THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES - Chapter 21 - Verse 29

Verse 29. In the city. In Jerusalem. As he was with Paul, it was inferred that he would attend him everywhere.

Trophimus. He had accompanied Paul on his way from Ephesus, Ac 20:4.

Whom they supposed, etc. This is a most striking illustration of the manner in which accusations are often brought against others. They had seen him with Paul in the city; they inferred, therefore, that he had been with him in the temple. They did not even pretend that they had seen him in the temple; but the inference was enough to inflame the angry and excitable passions of the multitude. So in the accusations which men now often make of others. They see one thing, they infer another; they could testify to one thing, but they conclude that another thing will also be true, and that other thing they charge on them as the truth. If men would state facts as they are, no small part of the slanderous accusations against others would cease. An end would be made of most of the charges of falsehood, and error, and heresy, and dishonesty, and double-dealing, and immorality. If a statement is made, it should be of the thing as it was. If we attempt to state what a man has done, it should not be what we suppose he has done. If we attempt to state what he believes, it should not be what we suppose he believes.

{f} "Trophimus" Ac 20:4