37<\/strong>. having land<\/em> ] Lit. a field<\/em>. It seems likely that Joses is chosen as an example of the primitive liberality of the Christian body, because there was something remarkable in the kind of gift or the nature of the sacrifice which he made.<\/p>\n This is an instance of what was said Act 4:34<\/span>,35<\/span>; and Joses probably is instanced in it, either because he sold a greater quantity of land, as having large possessions, or as being one of the first that was remarkable in this kind of charity. <\/P> Laid it at the apostles feet:<\/B> see Act 4:35<\/span>. <\/P> <\/p>\n 31-37. place was shaken<\/B>glorioustoken of the commotion which the Gospel was to make (Ac17:6<\/span>; compare Ac 16:26<\/span>),and the overthrow of all opposing powers in which this was to issue. <\/P> they were all filled with theHoly Ghost, and spake,<\/B> c.The Spirit rested upon the entirecommunity, first, in the very way they had asked, so that they “spakethe word with boldness” (Act 4:29<\/span>Act 4:31<\/span>); next, in melting downall selfishness, and absorbing even the feeling of individuality inan intense and glowing realization of Christian unity. The communityof goods was but an outward expression of this, and natural in suchcircumstances.<\/P><\/p>\n Having land, sold it<\/strong>,…. Whether this was in Cyprus, or in Judea, is not certain; nor how he came by it, whether he had bought it, as the priests and Levites might, and as Jeremiah, who was of the priests, bought a field at Anathoth, Jer 32:9<\/span> or, whether it was his wife’s dowry; for the Levites had nothing by inheritance: they had forty two cities, and the six cities of refuge to dwell in, and the field of the suburbs of these cities; which field or land was never to be sold, but to be a perpetual possession, Le 25:34<\/span> but now the ceremonial law was abolished, and this precept was not attended to, if the land was of this sort. Moreover, the Jewish doctors interpret the above law otherwise; and understand it only of changing, and not of selling, which they allow of; one of their canons runs thus y,<\/p>\n “the priests and Levites, , “sell” always, and redeem always, as it is said, Le 25:32<\/span>, “the Levites may redeem at any time”.”<\/p>\n Upon which canon, one of their commentators z says,<\/p>\n “they sell always; and not as an Israelite, who cannot sell less than two years before the jubilee;–but these “sell” even near the jubilee; “and they redeem always”: if they sell houses in walled towns, they are not confirmed at the end of the year, as the houses in the walled towns of Israelites; and if “they sell fields”, it is not necessary that they should remain in the hands of the buyer two years, but they may redeem them immediately, if they will.”<\/p>\n And another of them a has this observation,<\/p>\n “all agree that the Levites may not change a city, or suburb, or field, which are theirs, because it is said, Le 25:34<\/span> “but the field of the suburbs of their cities may not be sold”; and the wise men of blessed memory say, the meaning of it is, it shall not be changed, for they do not change anything from what it was before.”<\/p>\n And agreeably to this is what Maimonides b elsewhere says,<\/p>\n “they do not make in the cities of the Levites a city a suburb, or a suburb a city, or a suburb a field, or a field a suburb, as it is said, Le 25:34<\/span> “but the field of the suburbs of their cities shall not be sold”; from report (or tradition) we learn, that that is said, “shall not be sold”, means, shall not be changed; but the field, suburbs, and city, everyone of these three shall be as they are for ever. Priests and Levites who “sell” a field, of the fields of their cities, or an house of any of the houses of their walled towns, do not redeem according to this order (i.e. as the other Israelites), but “they sell fields”; and even near to the jubilee, and redeem them immediately.”<\/p>\n So that if this land of Barnabas lay in Judea, as is most likely, it might be sold, and much more, if in Cyprus. But, be it what and where it will, he sold it:<\/p>\n and brought the money<\/strong>; from Cyprus or Judea, or that part of the land of Canaan where it lay, and where he had sold it:<\/p>\n and laid it at the apostles’ feet<\/strong>; perhaps he might be the first person that did so, and set an example which was universally followed; however, he is particularly mentioned, being a man of note among the apostles, and of great usefulness in after times, and of whom frequent mention is made in other places.