Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 9:25
Then the disciples took him by night, and let [him] down by the wall in a basket.
25. Then the disciples took him by night ] The oldest MSS. read “But his disciples, &c.,” and this well-supported reading favours the explanation of the “many days” given in Act 9:24. On his second visit Saul had remained long enough to nave gathered round him a party of followers who accepted him as their teacher.
and let him down by [ through ] the wall in a basket ] In 2Co 11:33 St Paul says, “And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall and escaped.” Such apertures can be found in the walls of houses in all defenced cities, and it was by such a way that Rahab let the spies escape from Jericho (Jos 2:15), and Michal aided David’s escape (1Sa 19:12). The basket here mentioned ( spuris) is the same that is spoken of (Mat 15:37) at the feeding of the four thousand in the mountain district west of the Sea of Galilee. It appears to have been large and soft, fit for carrying a large quantity of miscellaneous articles from the plain into the hills, while the baskets ( cophinoi) spoken of at the feeding of the five thousand (Mat 14:20) were such as the multitude, which in that case had followed Jesus on foot out of the cities, would be likely to carry in their hands. In a basket of the former kind Saul might easily be wrapped and then lowered over the city wall.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Took him by night … – This was done through a window in the wall, 2Co 11:33.
In a basket – This word is used to denote commonly the basket in which food was carried, Mat 15:37; Mar 8:8, Mar 8:20. It was in this way that Rahab let down the spies Jos 2:15, and so David escaped from Saul, 1Sa 19:12. Probably this occurred in an unguarded part of the wall, where some overhanging houses, as is usual in Eastern cities, opened into the outer country. This conduct of Saul was in accordance with the direction of the Lord Jesus Mat 10:23, When they persecute you in one city, flee ye into another, etc. Saul was certain of death if he remained; and as he could secure his life by flight without abandoning any principle of religion, or denying his Lord, it was his duty to do so. Christianity requires us to sacrifice our lives only when we cannot avoid it without denying the Saviour, or abandoning the principles of our religion.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 25. Let him down, by the wall] Favoured, probably, by a house built against or upon the wall, through the window of which they could lower him in a basket; and by this means he made his escape. His escape was something similar to that of the spies at Jericho, Jos 2:15.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
As Rahab did the spies, Jos 2:15, and Michal did David, 1Sa 19:12.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
25. Then the disciples . . . bynight let him down“through a window” (2Co11:33).
by the wallSuchoverhanging windows in the walls of Eastern cities were common, andare to be seen in Damascus to this day.
Ac9:26-31. SAUL’S FIRSTVISIT TO JERUSALEMAFTER HISCONVERSION.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Then the disciples took him by night,…. The Alexandrian copy reads, “his disciples”; the disciples of Saul, such as he had been instrumental in making at Damascus: but it is not usual for the saints to be called in Scripture the disciples of any man; therefore the common reading is best, and designs the disciples and followers of Christ; who being concerned for the preservation of so valuable a life, took Saul in the night season,
and let him down by the wall in a basket. Damascus was a walled city; hence we read of the wall of Damascus, Jer 49:27. And the house where Saul was, and which very likely was one of the disciples, was built upon the wall, as the house of Rahab was upon the town wall of Jericho; and as she let down the spies from thence by a cord through the window, Jos 2:15 so the disciples let down Saul in a basket with cords through the window of the house, as appears from 2Co 11:33. [See comments on 2Co 11:33]: no doubt, the disciples were directed by the overruling providence of God, in order to preserve the life of the apostle, who had much work to do for Christ in several parts of the world, and therefore must not fall into the hands of his enemies and die, his time not being yet come; and this shows, that it is lawful to make use of all prudent means and proper methods to prevent the designs of wicked men, and escape out of their hands, and preserve life when in danger; by which means Saul escaped their hands.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Through the wall ( ). Paul in 2Co 11:33 explains as being (through a window) which opened into the house on the inside of the wall as is true today in Damascus as Hackett saw there. See Jos 2:15f. (cf. 1Sa 19:12) for the way that Rahab let out the spies “by a cord through the window.”
Lowering him ( ). First aorist active participle of , old and common verb in a nautical sense (Acts 27:17; Acts 27:30) as well as otherwise as here. Same verb used by Paul of this experience (2Co 11:33).
