Bible Commentary

And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? 7. And when they had set them in the midst ] The council or Sanhedrin was assembled as the Beth-din, in the house of judgment. they asked, By what power, or by what … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 4:7”

And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 6. and Annas the high priest ] was there. The verb is understood. Annas (called Ananus in Josephus), son of one Seth, was made high-priest (a.d. 7) … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 4:6”

And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, 5. And it came to pass on the morrow ] When the investigation was permitted to be held. that their rulers, and elders ] Here we see that the party of the Sadducees was the party of power and influence … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 4:5”

Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. 4. Howbeit ] Better, But, i.e. not being deterred by the arrest of the Apostles. many of them which heard the word believed ] on Jesus; for Peter had set Him before them as that Prophet … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 4:4”

And they laid hands on them, and put [them] in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. 3. and put them in hold ] i.e. in prison. The word means ward, safe keeping. And it is worth noticing on the use of it, that the Jews only employed imprisonment for this precautionary … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 4:3”

Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 2. being grieved ] Better, being troubled. The word signifies thoroughly pained. It is used (Act 16:18) of St Paul’s feeling when the “damsel possessed with a spirit of divination” cried after him at Philippi. that they taught the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 4:2”

And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, Act 4:1-12. First arrest of the Apostles. Their hearing and Defence 1. And as they spake unto the people ] The movements of the Apostles had by this time become an object of concern … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 4:1”

Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. 26. Unto you first ] That the Jews might first receive the blessing themselves, and then spread it abroad. God, having raised up ] Not spoken here of the resurrection … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 3:26”

Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. 25. Ye are the children [better, sons ] of the prophets ] i.e. of the same race, and therefore what the prophets … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 3:25”

Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. 24. all the prophets from Samuel ] To other prophecies St Peter only makes a general reference. We learn ( Midrash Shemuel, c. 24) that Samuel was called by the Jews “Rabban,” … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 3:24”