Defense

How Nave’s arranged it

• (An argument made before a court)
• Of JeremiahJeremiah 26:12–16
• Of PeterActs 4:8–13Acts 5:23–29
• Of StephenActs 7
• Of PaulActs 22Acts 23:1–6Acts 24:10–21Acts 26:1–23
• Military defenses
• See Fort
• See Armies

The passages, in Bible order (8)

The same references, sorted Genesis to Revelation. The first 8 are quoted in full; the rest are one click beneath them, book by book.

1. Jeremiah 26:12–16

   But Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people, “The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that you have heard.

   ›Commentary on Jeremiah 26:12–161 voice

   “The Lord sent me to prophesy - My commission is from him, and my words are his own. I sought not this painful office. I did not run before I was sent.

   Everything gathered on Jeremiah 26:12–16→

   Verse page →Original language →

2. Acts 4:8–13

   Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people!

   ›Commentary on Acts 4:8–132 voices

   “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost,.... At that very instant, having received a fresh measure of the gifts and graces of the Spirit, besides what he had poured forth upon him at the day of Pentecost; so that he had great courage and presence of mind, and freedom of speech, as Christ had promised his disciples they should have, when they were brought before governors and magistrates, Mat 10:

   “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost - Which guided him into all truth, and raised him far above the fear of man; placing him in a widely different state of mind to that in which he was found when, in the hall of Caiaphas, he denied his Master, through fear of a servant girl.

   Everything gathered on Acts 4:8–13→

   Verse page →Original language →

3. Acts 5:23–29

   “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards posted at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”

   ›Commentary on Acts 5:23–292 voices

   “We found the prison indeed closed with all diligence, and the guards standing before the doors; but opening it, we found no one inside. Why, profane Jew, are you driven by blind madness, saying that the apostles stole the Lord from the tomb? Say, I …

   “Found we shut - It had not been broken open; and there was therefore clear proof that they had been delivered by the interposition of God. Nor could they have been released by the guard, for they were keeping watch, as if unconscious that anything had happened, and the officers had the only means of entering the prison.

   Everything gathered on Acts 5:23–29→

   Verse page →Original language →

4. Acts 7:1

   Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?”

   ›Commentary on Acts 7:11 voice

   “Then said the high priest - See the notes on Mat 2:4. In this case the high priest seems to have presided in the council. Are these things so? - To wit, the charge alleged against him of blasphemy against Moses and the temple, Act 6:13-14.

   Everything gathered on Acts 7:1→

   Verse page →Original language →

5. Acts 22:1

   “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.”

   ›Commentary on Acts 22:12 voices

   “Men, brethren, and fathers - This defense was addressed to the Jews, and Paul commenced it with an expression of sincere respect for them. Stephen began his defense with the same form of address. See the notes on Act 7:2. My defence - Against the charges brought against me. Those charges were, that he had endeavored to prejudice people everywhere against the Jews, the Law, and the temple, Act 21:

   “The expression "fathers" is a sign of respect, and the expression "brethren" is an indication of kinship. Notice, his speech is both free from flattery and full of gentleness. He did not say "lords," but "brothers," which was especially pleasing to the people. I am …

   Everything gathered on Acts 22:1→

   Verse page →Original language →

6. Acts 23:1–6

   Paul looked directly at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.”

   ›Commentary on Acts 23:1–61 voice

   “And Paul, earnestly beholding - ἀτενίσας atenisas. Fixing his eyes intently on the council. The word denotes “a fixed and earnest gazing; a close observation.” See Luk 4:20. Compare the notes on Act 3:4. Paul would naturally look with a keen and attentive observation on the council. He was arraigned before them, and he would naturally observe the appearance, and endeavor to ascertain the character of his judges. Besides, it was by this council that he had been formerly commissioned to persecute the Christians, Act 9:1-2. He had not seen them since that commission was given.

   Everything gathered on Acts 23:1–6→

   Verse page →Original language →

7. Acts 24:10–21

   When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense.

   ›Commentary on Acts 24:10–211 voice

   “Then Paul - answered - The apostle’s defense consists of two parts: - 1. The exordium, which has for its object the praise of his judge, whose qualifications to discern and decide on a question of this nature he fully allows; and expects, from this circumstance, to have a favorable hearing. 2. The tractation, which consists of two parts: I. Refutation: 1. of the charge of polluting the temple; 2. of stirring up sedition; 3. of being a leader of any sect who had a different worship from the God of their fathers. II.

   Everything gathered on Acts 24:10–21→

   Verse page →Original language →

8. Acts 26:1–23

   Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense:

   ›Commentary on Acts 26:1–232 voices

   “Then Agrippa said unto Paul,.... After Festus had made the above speech to him, and to all present, and had introduced the affair of Paul, who now stood before them: thou art permitted to speak for thyself; which a prisoner might not do, until he had leave; and this leave was granted by Festus the Roman governor, who was properly the judge, and not Agrippa, though the permission might be by both; and so the Arabic and Ethiopic versions read, "we have ordered", or "permitted thee", &c.

   “Then Paul stretched forth the hand - See the notes on Act 21:40. This was the usual posture of orators or public speakers. The ancient statues are commonly made in this way, with the right hand extended. The dress of the ancients favored this. The long and loose robe, or outer garment, was fastened usually with a hook or clasp on the right shoulder, and thus left the arm at full liberty.

   Everything gathered on Acts 26:1–23→

   Verse page →Original language →