Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 28:31

"preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him." — Acts 28:31 (ASV)

Preaching the kingdom of God. (See Barnes on Acts 20:25).

With all confidence. Openly and boldly, without anyone to hinder him. It is also known that Paul was not unsuccessful even when a prisoner at Rome. Several persons were converted by his preaching, even in the emperor's court. The things which had happened to him, he says (Philippians 1:12–14), had fallen out rather to the furtherance of the gospel, so that his bonds in Christ were manifested in all the palace, and in all other places; and many brethren in the Lord, says he, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. In this situation he was remembered with deep interest by the church of Philippi, who sent Epaphroditus to him with a contribution to supply his wants. Of their kindness he speaks in terms of the tenderest gratitude in Philippians 2:25 and 4:18. During his confinement, also, he was the means of the conversion of Onesimus, a runaway slave of Philemon, of Colosse in Phrygia (Philemon 1:10), whom he sent back to his master with a letter to himself, and with an epistle to the church at that place (Colossians 4:8, 9, 18).

During this imprisonment he wrote, according to Lardner, the following epistles, in the following order and time, namely:—

• Ephesians, April, A.D. 61
• 2 Timothy, May, A.D. 61
• Philippians, before the end of A.D. 62
• Colossians, A.D. 62
• Philemon, A.D. 62
• Hebrews, spring of A.D. 63

Here closes the inspired account of the propagation of Christianity, of the organization of the Christian church, and of the toils and persecutions of the apostle Paul. Who can fail to be deeply affected when he comes to the conclusion of this inspired book of revivals, of the history of the spread of the Christian religion, and of the account of that wonderful man—the apostle Paul?

Who can help heaving a sigh of regret that this interesting historian did not carry forward the history of Paul until his death; and that henceforth, in the history of the church, we lack this faithful, inspired guide; and that, from the close of this book, everything at once becomes so involved in obscurity and uncertainty?

Instead, however, of pouring forth the sigh of unavailing regret that the sacred historian has carried us no further, we should rather speak the language of praise: that he has given, by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, a history of the church for thirty years after the ascension of the Saviour; that he has recorded the accounts of the first great revivals of religion; that he has presented us with the examples of early missionary zeal; that he has informed us how the early Christians endured persecution and toil; that he has conducted us from land to land, and from city to city, showing us everywhere how the gospel was propagated, until we are led to the seat of Roman power, and see the great apostle of Christianity there proclaiming, in that mighty capital of the world, the name of Jesus as the Saviour of men.

Perhaps there could be no more appropriate conclusion to the book of the inspired history than thus to have conducted the apostle of the Gentiles, and to have recorded the spread of Christianity, to the capital of the Roman world, and to leave the principal agent in the establishment of the Christian religion in that seat of intelligence, influence, and power. It is the conducting of Christianity to the very height of its earthly victories; and having shown its power in the provinces of the empire, it was proper for the inspired author of this ecclesiastical history to close the account with the record of its achievements in the capital.

Why Luke closed his history here is not known. It may have been that he was not afterwards the companion of Paul, or that he might have been himself removed by death.

It is universally agreed that he did not attend Paul in his subsequent travels. We should infer from the conclusion of this book that he did not survive the apostle, as it is almost incredible, if he did, that he would not have mentioned Paul's release and death.

The uniform account of antiquity is that Luke, after the transactions with which the Acts of the Apostles closes, went to Achaia, where he lived a year or two, and then died at the age of eighty-four years.

Everything regarding the apostle Paul, after the account with which Luke closes this book, is involved in doubt and uncertainty. By what means he was set at liberty is not known, and there is a great contradiction of statements regarding his subsequent travels and even the time of his death.

It is generally agreed, indeed, that he was set at liberty in A.D. 63. After this, some of the Fathers assert that he traveled over Italy and went to Spain. But this account is involved in great uncertainty. Lardner, who has examined all the statements with care, and than whom no one is better qualified to pronounce an opinion on these subjects, gives the following account of the subsequent life of Paul.

(Works, Vol. V, pp. 331–336, London ed., 1829.) He supposes that, after his release, Paul went from Rome to Jerusalem as soon as possible; that he then went to Ephesus, and from there to Laodicea and Colosse; and that he returned to Rome by way of Troas, Philippi, and Corinth. Lardner supposes the reason Paul returned to Rome was that he regarded that city as opening before him the widest and most important field of labor, and that therefore he proposed to spend the remainder of his life there.

In A.D. 64, a dreadful fire happened at Rome, which continued for six or seven days. It was generally supposed that the city had been set on fire by order of the emperor Nero. To divert the people's attention from this charge against himself, he accused the Christians of having been the authors of the conflagration and incited a most furious and bloody persecution against them.

