Acts 9:23

23 When ¹many days had elapsed, ²the Jews plotted together to do away with him,

Acts 9:23 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 9:23

And after that many days were fulfilled
This phrase is used by the Septuagint on ( Exodus 2:11 Exodus 2:23 ) ( 4:18 ) for a considerable length of time, for many years. The Jewish writers observe ^F20, that the phrase, "many days", signify at least three days; for by "days", in the plural number, two must be designed, and many signifies a third, or that one at least is added to them; but here it signifies three years, as it also does, ( 1 Kings 18:1 ) where it is said, "and it came to pass after many days, that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year"; and such a space of time is designed by the many days here; for when the apostle had stayed a little while at Damascus, and preached Christ in the synagogues, he went into Arabia, where he continued about three years, and then returned to Damascus, where what is related happened to him; ( Galatians 1:17 Galatians 1:18 ) ( 2 Corinthians 11:32 2 Corinthians 11:33 ) .

the Jews took counsel to kill him;
being filled with indignation at him, that he had changed his religion, and from a persecutor was become a preacher of the Gospel; this they had meditated some time, and now upon his return to Damascus attempted to put their counsel into execution.

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FOOTNOTES:

F20 Maimon. & Bartenora in Misn. Zavim, c. 1. sect. 1.

Acts 9:23 In-Context

21 All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, "Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?"

22 But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

23 When many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted together to do away with him,

24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death;

25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.

Cross References

• 1. Galatians 1:17, 18
• 2. 1 Thessalonians 2:16