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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 4:5-14

We have here the trial of Peter and John before the judges of the ecclesiastical court, for preaching a sermon concerning Jesus Christ, and working a miracle in his name. This is charged upon them as a crime, which was the best service they could do to God or men. I. Here is the court set. An extraordinary court, it should seem, was called on purpose upon this occasion. Observe, 1. The time when the court sat (Acts 4:5) --on the morrow; not in the night, as when Christ was to be tried before... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 4:15-22

We have here the issue of the trial of Peter and John before the council. They came off now with flying colours, because they must be trained up to sufferings by degrees, and by less trials be prepared for greater. They now but run with the footmen; hereafter we shall have them contending with horses, Jer. 12:5. I. Here is the consultation and resolution of the court about this matter, and their proceeding thereupon. 1. The prisoners were ordered to withdraw (Acts 4:15): They commanded them to... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 4:23-31

We hear no more at present of the chief priests, what they did when they had dismissed Peter and John, but are to attend those two witnesses. And here we have, I. Their return to their brethren, the apostles and ministers, and perhaps some private Christians (Acts 4:23): Being let go, they went to their own company, who perhaps at this time were met together in pain for them, and praying for them; as Acts 12:12. As soon as ever they were at liberty, they went to their old friends, and returned... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 4:5-12

4:5-12 So on the next day it happened that the rulers and the elders and the scribes were assembled in Jerusalem, together with Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander and all those who belonged to the priestly families. So they set them in the midst and asked them, "By what power or by what name have you done this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, if today we are being examined about the good deed done to the infirm... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 4:13-22

4:13-22 When they saw how boldly Peter and John spoke, and when they had grasped the fact that they were men with no special knowledge and no special qualifications, they were amazed; and they recognized them for men who had been in the company of Jesus. So, as they looked at the man who was cured and who was standing with them, they could find no charge to make. They ordered them to leave the Sandhedrin, and they discussed with each other, "What are we to do with these men? For, that,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 4:23-31

4:23-31 When they had been released, they came to their own people and they told them all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they had heard the story, with one accord, they lifted up their voice to God and said, "O Sovereign Lord, thou who hast made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, thou who didst say, through the Holy Spirit by the mouth of David, our father, thy servant, 'Why did the nations rage and the people set their thoughts on empty... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 4:5

And it came to pass on the morrow ,.... The disciples being kept in custody all night: that their rulers, and elders, and Scribes ; that is, their ecclesiastical rulers; the chief priests, who, with the Scribes, and elders of the people, made up the great council at Jerusalem, consisting of seventy one persons, so they are called in Matthew 26:3 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 4:6

And Annas the high priest ,.... So called, either because he had been an high priest, though he was not now, but Caiaphas his son-in-law; or because he was the Sagan of the high priest, and had all the other priests under his government; and is mentioned first, because he was father-in-law to Caiaphas; See Gill on Luke 3:2 he could not be called so, because he was נשיא , "prince", or president of the council; for not he, but Gamaliel, was president at this time. And Caiaphas ; who... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 4:7

And when they had set them in the midst ,.... Of the assembly, as the Ethiopic version adds; in the middle of the sanhedrim, which sat in a semicircular form; or as the Jews express it, as the half of a round corn floor, or as a half moon, and not in a perfect circle; because it was necessary that the contending parties, and the witnesses, might go in and speak before them all F2 Misn. Sanhedrin, c. 4. sect. 3. & Bartenora in ib. ; so that those that were set before them, were... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 4:8

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost ,.... At that very instant, having received a fresh measure of the gifts and graces of the Spirit, besides what he had poured forth upon him at the day of Pentecost; so that he had great courage and presence of mind, and freedom of speech, as Christ had promised his disciples they should have, when they were brought before governors and magistrates, Matthew 10:18 . The case was much altered with Peter, he who but a little while ago was frightened by a... read more

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