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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 5:26-42

We are not told what it was that the apostles preached to the people; no doubt it was according to the direction of the angel?the words of this life; but what passed between them and the council we have here an account of; for in their sufferings there appeared more of a divine power and energy than even in their preaching. Now here we have, I. The seizing of the apostles a second time. We may think, if God designed this, ?Why were they rescued from their first imprisonment?? But this was... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 5:17-32

5:17-32 But the high priest and his party (the local sect of the Sadducees) were filled with envy, and they laid hands on the apostles and put them under public arrest. But through the night the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison and led them out and said, "Go, stand in the Temple and tell the people all the words of this life." When they heard this they came into the Temple very early and began to teach. When the high priest and those with him arrived, they summoned the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 5:28

Saying, did not we straitly command you ,.... Or give you strict orders, with severe threatenings, that you should not teach in this name ? the Ethiopic version reads, "in the name of Jesus"; which is what is meant, but was not expressed by the sanhedrim; see Acts 4:17 and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine ; they disregarded the council, and its orders, its commands and threatenings, and preached the doctrines of the Gospel; and particularly that concerning the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 5:28

Did not we straitly command you - Ου παραγγελιᾳ παρηγγειλαμεν , With commanding did we not command you; a Hebraism - another proof of the accuracy and fidelity of St. Luke, who seems always to give every man's speech as he delivered it; not the substance, but the very words. See Acts 4:17 . Not teach in this name? - That is, of Jesus as the Christ or Messiah. His saving name, and the doctrines connected with it, were the only theme and substance of their discourses. Intend to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 5:28

Verse 28 28.The chief priest layeth two crimes to the charge of the apostles, for he accuseth them of contumacy or stubbornness, (265) because they obeyed not the decree of the council. In the second member he betrayeth an evil conscience, or, at least, he showeth that he handled rather a private business than any public cause, for he complaineth that the apostles will cause the priests and the scribes to be hated for the death of Christ. Behold, therefore, what that is which nettleth them,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 5:12-42

The advancing tide. The gospel of God's grace in Jesus Christ crucified and risen again had issued from Jerusalem at the bidding of the Lord. Would it ever stop? would it ever cease to advance? would it ever meet with obstacles sufficiently strong to turn back its current and to arrest its progress? When the flowing tide is hurrying towards the shore, some particular wave is checked by an opposing rock, and is shivered into spray before it can reach the shore. But wait a little and the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 5:17-29

Three things Divine. The success of the Christian cause had the effect which might have been anticipated; it aroused the intense hostility of the enemies of the Lord, and their bitter opposition found vent in a speedy arrest and imprisonment of the apostles ( Acts 5:17 , Acts 5:18 ). But man's adversity was God's opportunity, and we have:— I. DIVINE INTERPOSITION . ( Acts 5:19 .) How vain all bolts and bars to shut out those whom God would have to enter, to shut in those whom... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 5:17-40

A grand victory for the truth along the whole line; all the positions of the enemy taken. The few hours that were covered by this portion of the history must have been hours charged with confirmation of the faith for the apostles. It is not merely that they are again attacked and again get in the end the victory, but that every position is carried for them by some strong arm invisible. It is not altogether the force of the truth, at least of the truth as spoken and spoken by them; still... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 5:17-42

Second persecution of the Church. Notice: 1. It was the result of marvelous success. We must expect such opposition when God gives us power among the people. The proud and formal have no liking for that which can be set in contrast with their own inefficiency. 2. It proceeded from the sect of the Sadducees, i.e. the heretical school. The league between the high priest and the scoffers was a sad sign of religious degeneracy. So it is. When religion decays it becomes the food of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 5:28

We straitly charged for did not we straitly command? A.V. and T.R.; not to for that ye should not, A.V.; teaching for doctrine, A.V. We straitly charged , etc.; ἐπερωτάω seems to require a question to follow. Your teaching (for the command, see Acts 4:18 ). Intend to bring, etc. Here the secret of the persecution comes out, The guilty conscience winced at every word which spake of Jesus Christ as living. The high priest, too, would not so much as name the name of Jesus. It... read more

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