The beloved physician Luke wrote when the Jews in Jerusalem knew Paul was in the temple, “all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut. And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul. Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done. And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle. And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people. For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him. And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto you? Who said, Can you speak Greek? Are not you that Egyptian, which before these days made an uproar, and led out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers? But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech you, suffer me to speak unto the people”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse forty of the book of Acts Luke shares how, “Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people” where we read:
And when he had given him license, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spoke unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,
The verse begins, “And when he had given him license, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people.” Luke began with the words, “and when he had given him license” which means “and at the time and moment he, the chief captain, gave Paul permission to speak”, “Paul stood on the stairs” or “Paul, whose name means small or little, was standing in the presence of the people upon the staircase leading into the castle”, “and beckoned with the hand” which means “and made a sign or signaled with his physical hand” “unto the people” or “toward the human beings both male and female”. Luke shared how the “chief captain” gave “Paul” permission to speak to the people, so he “stood” on the “staircase” and “signaled” the crowd of people with his hand.
The verse continues, “And when there was made a great silence, he spoke unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,” Luke added the words, “and when” which means “and at the time and moment” “there was made a great silence” or “there began and came to be massive quiet or hush among the people”, “he spoke unto them” which means “he, Paul, uttered, declared and proclaimed to the people” “in the Hebrew tongue” or “by use of the Hebrew language, speech and discourse”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming” the following words. Luke shared how “Paul” began speaking to the crowd of people in “Hebrew”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” convinced the “Roman commander” to allow him to speak to the crowd of Jewish people who were in opposition to him. “Paul” employed his “Hebrew” language to speak to them, and we shall see what he says in our next chapter. “Paul” was persistent because the gospel of Jesus Christ was worth it. “Paul” employed his benefits and gifts to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, and whenever a person is exposed to the “good news” of Jesus Christ dying for their sins so they may be forgiven and granted everlasting life with God, the experience with Him must be told to others. God loves everyone, and He desires to have a personal loving relationship with every person who will yield themselves to His Son Jesus. Those who are wise will not only receive Him but also use every gift and position God has given them to spread His “good news” to others like “Paul”.
Next time we begin a new chapter and see Luke share how Paul says, “Men, brethren, and fathers, hear you my defense”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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