In this persecution, it is generally supposed that Paul and Peter suffered death: the former by being beheaded, and the latter by crucifixion. Paul is thought to have been beheaded rather than crucified because he was a Roman citizen, and it was unlawful to put a Roman citizen to death on a cross.

Lardner thinks that this occurred in A.D. 65. Where Paul was beheaded is not certainly known. It is generally supposed to have occurred at a place called the Salvian Waters, about three miles from Rome, and that he was buried in the Ostian Way, where a magnificent church was afterwards built. But of this there is no absolute certainty.

It is far more important and interesting for us to be assured, from the character he demonstrated and from the proofs of his zeal and toil in the cause of the Lord Jesus, that his spirit rested in the bosom of his Saviour and his God. Wherever he died, his spirit, we do not doubt, is in heaven.

And where that body rested at last, which he labored to keep under, and which he sought to bring into subjection (1 Corinthians 9:27), and which was to him so much the source of conflict and of sin (Romans 7:5, 23), is a matter of little consequence. It will be watched and guarded by the eye of that Saviour whom he served and will be raised up to eternal life.

In his own inimitable language, it was sown in corruption, it shall be raised in incorruption; it was sown in dishonor, it shall be raised in glory; it was sown in weakness, it shall be raised in power; it was sown a natural body, it shall be raised a spiritual body (1 Corinthians 15:42–44).

And regarding him, and to all other saints, when that corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and that mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54). To Paul now, what are all his sorrows, persecutions, and toils in the cause of his Master?

What are they but a source of thanksgiving that he was permitted thus to labor to spread the gospel through the world? So may we live, imitating his life of zeal, self-denial, and faithfulness, that when he rises from the dead, we may participate with him in the glories of the resurrection of the just!

