TRV
John Chrysostom
Nicene & Post-Nicene · AD 325–500 · 7,356 passages across 56 books
Commentary
Acts 8:31
And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
Not only did he reply with restraint and continue on as well, but also he showed us the virtue in his own behavior by issuing an invitation in those words—the minister, the barbarian, seated in his chariot, inviting the man of lowly mien, despicable in attire, to mount and ride with him.
Acts 8:32-33
· 2 passages
The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened He not His mouth: in His humiliation His judgment was taken away: and who shall declare His generation? for His life is taken from the earth. Observe how it is Providentially ordered. First he reads and does not understand; then he reads the very text in which was the Passion and the Resurrection and the Gift.
And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him reading; even the fact of his running, showed that he wished to say something. And the place of the Scripture which he read was this: As a sheep He was led to the slaughter. And this circumstance, also, is a token of his elevated mind, that he had in hand this prophet, who is more sublime than all others. Philip does not relate matters to him just as it might happen, but quietly: nay, does not say anything until he is questioned.
Acts 8:34
And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? That he should at all know either that the Prophets speak in different ways about different persons, or that they speak of themselves in another person-the question betokens a very thoughtful mind.
Acts 8:35
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same Scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. It is likely he had heard that He was crucified, and now he learns, that His life is taken away from the earth, and the rest that He did no sin, nor deceit in His mouth: that He prevailed to save others also: and who He is, Whose generation is unutterable.
Acts 8:36
· 2 passages
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
Do you observe that he has the doctrines of faith perfect? For indeed the Prophet had the whole, Incarnation, Passion, Resurrection, Ascension, Judgment to come. And if he shows exceeding earnestness of desire, do not marvel. Though about to return home, he did not say to himself: "I am going back to my country, there let me receive baptism;" those cold words which most men use! No need had he of signs, no need of miracles: from the Prophet merely, he believed.
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? Mark the eager desire, mark the exact knowledge. Then, it says, they came to a certain water, and he said, Lo, here is water. Again, of his own accord he requests, saying, What doth hinder me to be baptized? And see again his modesty: he does not say, Baptize me, neither does he hold his peace; but he utters somewhat midway betwixt strong desire and reverent fear, saying, What doth hinder me?
Acts 8:38
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. Be ashamed, all ye as many as are unbaptized.
Acts 8:39
· 3 passages
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. But why did the Spirit of the Lord bear him away? Hereby the occurrence was shown to be more wonderful. Even then, the eunuch did not know him. Consequently this was done, that Philip might afterwards be a subject of wonder to him. For, it says, he went on his way rejoicing.
It was well and expedient therefore that the Spirit caught Philip away; else the eunuch would have desired to go with him, and Philip would have grieved him by declining to comply with his request, the time being not yet come. So that had he known him, he would not have been so delighted.
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip; in order that the occurrence might be shown to be of God; that he might not consider it to be merely man. And he went, it says, on his way rejoicing. This hints, that he would have been grieved had he known: for the greatness of his joy, having had the Spirit also vouchsafed to him, he did not even see things present.
Acts 8:40
· 2 passages
But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. This Philip, therefore, was one of the seven; for there in fact he is afterwards found at Caesarea.
Great was the gain to Philip also: that which he heard concerning the Prophets, concerning Habakkuk, concerning Ezekiel, and the rest, he saw done in his own person. Thence it appears that he went a long distance, seeing he was found at Azotus. The Spirit set him there, where he was thenceforth to preach: And passing through, he preached in all the cities, until he came to Caesarea.
Acts 9:1-2
· 4 passages
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. He fitly mentions Paul's zeal, and shows that in the very midst of his zeal he is drawn. Yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter, and not yet sated with the murder of Stephen, he was not yet glutted with the persecution of the Church, and the dispersion.
Lo, this was fulfilled which was spoken by Christ, that they which kill you shall think they offer worship to God. He then in this wise did it, not as the Jews: God forbid! For that he did it through zeal, is manifest from his going abroad even to strange cities: whereas they would not have cared even for those in Jerusalem; they were for one thing only, to enjoy honor.
And why did he not receive authority to have them punished there, but brings them to Jerusalem! He did these things here with more authority. And mark on what a peril he casts himself. He was not afraid lest he should take any harm, but yet he took others also with him, that if, it says, he found any of this way, whether they were men or women-Oh, the ruthlessness!-he might bring them bound. By this journey of his, he wished to show them all how he would act: so far were they from being earnest in this matter.
But why went he to Damascus? It was a great city, a royal city: he was afraid lest that should be preoccupied. And observe his strong desire and ardor and, how strictly according to the Law he went to work: he goes not to the governor, but to the priest. That if he found any of this way: for so the believers were called, probably because of their taking the direct way that leads to heaven.
Acts 9:3
And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven. Why not in Jerusalem? why not in Damascus? That there might be no opening for different persons to relate the occurrence in different ways, but that he alone should be the authentic narrator, he that went for this purpose.
Acts 9:4
· 2 passages
And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Thus also Paul persecuted Him, in persecuting them that are His; wherefore too He said. "Why persecutest thou me?" Thus therefore let us feel, as bestowing on Christ Himself when we bestow. For indeed His words are more sure than our sight. When therefore thou seest a poor man, remember His words, by which He declared, that it is He Himself who is fed. For though that which appears be not Christ, yet in this man's form Christ Himself receiveth and beggeth.
Saul, Saul, saith He, why persecutest thou me? And He tells him nothing: does not say, Believe, nor anything whatever of the kind: but expostulates with him, all but saying, What wrong, great or small, hast thou suffered from Me, that thou doest these things?