Acts 5:41

Rejoicing, &c.— The punishment ordered by the Sanhedrim, some suppose, was inflicted in some open market-place, whereby the sufferers were exposed; and therefore it is said, says Dr. Lardner, that they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame. But in Acts 5:40 the apostles are represented as called in, and beaten with rods; or scourged before the Sanhedrim; and then, in this verse, as departing from the Sanhedrim, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be exposed to infamy for the sake of his name. If they were scourged in the presence of the Sanhedrim, that was certainly being exposed before the highest and most venerable court among the Jews, and suffering great infamy in the esteem of the whole nation. We may observe, that the corrupt and persecuting world begins with mocking, ch. Acts 2:13 thence proceeds to cavilling, ch. Acts 4:7 to threats, Acts 5:17 to imprisoning, ch. Acts 5:18 to blows, Acts 5:40 to slaughter, ch. Acts 7:58. A sure mark of the truth is joy in affliction, such as is true, deep, and pure.