And it came to pass. This had not been the last conclusion, [1] if Paul had not been cut off [stopped short] with their outrageous outcries. Notwithstanding, his drift and purpose doth plainly appear by the former text, [context] for he beginneth to intreat of his ministry, that he may show that he departed not from the Jews of his own accord, as if he withdrew him of malice from taking pains with them; but he was drawn unto the Gentiles contrary to his expectation and purpose. For he came purposely to Jerusalem, that he might impart with his own nation that grace which was committed to him. But when the Lord cutteth off his hope which he had to do good, he driveth him thence. But there was a double offense which Paul goeth about to cure. For they both thought that the covenant of God was profaned if the Gentiles should be admitted into the Church together with them, and nothing did grieve the proud nation so much as that others should be preferred before them, or so much as made equal with them. Therefore Paul's defense consisteth in this, that he was ready, so much as in him lay, to do them the best service he could; but he was afterward enforced by the commandment of God to go to the Gentiles, because he would not have him to be idle at Jerusalem. Whereas Erasmus translateth it, That I was carried without myself, is in Greek word for word, That I was in a trance; whereby he meant to purchase credit to the oracle. Also the circumstance of the time and place doth confirm the same, in that the Lord appeared to him as he prayed in the temple; which was an excellent preparation to hear the voice of God, Concerning the manner of seeing, [2] read that which we touched about the end of the seventh chapter.

Footnotes

1 - "Clausula," clause or sentence.

2 - "De modo visionis," as to the manner of the vision.

When I was come again to Jerusalem - That is, three years after his conversion. See Galatians 1:17-18.
While I prayed in the temple - Paul, like other converts to Christianity from among the Jews, would naturally continue to offer his devotions in the temple. We meet with repeated instances of their continuing to comply with the customs of the Jewish people.
I was in a trance - Greek: ecstasy. See the notes on Acts 10:10. It is possible that he may here refer to what he elsewhere mentions 2-Corinthians 12:1-5 as "visions and revelations of the Lord." In that place he mentions his being "caught up to the third heaven" 2-Corinthians 12:2 and "into paradise," where he heard words which it was "not lawful (marg. possible) for a man to utter," 2-Corinthians 12:4. It is not certain, however, that he alludes in this place to that remarkable occurrence. The narrative would rather imply that the Lord Jesus appeared to him in the temple in a remarkable manner, in a vision, and gave him a special command to go to the Gentiles. Paul had now stated the evidence of his conversion, which appears to have been satisfactory to them - at least they made no objection to his statement; he had shown, by his being in the temple, his respect for their institutions; and he now proceeds to show that in his other conduct he had been directed by the same high authority by which he had been called into the ministry, and that the command had been given to him in their own temple and in their own city.

When I was come again to Jerusalem - It is likely that he refers to the first journey to Jerusalem, about three years after his conversion, Acts 9:25, Acts 9:26, and Galatians 1:18.
I was in a trance - This circumstance is not mentioned any where else, unless it be that to which himself refers in 2-Corinthians 12:2-4, when he conceived himself transported to the third heaven; and, if the case be the same, the appearance of Jesus Christ to him, and the command given, are circumstances related only in this place.

And it came to pass, that when I was come again to Jerusalem,.... Which was three years after his conversion; for he did not immediately return to Jerusalem, but went into Arabia; and when he returned to Damascus, which was three years after he came to Jerusalem; see Galatians 1:17
even while I prayed in the temple; the temple was an house of prayer; hither persons resorted for that purpose; and as the apostle had been used to it, he continued this custom, and during the time of prayer he fell into an ecstasy:
I was in a trance: and knew not whether he was in the body, or out of the body: whether this was the time he refers to in 2-Corinthians 12:2 is not certain, though probable.

it came to pass, &c.--This thrilling dialogue between the glorified Redeemer and his chosen vessel is nowhere else related.
when I was come again to Jerusalem--on the occasion mentioned in Acts 9:26-29.
while I prayed in the temple--He thus calls their attention to the fact that after his conversion he kept up his connection with the temple as before.

When I was come again to Jerusalem. This was three years after his conversion (Galatians 1:17-18). He shows in what follows that it was by Divine direction that he had devoted his life to the conversion of the Gentiles, that he would have labored with his own race, but that, while in the temple praying, he had a second vision of the Lord who, a second time, assured him that his work was with the Gentiles.
In a trance. Greek, "An ecstasy," a state of mind when the spirit was, as it were, lifted out of the bodily conditions and enabled to discern things unseen. Compare Acts 10:10. Some have held that this trance in the temple is described in 2-Corinthians 12:2-3, but this is uncertain.
They will not receive thy testimony. His own countrymen are meant. They regarded him as an apostate.
Lord, they know. He recalls the very words of his prayer to show his anxiety to labor with his own race.
When the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed. See Acts 7:58 and Acts 8:1.
Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. Thus by the command of his Lord his life-work was placed beyond the pale of Israel.

When I was returned to Jerusalem - From Damascus, and was praying in the temple - Whereby he shows that he still paid the temple its due honour, as the house of prayer. I was in a trance - Perhaps he might continue standing all the while, so that any who were near him would hardly discern it.