Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Acts: Chapter 19]
assembly" (\kata p•san ennomon ekkl•sian\). The Roman officials
alone could give the sanction for calling such a lawful or
regular assembly. The verb \epilu•\ is an old one, but in the
N.T. only here and Mr 4:34 (which see) where Jesus privately
opened or disclosed the parables to the disciples. The papyri
give examples of the verb in financial transactions as well as of
the metaphorical sense. The solution will come in the lawful
assembly, not in a riot like this. See also 2Pe 1:20 where the
substantive \epilusis\ occurs for disclosure or revelation
(prophecy).
19:40 {For indeed we are in danger to be accused concerning this
day's riot} (\kai gar kinduneuomen egkaleisthai stase•s peri t•s
s•meron\). The text is uncertain. The text of Westcott and Hort
means "to be accused of insurrection concerning today's
assembly." The peril was real. \Kinduneuomen\, from \kindunos\,
danger, peril. Old verb, but in the N.T. only here and Lu 8:23;
1Co 15:30. {There being no cause for it} (\m•denos aitiou
huparchontos\). Genitive absolute with \aitios\, common adjective
(cf. \aitia\, cause) though in N.T. only here and Heb 5:9; Lu
23:4,14,22. {And as touching it} (\peri hou\). "Concerning
which." But what? No clear antecedent, only the general idea.
{Give an account of this concourse} (\apodounai logon peri t•s
sustroph•s taut•s\). _Rationem reddere_. They will have to
explain matters to the proconsul. \Sustroph•\ (from \sun\,
together, \streph•\, to turn) is a late word for a conspiracy
(Ac 23:12) and a disorderly riot as here (Polybius). In Ac
28:12 \sustreph•\ is used of gathering up a bundle of sticks and
of men combining in Mt 17:22. Seneca says that there was
nothing on which the Romans looked with such jealousy as a
tumultuous meeting.
19:41 {Dismissed the assembly} (\apelusen t•n ekkl•sian\). The
town-clerk thus gave a semblance of law and order to the mob by
formally dismissing them, this much to protect them against the
charge to which they were liable. This vivid, graphic picture
given by Luke has all the earmarks of historical accuracy. Paul
does not describe the incidents in his letters, was not in the
theatre in fact, but Luke evidently obtained the details from one
who was there. Aristarchus, we know, was with Luke in Caesarea
and in Rome and could have supplied all the data necessary.
Certainly both Gaius and Aristarchus were lively witnesses of
these events since their own lives were involved.
http://www.ccel.org/r/robertson_at/wordpictures/htm/AC19.RWP.html (20 of 21) [28/08/2004 09:07:12 a.m.]