Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 5:24
Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
24. Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple ] The best MSS. have only Now when the captain of the temple. The word which in the A. V. is rendered high priest is simply = priest, but the like usage is common enough in Hebrew.
On the captain of the temple, see Act 4:1; and on chief priests, Act 4:23.
heard these things ] Better, these words. It refers simply to the report which the officers had just brought back.
they doubted of them whereunto this would grow ] i.e. they were at a loss about what was said, and did not know what step to take next. It is worthy of notice that when the Apostles are brought before them in the end, the magistrates avoid all questions about how they had been released. They clearly wished to have no more testimony to the supernatural powers which had been so often manifested in connection with Jesus and His followers. Caiaphas and his party could not be ignorant how Jesus Himself had risen out of His grave to the great terror of the Jewish guard set over it. With the opinions these authorities held, we can quite understand their perplexity and their silence on the subject, at all events before the disciples and the multitude.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The captain of the temple – See the notes on Act 4:1.
Doubted of them – They were in perplexity about these things. The word rendered doubted denotes that state of anxiety which arises when a person has lost his way, or when he does not know what to do to escape from a difficulty. See Luk 9:7.
Whereunto this would grow – What this would be; or, what would be the result or end of these events. For:
- Their authority was disregarded.
- God had opposed them by a miracle.
(3)The doctrines of the apostles were gaining ground.
(4)Their efforts to resist them had been in vain. They need not have doubted; but sinners are not disposed to be convinced of the truth of religion.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 24. They doubted of them whereunto this would grow.] They did not know what to think of the apostles, whether they had saved themselves by magic, or whether they were delivered by a real miracle; and they were at a loss to tell what the issue of these things would be.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The captain of the temple; the commander over the soldiers who were set to guard the temple, either to secure the treasure there, or to be in a readiness to suppress any tumult thereabouts; Pilate speaks of this, Mat 27:65.
The chief priests; the heads of the families, or chief of the courses of the priests.
They doubted of them; by what means these wonderful things were done; for they were loth to see and acknowledge God in them.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
24-26. they doubted“werein perplexity.”
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Now when the high priest,…. Or “the priests”, as it is read in most copies; the Complutensian edition reads, “the high priest”; and he is certainly designed, since he is distinguished from the chief priests after mentioned: the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions, leave out this word; as does also the Alexandrian copy:
and the captain of the temple; the same versions read in the plural number; [See comments on Lu 22:4],
[See comments on Lu 22:52],
[See comments on Ac 4:1].
and the chief priests heard these things; which the officers related, that the prison doors were shut and sure, and the keepers upon their watch, and yet the apostles gone:
they doubted of them, whereunto this would grow; they did not doubt of the truth of the things their officers told them, but they were amazed at them, and hesitated in their minds about them, and were anxiously thoughtful; what this would, or should be, or how this should be done; that the prison doors should be shut, and yet the prisoners gone; they were in suspense and anxiety of mind, what to impute it to; whether to a divine and supernatural power, or to magic art; and were uneasy in their minds what would be the issue of so strange and surprising an event.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
They were much perplexed (). Imperfect active of old verb by Luke only in the N.T. See already on Ac 2:12. They continued puzzled.
Whereunto this would grow ( ). More exactly,
As to what this would become . Second aorist middle optative of with , the conclusion of a condition of the fourth class (undetermined with less likelihood of determination), the unexpressed condition being “if the thing should be allowed to go on.” The indirect question simply retains the optative with (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 1021, 1044). If they had only known how this grain of mustard seed would grow into the greatest tree on earth and how dwarfed the tree of Judaism would be beside it!
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
They doubted [] . See on Luk 9:5. Rev., were much perplexed, giving the force of dia, thoroughly at a loss. Compare Luk 24:4. 1 4
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Now when they heard these things,” (hos de ekousan tous logous toutous) “Then as these heard the word,” for the report was returned, a frustrating report, by the temple officers, Act 5:22-23.
a) “The high priest,” (ho archiereus) “The high priest,” Act 5:17, who had led in the imprisonment of the apostles.
b) “And the captain of the temple,” (ho te strategos tou hierou) “Both the commandant (captain) of the temple proper,” and his officer assistants, Act 5:22.
c) “And the chief priests,” (kai hoi archiereis) “And the chief ‘priests,” Annas and Caiphas, with John and Alexander, close relatives of the high priest, Act 4:1; Act 4:5-6.
