by Lane Rogers
Acts 4
I. PETER AND JOHN ARRESTED AND IN PRISION
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1As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them,2being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.3And they laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening.4But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. |
A. Verses 1-3__The sermon is not compete. There yet remains a final exhortation. In rushes a group of armed men before the final words are spoken. Peter and John are rushed off to jail.
B. Luke tells us that these men were "the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees." It seems that the Sadducees were the leaders of the opposition. They did not like the apostle's teaching:
1. The resurrection of the dead.
a. This "fact" was against the teachings of the Sadducees who taught there was no resurrection from the dead.
b. The high priest "Annas" was a Sadducee and hence, all actions were either condoned by him or directly supported by him.
2. The immediate cause of the arrest was probably for disturbing the "hour of prayer." (see chapter 3). The healing of the "lame man" probably caused a disturbance. The healing of the "lame man took place at "3:00" and Peter and John were arrested at "Sundown" giving them that time to preach.
C.
Verse 4__Luke adds an encouraging word in the 4th verse. Although
Peter and John were not there to rejoice with the others, there were
many who heard the word and believed___and the
number of men in Jerusalem came to about 5000. This is a victory, for
those baptized on Pentecost probably had returned home by this time,
yet the number is still about 5000 (not including women).
| The captain of the
temple (ο στρατηγος του ιερου). Twenty-four bands of Levites guarded
the temple, one guard at a time. They watched the gates. The commander
of each band was called captain (στρατηγος). Josephus names this
captain of the temple police next to the high priest (War. VI. 5, 3).
The Sadducees (ο Σαδδουκαιο). Most of the priests were Sadducees now
and all the chief priests since John Hyrcanus I deserted the Pharisees
(Josephus, Ant. XVII. 10, 6; XVIII. 1, 4; XX. 9, 1). The Sadducees were
slow to line up with the Pharisees against Jesus, but they now take the
lead against Peter and John. Came upon them (επεστησαν αυτοις). Second
aorist active indicative (intransitive). Burst upon them suddenly or
stood by them in a hostile attitude here (Lu 20:1; 24:4; Ac 6:12; 17:5;
22:20; 23:11). (Acts 4:1, RWP) |
II. BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN 4:5-22
| Rulers and elders and
scribes (τους αρχοντας κα τους πρεσβυτερους κα τους γραμματεις). The
three classes composing the Sanhedrin (rulers=chief priests who were
Sadducees, the scribes usually Pharisees, the elders not in either
class: 24 priests, 24 elders, 22 scribes). Were gathered together
(συναχθηνα). First aorist passive infinitive of συναγω with accusative
of general reference and the subject of εγενετο. (Acts 4:5, RWP) |
A. Verses 5-6___Peter and John are in jail. The prayers of the local congregation and the many converts were going up before the Lord. It was custom for the Sanhedrin to assemble about 10 A.M. Luke gives a very good description of this august assembly. He first describes the assembly in a general statement: "the rulers and the elders and scribes," then he tells us who exactly was present: "Annas, the high priest, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest."
Annas
and Caiaphas were related. Caiaphas being the Son-in-law of Annas.
The predecessor of Pilate had deposed Annas of his rightful position
and put his son-in-law in his place. The people did not
recognize this procedure and held Annas as the rightful high priest.
In one way or the other then, we must suppose that many of the men on
the Sanhedrin were related.
| Annas (Hαννας). One of the
rulers or chief priests, ex-high priest (A.D. 7-14) and father-in-law
of Caiaphas (Καιαφας) who was actual high priest at that time, though
the title clung to Annas as here (both so called in Lu 3:2), Caiaphas
so by Roman law, Annas so in the opinion of the Jews. They with John
and Alexander are the leaders among the Sadducees in pressing the case
against Peter and John. (Acts 4:6, RWP) |
The Sanhedrin before whom the apostles were arraigned consisted of 70 men (could have been 71__70 members plus Moses). Qualifications for the Sanhedrin (at bottom of page) See Numbers 11:16.