BRIEF ANALYSIS OF ACTS

CONDENSED FROM THE LATE REV. JOHN BROWN OF HADDINGTON

1. Brief history of Christ after His death (verses 1-8); His ascension to heaven (verses 9-11). The disciples' return to Jerusalem (verses 12-14). Peter relates the history of Judas's wickedness and ruin; Matthias chosen an apostle by lot (verses 15-26).
2. The Holy Ghost poured out upon the disciples (verses 1-4). Multitudes crowd to see and hear them; some are astonished, and others deride (verses 5-13). Peter vindicates himself and his brethren, and shows that this was promised by Joel and bestowed in consequence of the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ (verses 14-36). Three thousand are converted to Christ (verses 37-41). These primitive Christians are remarkably pious and charitable, and God blesses them (verses 42-47).
3. Peter and John cure a lame man by a word (verses 1-11). Peter takes occasion to represent Christ's power, and their sin in crucifying Him (verses 12-18). He exhorts and encourages them to repent and believe in Him (verses 19-26).
4. Peter and John are imprisoned, but five thousand are converted to Christ (verses 1-4). Being examined concerning their cure of the lame man, they avow that they had done it by the authority and power of Jesus Christ (verses 8-12). The Jewish rulers dismiss them and prohibit them from preaching (verses 13-22). The two apostles and brethren ask of God further operations of His grace and are answered by a repeated descent of the Holy Ghost (verses 23-31). The believers are knit together in love and abound in piety and charity (verses 31-37).
5. Ananias and Sapphira are struck dead (verses 1-11). The apostles work many miracles (verses 12-16). They are again imprisoned but delivered by an angel and go on preaching (verses 17-25). Being again brought before the Sanhedrin, they boldly avow Jesus to be the exalted Messiah (verses 26-33). By the advice of Gamaliel, they are dismissed after being scourged (verses 34-40). They depart, rejoicing in their persecution, and proceed in their work of preaching Christ (verses 41-42).
6. Seven deacons are chosen and ordained for the distribution of alms (verses 1-6). Many priests and others are converted; Stephen actively bestirs himself for Christ—is disputed against, accused, and appears before the Sanhedrin (verses 7-15).
7. By a historical account of the Hebrew nation under Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph (verses 1-16); under Moses (verses 17-41); under Joshua, David, and Solomon (verses 44-50); and under their judges and kings (verses 42, 43); Stephen shows that the temple and ceremonies were merely typical, and that for their wickedness, God had threatened to disperse their nation. He charges his persecutors with wickedness (verses 51-53). Enraged, they stone him to death; he commits himself to Christ and prays for his murderers (verses 54-60).
8. While Stephen is buried and lamented, the Christians at Jerusalem are terribly persecuted by Saul and others (verses 1-3). The church is enlarged by the dispersion of the persecuted preachers, who spread the gospel abroad; particularly Philip in Samaria (verses 4-13). Peter and John confirm the new converts there and reprove Simon (verses 14-25). Philip converts and baptizes the Ethiopian eunuch (verses 26-38). The eunuch joyfully pursues his journey homeward; Philip preaches along the western borders of Canaan (verses 39-40).
9. Saul, going to persecute the Christians at Damascus, is converted by Christ's voice from heaven (verses 1-9). After some reluctance, Ananias baptizes him (verses 10-19). Saul preaches Christ at Damascus (verses 20-22). The Jews attempt to murder him, and he narrowly escapes (verses 23-25). After three years, he is admitted among the Christians at Jerusalem (verses 26-28). To escape the fury of the Hellenist Jews, he retires to Tarsus, while the church greatly flourishes (verses 29-31). Peter cures Eneas of palsy and restores Dorcas to life (verses 32-43).
10. The long-promised calling of the Gentiles into the gospel church. Directed by a vision, Cornelius sends to Joppa for Peter (verses 1-8). Directed by a vision of beasts and a voice from heaven, Peter readily goes (verses 9-23). Peter and Cornelius relate the substance of their respective visions (verses 24-33). Peter represents that the distinction between Jews and Gentiles was now abolished by God and exhibits Christ crucified, and now exalted, as the Messiah foretold by the prophets, and the Saviour of the world (verses 34-43). The Holy Ghost descends upon Cornelius and his friends, and they are baptized (verses 44-48).
11. Peter is accused by his Christian brethren at Jerusalem (verses 1-5). He vindicates himself and abundantly satisfies them (verses 6-18). The gospel is published at Antioch in Syria with great success (verses 19-21). Barnabas is sent there; and, finding Paul, goes with him to help forward the work: the converts are there first named Christians (verses 22-26). Agabus having foretold a famine, the Syrian converts agree to contribute to their poor brethren at Jerusalem (verses 27-30).
12. Herod Agrippa persecutes the Christians, murders the apostle James, and imprisons Peter (verses 1-4). Peter is liberated by an angel (verses 5-19). Herod is struck by an angel and dies miserably (verses 20-23). After his death, the gospel has great success, and Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch (verses 24-25).
13. Paul and Barnabas are solemnly separated to preach the gospel (verses 1-3). Beginning at Seleucia, they proceed to Cyprus (verses 4-7). They strike Elymas the sorcerer with blindness and convert Sergius Paulus (verses 8-12). Coming from Cyprus, they arrive at Antioch in Pisidia, where Paul gives the Jews a history of their nation from the deliverance from Egypt to David; he represents the crucified Jesus as risen again and exalted to glory, and as the only Saviour of men (verses 13-41). On the next Sabbath, some were converted; but other Jews, contradicting and blaspheming, Paul and Barnabas pronounce them obstinate unbelievers and preach to the Gentiles with great success (verses 42-49). Departing from there, they testify against their persecutors and come to Iconium (verses 50-52).
14. After successfully preaching the gospel at Iconium, persecution makes Paul and Barnabas flee to Lystra, Derbe, etc. (verses 1-7). At Lystra they heal a lame man; upon which the people could scarcely be restrained from worshipping them as gods (verses 8-18). Quickly after, instigated by the Jews, they stoned Paul until they thought he was dead (verses 19-20). They visit the churches recently planted (verses 21-23). They report what the Lord had done (verses 24-28).
