The Strand Study Bible

ACTS 9:23

ACTS 9:38

1798

23 And after that 1 many days were ful- filled, 2 the Jews took counsel to kill him: 24 But their laying await was known of Saul. 3 And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. Historical Note - Roman history continued c. AD 41 with the New Kingdom Period in which Gaius Claudius Caesar died and Claudius Drusus (AD 41-54) assumed Rome’s throne. Claudius Drusus was Gaius’ uncle. At first he gave to the Jews the right to religious worship, but later banished all Jews from Rome (Acts 18:2). The fam- ine foretold by Agabus (Acts 11:28) took place during his reign. Ancient writers tell us that Claudius Drusus’ reign was a period of great distress over the entire Mediterra- nean world. He too was assassinated. His stepson, Nero took his place as emperor in AD 54. Saul (Paul) returns to Jerusalem after three years in Arabia Date - AD 41 26 4 And when Saul was come to Jerusa- lem, he assayed to join himself to the dis- ciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. 27 But 5 Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. 29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the 6 Grecians: but they went about to slay him. 30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. 31 Then had the churches rest through- out all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. 32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

1. or, “three years” - Gal 1:12,15-18 2. Mt 10:34-39 & Jn 15:18-21 3. II Cor 11:32-33 4. Gal 1:18-19 5. Acts 4:36 6. or, “Hellenists; Grecian Jews” 7. or, “Sharon”

Tarsus •

MED SEA

• Caesarea

• Jerusalem

Paul returns to his home town of Tarsus Map #35 The seventh sign gift to the Jews (Peter heals Aeneas of the palsy in Lydda - Mk 16:18)

33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. 34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. 35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and 7 Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. The eighth sign gift to the Jews (Peter raises Tabitha from the dead in Joppa - Mk 16:18) 36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by inter- pretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. 37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whomwhen they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. 38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Pe- ter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.

9:36 This word ( disciple ) is the Greek word PDθKτULD ( mathetria ), from which we derive our word “math.” It means, “ to learn ” ( Lk 14:26 c ). Of the 273 times that this word occurs in the New Testament, this is the only time this word ( disciple ) is rendered “female” in gender. NOTE - While it is true that women can be called into ministry, it is not true that Tabitha could have held the “office” of disciple in the true sense of the word. Why? Because she was not “biblically” qualified. According to Luke 14:26 and Acts 1:15-16 & 6:1-3 & 11:29 & 15:7-10, disciples are men, not women. It’s not likely that a woman is going to “ hate her wife ” (Lk 14:26). Women were not called to be “officials” and/or “spiritual leaders” within the Church; they were called to be “spiritual learners” within the home (Titus 2:3-5). Tabitha was not a “spiritual leader” (disciple) within her local church; she was a “spiritual learner” within her home ( Rom 16:1 ).