30 When the brothers knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
In that he went to Tarsus, he did it undoubtedly to this end, that he might carry the doctrine of the gospel thither, because he hoped that he should have some favor and authority in his country, where he was famous; yet was he brought thither by the brethren, that they might deliver him from the lying in wait.
To Cesarea - See the notes on Acts 8:40.
And sent him forth to Tarsus - This was his native city. See the notes on Acts 9:11. It was in Cilicia, where Paul doubtless preached the gospel, Galatians 1:21, "Afterward I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia."
They brought him down to Caesarea - Calmet contends that this was Caesarea of Palestine, and not Caesarea Philippi; it being his opinion, and indeed that of others, that where this word occurs without any addition, in the New Testament, Caesarea of Palestine is meant, and not Caesarea Philippi. See on Acts 8:40 (note).
Sent him forth to Tarsus - This was his own city; and it was right that he should proclaim to his own countrymen and relatives that Gospel through which he was become wise to salvation.
(8) [Which] when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
(8) The ministers of the word may change their place with the advice and counsel of the congregation and church.
Which when the brethren knew,.... When the members of the church heard of it, by some means or another:
they brought him down to Caesarea; not that which was before called Strato's tower, the same as in Acts 8:40 but Caesarea Philippi, mentioned in Matthew 16:13 the Syriac version adds, "by night", and some copies, "and sent him forth to Tarsus"; a city of Cilicia, his own native place, where he might be more safe, and also useful among his friends and acquaintance; Galatians 1:21.
they brought him down to CÃ&brvbr;sarea--on the coast (see on Acts 8:40); accompanying him thus far. But Paul had another reason than his own apprehension for quitting Jerusalem so soon. "While he was praying in the temple, he was in a trance," and received express injunctions to this effect. (See on Acts 22:17-21).
and sent him forth to Tarsus--In Galatians 1:21 he himself says of this journey, that he "came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia"; from which it is natural to infer that instead of sailing direct for Tarsus, he landed at Seleucia, travelled thence to Antioch, and penetrated from this northward into Cilicia, ending his journey at Tarsus. As this was his first visit to his native city since his conversion, so it is not certain that he ever was there again. (See on Acts 11:25). It probably was now that he became the instrument of gathering into the fold of Christ those "kinsmen," that "sister," and perhaps her "son," of whom mention is made in Acts 23:16, &c.; Romans 16:7, Romans 16:11, Romans 16:21 [HOWSON].
They brought him down to CÃ&brvbr;sarea. The same class of Jews who had raised the persecution against Stephen now sought the death of Saul. By the aid of the brethren he was taken to the seaport of CÃ&brvbr;sarea and sailed for his old home at Tarsus. Some think, however, from Galatians 1:21, that the journey was made by land through Syria. It is more likely that he sailed from CÃ&brvbr;sarea to Seleucia in Syria, and from thence made his way to Tarsus. Four or five years pass before the next mention of Saul in Acts (Acts 12:25), an interval passed in preaching Christ (Galatians 1:23), and resulting in the planting of churches in Cilicia (Acts 15:23, Acts 15:41).
*More commentary available at chapter level.