And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
Ver. 8. And when he had declared] He knew well the worth of a faithful messenger, Proverbs 25:13. Howbeit the more to affect their hearts, and the better to effect his design, he sets God before them, and shows them the whole matter. God's commands carry a divine authority, and soon prevail with the religious. Dicto citius dicta peragunt. They say with him in the poet (Lucan),
" Iussa sequi, tam velle mihi, quam posse, necesse est. "