There were:
1. twenty-four priests
2. twenty-two lawyers (not lawyers as modernity understands the term)
3. twenty-four elders (rulers and elders)
This was the "highest council" in the Jewish state. They did not have the authority over life and death, but their judgments did carry weight with Herod.
B. Verse 7___Notice they did not make a charge. Instead they are on a fishing expedition hoping that the apostles will say something that will give them a charge. "By what power or by what name have you done this?"
What does "in the name of" mean?
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ὄνομα (onoma, 3686), -τος, τό, By a usage chiefly Hebraistic the name is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is roused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering, the name, i. e. for one's rank, authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellences, deeds, etc.; thus, εἰς ὄνομα προφήτου, out of regard for [see εἰς, B. II. 2 d.] the name of prophet which he bears, i. q. because he is a prophet, Mt. x. 41; βαπτίζειν τινὰ εἰς ὄνομα τινος, by baptism to bind any one to recognize and publicly acknowledge the dignity and authority of one [cf. βαπτίζω, II. b. (aa.)], Mt. xxviii. 19; Acts viii. 16; xix. 5; 1 Co. i. 13, 15. to do a thing ἐν ὀνόματί τινος, i. e. by one's command and authority, acting on his behalf, promoting his cause, [cf. W. 390 (365); B. § 147, 10]; as, ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι κυρίου (fr. Ps. cxvii. (cxviii.) 26), of the Messiah, Mt. xxi. 9; xxiii. 39; Mk. xi. 9; Lk. |
These apostles were claiming that what they were doing was by the authority of Jesus in later verses, but this is not the point in this verse. It is the Sanhedrin asking by what authority they are doing these things, as if the apostles were doing these things as in a exorcism (Acts 19:13) or even violating the law (Deut. 13:1).
C. Verses 8-12___ It is now time for the "Words of Jesus" to find their fulfillment. "But when they deliver you up, be not anxious how you will speak. For it is not that you speak, but the Spirit of your father that speaks in you" (Matt. 10:19, 20).
These apostles give the Sanhedrin no room for charges. They answer the question with a question. "What have we done?" They healed a poor lame man and for this they are being charged? Most might consider that a "good deed." Now we answer the question. This miracle was was done "in the name of " Jesus of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even in Him does this man stand before you in good health. "He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE."
Notice the progression of thought.
1. He calls attention to the man who was healed, he was standing with them. How did this come to be?
2. Through Jesus of Nazareth. Who is He?
3. He is the One whom you crucified.
4. He is the One God raised from the dead.
5. He is the very stone which you rejected.
This last statement was full of meaning to the rulers. Peter says they built the temple without the cornerstone. The prophecy of the OT was fulfilled (Psalms 118:22) and Daniel chapter 2 (Here)
Since
Jesus was the "Chief Corner Stone" then it follows that
there "is salvation in no other."
| Of you the builders (υφ'
υμων των οικοδομων). The experts, the architects, had rejected Jesus
for their building (Ps 118:22) as Jesus himself had pointed out (Mt
21:42; Lu 21:17). This very Rejected Stone God had made the head of the
corner (either the highest corner stone right under the roof or the
corner stone under the building, Isa 28:16) as Jesus showed, as Peter
here declares and repeats later (1Pe 2:6f.). (Acts 4:11, RWP) |
D. Verses 13-18__ I think these rulers were "surprised" at the boldness of Peter and John. The apostles wasted no time at all placing the blame for the death of Jesus at the feet of the council. There may have been some admiration for these men. The council knew that they were:
1. Uneducated (ignorant)
2. Untrained
3. Yes, and now they recognize them as part of the Jesus crowd. A very dangerous situation.
____The problem is: the man who was healed was standing with them so what is it the Sanhedrin could say?(v.14) They order the apostles to leave and begin to plot their next moves.
