V: 1, 2. In close connection with this unprecedented liberality of the brethren, we are now introduced to a remarkable case of corruption, of which it was the occasion. The praise always lavished on disinterested benevolence sometimes prompts illiberal men to make a pretense of liberality. But the m... [ Continue Reading ]
V: 1, 2. In close connection with this unprecedented liberality of the brethren, we are now introduced to a remarkable case of corruption, of which it was the occasion. The praise always lavished on disinterested benevolence sometimes prompts illiberal men to make a pretense of liberality. But the m... [ Continue Reading ]
3, 4. "_ But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled thy heart, to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land?_ (4) _While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why hast thou put this thing in thy heart? Thou hast not l... [ Continue Reading ]
5. The exposure of Ananias was very surprising, but neither the audience, nor perhaps Peter, was prepared by it for the event which immediately followed. (5) " And Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and expired. And great fear came upon all who heard these things. " There is no evidence that Pe... [ Continue Reading ]
6. The scene was too awful for lamentation, or for needless funeral services. As when Nadab and Abihu fell dead at the door of the tabernacle with strange fire in their censers, there was no weeping nor delay. All were stricken with horror, as they saw the curse of God fall upon the wretch. (6) "_ A... [ Continue Reading ]
7. Sapphira was not present. (7) " And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. " How she remained so long ignorant of the fate of her husband, we are not informed, though it is a most extraordinary circumstance. He had died suddenly, in a manne... [ Continue Reading ]
8-10. She came in prepared to act out fully the part which she had agreed upon with her husband. (8) "_ Then Peter answered her, Tell me whether you sold the land for so much? She said, Yes; for so much._ (9) _Then Peter said to her, Why is it that you have agreed together to put to proof the Spirit... [ Continue Reading ]
11. The failure of the plot proved as propitious to the cause of truth as its success would have been disastrous. (11) "_ And great fear came upon all the Church, and upon all who had heard these things. " This fear was excited, not only by the sudden and awful fate of the guilty pair, but also by t... [ Continue Reading ]
12, 13. Increased activity of the apostles followed, and their office was still further magnified. (12) "_ And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all, with one accord, in Solomon's Portico,_ (13) _and of the rest no man dare join himsel... [ Continue Reading ]
14. The statement just made, that "of the rest no man dared to join himself to them," can not mean that persons dared not join the Church, for the reverse is now stated. (14) "_ And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women. " The increased awe in the presence of th... [ Continue Reading ]
15, 16. The connection of Luke's next statement, introduced by the adverb _so that,_ is somewhat obscure: but I presume he intends to state a result of all the facts just mentioned. Signs and wonders were done by the apostles; the people magnified them, and believers were the more added to the Lord.... [ Continue Reading ]
17, 18. The excitement which now prevailed throughout Jerusalem and the neighboring villages, and found utterance in the most enthusiastic praise of the apostles, was too much for the equanimity of the dignitaries who had so strictly forbidden them to preach or teach in the name of Jesus. (17) "_ Th... [ Continue Reading ]
19-21. When they were all seized and cast into prison together, the apostles could but expect that they would now feel the entire weight of the wrath which was treasured up against them. (19) "_ But an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors in the night, and led them forth, and said,_ (20) _Go st... [ Continue Reading ]
22, 23. After some delay, the officers returned into the presence of the Sanhedrim without their prisoners. (22) "_ But when the officers arrived, and did not find them in the prison, they returned and announced,_ (23) _saying, The prison we found closed with all safety, and the guards standing befo... [ Continue Reading ]
24-26. The startling announcement was not without serious effect even upon the stubborn Sadducees. They were staggered by it, and knew not at first what to do or think. (24) "_ Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple, and the chief priest heard these words, they were perplexed concern... [ Continue Reading ]
27, 28. We have now a very lively and graphic description of the arraignment and trial of the apostles. (27) "_ And having brought them, they placed them in the Sanhedrim, and the high priest asked them,_ (28) _saying, Did we not strictly command you not to speak in this name? And behold, you have f... [ Continue Reading ]
29-32. To these charges the apostles candidly and fearlessly respond. (29) "_ Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. " This answers the first charge. They plead guilty, but justify themselves by the authority of God. Peter and John had left the San... [ Continue Reading ]
33. The Sanhedrim had been astonished at the boldness of Peter and John on their former trial, but had contented themselves with severe threatenings. Now, both their commands and their threats, having been despised, and the bold innovators daring to defy them once more, they lost, for a moment, all... [ Continue Reading ]
34-39. At this crisis the madness of the Sadducees was suddenly checked by the prudent counsel of one of the opposite party. The Pharisees were less exasperated, because their leading dogma was sustained by the apostles, and they saw that any imprudent proceedings were likely to involve the whole Sa... [ Continue Reading ]
40. There was no opposition to Gamaliel's advice. (40) "_ And they obeyed him; and having called the apostles, and scourged them, they commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. " Scourging was so common in the Roman empire, even of men untried and uncondemned, and was so com... [ Continue Reading ]
41, 42. However painful the scourging was, it did not cause any resentful manifestations on the part of the sufferers, but they bore it cheerfully. (41) "_ Then they departed from the presence of the Sanhedrim, rejoicing that they were thought worthy to be dishonored for his name._ (42) _And every d... [ Continue Reading ]