Ver. 1. We came with a straight course] ευθυδρομησαντες. So shall all those that make “straight paths for their feet,” Hebrews 12:13, whose eyes look straight before them, Proverbs 4:25, who ponder their paths by the weights of the word, Proverbs 4:26.
Ver. 2. Phoenicia] A region of Syria: the woman of Canaan was a Syrophoenician.
Ver. 3. Now when he had discovered Cyprus] Vox nautica, a mariner’s term; so is συνεσταλμενος, 1 Corinthians 7:29. St Paul was a great trader of Christ both by land and sea; and had terms ready for both. [See Trapp on “1Co 7:29”]
Ver. 4. And finding disciples] Such as Isaiah had long since foretold should leave hoarding and heaping wealth, and find another manner of employment for it, to feed and clothe God’s saints, Isaiah 23:18. That he should not go up, &c.] They understanding by his divine revelation, what danger Paul was in, out of charity, and not by any special command of the Spirit, forewarned him, and desired him not to go up.
Ver. 5. And prayed] [See Trapp on “Ac 20:36”]
Ver. 6. We took ship] Leaving them on shore: we shall one day meet, and never more be separated. O dieculam illam, &c. Euge, Deo sit laus et gloria, quod iam instet horula illa gratissima, O that day! O that joy! Castigemus mores et moras. (Bernard.) Let us ripen apace, and hasten to that heavenly home, that glorious panegyris and general assembly, Hebrews 12:23. Greserus moribundus. Melch. Adam.
Ver. 7. And abode with them one day] Suavis hora, sed parva mora, short and sweet abode.
Ver. 8. Philip the Evangelist] He was at first but a deacon; but having well used that lower office, he was advanced to this. A fruitful man shall not sit long in a low place: God will call him forth to a higher employment, and make him master of much, that was so “faithful in a little” Luke 16:10.
Ver. 9. Did prophesy] That is, they had the gift of foretelling future things by divine inspiration. This was every way extraordinary.
Ver. 10. A certain prophet] So called a procul fando, as some will have it. These New Testament prophets were next to the apostles in office; and are mentioned together with them in laying the foundation of Christianity, Ephesians 3:5,2:20.
Ver. 11. So shall the Jews] Who were ever most bitter enemies to Christians, and so they continue. Among the Turks every vizier and pasha of state useth to keep a Jew of his private council; whose malice, wit, and experience of Christendom, with their continual intelligence, is thought to advise most of that mischief which the Turk puts in execution against us. Are those then well advised that desire that the Jews may have free commerce among us, as they have in Poland? where they not only curse all Christians publicly in their daily prayers, but boldly print against our religion whatsoever they please? (Buxtorf. Synag. Jud.)
Ver. 13. What mean you to weep?] Ecclesiastical history mentioneth one Phileas, a nobleman and a martyr, who going to execution, seemed as one deaf at the persuasions and blind at the tears of his friends; Nam quomodo potest terrenis lachrymis flecti cuius oculi coelestem gloriam contuentur? said one Philoramus defending him, and was therefore beheaded with him. I am ready, not to be bound] This was a brave Roman resolution. Necesse est ut eam, non ut vivam, said Pompey. The Lacedaemonians were wont to say, It is a shame for any man to flee in time of danger; but for a Lacedaemonian, it is a shame for him to deliberate. How much more for a Christian, when called by God to suffer! Go (said Luther), I will surely go (since I am sent for) in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, yea, though I knew there were so many devils to resist me as there are tiles to cover the houses in Worms. Spalatinus had sent to Luther, to inquire whether or no he would go to Worms, and appear in the gospel’s cause, if Csesar summoned him; Omnia de me praesumas (said he) praeter fugam, et palinodiam. Fugere nolo, multo minus recantare. Ita me confortet Dominus. Socrates would not hearken to his friend Criton, persuading him to shift for himself by a dishonourable flight. And when some friends dealt with Dr Taylor, martyr, not to appear before Stephen Winchester, but to flee; Flee you (said he), and do as your conscience leads you; I am fully determined, with God’s grace, to go to the bishop, and to his beard to tell him that he doth naught. True zeal is of a most masculine, disengaged, courageous nature, and ready to say, Shall I change mine opinion, because Hoc Ithacus velit? does Ithacus wish this? remit of my diligence for fear of death? Oh, that I might enjoy those wild beasts prepared for my torments, said blessed Ignatius. And oh, that it might be so with me, said Basil, threatened with death by Valens the Arian emperor. So we read of another holy bishop, who when his hand was threatened to be cut off, cried out, Seca ambas, nay, cut off both. Οναιμην των θηριων των εμοι ητοιμασμενων. Ειθε γενοιτο μοι.