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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 5:32

And we are his witnesses of these things ,.... Of the incarnation of Christ, of his crucifixion and death, of his resurrection from the dead, of his exaltation by the right hand of God, and of his offices as a Prince and a Saviour, and of the influences of his grace, in giving repentance and remission of sins to his people; and even to many of the Jews, who had been his crucifiers, and who were now converted under the ministry of the apostles: and so is also the Holy Ghost ; in his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 5:32

We are his witnesses - The word αυτου , his, is omitted by AD, and several others of good note; the Syriac, all the Arabic, Ethiopic, and Vulgate. It does not seem to be necessary. Of these things - Των ῥηματων τουτων , Of these transactions: i.e. of Christ's life and miracles, and of your murderous proceedings against him. And so is also the Holy Ghost - In the gift of tongues lately communicated; and by his power and influence on our souls, by which we are enabled to give... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 5:32

Verse 32 32.And we are his witnesses. After that they have declared that their doctrine came from God, they descend now unto the other part that they speak as they were commanded by God, lest they seem to attempt anything unadvisedly. For this also was a necessary defense, as it is for all the ministers of the gospel, to wit, that they make this openly known to all men that they teach nothing but that which they have received of God. Secondly, that they are called hereunto, so that they cannot... 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 5:17-40

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 5:30-32

The cross and the crown. In this address which Peter delivered to the Sanhedrim we have another epitome of the gospel. I. THE LOWEST DEPTH OF EARTHLY SHAME . "Whom ye slew and hanged on a tree" ( Acts 5:30 ). The Son of God was "made a little lower than the angels," even a Son of man, "for the suffering of death" ( Hebrews 2:9 ). He stooped to the level of our humanity, in order that he might "taste death for every man." And he underwent that experience in its most... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 5:32

Witnesses for his witnesses, A.V. and T.R.; so is the Holy Ghost for so is also the Holy Ghost, A.V. and T.R. We are witnesses. The direct reference is to the command recorded in Acts 1:8 , which they felt imperatively bound to obey. So is the Holy Ghost . The Holy Ghost bare witness to the gospel preached by the apostles by the powers which he gave them to heal and work miracles, and by the conversion of many who heard the word: "the gospel preached with the Holy Ghost sent down... read more

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