Luk 3:21, Act 7:56, 10:11 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 21. ; ; Jesus being baptized ; or, Jesus having been baptized. This took place after the baptism, and not during its administration, . Praying . This circumstance is omitted by the other evangelists; and it shows, 1st. That Jesus was in the habit of prayer. 2nd. That it is proper to offer up special prayer at the administration of the ordinances of religion. 3rd. That it is possible to pray in the midst of a great multitude, yet in secret. The prayer consisted, doubtless, in lifting up the heart silently to God. So we may do it anywhere--about our daily toil--in the midst of multitudes, and thus may pray always. (s) "it came to pass"

Luke 3:21

Verse 21. Mt 3:13; Mt 3:14 Mt 3:15; Mt 3:16 Mt 3:17

Jesus being baptized; or, Jesus having been baptized. This took place after the baptism, and not during its administration, Mt 3:16.

Praying. This circumstance is omitted by the other evangelists; and it shows,

1st. That Jesus was in the habit of prayer.

2nd. That it is proper to offer up special prayer at the administration of the ordinances of religion.

3rd. That it is possible to pray in the midst of a great multitude, yet in secret. The prayer consisted, doubtless, in lifting up the heart silently to God. So we may do it anywhere--about our daily toil--in the midst of multitudes, and thus may pray always.

(s) "it came to pass" Mt 3:13, Jn 1:32

Acts 7:56

Verse 56. I see the heavens opened. A figurative expression, denoting that he was permitted to see into heaven, or to see what was there, sd if the firmament was divided, and the eye was permitted to penetrate the eternal world. Comp. Eze 1:1.

(h) "heavens opened" Eze 1:1 (i) "the Son of man" Dan 7:13

Acts 10:11

Verse 11. And saw heaven opened. Acts 7:56; Mt 3:16. This language is derived from a common mode of speaking in the Hebrew Scriptures, as if the sky above us was a solid, vast expanse, and [as] if it were opened to present an opportunity for anything to descend. It is language that is highly figurative.

And a certain vessel. Acts 9:15.

As it had been. It is important to mark this expression. The sacred writer does not say that Peter literally saw such all object descending; but he uses this as an imperfect description of the vision. It was not a literal descent of a vessel, but it was such a kind of representation to him, producing the same impression, and the same effect, as if such a vessel had descended.

Knit at the four corners. Bound, united, or tied. The corners were collected, as would be natural in putting anything into a great sheet.

(a) "saw heaven" Acts 7:56 (*) "vessel" "and something" (+) "knit" "bound together"