<\/p>\n y Misn. Eracin, c. 9. sect. 8. z Bartenora in Misn. Eracin. a Mainton. in ib. b Hilchot Shemitta Veyobel, c. 13. sect. 4, 5, 7.<\/p>\n Having a held <\/B> ( <\/SPAN><\/span>). Genitive absolute with present active participle of <\/SPAN><\/span> and dative of possession.<\/P> Sold it and brought <\/B> ( <\/SPAN><\/span>). Aorist active participle of <\/SPAN><\/span> and second aorist active indicative of <\/SPAN><\/span> because a single definite instance. So also with <\/SPAN><\/span> (laid), first aorist active. <\/P> <\/p>\n The money [ ] <\/SPAN><\/span>. The sum of money. <\/P> <\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n 1) “Having land,”<\/strong> (huparchontos auto agrou) “Holding or possessing land,” perhaps an estate on the island of Cyprus.<\/p>\n 2) “Sold it,”<\/strong> (poiesas) “Having sold it,” dispossessed himself of it by transferring title to another for a fixed, agreed price.<\/p>\n 3) “And brought the money,”<\/strong> (enegken to chrema) “Brought the proceeds,” the money received from the sale of the land or estate, he brought voluntarily, of his own accord or choosing, not by Divine command, but out of love, Act 5:4<\/span>; 1Co 4:2<\/span>.<\/p>\n 4) “And laid it at the apostles’ feet,”<\/strong> (kai etheken pros tous podas ton apostolon) “And placed (them) at the feet of the apostles, – the proceeds or monies received for the Cyprus landsale was placed totally and absolutely at the disposal or distribution of the apostles, to help the needy in the church in the Jerusalem area, Act 4:34-35<\/span>; Act 5:1-2<\/span>. Barnabas seems to have been an early pioneer Christian who disposed of all to follow and serve the Lord, Mar 8:34<\/span>; Mar 8:37<\/span>; Gal 6:6<\/span>.<\/p>\n (37) Having land, sold it.<\/strong>Better, perhaps, having a farm.<\/em> (See Notes on Mar. 5:14<\/span>; Mar. 6:36<\/span>; Mar. 6:56<\/span>.) In the original polity of Israel the Levites had cities and land in common, but no private property (Num. 18:20-21<\/span>; Deu. 10:8-9<\/span>, et al.<\/em>), <\/em>and depended for their support upon the tithes paid by the people. The case of Jeremiah, however (Jer. 32:7-12<\/span>), shows that there was nothing to hinder priest or Levite from becoming the possessor of land by purchase or inheritance. The position of Barnabass sister Mary shows that she, also, was wealthy, and, though she did not sell her house, she, too, did not call it her own, but gave it up for the public use of the community. The self-chosen poverty of Barnabas led him afterwards to act as St. Paul did in working for his livelihood (1Co. 9:6<\/span>). It will not be out of place on this first mention of the name of a new disciple to note a few others whose membership of the Church dated probably from this period; Mnason, the old disciple of Act. 21:16<\/span>, of Cyprus, and probably, therefore, a friend of Barnabas; Andronicus and Junia (or, more probably, Junias, <\/em>as a mans name), in some sense kinsmen of St. Paul, who were in Christ before him (Rom. 16:7<\/span>), and whom we find afterwards at Rome; the seven who in Act. 6:5<\/span> are prominent enough to be chosen as representatives of the Hellenistic members of the Church; Agabus (Act. 11:28<\/span>), Judas, and Silas (Act. 15:32<\/span>). The last three, however, as being prophets, may have been among the number of the Seventy; and, possibly, if we follow a fairly early tradition, Stephen and Philip among the Seven. (See Note on Luk. 10:1<\/span>.) We again note the absence of any measure of the interval between the events of this chapter and the history that follows. The picture of the peaceful expansion of the Churchs life implies, probably, as in Act. 2:41-47<\/span>, one of several months.<\/p>\n REFLECTIONS<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Let us ponder well those precious things contained in this Chapter, which are so freely given to us of God! And let us particularly keep in remembrance, that all that is here recorded of the prosperity of the Church, arose from the blessed Person and Office-work of God the Holy Ghost! We behold him here, under many of those most gracious characters in which the Lord Jesus promised him before his departure. As the Lord the Spirit is the Founder, so is He the Governor, Preserver, Teacher, Comforter, Sanctifier of the Church in all ages. In every individual instance of blessing both ministers and people, his is to manifest the gracious act, and in glorifying Jesus, to take of the Lord Jesus, and to make known to his disciples. And amidst all the diversities of gifts, and all differences of administrations, and all diversities of operations, all these worketh that