2) “They doubted of them,” (dieporoun peri auton) “They were in doubt (disturbed) concerning them,” they were frustrated and fearful regarding these twelve sign and wonder working witnessing apostles whom they had harshly detained, and in a state of prejudice, imprisoned, Act 5:17-18. They feared the public influence, how this miracle would affect the mind of the public.
3) “Whereunto this would grow,” (ti an genoito touto) ‘What might come to occur regarding this kind of thing,” in addition to the healings and helps that the apostles had been to the afflicted masses in Jerusalem and the cities nearby, Act 5:12-18; Heb 2:3-4; Act 4:18; Act 4:21.
The witness of Jesus when received turns one’s world upside down, Act 17:2. This is what it is supposed to do; Eph 2:11-13; Eph 4:17-24; It turned Paul from an enemy to a soldier of Jesus Christ, Act 9:5-7; Act 26:9-23; Rom 1:14; Rom 1:16; as well as Thessalonian brethren and each of us, 1Th 1:9.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(24) The high priest.The Received text gives the priest, but the use of that word as meaning the high priest has no parallel in the New Testament, and the word is omitted by many of the best MSS.
The captain of the temple.The commander of the Levite sentinels. (See Notes on Act. 4:1; Luk. 22:52.)
Whereunto this would grow.Literally, what it might become, or, possibly, what it might be. They do not seem to have recognised at once the supernatural character of what had taken place, and may have conjectured that the Apostles had by some human help effected their escape.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
24. Captain of the temple The Jewish commandant over the Jewish police guard who kept order on the temple grounds.
Chief priests The heads of the priestly courses and priests who were relatives of the high priest.
Whereunto this would grow Literally, what it might become.
The matter had already assumed a very supernatural shape; these men were reputed as possessing miraculous powers; and truly, if prison doors could not hold them how was it possible to manage their case?
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were much perplexed concerning them as to how far this would grow.’
The news came through to the captain and the chief priests, who were seemingly not sitting at this point in the tribunal, or at least were sitting apart where they could be consulted privately. The words gave the chief priests food for thought. The captain of the Temple was second only to the High Priest (which might suggest that the High Priest was not involved in the discussions. Alternately the captain might be mentioned because he was the one to whom the report would be made, an indication of authenticity). And as they considered the matter they were perplexed and worried. They did not like these strange things that kept happening when these men were involved. How far was this thing going to grow?
Underlying these last words is a recognition that this was something uncanny, which should have required thought. But their hearts were hardened. Instead of acknowledging God’s hand in it they determined that they must get rid of these men one and for all.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Act 5:24. They doubted of them, &c. They were in great perplexity about the apostles, and what this matter might come to. Heylin. It might be rendered more literally, They were in great doubt concerning them, (namely, , these words, or this report,) what this could bethat is, whether they had procured their libertyby corrupting the keepers, or whether there might not be something miraculous in the deliverance of persons whom such extraordinary circumstances had attended.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Act 5:24-25 . ] the (above designated) priest , points to the one expressly named in Act 5:21 as . The word in itself has not the signification high priest; but the context (so also in 1Ma 15:1 ; Bar 1:7 ; Heb 5:6 ; and see Krebs, p. 178) gives to the general expression this special reference.
. ] see on Act 4:1 . He also, as the executive functionary of sacred justice, was summoned to the Sanhedrim.
] are the titular high priests; partly those who at an earlier date had really held the office, and partly the presidents of the twenty-four classes of priests. Comp. on Mat 2:4
The order in which Luke names the persons is quite natural. For first and chiefly the directing , the head of the whole assembly, must feel himself concerned in the unexpected news; and then, even more than the , the , because he, without doubt, had himself carried into effect the arrest mentioned at Act 5:18 , and held the supervision of the prison.
] they were full of perplexity (see on Luk 24:4 ) concerning them (the apostles), as to what this might come to what they had to think of as the possible termination of the occurrence just reported to them. Comp. on Act 2:12 , also Act 10:17 .
