27. But Barnabas . . . brought him to the apostles--that is, to Peter
and James; for "other of the apostles saw I none," says he fourteen
years after
(Ga 1:18, 19).
Probably none of the other apostles were there at the time
(Ac 4:36).
Barnabas being of Cyprus, which was within a few hours' sail of
Cilicia, and annexed to it as a Roman province, and Saul and he being
Hellenistic Jews and eminent in their respective localities, they may
very well have been acquainted with each other before this [HOWSON]. What is here said of Barnabas is in fine
consistency with the "goodness" ascribed to him
(Ac 11:24),
and with the name "son of consolation," given him by the apostles
(Ac 4:36);
and after Peter and James were satisfied, the disciples generally would
at once receive him.
how he had seen the Lord . . . and he--the Lord.
had spoken to him--that is, how he had received his commission direct
from the Lord Himself.
JFB.
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