Bible Commentaries
Go deeper in Scripture
Browse trusted public-domain commentary alongside DiscipleDeck Bible study. References inside each commentary open Bible previews in place.
3,811 commentary entries
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible
The Jews Plot to Kill Saul; Saul Is Received by the Apostles; Prosperity of the Church
THE JEWS PLOT TO KILL SAUL; SAUL IS RECEIVED BY THE APOSTLES; PROSPERITY OF THE CHURCH. Luke here makes no mention of Paul's journey into Arabia, which he tells us himself was immediately after his conversion, Galatians…
The Cure of Æneas
THE CURE OF ÆNEAS. Here we have, I. The visit Peter made to the churches that were newly planted by the dispersed preachers, Acts 9:32. 1. He passed through all quarters. As an apostle, he was not to be the resident pas…
Tabitha Raised to Life
TABITHA RAISED TO LIFE. Here we have another miracle wrought by Peter, for the confirming of the gospel, and which exceeded the former—the raising of Tabitha to life when she had been for some time dead. Here is, I. The…
The Case of Cornelius
THE CASE OF CORNELIUS. The bringing of the gospel to the Gentiles, and the bringing of those who had been strangers and foreigners to be fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, were such a mystery…
Peter's Vision
PETER'S VISION. Cornelius had received positive orders from heaven to send for Peter, whom otherwise he had not heard of, or at least not heeded; but here is another difficulty that lies in the way of bringing them toge…
Peter Directed to Go to Cornelius; Peter Goes to Cornelius; Interview between Peter and Cornelius
PETER DIRECTED TO GO TO CORNELIUS; PETER GOES TO CORNELIUS; INTERVIEW BETWEEN PETER AND CORNELIUS. We have here the meeting between Peter the apostle, and Cornelius the centurion. Though Paul was designed to be the apos…
Peter Preaches in the House of Cornelius
PETER PREACHES IN THE HOUSE OF CORNELIUS. We have here Peter's sermon preached to Cornelius and his friends: that is, an abstract or summary of it; for we have reason to think that he did with many other words testify a…
The Effect of Peter's Sermon
THE EFFECT OF PETER'S SERMON. We have here the issue and effect of Peter's sermon to Cornelius and his friends. He did not labour in vain among them, but they were all brought home to Christ. Here we have, I. God's owni…
Peter's Vindication
PETER'S VINDICATION. The preaching of the gospel to Cornelius was a thing which we poor sinners of the Gentiles have reason to reflect upon with a great deal of joy and thankfulness; for it was the bringing of light to…
The Gospel Preached at Antioch; Success of the Gospel at Antioch; Barnabas at Antioch
THE GOSPEL PREACHED AT ANTIOCH; SUCCESS OF THE GOSPEL AT ANTIOCH; BARNABAS AT ANTIOCH. We have here an account of the planting and watering of a church at Antioch, the chief city of Syria, reckoned afterwards the third…
Primitive Charity
PRIMITIVE CHARITY. When our Lord Jesus ascended on high he gave gifts unto men, not only apostles and evangelists, but prophets, who were enabled by the Spirit to foresee and foretel things to come, which not only serve…
The Martyrdom of James; Peter's Imprisonment
THE MARTYRDOM OF JAMES; PETER'S IMPRISONMENT. Ever since the conversion of Paul, we have heard no more of the agency of the priests in persecuting the saints at Jerusalem; perhaps that wonderful change wrought upon him,…
Peter's Imprisonment and Deliverance
PETER'S IMPRISONMENT AND DELIVERANCE. We have here an account of Peter's deliverance out of prison, by which the design of Herod against him was defeated, and his life preserved for further service, and a stop given to…
The Death of Herod
THE DEATH OF HEROD. In these verses we have, I. The death of Herod. God reckoned with him, not only for his putting James to death, but for his design and endeavour to put Peter to death; for sinners will be called to a…
The Mission of Paul and Barnabas
THE MISSION OF PAUL AND BARNABAS. We have here a divine warrant and commission to Barnabas and Saul to go and preach the gospel among the Gentiles, and their ordination to that service by the imposition of hands, with f…
Elymas Struck with Blindness
ELYMAS STRUCK WITH BLINDNESS. In these verses we have, I. A general account of the coming of Barnabas and Saul to the famous island of Cyprus; and perhaps thitherward they steered their course because Barnabas was a nat…
Paul at Antioch in Pisidia
PAUL AT ANTIOCH IN PISIDIA. Perga in Pamphylia was a noted place, especially for a temple there erected to the goddess Diana, yet nothing at all is related of what Paul and Barnabas did there, only that thither they cam…
Paul at Antioch in Pisidia
PAUL AT ANTIOCH IN PISIDIA. The design of this story being to vindicate the apostles, especially Paul (as he doth himself at large, Romans 11:1-36), from the reflections of the Jews upon him for preaching the gospel to…
Paul at Iconium
PAUL AT ICONIUM. In these verses we have, I. The preaching of the gospel in Iconium, whither the apostles were forced to retire from Antioch. As the blood of the martyrs has been the seed of the church, so the banishmen…
The Lame Man Healed at Lystra; Paul and Barnabas at Lystra
THE LAME MAN HEALED AT LYSTRA; PAUL AND BARNABAS AT LYSTRA. In these verses we have, I. A miraculous cure wrought by Paul at Lystra upon a cripple that had been lame from his birth, such a one as was miraculously cured…
Paul Stoned at Lystra; The Disciples Exhorted and Encouraged; Paul and Barnabas Ordain Elders
PAUL STONED AT LYSTRA; THE DISCIPLES EXHORTED AND ENCOURAGED; PAUL AND BARNABAS ORDAIN ELDERS. We have here a further account of the services and sufferings of Paul and Barnabas. I. How Paul was stoned and left for dead…
Controversy Raised at Antioch; Bigotry of the Jewish Converts
CONTROVERSY RAISED AT ANTIOCH; BIGOTRY OF THE JEWISH CONVERTS. Even when things go on very smoothly and pleasantly in a state or in a church, it is folly to be secure, and to think the mountain stands strong and cannot…
The Council at Jerusalem
THE COUNCIL AT JERUSALEM. We have here a council called, not by writ, but by consent, on this occasion (Acts 15:6): The apostles and presbyters came together, to consider this matter. They did not give their judgment se…
Decision of the Council at Jerusalem; The Publication of the Decree
DECISION OF THE COUNCIL AT JERUSALEM; THE PUBLICATION OF THE DECREE. We have here the result of the consultation that was held at Jerusalem about the imposing of the ceremonial law upon the Gentiles. Much more, it is li…