BUT A CERTAIN MAN - In the previous chapter the historian had given an account of the eminent liberality and sincerity of the mass of early Christians, in being willing to give up their property to provide for the poor, and had mentioned the case of Barnabas as worthy of special attention. In this c... [ Continue Reading ]
AND KEPT BACK - The word used here means properly “to separate, to part:” and then it means to “separate surreptitiously or clandestinely for our own use” a part of public property, as taxes, etc. It is used but three times in the New Testament, Acts 5:3, and in Titus 2:10, where it is rendered “pur... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT PETER SAID ... - Peter could have known this only by “revelation.” It was the manifest design of Ananias to deceive; nor was there any way of detecting him but by its being revealed to him by the Spirit of God. As it was an instance of enormous wickedness, and as it was very important to detect... [ Continue Reading ]
WHILES IT REMAINED - As long as it remained unsold. This place proves that there was no “obligation” imposed on the disciples to sell their property. They who did it, did it voluntarily; and it does not appear that it was done by all, or expected to be done by all. AND AFTER IT WAS SOLD ... - Even... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ANANIAS, HEARING THESE WORDS ... - Seeing that his guilt was known, and being charged with the enormous crime of attempting to deceive God. He had not expected to be thus exposed; and it is clear that the exposure and the charge came upon him unexpectedly and terribly, like a bolt of thunder. F... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE YOUNG MEN - The youth of the congregation; very probably young men who were in attendance as “servants,” or those whose business it was to attend on the congregation, and perform various offices when Christians celebrated their worship (Mosheim). The word used here sometimes denotes a “serva... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT WAS ABOUT THE SPACE ... - As Sapphira had been no less guilty than her husband, so it was ordered in the providence of God that the same judgment should tome upon both.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR SO MUCH - That is, for the sum which Ananias had presented. This was true, that this sum had been received for it; but it was also true that a larger sum had been received. It is as really a falsehood to deceive in this manner, as it would have been to have affirmed that they received much “more... [ Continue Reading ]
AGREED TOGETHER - Conspired, or laid a plan. From this it seems that Sapphira was as guilty as her husband, TO TEMPT - To try; to endeavor to impose on, or to deceive; that is, to act as if the Spirit of the Lord could not detect the crime. They did this by trying to see whether the Spirit of God c... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BY THE HANDS ... - By the apostles. This verse should be read in connection with the 15th, to which it belongs. SIGNS AND WONDERS - Miracles. See the notes on Acts 2:43. WITH ONE ACCORD - With one “mind,” or intention. See the notes on Acts 1:14. IN SOLOMON’S PORCH - See the Matthew 21:12 note... [ Continue Reading ]
AND OF THE REST - Different interpretations have been given of this expression. Lightfoot supposes that by “the rest” are meant the remainder of the 120 disciples of whom Ananias had been one; and that they feared to put themselves on an equality with the apostles. But this interpretation seems to b... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BELIEVERS - This is the name by which Christians were designated, because one of the main things that distinguished them was that they “believed” that Jesus was the Christ. It is also an incidental proof that none should join themselves to the church who are not “believers”; that is, who do not... [ Continue Reading ]
INSOMUCH - So that. This should be connected with Acts 5:12. Many miracles were performed by the apostles, “insomuch, etc.” THEY BROUGHT FORTH - The people, or the friends of the sick, brought them forth. BEDS - κλινῶν klinōn. This word denotes usually the “soft” and “valuable” beds on which the... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE CAME ALSO ... - Attracted by the fame of Peter’s miracles, as the people formerly had been by the miracles of the Lord Jesus. VEXED - Troubled, afflicted, or tormented. UNCLEAN SPIRITS - Possessed with devils; called “unclean” because they prompted to sin and impurity of life. See the notes... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE HIGH PRIEST - Probably “Caiaphas.” Compare John 11:49. It seems from this place that he belonged to the sect of the Sadducees. It is certain that he had signalized himself by opposition to the Lord Jesus and to his cause constantly. ROSE UP - This expression is sometimes “redundant,” and a... [ Continue Reading ]
THE COMMON PRISON - The public prison; or the prison for the keeping of common and notorious offenders.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THE ANGEL OF THE LORD - This does not denote any “particular” angel, but simply an angel. The “article” is not used in the original. The word “angel” denotes properly a “messenger,” and particularly it is applied to the pure spirits that are sent to this world on errands of mercy. See the notes... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE TEMPLE - In a public and conspicuous place. In this way there would be a most striking exhibition of their boldness; a proof that “God” had delivered them, and a manifestation of their purpose to obey God rather than man. ALL THE WORDS - All the doctrines. Compare John 6:68, “Thou hast the w... [ Continue Reading ]
