Verse 9. - Joined in the charge for assented, A.V. and T.R.; affirming for saying, A.V. Joined in the charge. The reading of the R.T., συνεπέθεντο, means "joined in the attack upon," as in the LXX. of Deuteronomy 32:27 ("behave themselves strangely," A.V.); Psalm 3:6 (Codex Alexandrinus; "set themselves against me," A.V.) The συνέθεντο of the T.R. means "agreed" (as John 9:22), "assented." 24:1-9 See here the unhappiness of great men, and a great unhappiness it is, to have their services praised beyond measure, and never to be faithfully told of their faults; hereby they are hardened and encouraged in evil, like Felix. God's prophets were charged with being troublers of the land, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that he perverted the nation; the very same charges were brought against Paul. The selfish and evil passions of men urge them forward, and the graces and power of speech, too often have been used to mislead and prejudice men against the truth. How different will the characters of Paul and Felix appear at the day of judgement, from what they are represented in the speech of Tertullus! Let not Christians value the applause, or be troubled at the revilings of ungodly men, who represent the vilest of the human race almost as gods, and the excellent of the earth as pestilences and movers of sedition.And the Jews also assented,.... That is, Ananias the high priest, and the elders that were with him, agreed to what Tertullus said, and confirmed the same. Saying, that these things were so; that Paul was such a person, and was guilty of the crimes he had set forth; and that the chief captain had taken the steps, and done the things he had related. |