Acts 5:28

Saying, We strictly charged you not to teach in this name: and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

In this name ... It is nearly incredible, the hatred which the Jewish religious hierarchy had for the blessed name of Jesus, which name they simply would not pronounce under any circumstances, saying "this name," as here, instead, and always referring to him as "this man" or "that man."

In this narrative of the apostles' escape from prison, just related, some critics have found what they believe to be a somewhat stereotyped "form" of such escape episodes in ancient classical literature, claiming from this, of course, that the episode before us is questionable. However, the form-critical approach to the New Testament is by far the weakest criticism ever alleged against it, being totally unworthy of any particular attention. As Bruce warned:

In this as in all form-critical studies it must be remembered that the material is more important than the form; meat pies and mud pies may be made in pie-dishes of identical shape, but the identity of shape is the least important consideration in comparing the two kinds of pies![32]

Bring this man's blood upon us ... What a monstrous protest was this! These were the men who screamed, "His blood be upon us and upon our children!" but now they are very unwilling to face the guilt they incurred. As Scott noted:

See how those who with presumption will do an evil thing, yet cannot bear to hear of it afterward, or to have it charged upon them. They could cry daringly enough, "His blood be on us"; but now they take it as a heinous affront to have Christ's blood laid upon them.[33]

[32] F. F. Bruce, op. cit., p. 120.

[33] Thomas Scott, op. cit., p. 450.