, 1), cf. Mt. 4, 15; 6, 32 e passim; in opposizione ai giudei: Rom. 3, 39; 9, 24, ecc.; Lc. 2, 32; Act. 26, 17, 23.
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… S. e dei suoi (Mc. 1, 24, 34; 3, 11-15, 23-27; 6, 7; I Io. 3, 8; cf. Act. 16, 16-18), per affrancare i suoi discepoli dal mondo di S. ed introdurli nel Regno di Dio (Io. 15, 19; 17, 12, 14). La salvezza consiste nell'essere liberato dal dominio di S. (Act. 26, 18). Chè ogni male, fisico e morale, è sotto il controllo di S. La donna che «aveva uno spirito d'infermità da 18 anni era legata da S.» (Lc. 13, 11, 16). Quando gli Apostoli espellono …
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… Dalla Natività (Mt. 2, 4) alla confessione di Pietro (Mt. 16, 16, 20; Mc. 8, 29; Io. 6, 69) e di Nathanael (col sinonimo «Re d'Israele»: Io. 1, 49), di Marta (Io. 11, 27), dei demoni (Lc. 4, 41), alle rivelazioni del Risorto (Lc. 24, 26, 46; Act. 26, 23), echeggia l'annunzio. …
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… I molti libri ti fanno andare in pazzia! ». E Paolo: « Non impazzisco, eccellentissimo Festo, bensì pronuncio parole di verità e di saggezza! » (Act. 26, 24-25). Nell'autunno del 60 P. F. affidò Paolo al centurione Giulio, perché lo conducesse a Roma.
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TEOFILO (ΘΕΌΦΙΛΟΣ «AMICO DI DIO»)
Alcuni hanno supposto che T. fosse un nome fittizio, indicante collettivamente il cristiano, l'amico di Dio, ma il titolo di «eccellente» (χράτιον, Volgata optima), attribuito a T. nel Vangelo (Lc. 1,3) e negli Atti ai procuratori romani Felice (Act. 23, 26; 24,3) e Festo (ibid. 26, 25), inducono a ritenere un personaggio illustre autorevole. …
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… I suoi fratelli e lui hanno un identico concetto dell'apostolato: secondo l'ordine avuto da Gesù (Lc. 24, 48; Act. 1, 8), si presentano come i « testimoni » di fatti non avvenuti in angulo, in segreto (Act. 26, 26; 1, 21-22; 2, 32; 3, 15; 4, 19-20; 5, 32; 10, 39), non come spacciatori di favole ingegnosamente inventate, doctas fabulas secuti (II Pt. 1, 16; I Pt. 5, 1-4; I Io. 1, 1-3, ecc.). …
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… Il senso spregiativo sembra trasparire da Act. 11, 26; 26, 28 e I Pt. 4, 16, ed è spesso deplorato dagli apologisti, e non doveva solo provenire dalla cattiva stima che si aveva dei fedeli, ma anche dalla natura stessa del nome, per motivo ora …
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… Stefano e Filippo evangelizzavano (ibid., 6, 8 sgg.; 8, 5; 26, 40), Filippo anzi battezzava (ibid., 8,12 sgg.; 38). A cominciare da s. Ignazio Martire i Padri pongono il diaconato come l'inferiore dei tre gradi della gerarchia dell'Ordine. …
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · Vulgata Clementina · Douay-Rheims originale (Reims 1582), trascrizione EEBO-TCP (CC0) · La Sacra Bibbia, tradotta dalla Volgata da Antonio Martini (1769-1781) (LaParola (laparola.net), Martini OSIS text, Public domain (LaParola's electronic edition marks it 'Dominio pubblico')). Pubblico dominio.