Acts 4

1 captain of the Temple. See on Luke xxii. 4; and Josephus (Wars, vi. 5, § 3).

Sadducees. Respecting the Sadducees, see notes on Matt. iii. 7; xxii. 23. The Sadducees now became the leading opponents of the gospel, not only, perhaps, as the most powerful political party, but also because they were “sore troubled” (R.V.) that illiterate and unauthorised men should teach, and still more that they taught the doctrine of the resurrection as established “in Jesus” (ep. xxiii. 6-8). Afterwards, when the Christians were suspected of disaffection to the law of Moses (vi. 11), the Pharisees also were aroused, and Saul’s persecuting zeal was excited (viii. 3; xxii. 3, 4; xxvi. 9).

3 in hold. That is, in custody. 4 was about five thousand. Rather, “had now grown to about five thousand” (Weymouth); this being the whole number who had avowed themselves believers.

5 rulers, and elders, and scribes. The Sanhedrin; see note on Matt. ii. 4.

6. Annas . . . Calaphas, etc. Respecting Annas and Calaphas, see notes on Matt. xxvi. 3 and John xviii. 13. “The kindred of the high priest”: literally, “the chief-priestly race,” perhaps denoting the heads of the twenty-four courses: see note, Matt. ii. 4.

7 in the centre. The Sanhedrin sat in a semicircle.

8 filled with the Holy Ghost. Another fulfilment of Matt. x. 20; Mark xiii. 11.

9 by what means. Lit., “in what,” or “in whom”: see R.V. marg. The reference may be either to the “power” or the “name” (ver. 7). Peter’s defence is marked by boldness and pungency. Do you call us to answer for a deed of kindness in curing a poor sufferer?

11. This is the stone, etc. See notes on Psa. cxviii. 22 and Matt. xxi. 42; and ep. Eph. ii. 20; 1 Pet. ii. 4, 6.

12 salvation. Lit., “the salvation,” emphatic. “Given,” is literally, “that has been given.”

13 boldness. Lit., “freeness of speech.”

Ignorant. Not educated as teachers of the law (Tyndale, laymen): cp. John vii. 15, and note.

they took knowledge of them. Rather, “they recognised them”: recognised them by degrees, as the form of the word in the original intimates. The knowledge dawned first on one, then on another, that they had seen these men with Jesus.

14 standing. Not merely “present” (ver. 10), but standing on his feet, perfectly cured.

16 we cannot deny it. Lit., “we are not able to deny it,” as much as to say, We would if we could.

17 straitly. That is, “strictly.” The original means (as R.V.), “Let us threaten them”; some early copies (and rec. text) adding “with a threat,” emphatically.

19 judge ye, etc. With manly boldness, Peter and John, appealing to the moral sense of their judges, assert the supremacy of conscience, and the paramount authority of the known will of God.

21 glorified. “Were glorifying,” continuously. 22 above forty years old. A note characteristic of Luke the physician: cp. ix. 33; xiv. 8, and Luke viii. 43. The lameness had been inveterate.

24 with one accord. Perhaps, one leading, the rest audibly assenting. Luke often puts into the mouth of many what could only have been spoken by one.

Lord (Master), Thou [art] God, etc. Quoted from Exod. xx. 11. His servants find their support first in His omnipotence, and then in His comforting word and promise, already fulfilled in the sufferings and resurrection of Christ. Thus emboldened, they beg Him to continue to enable them, by His grace, and by proofs of His power, to brave all threats and dangers.

25 hast said. See Psa. ii. 1, 2, and notes. Why did the heathen rage, etc.? Lit., “Why did nations rage, and peoples imagine vain things?” (“formed futile plans,” Weymouth).

27. Child. Rather, “Servant” (see note on iii. 13), as in ver. 25; and so in ver. 30.

Herod. See Luke xxiii. 12, and note. 28 determined before, etc. See ii. 23; Isa. x. 7, and notes.

30 by stretching forth, etc. Lit., “In Thy stretching forth Thy hand for healing.”

31 the place was shaken. One part of the Pentecostal sign repeated, in token of the continuance of the gift.

32 all things common. See note on ii. 44. 33 grace. Or, “favour”: as in Luke ii. 52.

34. Neither. Rather, “For neither,” etc. laid them down, etc. Placing them at the apostles’ disposal. Placing gifts at the feet is Oriental.

36 son of consolation. Or, “son of encouragement”: see xi. 23, 24. The Greek word (παρακλήσεως) conveys the same idea as that of the Paraclete, “Comforter” or “Helper,” applied to the Holy Spirit (John xiv. 16).

37 having land. The Levites had no part in the original division of Canaan, being specially provided for separately (Numb. xxxv. 2-8; Deut. x. 8, 9); but in later times they often acquired land (see Jer. xxxii. 7-12. The prophet was of the tribe of Levi).

they had moved from the Temple into the city (op. iv. 5).