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Selected Verse: Acts 9:24 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
Ac 9:24	King James	But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
they watched the gates night and day to kill him--The full extent of his danger appears only from his own account (Co2 11:32): "In Damascus, the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me"; the exasperated Jews having obtained from the governor a military force, the more surely to compass his destruction.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

they watched the gates night and day to kill him--The full extent of his danger appears only from his own account (Co2 11:32): "In Damascus, the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me"; the exasperated Jews having obtained from the governor a military force, the more surely to compass his destruction.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
But their laying await - Their counsel; their design. Was known of Saul - Was made known to him. In what way this was communicated we do not know. This design of the Jews against Saul is referred to in Co2 11:32-33, where it is said, "In Damascus, the governor under Aretas the king kept the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me; and through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands." And they watched the gates - Cities were surrounded by high walls, and of course the gates were presumed to be the only places of escape. As they supposed that Saul, apprised of their designs, would make an attempt to escape, they stationed guards at the gates to intercept him. In Co2 11:32, it is said that the governor kept the city for the purpose of apprehending him. It is possible that the governor might have been a Jew, and one, therefore, who would enter into their views. Or if not a Jew, the Jews who were there might easily represent Saul as an offender, and demand his being secured, and thus a garrison or guard might be furnished them for their purpose. See a similar attempt made by the Jews recorded in Mat 28:14.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

But their laying await - Their counsel; their design.

Was known of Saul - Was made known to him. In what way this was communicated we do not know. This design of the Jews against Saul is referred to in Co2 11:32-33, where it is said, "In Damascus, the governor under Aretas the king kept the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me; and through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands."

And they watched the gates - Cities were surrounded by high walls, and of course the gates were presumed to be the only places of escape. As they supposed that Saul, apprised of their designs, would make an attempt to escape, they stationed guards at the gates to intercept him. In Co2 11:32, it is said that the governor kept the city for the purpose of apprehending him. It is possible that the governor might have been a Jew, and one, therefore, who would enter into their views. Or if not a Jew, the Jews who were there might easily represent Saul as an offender, and demand his being secured, and thus a garrison or guard might be furnished them for their purpose. See a similar attempt made by the Jews recorded in Mat 28:14.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Laying await (ἐπιβουλὴ) So rendered by A. V. wherever it occurs, viz., Act 20:3, Act 20:19; Act 23:30; but properly changed by Rev., in every case, to plot. "Laying await" refers rather to the execution of the plot than to the plot itself. Watched See on Mar 3:2. Imperfect: they were or kept watching, day and night.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

Laying await (ἐπιβουλὴ)

So rendered by A. V. wherever it occurs, viz., Act 20:3, Act 20:19; Act 23:30; but properly changed by Rev., in every case, to plot. "Laying await" refers rather to the execution of the plot than to the plot itself.

Watched

See on Mar 3:2. Imperfect: they were or kept watching, day and night.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
They guarded the gates day and night - That is, the governor did, at their request, Co2 11:32.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

They guarded the gates day and night - That is, the governor did, at their request, Co2 11:32.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
They watched the gates day and night to kill him - At this time Damascus was under the government of Aretas, king of Arabia, who was now at war with Herod, his son-in-law, who had put away his daughter in order to marry Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. As Herod was supported by the Romans, Saul's enemies might intimate that he was in league with them or Herod; and, as the gates of the city were constantly watched and shut, that no spy might enter, and no fugitive get away, they thought it would be easy to apprehend him; and doubtless got orders for the different officers at the gates to be on the look-out that he might not be permitted to escape.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

They watched the gates day and night to kill him - At this time Damascus was under the government of Aretas, king of Arabia, who was now at war with Herod, his son-in-law, who had put away his daughter in order to marry Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. As Herod was supported by the Romans, Saul's enemies might intimate that he was in league with them or Herod; and, as the gates of the city were constantly watched and shut, that no spy might enter, and no fugitive get away, they thought it would be easy to apprehend him; and doubtless got orders for the different officers at the gates to be on the look-out that he might not be permitted to escape.

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