One and the self-same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Oh! blessed and eternal Spirit, do thou now, as thou didst then, manifest thy love to the Church of Jesus! Come, Lord, into the midst of thy Zion, though the builders have set at nought the chief corner stone! Raise up a faithful ministry, who, receiving their ordination from thee, may as faithfully dispense thy word to the people. Let the sweet ascension-gifts of our risen and exalted Savior, again come down to enlighten our Churches, and let that precious Scripture be again fulfilled in our day and generation, where it is said, that He gave some Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Pastors and Teachers, and all for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Lord, in mercy hear and do it; defer not, 0 my God! till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.<\/p>\n 37 Having land, sold it<\/em> , and brought the money, and laid it<\/em> at the apostles’ feet. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Ver. 37. At the apostles’ feet<\/strong> ] As the fittest place. Do we tread upon the minerals, and cannot we contemn them? <\/p>\n 37.<\/strong> <\/strong> ] Very unusual in this sense. See Herod. 3:38, , and other examples in Wetstein.<\/p>\n Act 4:37<\/span> . , better “a field” R.V.; the possession was not great, but if the field lay in the rich and productive island of Cyprus, its value may have been considerable. : rarely in this sense in the singular, only here in the N.T., and never in Attic Greek, but cf.<\/em> Herod., iii., 38, and instances in Wetstein, and see Blass, in loco<\/em> . The money, i.e.<\/em> , the proceeds, the money got (German Erls<\/em> ). Lumby suggests that the word may be used here to indicate the entirety, the sum without deduction, in contrast to the action of Ananias and Sapphira, Act 5:2<\/span> . The same unselfish spirit manifested itself in Barnabas at a later date, when he was content to live from the produce of his hands, 1Co 9:6<\/span> . Possibly at Tarsus, so near his own home, he may have learnt with Saul in earlier days the craft of tent-making, for which the city was famous (Plumptre). In connection with this passage, and Act 9:26<\/span> , see Renan’s eulogy on the character of Barnabas. In him Renan sees the patron of all good and liberal ideas, and considers that Christianity has done him an injustice in not placing him in the first rank of her founders, Apostles<\/em> , p. 191, E.T.<\/p>\n land Literally a field, as in Luk 14:18. <\/p>\n 37. ] Very unusual in this sense. See Herod. 3:38, , and other examples in Wetstein.<\/p>\n Act 4:37. , having land) This must have been outside of the land of Israel, in which the Levites had no portion.<\/p>\n sold: Act 4:34, Act 4:35, Act 5:1, Act 5:2, Mat 19:29 <\/p>\n Reciprocal: Lev 25:34 – General Act 11:22 – and they Gal 2:1 – Barnabas<\/p>\n See notes on verse 36<\/p>\n Barnabas evidently sold some of his land-where it was we do not know-to provide cash for the needs of the church members. He humbly presented the proceeds of the sale to the apostles for their distribution.<\/p>\n "Barnabas is a first example in Acts of the tendency to introduce an important new character first as a minor character, one who appears and quickly disappears. Philip (Act 6:5) and Saul (Act 7:58; Act 8:1; Act 8:3) are similarly introduced before they assume important roles in the narrative. This procedure ties the narrative together, and in each case the introductory scene contributes something significant to the portrait of the person." [Note: Tannehill, 2:78.] <\/span><\/p>\n Having land, sold [it,] and brought the money, and laid [it] at the apostles’ feet. 37. having land ] Lit. a field. It seems likely that Joses is chosen as an example of the primitive liberality of the Christian body, because there was something remarkable in the kind of gift or the nature of the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 4:37”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27018","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-commentary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27018","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27018"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27018\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27018"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27018"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27018"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible <\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: The Greek Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"