15. A dispute arises at Antioch about circumcising Gentile converts; Paul and Barnabas are sent to Jerusalem to have the matter decided (verses 1-5). The apostles and elders meet to consider it; after Peter, Paul, Barnabas, and James had spoken, a decision is made against circumcising Gentiles but requiring them to abstain from things offered to idols, from things strangled, from blood, and from fornication (verses 6-29). Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch, where the decree is received with great joy (verses 30-35). They propose a second journey but contend about John Mark and take different routes (verses 36-41).
16. Paul finds Timothy at Lystra, circumcises him, takes him for an assistant, and visits the churches, delivering the decrees (verses 1-5). The Holy Ghost prohibits their preaching in Proconsular Asia and Bithynia but directs them to Macedonia (verses 6-12). Lydia is converted at Philippi and entertains them kindly (verses 13-15). Paul casts out a spirit of divination, for which he and Silas are scourged and imprisoned (verses 16-24). They sing praises in the prison, an earthquake opens the doors, and the jailer and his family are converted and baptized (verses 25-33). Paul and Silas oblige the magistrates to liberate and dismiss them honorably as Roman citizens (verses 34-40).
17. Paul comes to Thessalonica and preaches with great success; he is persecuted by the Jews (verses 1-9). He flees to Berea and preaches until the Jews drive him from there (verses 10-14). Conducted to Athens, he preaches Christ and the resurrection and disputes with the heathen (verses 15-31). He converts but few (verses 32-34).
18. Paul goes from Athens to Corinth: he preaches first to the Jews (verses 1-6); and afterwards to the Gentiles with great success, and is encouraged by a vision (verses 6-11). Accused before Gallio, who refuses to hear the accusation (verses 12-17). He returns through Ephesus, Antioch, and other places (verses 18-23). Apollos, instructed by Aquila and Priscilla, preaches in Ephesus and Achaia (verses 24-28).
19. Paul returns to Ephesus and imparts the Holy Ghost to some of John's disciples (verses 1-7). He preaches for three months in the Jewish synagogue; but meeting with great opposition there, he preaches for two years in the school of Tyrannus (verses 8-12). Some Jewish exorcists are confounded, and many other practitioners of demonic arts are converted (verses 13-20). Paul defers his intended journey (verses 21-22). Demetrius and his brethren raise a mob to extol Diana, but the town clerk disperses it with a sensible argument (verses 23-41).
20. Paul travels through Macedonia, Greece, and Asia, until he comes to Troas (verses 1-6). He preaches at Troas, administers the Lord's Supper, and raises Eutychus (verses 7-12). He leaves for Jerusalem and comes to Miletus (verses 13-16). He sends for the elders of Ephesus and charges them to take care of their church (verses 17-35). He takes a most solemn and affectionate farewell (verses 36-38).
21. Paul and his friends, sailing southward from Miletus, touch at Patara, Tyre, Ptolemais, and arrive at Caesarea (verses 1-8). Lodged in Philip's house, they are urged in vain to forbear going up to Jerusalem (verses 8-14). Coming to Jerusalem, Paul salutes the brethren; reports his success; and at their advice, purifies himself after the custom of the Jews (verses 15-26). Some Asiatic Jews, seeing him in the temple, incense the multitude to apprehend him (verses 27-30). Being in danger of his life, he is rescued by the Roman captain (verses 31-40).
22. By an affectionate address in the Hebrew language, Paul gains attention (verses 1-2). He gives an account of his parentage and early life (verses 3-5); of his conversion (verses 6-11); of his being baptized and further instructed by Ananias (verses 12-16); and of his call from heaven to preach to the Gentiles (verses 17-21), which greatly enrages the Jews (verses 22-23). The chief captain again rescues him and orders him to be bound and scourged (verses 24-25). Paul claims his privileges, is freed from his bonds, and is brought to the Jewish council (verses 26-30).
23. Paul, before the council, professes his continued integrity; rebukes the high priest, and foretells his ruin (verses 1-5). He prudently creates a division among his enemies (verses 6-9) and is carried away by the chief captain (verse 10). Christ, by a vision, encourages him and warns him of further trouble at Rome; a plot of the Jews to murder him (verses 11-15). Paul's nephew informs him and the chief captain of the plot (verses 16-22). Its execution is prevented (verses 23-35).
24. The high priest and elders, with Tertullus, come to Caesarea and accuse Paul before Felix (verses 1-9). Paul clears himself and defends his behavior and doctrine (verses 10-21). Felix defers the decision and gives Paul more liberty (verses 22-23); he trembles at his discourse (verses 24-25); but he leaves him a prisoner (verses 26-27).
25. Paul is again accused before Festus (verses 1-7). He again vindicates himself and appeals to the Roman emperor (verses 8-12). Festus relates the case to King Agrippa, who desires to hear Paul (verses 13-22). Festus presents Paul, acquits him of the charges, and leaves him to answer for himself (verses 23-27).
26. After a polite address to Agrippa (verses 1-3), Paul gives an account of his parentage, Pharisaical profession, belief in the resurrection, and inveterate rage against Christ and His followers (verses 4-11). He relates the manner of his conversion and call to the apostleship, and his preaching Christ afterwards (verses 12-23). Festus pronounces him mad, but Paul maintains the contrary (verses 24-26). Agrippa is almost persuaded to be a Christian; he declares Paul innocent (verses 27-32).
27. Paul's voyage to Rome as a prisoner: the beginning is calm and prosperous (verses 1-8). Paul warns them of a storm, but in vain (verses 9-11). They meet it and are nearly wrecked (verses 12-20). Paul assures them that their lives would be preserved (verses 21-26). They all escape to land at Malta (verses 27-44).
28. Paul and his companions are hospitably entertained at Malta (verses 1-2). He is miraculously preserved from a viper (verses 3-6). He heals Publius's father and others (verses 7-10). After three months, they sail by Syracuse, Rhegium, and Puteoli; Paul travels to Rome (verses 11-16). He sends for some principal Jews and shows them the injustice of his imprisonment (verses 17-20). He afterwards preaches the gospel with partial success (verses 21-29). As a prisoner in his own hired house, he preaches unmolested to all that come to him (verses 30-31).