Acts 5:41

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 5:12-42

3. Intensified external opposition 5:12-42God’s power manifest through the apostles in blessing (Acts 3:1-26) as well as in judgment (Acts 5:1-11) made an increasingly powerful impact on the residents of Jerusalem. The Jewish leaders increased their opposition to the apostles as they had increased their opposition to Jesus. Luke preserved the record of the developing attitudes that resulted. The Sadducees became more jealous and antagonistic, the Pharisees chose to react with moderation, and... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 5:41

Rather than emerging from their beating repentant or discouraged, the apostles went home rejoicing. They did not enjoy the beating, but they considered it an honor to suffer dishonor for the sake of Jesus’ name (cf. Acts 3:6; Acts 16:25). Jesus had predicted that people would hate and persecute His disciples and had told them to rejoice in these responses (Matthew 5:10-12; Luke 6:22-23). Peter later wrote that Christians should count it a privilege to suffer for Christ’s sake (1 Peter 4:13; cf.... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 5:41-42

The response of the apostles 5:41-42 read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 5:1-42

The Apostles Again Imprisoned1-16. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was not keeping back part of the price, which they had a perfect right to do (Acts 5:4), but pretending that the money which they offered to the Apostles was the whole price of the possession sold, which was not the case. Their motive was vanity and ambition. They wished to have a greater reputation for liberality than they were entitled to.1. Ananias] i.e. ’Jehovah hath been gracious.’Sapphira] If the word is Greek it means... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Acts 5:41

(41) Rejoicing that they were counted worthy.—The emotion is probably, in one sense, natural to all who have an intense conviction of the Truth for which they suffer. But in this case there was something more. The Twelve could not fail to remember their Lord’s beatitudes; and now, for the first time, felt that they could “rejoice and be exceeding glad” because they were suffering as the prophets had suffered before them (Matthew 5:11-12). And they were suffering for His Name, or rather, with... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Acts 5:1-42

Definite Religious Teaching (In St. Lawrence Jewry, to the Association of Head Masters, 11th January, 1907) Acts 5:12 What were they doing there? Worshipping is the answer which used to be made; holding the primitive Divine service out of which have grown our liturgies. The unlikeliness of this answer does not need drawing out. We shall most of us agree that the meetings of the groups of Christians in the Temple's cloister must have been for conference on the affairs of the community on some ... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Acts 5:1-42

CHAPTER 5 1. Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-10 ). 2. Signs and wonders by the Apostles (Acts 5:11-16 ). 3. The second arrest of the Apostles and their Deliverance (Acts 5:17-25 ). 4. Before the Council (Acts 5:26-33 ). 5. Gamaliel’s Advice (Acts 5:34-39 ). 6. The Apostles beaten and dismissed (Acts 5:40-42 ). With this chapter the scene changes. Beautiful is the ending of the previous chapter, Barnabas having sold his land, laid the money at the feet of the Apostles. He gave by it a... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Acts 5:41

5:41 {15} And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.(15) The apostles, accustomed to suffer and bear words, are eventually accustomed to bearing stripes, and yet in such a way that by means of them they become stronger. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 5:1-42

Where God is working, however, the opposition of Satan soon becomes apparent. The evil begins (as evil always does) in an underhand manner, but is quickly exposed by God. Ananias and Sapphira certainly did not expect to have their sin discerned as it was. Evidently because others were doing it, they sold land, bringing part of the price to the apostles on the understanding that it was the full price. The power of the Spirit of God present at the time did not allow the falsehood to pass. God... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Acts 5:1-42

VARIED EXPERIENCES UNITY OF LOVE (Acts 4:31-37 ) The quickening in the last lesson was associated with another outpouring of the Holy Spirit but not another “baptism,” and some who had been filled before were refilled, with results following: (1) courage in preaching (Acts 4:31 ); (2) unity of soul (Acts 4:32 ); (3) power in testimony (Acts 4:33 ); and (4) love in practical conduct (Acts 4:34-37 ). This last result has sometimes been quoted as favoring Christian communism, but it is to be... read more

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