Acts 5:19

19. The angel An angel, rather. (See note introductory to Acts 3:1.) Thrice does an angelic interposition occur in the first half of Acts. Renan, admitting the authenticity of the last half makes this supernaturalism the ground of questioning that of the first half. But, 1. Our very plan of the book, p. 12, shows the symmetry and oneness of the whole. 2. We have shown reason for supposing that Luke was present and witness of the scenes of this first half. 3. During this half the pentecostal power was unspent. (See p. 10.)

It is asked, Of what use was this miracle, since the apostles were again forthwith surrendered to the Sanhedrin? To this Baumgarten well replies, In the miracle God showed that he left his servants to suffer for his cause, not because he is not able to serve Caiaphas as he did Ananias and Sapphira, deliver his apostles, and make Jesus Messiah triumphant over all by omnipotent miraculous power, but because he purposes to leave human agents to their own agency. And the result was that, though the apostles severely suffered, yet they rejoiced “that they were worthy to suffer shame for his name.” Just so, we may add, Jesus before surrendering himself to his apprehenders (John 18:6) first struck them to the ground and then accepted their bonds.