_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 ]