Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Acts: Chapter 23]
Byzantine Greek (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 745).
23:9 {Strove} (\diemachonto\). Imperfect middle of \diamachomai\,
old Attic verb, to fight it out (between, back and forth,
fiercely). Here only in the N.T. It was a lively scrap and Luke
pictures it as going on. The Pharisees definitely take Paul's
side. {And what if a spirit hath spoken to him or an angel?} (\ei
de pneuma elal•sen aut•i • aggelos?\). This is aposiopesis, not
uncommon in the N.T., as in Lu 13:9; Joh 6:62 (Robertson,
_Grammar_, p. 1203). See one also in Ex 32:32.
23:10 {When there arose a great dissension} (\poll•s t•s
ginomen•s stase•s\). Present middle participle (genitive
absolute). Literally, "dissension becoming much." {Lest Paul
should be torn in pieces by them} (\m• diaspasth•i ho Paulos\).
First aorist passive subjunctive of \diaspa•\, to draw in two, to
tear in pieces, old verb, in the N.T. only here and Mr 5:4 of
tearing chains in two. The subjunctive with \m•\ is the common
construction after a verb of fearing (Robertson, _Grammar_, p.
995). {The soldiers} (\to strateuma\). The army, the band of
soldiers and so in verse 27. {To go down} (\kataban\). Second
aorist active participle of \katabain•\, having gone down. {Take
him by force} (\harpasai\). To seize. The soldiers were to seize
and save Paul from the midst of (\ek mesou\) the rabbis or
preachers (in their rage to get at each other). Paul was more of
a puzzle to Lysias now than ever.
23:11 {The night following} (\t•i epious•i nukti\). Locative
case, on the next (following) night. {The Lord} (\ho kurios\).
Jesus. Paul never needed Jesus more than now. On a previous
occasion the whole church prayed for Peter's release (12:5),
but Paul clearly had no such grip on the church as that, though
he had been kindly welcomed (21:18). In every crisis Jesus
appears to him (cf. Ac 18:9). It looked dark for Paul till
Jesus spoke. Once before in Jerusalem Jesus spoke words of cheer
(22:18). Then he was told to leave Jerusalem. Now he is to have
"cheer" or "courage" (\tharsei\). Jesus used this very word to
others (Mt 9:2,22; Mr 10:49). It is a brave word. {Thou hast
testified} (\diemartur•\). First aorist middle indicative second
person singular of \diamarturomai\, strong word (see on ¯22:18).
{Must thou} (\se dei\). That is the needed word and on this Paul
leans. His hopes (19:21) of going to Rome will not be in vain.
He can bide Christ's time now. And Jesus has approved his witness
in Jerusalem.
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