CHAPTER 5 DANGERS BOTH WITHIN AND WITHOUT THE CHURCH—FALSE FRIENDS AND OPEN FOES § 1. The Story of Ananias and Sapphira; or, Hypocrisy unveiled (Acts 5:1). § 2. A Page from the Church’s Life History; or, the Calm before a Storm (Acts 5:12). § 3. Annas on the Move; or, the Bursting of the Storm... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL REMARKS_ Acts 5:1. ANANIAS.—Perhaps the same name as Ananiah (Nehemiah 3:23) or Hananiah (1 Chronicles 3:21; Jeremiah 28:1; Daniel 1:6), translated in the LXX. Ἀνανίας, and signifying _the cloud or mercy of God_. SAPPHIRA.—Possibly from the Greek σάπφειρος, _sapphire_, or from the Syriac... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL REMARKS_ Acts 5:12. AMONG THE PEOPLE.—_I.e._, the population of Jerusalem. ALL.—Either all the apostles, THE REST being believers and unbelievers (Alford, Olshausen, Hackett), or more likely all the believers, the rest being THE PEOPLE, or those not believing (Bengel, De Wette, Meyer, Hol... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL REMARKS_ Acts 5:17. THE HIGH PRIEST.—Annas, as in Acts 4:6. INDIGNATION.—Not envy or jealousy (R.V.), but hot, angry zeal. Acts 5:19. Not THE but AN ANGEL OF THE LORD; _i.e._, sent by the Lord, or the Exalted Christ. Acts 5:20. ALL THE WORDS OF THIS LIFE.—_I.e._, of this resurrection li... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL REMARKS_ Acts 5:33. CUT TO THE HEART.—Lit. _sawn asunder_, torn in pieces, _sc_. in their hearts. Compare Acts 7:54—a much stronger expression than that used in Acts 4:2 or Acts 16:18, and closely resembling that employed in Acts 2:37. Acts 5:34. A PHARISEE.—A member of one of the princip... [ Continue Reading ]