EARLY IN THE MORNING - Greek: at the break of day. Compare Luke 24:1; John 8:2. CALLED THE COUNCIL TOGETHER - The Sanhedrin, or the Great Council of the nation. This was clearly for the purpose of “trying” the apostles for disregarding their commandments. AND ALL THE SENATE - Greek: “eldership.” P... [ Continue Reading ]
FOUND WE SHUT - It had not been broken open; and there was therefore clear proof that they had been delivered by the interposition of God. Nor could they have been released by the guard, for they were keeping watch, as if unconscious that anything had happened, and the officers had the only means of... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CAPTAIN OF THE TEMPLE - See the notes on Acts 4:1. DOUBTED OF THEM - They were in “perplexity” about these things. The word rendered “doubted” denotes “that state of anxiety which arises when a person has lost his way, or when he does not know what to do to escape from a difficulty.” See Luke 9... [ Continue Reading ]
WITHOUT VIOLENCE - Not by force; not by “binding” them. Compare Matthew 27:2. The command of the Sanhedrin was sufficient to secure their presence, as they did not intend to refuse to answer for any alleged violation of the laws. Besides, their going before the council would give them another noble... [ Continue Reading ]
STRAITLY COMMAND YOU - Did we not command you with a “threat?” Acts 4:17, Acts 4:21. IN THIS NAME - In the name of Jesus. YE HAVE FILLED JERUSALEM - This, though not so desired, was an honorable tribute to the zeal and fidelity of the apostles. When Chastens are arraigned or persecuted, it is well... [ Continue Reading ]
WE OUGHT TO OBEY ... - See the notes on Acts 4:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
RAISED UP JESUS - This refers to his resurrection. HANGED ON A TREE - That is, on the “cross,” Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24; Acts 10:39; Acts 13:29. This is the amount of Peter’s defense. He begins with the great principle Acts 5:29, which they could not gainsay, that God ought to be obeyed rather t... [ Continue Reading ]
HIM HATH GOD EXALTED - See the notes on Acts 2:33. TO BE A PRINCE - ἀρχηγὸν archēgon. See the notes on Acts 3:15. In that place he is called the “Prince of life.” Here it means that he is actually in the “exercise” of the office of a prince or a king, at the right hand of his Father. The title “... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WE ARE HIS WITNESSES - For this purpose they had been appointed, Acts 1:8, Acts 1:21; Acts 2:32; Acts 3:15; Luke 24:48. OF THESE THINGS - Particularly of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and of the events which had followed it. Perhaps, however, he meant to include everything pertaining to t... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THEY HEARD THAT - That which the apostle Peter had said, to wit, that they were guilty of murder; that Jesus was raised up; and that he still lived as the Messiah. THEY WERE CUT TO THE HEART - The word used here properly denotes “to cut with a saw”; and as applied to the “mind,” it means to be... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN STOOD THERE UP ONE - He rose, as is usual in deliberative assemblies, to speak. IN THE COUNCIL - In the Sanhedrin, Acts 4:15. A PHARISEE - The high priest and those who had been most active in opposing the apostles were Sadducees. The Pharisees were opposed to them, particularly on the doctri... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR BEFORE THOSE DAYS - The “advice” of Gamaliel was to permit these men to go on. The “arguments” by which he enforced his advice were: * That there were cases or precedents in point Acts 5:36; and, * That if it should turn out to be truly of God, it would be a solemn affair to be involved in t... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDAS OF GALILEE - Josephus has given an account of this man (Antiq., xvii. 10, section 5), and calls him a “Galilean.” He afterward calls him a “Gaulonite,” and says he was of the city of “Gamala” (Antiq., 18:1:1). He says that the revolt took place under “Cyrenius,” a Roman senator, who came into... [ Continue Reading ]
REFRAIN FROM THESE MEN - Cease to oppose them or to threaten them. The “reason” why he advised this he immediately adds, that if it were of human origin, it would come to nothing; if of God, they could not overthrow it. THIS COUNSEL OR THIS WORK BE OF MEN - This plan or purpose. If the apostles had... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF IT BE OF GOD - If God is the “author” of this religion. From this it seems that Gamaliel supposed that it was at least possible that this religion was divine. He evinced a far more candid mind than did the rest of the Jews; but still it does not appear that he was entirely convinced. The argu... [ Continue Reading ]
AND TO HIM THEY AGREED - Greek: They were “persuaded” by him; or they trusted to him. They agreed only so far as their design of putting them to death was concerned. They abandoned that design. But they did “not” comply with his advice to let them entirely alone. AND BEATEN THEM - The usual amount o... [ Continue Reading ]
REJOICING - Nothing to most people would seem more disgraceful than a public whipping. It is a punishment inflicted usually not so much because it gives “pain,” as because it is esteemed to be attended with disgrace. The Jewish rulers doubtless desired that the apostles might be so affected with the... [ Continue Reading ]
AND DAILY ... - Compare 2 Timothy 4:2. See also notes on Acts 2:46.... [ Continue Reading ]