Acts 5:33-42 NIV

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 5:33-42

5:33-42 When they heard this they were torn with vexation and planned to destroy them. But a certain Pharisee called Gamaliel stood up in the Sanhedrin, a teacher of the law held in honour by all the people, and ordered that the men should be put out of the meeting for a short time. He said to them, "Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves regarding these men and think what you are going to do with them. Before these days Theudas arose, saying that he was someone. Men to the number of about... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 5:33

When they heard that ,.... This defence of the apostles, in which they still insisted upon it, that they had been the crucifiers of Christ, and yet that he was raised from the dead, and exalted in heaven, and was a spiritual Saviour of men: they were cut; to the heart , as if they had been cut asunder with a saw; the Ethiopic version renders it, "they were angry", and "gnashed with their teeth", as if a saw was drawn to and fro; they were filled with rage and madness: and took counsel... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 5:34

Then stood there up one in the council ,.... Or "in the sanhedrim", which the high priest had called together; this phrase is left out in the Syriac version: yet certain it is, that the great council was now assembled, and the disciples were now before them, and this man, who was one of the members of it, stood up in it; for it seems to have been the custom, that though they usually sat, yet when anyone had anything to say, or made a speech, he rose up from his seat. A Pharisee named... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 5:35

And said unto them, ye men of Israel ,.... This he said after the apostles were put out, when the council was by themselves; and he addressed them as "men of Israel"; not as distinct from the priests and Levites in the council, but because they were all of the stock of Israel; for this council did not consist of Israelites only, as distinct from priests and Levites, as appears from Acts 5:21 . A sanhedrim commonly consisted of each of these; though if only of Israelites it was a lawful... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 5:36

For before these days rose up Theudas ,..... There is one of this name Josephus F4 Antiqu. l. 20. c. 4. sect. 1. Vid. Euseb. Eccl. Hist. l. 2. c. 11. speaks of, who set up for a prophet, and drew a large number of people after him; pretending, that if they would follow him to the river Jordan, and take their goods along with them, he would but give the word, and the waters would divide and leave them passage to go over dryfoot; but Cuspius Fadus, who then had the administration of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 5:37

After this man rose up, Judas of Galilee ,.... Of whom Josephus thus says F11 De Bello Jud. l. 2. c. 8. sect. 1. : "there was a man of Galilee, by name Judas, who led his countrymen into rebellion, declaring it an evil, should they suffer tribute to be paid to the Romans, and introduce mortal rulers after God.' And not unlike this is what another Jewish writer says F12 Juchasin, fol. 139. 1. of Judas the Galilean, and his party: "these were the cause of the Jews rebelling... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 5:38

And now I say unto you ,.... This is the sum of my advice upon the observation of these and other instances: refrain from these men, and let them alone ; keep your hands off of them, do not attempt to take away their lives, but dismiss them quietly, nor go about to hinder them, in what they are concerned: for if this counsel, or this work be of men ; if the doctrine these men preach is an human device; or this business they are engaged in is only an human affair, projected by men,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 5:39

But if it be of God ,.... If it is according to the counsel of his will; if it is a scheme of his forming, and a work to which he has called these men, and they proceed in it on good principles, and with a view to the honour and glory of God: ye cannot overthrow it ; it will proceed and get ground, and stand, maugre all the opposition of hell and earth; therefore do nothing to them, or hinder them from going on. Some copies read, "ye cannot overthrow them"; and add, "neither you, nor... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 5:40

And to him they agreed ,.... They were convinced and persuaded by his reasonings, approved of his advice, and agreed to follow it: and when they had called the apostles ; into the council again, having sent their servants for them, or ordered them to be brought in: and beaten them ; or scourged and whipped them with forty stripes save one, whereby was fulfilled what Christ had foretold, Matthew 10:17 they commanded they should not speak in the name of Jesus ; as they had... read more

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

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 5:33-42

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 5:33

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 5:34

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 5:35

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 5:36

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 5:37

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 5:38

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 5:39

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 5:40

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