as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk--Neither the might nor the merit of the cure are due to us, mere agents of Him whom we preach.
17-21. And now, brethren--Our preacher, like his Master, "will not break the bruised reed." His heaviest charges are prompted by love, which now hastens to assuage the wounds it was necessary to inflict.
I wot--"know."
through ignorance ye did it--(See marginal references, [Lu 23:34]; [Ac 13:27]; ).
22-26. a prophet ... like unto me--particularly in intimacy of communication with God ([Nu 12:6-8]), and as the mediatorial Head of a new order of things ([He 3:2-6]). Peter takes it for granted that, in the light of all he had just said, it would be seen at once that One only had any claim to be that Prophet.
him shall ye hear in all things, &c.--This part of the prediction is emphatically added, in order to shut up the audience to the obedience of faith, on pain of being finally "cut off" from the congregation of the righteous ([Psa 1:1]).
Chapter 4
Ac 4:1-13. Peter and John before the Sanhedrin
1-12. the captain--of the Levitical guard.
of the temple--annoyed at the disturbance created around it.
and the Sadducees--who "say that there is no resurrection" ([Ac 23:8]), irritated at the apostles "preaching through (rather, 'in') Jesus the resurrection from the dead"; for the resurrection of Christ, if a fact, effectually overthrew the Sadducean doctrine.
13-17. perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men--that is, uninstructed in the learning of the Jewish schools, and of the common sort; men in private life, untrained to teaching.
took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus--recognized them as having been in His company; remembering possibly, that they had seen them with Him [Meyer, Bloomfield, Alford]; but, more probably, perceiving in their whole bearing what identified them with Jesus: that is, "We thought we had got rid of Him; but lo! He reappears in these men, and all that troubled us in the Nazarene Himself has yet to be put down in these His disciples." What a testimony to these primitive witnesses! Would that the same could be said of their successors!
18-22. Whether it be right ... to hearken to you more than ... God, judge ye.
Ac 4:23-37. Peter and John Dismissed from the Sanhedrin, Report the Proceedings to the Assembled Disciples--They Engage in Prayer--The Astonishing Answer and Results
23-30. being let go, they went to their own company--Observe the two opposite classes, representing the two interests which were about to come into deadly conflict.
31-37. place was shaken--glorious token of the commotion which the Gospel was to make ([Ac 17:6]; compare [Ac 16:26]), and the overthrow of all opposing powers in which this was to issue.
they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and spake, &c.--The Spirit rested upon the entire community, first, in the very way they had asked, so that they "spake the word with boldness" ([Ac 4:29], ); next, in melting down all selfishness, and absorbing even the feeling of individuality in an intense and glowing realization of Christian unity. The community of goods was but an outward expression of this, and natural in such circumstances.
Chapter 5
Ac 5:1-11. Ananias and Sapphira
"The first trace of a shade upon the bright form of the young Church. Probably among the new Christians a kind of holy rivalry had sprung up, every one eager to place his means at the disposal of the apostles" [Olshausen]. Thus might the new-born zeal of some outrun their abiding principle, while others might be tempted to seek credit for a liberality which was not in their character.
2. kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it--The coolness with which they planned the deception aggravated the guilt of this couple.
brought a certain part--pretending it to be the whole proceeds of the sale.
3-6. why hath Satan filled--"why ... fill--"why hast thou suffered him to fill"
thine heart--so criminally entertaining his suggestion? Compare [Ac 5:4], "why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart?" And see [Joh 13:2], .
to lie to the Holy Ghost--to men under His supernatural illumination.
7-11. Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much--naming the sum.
Ac 5:12-26. The Progress of the New Cause Leads to the Arrest of the Apostles--They Are Miraculously Delivered from Prison, Resume Their Teaching, but Allow Themselves to Be Conducted before the Sanhedrin
12. Solomon's Porch--(See on [Joh 10:23]).
13-16. of the rest durst no man join himself, &c.--Of the unconverted none ventured, after what had taken place, to profess discipleship; but yet their number continually increased.
17-23. sect of the Sadducees--See on [Ac 4:1] for the reason why this is specified.
24-26. they doubted--"were in perplexity."
Ac 5:27-42. Second Appearance and Testimony before the Sanhedrin--Its Rage Calmed by Gamaliel--Being Dismissed, They Depart Rejoicing, and Continue Their Preaching
27-28. ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine--noble testimony to the success of their preaching, and (for the reason mentioned on [Ac 4:4]) to the truth of their testimony, from reluctant lips!
29-30. Then Peter, &c.--(See on [Ac 2:22], and [Ac 3:13], &c.).
31. Prince and a Saviour--the first word expressing that Royalty which all Israel looked for in Messiah, the second the Saving character of it which they had utterly lost sight of. Each of these features in our Lord's work enters into the other, and both make one glorious whole (compare [Ac 3:15]; [He 2:10]).
to give--dispensing as a "Prince."
repentance and remission of sins--as a "Saviour"; "repentance" embracing all that change which issues in the faith which secures "forgiveness" (compare [Ac 2:38]; 20:21). How gloriously is Christ here exhibited; not, as in other places, as the Medium, but as the Dispenser of all spiritual blessings!
32-33. we are his witnesses ... and the Holy Ghost--They as competent human witnesses to facts, and the Holy Ghost as attesting them by undeniable miracles.
34. Then stood up ... Gamaliel--in all probability one of that name celebrated in the Jewish writings for his wisdom, the son of Simeon (possibly the same who took the infant Saviour in his arms, [Lu 2:25-35]), and grandson of Hillel, another celebrated rabbi. He died eighteen years before the destruction of Jerusalem [Lightfoot].
35-39. Theudas--not the same with a deceiver of that name whom Josephus mentions as heading an insurrection some twelve years after this [Antiquities, 20.5.1], but some other of whom he makes no mention. Such insurrections were frequent.
40-42. beaten them--for disobeying their orders (compare [Lu 23:16]).
Chapter 6
Ac 6:1-7. First Election of Deacons
1. the Grecians--the Greek-speaking Jews, mostly born in the provinces.