1. A notable miracle had been performed by these men.
2. It was seen by all in Jerusalem.
3. There was no need to deny it.
4. What are we going to do now?
No punishment could be given. Even in the charge, they could not give a reason for not "speaking by the authority of Jesus." The real reason was the desire of the Sadducees to stop this teaching and put down this (later to be called) Christian movement. So they called the apostles and give them the charge "not to speak anymore by the authority of Jesus."
E. Verses 19-29___The apostles did not cower. John gave the correct answer, they must obey God rather than the council [my paraphrase]. The statement from Peter and John was framed to appeal to those present. It certainly spoke of their honesty before God.
F. Verses 21-22____ But the council does not give in. They promise punishment if the apostles don't stop this preaching. They are released with no charges.
III. THE PRAYER SERVICE 23-31
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23When they had been released, they went to their own
companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had
said to them.24And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to
God with one accord and said, "O Lord, it is You who MADE THE
HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM,25who by
the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant,
said, 27"For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,28to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur.29"And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence,30while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus."31And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness. |
A.
Verses 23-30___ Notice, we have
a "prayer" following their release. This says a great deal.
We do not know exactly who these companions were that the apostles
confided in, but probably good friends. Note how appropriate this
prayer was.
| Both Herod and Pontios
Pilate (Hηρωιδης τε κα Ποντιυς Πειλατος). Luke alone (Lu 23:12) tells
of the reconciliation between Herod and Pilate at the trial of Jesus.
So Peter and the rest interpret this prophecy as directly fulfilled in
their conduct towards Jesus Christ. Whom thou didst anoint (ον
εχρισας). As in verse 26 (cf. Lu 4:18; Isa 61:1). Inaugurated as King
Messiah. (Acts 4:27, RWP) |
1. They were in need of protection and guidance and in their prayer they addressed God as the one who "made the heaven and earth and sea and all that was in them." If He was indeed so great, surely He could protect them.
2. Then the second Psalm is quoted in which we have a description given by David hundreds of years before. The prophetic picture found its fulfillment in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. What Herod, Pontius Pilate, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel did to Jesus was only in fulfillment of God's purposes. Since then, God has thus delivered in the terrible days of His Son's adversity, He could now do the same for His chosen children.
3. The one petition made in this whole prayer was that God would consider the threatenings of His enemies and grant boldness to His servants as they spoke His Word, that He might continue to accompany the words of the apostles with the signs and wonders spoken by the apostles (this is fulfilled in the rest of the book of Acts as the Empowering of the Holy Spirit).
B. Verse 31___ Almost before the last word of the prayer was finished the answer was there. Notice how the petition of the prayer was answered.
1. They prayed that God was to consider the opposition and give them great boldness. The answer: The place where they were meeting was shaken as a reed in the wind. The Lord heard and was interested enough to let them know His concern. They, knowing His character, realized He would not answer them unless He agreed with their request. This gave them boldness.
2. They prayed that God would continue to manifest His supernatural power. Is an earthquake good enough for an answer?
3. The Holy Spirit gave them great boldness to speak the Word of God.
IV. Sharing among Believers
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32And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.33And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.34For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales35and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.36Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement),37and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. |
A. Verses 32-35__Here we have a changed in the emphasis. Since Pentecost, the letter has focused on the work of Christ to this point. Now we get a glimpse of the work of the whole church.
1. They were of one heart and one soul. There was unity of love and faith.
2. The knew that they had been bought with a price and therefore were not their own. They responded to this by a completely unselfish attitude with their material goods.
3. This actual practice afforded a bulwark of strength for the apostles in that they could point to this group as living examples of those who follow Christ.
4. "Great Grace was on them all," because of the aforementioned behavior.
Luke tells us that God's favor and approval rested on them. He says it was because of the utterly unselfish attitude and life of the believers. There was "none who lacked" since possessors of land and houses were sold and distributed according to each one's needs.
B. Verses 36-37__An example is given to one who displayed the "spirit" of the work at Jerusalem. Joseph, surnamed Barnabas, sold his field so his brethren might not be in need.