. . .] Comp. Act 5:20-21 .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
Ver. 24. They doubted of them ] Conturbabantur, et ad angustias inexplicabiles detrusi haesitabant, they were at their wit’s end, , and could not tell what in the world to do with them. Herod was troubled in like sort, Luk 9:7 . So was Diocletian, who therefore laid down the empire, because he could not conquer the Christians, merely out of discontent; so did Charles V
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
24. ] If the of the rec. be genuine, it must designate the High Priest; not that the word itself can bear the meaning (compare 1Ma 15:1-2 ), but that the context points out the priest thus designated to be the H. P. (Meyer.)
On . . . , see note, ch. Act 4:1 . He appears to have been summoned to meet the Sanhedrim, perhaps as the offence had taken place within his jurisdiction. But he was probably one of the (see Winer, Realw., Tempel, end). These latter were the titular High Priests , partly those who had served the office, partly the presidents of the twenty-four courses, partly the kindred of the H. P. (see Mat 2:4 .)
] ‘ The Apostles ,’ the of Act 5:22 ; not ‘ these words ,’ as would appear at first sight.
. ] To what this would come; ‘whereunto this would grow ,’ E. V.: not ‘quomodo factum sit,’ as Kuin., nor ‘quid hoc esset rei’ ( , as ch. Act 10:17 ), as Grot. and others.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 5:24 . .: if we retain it must mean the high priest, Act 5:27 , cf. 1Ma 15:1 ; Jos., Ant. , vi., 12, 1. But Weiss and Wendt both follow W.H [178] and R.V., and omit (so Blass [179] ). . and . are thus closely united by the , inasmuch as the former in the flight of the prisoners had the greatest responsibility, and the . had occasioned the imprisonment, Act 5:17 . The . . was present at the meetings of the Sanhedrim, and assisted in their deliberations. : see on Act 4:1 . The word is probably used as including the heads of the twenty-four courses, those who had been high priests and still retained the title, and also those referred to in Act 4:6 . Schrer, Jewish People , div. ii., vol. i., 203 206; O. Holtzmann, Neutestamentliche Zeitgeschichte , p. 142. , Act 2:12 , “were much perplexed,” R.V. See on , sc. , : not the Apostles, as Alford and Meyer. , “whereunto this might grow,” so A. and R.V. Blass interprets quomodo hoc factum esse posset, cf. Act 10:17 ; Grammatik des N. G. , p. 173. St. Luke alone uses the optative with in the N.T., cf. Luk 1:62 ; Luk 6:11 ; Luk 9:46 , Act 5:24 ; Act 8:31 ; Act 10:17 ; Act 17:18 (Luk 15:26 ; Luk 18:36 , Act 26:29 , doubtful text); Burton, N. T. Moods and Tenses , pp. 80 and 133; see also Viteau, Le Grec du N. T. , p. 66 (1893).
[178] Westcott and Hort’s The New Testament in Greek: Critical Text and Notes.
[179] R(omana), in Blass, a first rough copy of St. Luke.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
the high priest and. The texts omit.
captain. See note on Act 4:1.
things = words. App-121.
doubted = were doubting Greek. diaporeo. See note on Luk 9:7.
whereunto, &c. = what this might come to be.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
24.] If the of the rec. be genuine, it must designate the High Priest; not that the word itself can bear the meaning (compare 1Ma 15:1-2), but that the context points out the priest thus designated to be the H. P. (Meyer.)
On . . ., see note, ch. Act 4:1. He appears to have been summoned to meet the Sanhedrim, perhaps as the offence had taken place within his jurisdiction. But he was probably one of the (see Winer, Realw., Tempel, end). These latter were the titular High Priests, partly those who had served the office, partly the presidents of the twenty-four courses, partly the kindred of the H. P. (see Mat 2:4.)
] The Apostles, the of Act 5:22; not these words, as would appear at first sight.
