PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN. Acts 4:1. Peter's speech seems to have reached its conclusion, but Acts 4:1 says it was interrupted by the arrival of persons representing the Sanhedrin and exercising its summary powers. The captain of the Temple is mentioned only by Lk. (Mt. and Mk. speak of the h... [ Continue Reading ]
A full meeting of the Sanhedrin takes place in the morning. Annas and Caiaphas are known to us; the former was high priest, A.D. 6- 15; Caiaphas, his son-in-law, A.D. 18- 34. John and Alexander are otherwise unknown. These and the other high-priestly aristocrats belonged by tradition to the Sadducee... [ Continue Reading ]
DILEMMA OF THE RULERS: THEIR VERDICT. The promise of Luke 21:15 is at once literally fulfilled, and the reasoning is given by which the judges felt themselves overborne. It is that Peter and John are certain of their case, and show no hesitation though they possess no literary training and are gener... [ Continue Reading ]
RETURN OF THE APOSTLES TO THEIR OWN PEOPLE. The Christians are spoken of as if they lived together (_cf. Acts 1:14_, Acts 2:44) or at least had a hall where they could all meet. The prayer (Acts 4:24) does not thank God directly for the deliverance of His servants but rather for the fulfilment of Hi... [ Continue Reading ]
THE STATE OF THE CHURCH (_cf. Acts 2:42_). The expression _the_ multitude of the believers (about 5000 according to Acts 4:4) was one heart and soul, is proverbial for entire harmony. None took a selfish view of his property; all was common. The apostles fulfilled their commission of bearing witness... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS 4:36 TO ACTS 5:11. COMMUNITY OF GOODS AMONG THE FIRST CHRISTIANS. Acts 4:36 f. The Case of Joses Barnabas. Joses is not again heard of in the NT under this name, but always under his other name, Barnabas, a translation of which is offered, but one with which scholars are not satisfied. It conne... [ Continue Reading ]