In a basket ( ). The word used when the four thousand were fed (Mark 8:8; Matt 15:37). A large basket plaited of reeds and distinguished in Mr 8:19f. (Mt 16:9f.) from the smaller . Paul uses , a basket made of ropes. This escape by night by the help of the men whom he had come to destroy was a shameful memory to Paul (2Co 11:33). Wendt thinks that the coincidences in language here prove that Luke had read II Corinthians. That, of course, is quite possible.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
By the wall [ ] . Rev., more accurately, through the wall, as is explained by 2Co 11:33. Either through the window of a house overhanging the wall, or through a window in the wall itself opening to houses on its inner side. Hackett says that he observed such windows in the wall at Damascus. On the mode of escape, compare Jos 2:15; 1Sa 19:12.
Basket [] . See on Mt 14:20. In Paul ‘s account of this adventure he uses sarganh, a plaited or braided basket of wicker – work; or, as some think, of ropes.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Then the disciples took him by night,” (labontes de hoi mathetai autou nuktos) “Then his disciples (his followers, as he followed Christ) took him at night,” after, dark, in the evening or night time, so that the garrison would not detect them, Jos 2:15.
2) “And let him down by the wall in a basket,” (dia tou teichous kathekan auton chalasantes an spuridi) “Letting him down through the wall, lowering him in a wicker basket,” perhaps a garbage basket, at the garbage dump. After the city gates were shut at sundown, the city traditionally carried and let down or dumped through a window in the upper wall to be hauled from the outside of the city the following day. This seems to have been the method used for Saul’s escape from death at the hands of the Damascus Jews, 2Co 11:33.
Others speculate that it was thru a window in the external wall of an home overhanging the city wall, which appears to have been an hazard not likely permitted to exist. Similar methods of nighttime escapes were practiced from ancient times, Jos 2:15; 1Sa 19:12.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
25. The disciples having taken him by night. There is a question moved here, whether it were lawful for the disciples to save Paul thus or no? and also, whether it were lawful for Paul to escape danger by this means or no? For the laws say that the walls of cities are holy, [sacred,] and that the gates are holy. Therefore, he ought rather to have suffered death, than to have suffered a public order to be broken for his sake. I answer, that we must consider why it is decreed by the laws that the walls should not be violated; to wit, that the cities may not be laid open to murders and robberies, and that the cities may be free (613) from treason. That reason ceaseth when the question is concerning the delivery of an innocent man. Therefore, it was no less lawful for the faithful to be let down in a basket, than it shall be lawful for any private person to leap over a wall, that he may avoid (614) the sudden invasion of the enemy. Cicero doth handle this latter member, and he setteth down very well, that although the law forbid a stranger to come near the wall, yet doth not he offend who shall go up upon the wall to save the city, because the laws must always be inclined (615) to equity. Therefore Paul is not to be blamed, because he escaped by stealth, seeing that he doth that without raising any tumult amongst the people. Nevertheless, we see how the Lord useth to humble those that be his, seeing that Paul is enforced to steal his life from the watchmen of the city if he will save himself. Therefore, he reckoneth this example amongst his infirmities. He was acquainted betime with the cross (616) with this first exercise.
(613) “ Tuti,” safe.
(614) “ Propulset,” repel.
(615) “ Flectandae,” bent.
(616) “ Hoc tirocinio ad crucem ferendam mature assuefactus fuit.” He was early trained to bear the cross by this first trial.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(25) Let him down by the wall in a basket.The basket is the spuris of Mat. 15:37, where see Note. In 2Co. 11:33 St. Paul describes it by another word (sargan), which gives the idea of a wicker or rope-work hamper. It seems to follow, from the tone in which the Apostle there speaks of this adventure, that it had been made matter of ridicule. It is connected in his thoughts with the infirmities (probably with his smallness of stature) of which he was content to boast. The escape was effected, like that of the spies from the house of Rahab (Jos. 2:15) and of David from his own house (1Sa. 19:11), through an opening or window in the town wall. Such a window is still shown in the wall of Damascus as the traditional scene of the escape.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
25. By the wall The base or window of a house projecting beyond the wall allowed Saul to be let down without, and so escape.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.
Ver. 25. Let him down, &c. ] It is not unlawful then to fly in some cases. Tertullian was too rigid in condemning all kinds of flight, in time of persecution; God hath not set us as standing marks, or butts, to be shot at.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
25 .] The reading in the text, . , is ambiguous, Chrys. (see in var. readd.), al. take it as if Saul had disciples of his own who did this. The only escape from this inference is by supposing an unusual government of a gen. by , such as we sometimes find in Homer, e.g. , Il. . 711; , Od. . 310: see also Il. . 369, . 371; Od. . 428, . 480. So we have , Luk 8:54 . But whether this is justified in a case where the whole person is concerned, as here, may be a question. If it is, it must be because not the taking and bringing him to the spot, but the act of laying hold of him to put him into the basket, is intended.
