20. as the disciples stood round about him--sorrowing. So his
labors here had not been in vain: "Disciples" had been gathered, who
now rallied around the bleeding body. And one appears to have been
gained on this occasion, of far more importance than all the
rest--TIMOTHEUS. See on
Ac 16:1-3.
(It could scarcely have been at the subsequent visit,
Ac 14:21,
for the reason given in
2Ti 3:10, 11;
while at the third visit,
Ac 16:1-3,
he was already a Christian).
he rose up--It is possible that this recovery was natural; the
insensibility occasioned by such treatment as he had received sometimes
passing away of itself, and leaving the patient less hurt than appeared.
But certainly the impression naturally left on the mind by the words is
that the restoration was miraculous; and so the best interpreters
understand the words. This is confirmed by what follows.
came into the city--Noble intrepidity!
next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe--a journey for which
he could hardly be fit if his recovery had been natural. (As to Derbe,
see on
Ac 14:6).
JFB.
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