. ] To what this would come; whereunto this would grow, E. V.:-not quomodo factum sit, as Kuin.,-nor quid hoc esset rei ( , as ch. Act 10:17), as Grot. and others.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 5:24. , they were perplexed) The world, in harassing the servants of God, involves itself in countless perplexities, and attributes all the blame to them: ch. Act 12:18, Act 16:20, Act 17:6.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
the captain: Act 5:26, Act 4:1, Luk 22:4, Luk 22:52
they: Act 2:12, Act 4:16, Act 4:17, Act 4:21, Joh 11:47, Joh 11:48, Joh 12:19
this: Isa 9:7, Isa 53:1, Isa 53:2, Dan 2:34, Dan 2:35, Dan 2:44, Dan 2:45, Zec 6:12, Zec 6:13, Mar 4:30-32
Reciprocal: 2Ki 11:4 – the captains 1Ch 9:11 – the ruler 1Ch 24:5 – the governors Neh 2:10 – it grieved Neh 11:11 – the ruler Jer 20:1 – chief Jer 29:26 – officers Mat 2:3 – he Mat 21:38 – This Mat 22:34 – they Act 5:21 – But Act 10:17 – while
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
4
Act 5:24. Doubted is from a word that means to wonder or be perplexed. Grow is from GINOMAI, which has such a wide range of meanings that it would be hard to settle on a definite one in any one place. Some idea of the word may be gathered from the fact that in the King James Version, the word is translated by 39 different terms; one of them is “be,” used 249 times. The verse simply means the captain and chief priests did not know what to make of the situation revealed by the report.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 5:24. Now when the high priest. For the word rendered high priest here, in the original Greek we find only , priestthat is, the priest just mentioned in Act 5:21, and who we have explained was Annas.
The captain of the temple. As before, the Jewish priest in command of the Levite guard of the Temple. This priestly captain was most probably himself one of the chief priests, and in consequence had a seat in the Sanhedrim.
The chief priests. This order is supposed to have been made up(1) of those distinguished men who had formerly borne the title and rank of high priest (Caiaphas, for instance), an office which we know at this time was only held during the pleasure of the Roman Government; (2) of the heads of the twenty-four priestly courses.
They doubted of them whereunto this would grow. The strange unexplained escape filled them with terror; but this new incident would only serve to excite the popular mind, already so much moved in favour of the new sect.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Act 5:24-25. When the high-priest, &c., heard these things So perfectly unexpected; they doubted of them They were extremely perplexed, and even at their wits end, having never been so disappointed before of a thing they were so sure of. They doubted, , what this thing might be That is, whether they had procured their liberty by corrupting the keepers, or whether there might not be something miraculous in the deliverance of persons, whom such extraordinary circumstances had attended; and in that case, what this affair might import, and what the issue of it might be. Thus the world, in persecuting the children of God, entangle themselves in numberless difficulties. Then came one Who knew their disappointment, and the uneasiness it gave them; saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison And have commanded to be brought to your bar; are standing in the temple Here, however they came thither; and teaching the people With as much freedom and confidence as ever. Now this confounded them more than any thing. Prisoners, who had broken prison, used to abscond for fear of being retaken; but these prisoners, after they had made their escape, durst show their faces even there where their prosecutors had the greatest influence.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
24-26. The startling announcement was not without serious effect even upon the stubborn Sadducees. They were staggered by it, and knew not at first what to do or think. (24) “Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple, and the chief priest heard these words, they were perplexed concerning them, what this might come to. (25) But some one came and announced to them, Behold, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” This announcement relieved the perplexity of the Sanhedrim, by enabling them to proceed with business, and relieving them from the unpleasant necessity of dispersing without a good excuse. They now dispatch a more honorable guard after the apostles than they had, at first; for the captain of the temple himself takes command. (26) “Then the captain went with the officers, and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.” The clause, “lest they should be stone,” is so arranged as to furnish a reason for both the preceding statements, that they “feared the people,” and that they “brought them without violence.” The enthusiasm of the people had been much increased, no doubt, by the angelic deliverance, which was by this time well known about the temple.
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
The major concern of the leaders was the public reaction when what had happened became known. They appear again to have been more concerned about their own reputation and security than about the facts of the case.
"If they had only known how this grain of mustard seed would grow into the greatest tree on earth and how dwarfed the tree of Judaism would be beside it!" [Note: Robertson, 3:64-65.]