. ] Further particularized by the addition of , 2Co 11:33 . Such windows in the walls of cities are common in the East: see Jos 2:15 , 1Sa 19:12 ; and an engraving of part of the present wall of Damascus in C. and H. i. p. 124.
] , 2Co 11:33 . See note there, and on Mat 15:37 .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 9:25 . if we add , see critical notes, the words would apparently refer to Jews converted by Saul, so Chrysostom: “but his disciples” R.V. Alford, who reads , supposes that we have here an unusual government of the genitive by , and compares Luk 8:54 and classical instances, see in loco. : “through the wall,” R.V., cf. 2Co 11:33 , where we read , perhaps a window in the external face of the wall opening into the house on the inside, rather than simply a window of a house overhanging the wall; cf. Jos 2:16 , 1Sa 19:12 . Blass takes it of a window made “in ipso muro scil. ad tormenta mittenda,” but there is no need for this explantion; see Hackett’s note on his own observations at Damascus of two or three windows built in the wall as above. .: “lowering him,” R.V., not expressed in A.V.; on spelling of . see critical note. In 2Co 11:33 Paul uses the word , a basket of wickerwork, . a basket larger than the , the small hand-basket of the Jew, Juv. , iii., 14; vi., 541, probably a provision basket of considerable size, used as by the Paeonians for fishing, Herod. , v., 16. too is used of a fish basket by Timokles, ., i., see further, “Basket,” Hastings’ B.D., and Plummer on Luk 9:17 . Neither word is met with in the LXX or Apocrypha. For the naturalness of the incident according to the present customs of the country see Hackett, in loco. The traditional spot of its occurrence is still shown, but we can only say of it as of the “house of Judas,” see above on Act 9:2 . Wendt, p. 35 (1899), thinks that here we have a coincidence with the account in 2 Cor., which cannot be accounted for except by the acquaintance of the author of Acts with the Epistle.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
let him down = sent him down. Greek. kathiemi. Occurs elsewhere, Act 10:11; Act 11:5. Luk 5:19.
by = through. Greek. dia. App-104. Act 9:1.
in = lowering him in. See note on Luk 5:4.
basket. Greek. spuris. See note on Mat 15:37.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
25.] The reading in the text, . , is ambiguous, Chrys. (see in var. readd.), al. take it as if Saul had disciples of his own who did this. The only escape from this inference is by supposing an unusual government of a gen. by , such as we sometimes find in Homer, e.g. , Il. . 711; , Od. . 310: see also Il. . 369, . 371; Od. . 428, . 480. So we have , Luk 8:54. But whether this is justified in a case where the whole person is concerned, as here, may be a question. If it is, it must be because not the taking and bringing him to the spot, but the act of laying hold of him to put him into the basket, is intended.
. ] Further particularized by the addition of , 2Co 11:33. Such windows in the walls of cities are common in the East: see Jos 2:15, 1Sa 19:12; and an engraving of part of the present wall of Damascus in C. and H. i. p. 124.
] , 2Co 11:33. See note there, and on Mat 15:37.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 9:25. , let him down) This fact had been known to but few, before that Paul mentioned it, 2Co 11:31, etc., The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ-knoweth that I lie not. Luke knew most intimately all the affairs of Paul.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
the disciples: Maundrell states that after visiting the place of vision, “about half a mile distant from the city eastward,” they returned to the city, and “were shown the gate where St. Paul was let down in a basket. This gate is at present walled up, by reason of its vicinity to the east gate, which renders it of little use.”
let: Jos 2:15, 1Sa 19:11, 1Sa 19:12, 2Co 11:33
Reciprocal: Mat 10:23 – when Act 9:30 – when Act 17:10 – the brethren Act 17:14 – then 2Co 11:32 – Damascus
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
5
Act 9:25. According to 2Co 11:32-33, the secular officers joined with the Jews in their plot by maintaining a military guard near the gates of Damascus. But the disciples helped Saul to escape by lowering him down the outside of the wall in a basket, a vessel made by plaiting reeds or ropes.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
See notes on verse 23
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
9:25 {5} Then the disciples took him by night, and let [him] down by the wall in a basket.
(5) We are not forbidden to avoid and eschew the dangers and conspiracies that the enemies of God lay for us, but only if we do not swerve from our vocation.