Acts 5:41

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 5:41

And they departed from the presence of the council ,.... Having been threatened and beaten by them: rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name ; Beza's ancient copy, and others; the Vulgate Latin, and Arabic versions read, "for the name of Jesus"; in which name they were forbid to speak, and for speaking in it they were beaten; the Alexandrian copy, and the Syriac version read, "for the name": that is, for God, for the glory of God, and in the cause of God; השם... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 5:41

Rejoicing that they there counted worthy, etc. - The whole verse may be read thus: But they departed rejoicing from the presence of the sanhedrin, because they there deemed worthy to be dishonored on account of The Name. The word, αυτου , his, is omitted by ABCD, several others; Erpen's Syriac, and the Coptic. The Name, probably, by this time, distinguished both the author of salvation and the sacred system of doctrine which the apostles preached. To rejoice in persecution, and triumph in... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 5:41

Verse 41 41.Then they went rejoicing. We must not think that the apostles were so senseless but that they felt some shame and did also lament, when they felt the punishment; for they had not quite put off nature; (298) but when they considered the cause, then joy got the upperhand. So the faithful must be two manner of ways affectioned so often as they suffer persecution for the gospel; they must be touched with the bitterness of punishments, (299) yet so that they overcome this sorrow with... 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 5:17-42

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 5:33-42

Our attitude towards God. There are three attitudes it is possible for us to assume towards our Maker and Savior. They are those of— I. HOSTILITY . We may "be found even to fight against God." It is, indeed, as new as it is old for men to contend with God and to oppose themselves to those ends for which he is working. 1. Good men do so unwittingly; as when earnest and holy Catholics have persecuted Protestant men and women; as when devout Protestants have thrown obstacles in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 5:33-42

The advice of the cautious. Such was Gamaliel. See expository portion for an account of him, and of the rabbinical school to which he belonged. Interest attaches to him as the teacher of Saul of Tarsus, but how great is the contrast between the calm and prudent Gamaliel and the intense and impulsive Saul! The scene in the Sanhedrim when this honored teacher rose to calm the prevailing excitement, and plead for what he would call a "masterly inactivity," may be effectively pictured. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 5:34-42

Power and weakness. I. INNOCENCE AN OBJECT OF HATE TO THE UNJUST . No wound is more deadly than that inflicted by words of truth upon false hearts. If the heart will not receive the truth, the truth will pierce through it. And murderous counsels show that truth has been denied in the heart. Instead of answering the witnesses with reason for reason, the Sanhedrim seek to stop their mouth with earth and put them to death. A cause is lost when it can be no longer argued in... read more

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