_And as they_ Namely, Peter and John; _spake unto the people_ The multitude, who had assembled in the temple, upon occasion of the miraculous cure of the lame man, as related in the preceding chapter; _the priests, &c., came upon them_ So wisely did God order, that they should first bear a full test... [ Continue Reading ]
_Howbeit, many of them which heard the word believed_ For though the preachers were persecuted, the word prevailed. Thus the suffering days of the church have often been her growing days. _And the number of the men_, besides women and children, was _about five thousand_ “The assembly that owned Chri... [ Continue Reading ]
_And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers_, &c., _were gathered together_ There was a general assembly held of those who constituted the sanhedrim, and a court formed at Jerusalem. _And Annas the high-priest, and Caiaphas_ The meaning seems to be, Annas, who had been high-priest, and Cai... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost_ That moment, according to the promise of his now glorified Master, (Matthew 10:20; Mark 13:11,) which was upon this occasion remarkably verified; _said unto them_ With the utmost freedom; _Ye rulers of the people, &c_. He gives them the honour due to their of... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John_ Observed with what courage and freedom they spoke, and pleaded their Master's cause, and to what a high degree they extolled him in the very presence of those magistrates who had so lately condemned him to the most shameful death; _and perceived tha... [ Continue Reading ]
_But when they had commanded them to go aside_ To withdraw, not being willing they should hear the acknowledgments that were extorted from them; _they conferred among themselves_ Privately. Now the scripture was fulfilled which foretold that _the rulers would take counsel together, against the Lord,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Peter and John_ Feeling themselves animated in this arduous circumstance with a courageous zeal, which would not permit them to be silent, lest that silence should be interpreted as a promise to quit the ministry; _answered, Whether it be right_ A righteous thing; _in the sight of God_ To whom we a... [ Continue Reading ]
_So when they had further threatened them_ Namely, in severer terms than before; _they let them go_ Not thinking it proper, all circumstances considered, to proceed to any further extremities at that time; since they could find nothing in their conduct for which they could punish them with any show... [ Continue Reading ]
_And being let go_ Being dismissed from their examination by the rulers; _they went to their own company_ Who, probably, were at this time met together, praying for them; _and reported all that the chief priests had said_ Adding, no doubt, what they were enabled by the grace of God to reply to them,... [ Continue Reading ]
_And now, Lord_ As to what remains to accomplish this important scheme, of raising thy church on the sure foundation of thy Son's cross; _behold their threatenings_ With which they are endeavouring to discourage the chosen witnesses of his resurrection; _and grant to thy servants, that with all bold... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the multitude of them that believed_ All the individuals, male and female, that, having believed on Jesus, had joined themselves to the Christian Church, numerous as they were; _were of one heart and one soul_ Were perfectly united in love to God and one another, according to the full meaning o... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Joses_ Among the rest of those primitive converts who so generously contributed of their substance for the relief and subsistence of the poor believers, in these extraordinary circumstances, there was _one Joses, by the apostles surnamed Barnabas, The son of consolation_ Not only on account of... [ Continue Reading ]