SEV Biblia, Chapter 23:11
Y la noche siguiente, presentndosele el Seor, le dijo: Confía, Pablo; que como has testificado de mí en Jerusaln, así te conviene testificar tambin en Roma.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 23:11
Verse 11. Be of good cheer, Paul] It is no wonder if, with all these trials and difficulties, St. Paul was much dejected in mind; and especially as he had not any direct intimation from God what the end of the present trials would be: to comfort him and strengthen his faith, God gave him this vision. So must thou bear witness also at Rome.] This was pleasing intelligence to Paul, who had long desired to see that city, and preach the Gospel of Christ there. He appears to have had an intimation that he should see it; but how, he could not tell; and this vision satisfied him that he should be sent thither by God himself. This would settle every fear and scruple concerning the issue of the present persecution.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 11. And the night following , etc.] The day in which Paul was brought before the sanhedrim, and pleaded his own cause before them, and had thrown them into confusion and division: the Lord stood by him ; the Lord Jesus Christ appeared in a vision to him, and stood very near him, by the side of him, by the bed or couch on which he might lie: and said, be of good cheer, Paul ; though he was now a prisoner in the castle; and though the high priest, and the Sadducees especially, were enraged against him; and though a plot was about to be formed to take away his life; for this exhortation seems to be designed to prepare him for further trials, and to prevent discouragement under them; which shows the great care of Christ over him, his concern for him, and love to him: the word Paul is not in the Alexandrian copy, nor in the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions; but the calling him by name seems to express not only singular knowledge of him, but greater familiarity and affection; it is in the Arabic version, and in other Greek copies: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem ; not only in the Christian church, and before the Apostle James, and the elders, but in the Jewish sanhedrim, and before the high priest, Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees, where and before whom, though not particularly recorded, he bore a testimony for Jesus, that he was the true Messiah; and that though he died, he was risen from the dead, and was at the right hand of God, and was the only Saviour of men: so must thou bear witness also at Rome ; as he had bore a public and faithful witness to the person, office, and grace of Christ at Jerusalem, the metropolis of Judea; so it was necessary, by the decree of God, and for the glory of Christ, that he should bear a like testimony at Rome, the chief city in the whole world; hereby signifying, that he should not die at Jerusalem, and giving him a hint that he should appeal to Caesar, which he afterwards did.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-11 - The Pharisees were correct in the faith of the Jewish church. The Sadducees were no friends to the Scripture or Divine revelation; the denied a future state; they had neither hope of eternal happiness, no dread of eternal misery. When called in question for his being Christian, Paul might truly say he was called in question for the hop of the resurrection of the dead. It was justifiable in him, by thi profession of his opinion on that disputed point, to draw off the Pharisees from persecuting him, and to lead them to protect him from this unlawful violence. How easily can God defend his own cause! Thoug the Jews seemed to be perfectly agreed in their conspiracy agains religion, yet they were influenced by very different motives. There is no true friendship among the wicked, and in a moment, and with the utmost ease, God can turn their union into open enmity. Divin consolations stood Paul in the most stead; the chief captain rescue him out of the hands of cruel men, but the event he could not tell Whoever is against us, we need not fear, if the Lord stand by us. It is the will of Christ, that his servants who are faithful, should be always cheerful. He might think he should never see Rome; but God tell him, even in that he should be gratified, since he desired to go ther only for the honour of Christ, and to do good.
Greek Textus Receptus
τη 3588 T-DSF δε 1161 CONJ επιουση 1966 5752 V-PXP-DSF νυκτι 3571 N-DSF επιστας 2186 5631 V-2AAP-NSM αυτω 846 P-DSM ο 3588 T-NSM κυριος 2962 N-NSM ειπεν 2036 5627 V-2AAI-3S θαρσει 2293 5720 V-PAM-2S παυλε 3972 N-VSM ως 5613 ADV γαρ 1063 CONJ διεμαρτυρω 1263 5662 V-ADI-2S τα 3588 T-APN περι 4012 PREP εμου 1700 P-1GS εις 1519 PREP ιερουσαλημ 2419 N-PRI ουτως 3779 ADV σε 4571 P-2AS δει 1163 5904 V-PQI-3S και 2532 CONJ εις 1519 PREP ρωμην 4516 N-ASF μαρτυρησαι 3140 5658 V-AAN
Robertson's NT Word Studies
23:11 {The night following} (tei epiousei nukti). Locative case, on the next (following) night. {The Lord} (ho kurios). Jesus. Paul never needed Jesus more than now. On a previous occasion the whole church prayed for Peter's release (#12:5), but Paul clearly had no such grip on the church as that, though he had been kindly welcomed (#21:18). In every crisis Jesus appears to him (cf. #Ac 18:9). It looked dark for Paul till Jesus spoke. Once before in Jerusalem Jesus spoke words of cheer (#22:18). qen he was told to leave Jerusalem. Now he is to have "cheer" or "courage" (qarsei). Jesus used this very word to others (#Mt 9:2,22; Mr 10:49). It is a brave word. {Thou hast testified} (diemarturw). First aorist middle indicative second person singular of diamarturomai, strong word (see on 22:18). {Must thou} (se dei). That is the needed word and on this Paul leans. His hopes (#19:21) of going to Rome will not be in vain. He can bide Christ's time now. And Jesus has approved his witness in Jerusalem.
