Acts 4:1-6:15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 4:1-4

We have here the interests of the kingdom of heaven successfully carried on, and the powers of darkness appearing against them to put a stop to them. let Christ's servants be ever so resolute, Satan's agents will be spiteful; and therefore, let Satan's agents be ever so spiteful, Christ's servants ought to be resolute. I. The apostles, Peter and John, went on in their work, and did not labour in vain. The Spirit enabled the ministers to do their part, and the people theirs. 1. The preachers... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 4:1-4

4:1-4 While they were speaking to the people, the priests, the superintendent of the Temple and the Sadducees came upon them. They were annoyed because they were teaching the people, and proclaiming, through Jesus, the resurrection from the dead. So they laid hands upon them and put them under arrest until the next day, for by this time it was evening. But many who heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. The healing of the lame man had taken place within... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 4:1

And as they spake unto the people ,.... For though only mention is made of Peter's preaching in the preceding chapter, yet doubtless John preached as well as he; either in turn, or to a part of the people at some distance: and this shows their diligence, faithfulness, and integrity, in the ministration of the word; and it is recorded to their honour, that whilst they were about their master's business, and discharging the duty of their office, the priests, and the captain of the temple,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 4:1

The priests - These persons had evidenced the most implacable enmity against Christ from the beginning. The captain of the temple - See this office particularly explained in the note on Luke 22:4 ; (note). The Sadducees - Whose whole system was now in danger by the preaching of the resurrection of Christ; for they believed not in the immortality of the soul, nor in any future world. These made a common cause with the priests, etc., to suppress the evidence of Christ's resurrection,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 4:1

Verse 1 1.And as they spoke Hereby it appeareth how watchful the wicked be, because they are always ready at an inch to stop the mouth of the servants of Christ. And, undoubt edly, they came together, as it were, to quench some great fire; which thing Luke signifieth, when as he saith that the ruler or captain of the temple came also; and he addeth, moreover, that they took it grievously that the apostles did teach. Therefore, they came not upon them by chance, but of set purpose, that,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:1

The captain of the temple. Only here and Acts 5:24 , and Luke 22:4 , Luke 22:52 in the plural some have thought that the commander of the Roman garrison of the castle of Antonia is here meant. But as the scene is laid in the court of the temple, this is very improbable. Josephus ('Ant. Jud.,' 20, Luke 6:2 ) speaks of an officer apparently of the temple, who was called ὁ στρατηγός , and was certainly a Jew by his name Ananus, and being, as Josephus relates farther ('Bell... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:1-4

The first persecution. I. THE GROUND OF IT . 1. Religious intolerance— "the priests." 2. Political animosity —" the captain of the temple." A representative of Rome, alarmed by the crowd and fearing popular tumult. 3. Rationalistic unbelief— "the Sadducees." The troubles of the Church are thus foreshadowed, proceeding from the three different sources which will always unite against the truth. Against two facts they rose up: the people were taught; the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:1-21

Truth from the tribunal. The principles which are illustrated or suggested here are— I. THAT MEN IN THE HIGHEST RELIGIOUS POSITION MAY BE ALL WRONG IN THEIR THEOLOGY . The priests were grieved that the apostles taught the people that which we know to have been God's own truth ( Acts 4:2 ). In every age since then, the teaching of pure doctrine has been a veritable grief to those who have been regarded by many as the religious authorities of the land. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:1-22

Christ's servants before the tribunal. I. THEIR APPREHENSION . Its causes. 1. The jealousy of those in ecclesiastical power. Caste, privilege, and established professions are ever jealous of popular influence. It is ill for learning and for religion when they come to be identified with the interests of a class. But neither can be shut up to the few. Light and truth are the common property of all, as there is no function higher than that of the genuine teacher of religion, so... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:1-31

The first persecution. On observing the phenomena attending the introduction and spread of Christianity in the world, one which arrests our attention is the persecution which at different times its disciples have met with from the world. The Lord Jesus himself, "the Author and Perfecter of our faith," was rejected of men and crucified. And when, after his glorious resurrection, the apostles preached the faith, and verified the truth of what they preached by such signal miracles as that... read more

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