Acts 5:14 Komentář

In this chapter we have, I. The sin and punishment of Ananias and Sapphira, who, for lying to the Holy Ghost, were struck dead at the word of Peter (Act 5:1-11). II. The flourishing state of the church, in the power that went along with the preaching of the gospel (Act 5:12-16). III. The imprisonment of the apostles, and their miraculous discharge out of prison, with fresh orders to go on to preach the gospel, which they did, to the great vexation of their persecutors (Act 5:17-26). IV. Their arraignment before the great sanhedrim, and their justification of themselves in what they did (Act 5:27-33). V. Gamaliel's counsel concerning them, that they should not persecute them, but let them alone, and see what would come of it, and their concurrence, for the present, with this advice, in the dismission of the apostles' cheerful progress in their work notwithstanding the prohibition laid upon them and the indignity done them (Act 5:41, Act 5:42).

But a certain man named Ananias,.... A name common among the Jews, the same with Hananiah, Jer 28:1 it signifies not the humility of the Lord, or the affliction of the Lord, or the answer of the Lord, as say some, as if it was derived from but the grace of the Lord, or the Lord's gracious one, coming from there is no dependence on names; though this man's name signified one that was in the grace and favour of God; he was not so, but a graceless person, as appears by what follows. It is very likely he was a minister of the word, since the account of him follows upon that of Barnabas, and is opposed to it; it may be he was one of the hundred and twenty, on whom the Holy Ghost fell on the day of Pentecost; and yet, though he had great gifts, had no grace. This shows there are hypocrites among men of the greatest names and characters, and in the purest churches; this first and pure church, which, in the preceding chapter, has such large encomiums, was not free from them: with Sapphira his wife; whether this is the same name with "Shiphrah", Exo 1:15 or "Zipporah", Exo 2:21 both which are by the Septuagint called "Sephora", or whether another, and may signify "beautiful", is not very material. Jerom (c) says, in the Syriac language this name signifies "beautiful"; though he first gives other explanations of it, as "narrantem, literatam, sive librariam", as though it was derived from the Hebrew word The precious stone called sapphire seems to come from the same root as this, and to be so called because of its beautiful azure colour. The name "Sappho", which was the name of a famous poetess, the inventress of a kind of verse called "Sapphic" verse, is said to be the diminutive of this name "Sapphira". Drusius observes, it may be read "Tzephira"; which comes near to "Zipporah", and among other things signifies a "she goat"; and it was usual to give women names taken from such creatures. So "Rachel", a "sheep", and "Tabitha", or "Dorcas", a "doe". But whatever her name or person were, her actions were disagreeable: sold a possession; which was their own. So the Arabic and Syriac versions read, "their own field", or "farm"; find the Ethiopic version, "their own vineyard": it might be his wife's dowry or jointure, and so her consent was necessary; or they might be jointly concerned in this sale, to show not only their concord and harmony among themselves; but that they agreed in their devotion and religious actions, and that being both filled with zeal for God, and love to the brethren, sold their estate to support the common cause. (c) De Nominibus Hebraicis, fol. 106. C.

And believers were the more added to the Lord,.... That is, to the church, as in Act 2:47 over which Christ was Lord and head; for they were added to the Lord before, by believing in him, when they gave up themselves to him, to be saved by him; and now to the apostles, and the church by the will of God; and this case of Ananias and Sapphira was so far from hindering persons from coming into the church, that there were greater additions made to it than before, even of such as were true believers in Christ. The Ethiopic version reads, "and many were added who believed in our Lord"; the Arabic version, "they that believed in the Lord increased"; the Syriac version, "and they more increased who believed in the Lord"; and so the Vulgate Latin version, "but the multitude of them that believe in the Lord were the more increased"; all of them reading the phrase, "the Lord", not in construction with the word "added", but with "believers: multitudes both of men and women"; the weaker sex were not intimidated any more than the men, such power went along with the word, and such grace was bestowed upon them. This church must now be prodigiously numerous, for before these additions, eight thousand had been added to the hundred and twenty; such success the Gospel had, and such progress it made in the hands of such mean and contemptible persons, notwithstanding the opposition of the chief men of the nation to it. over which Christ was Lord and head; for they were added to the Lord before, by believing in him, when they gave up themselves to him, to be saved by him; and now to the apostles, and the church by the will of God; and this case of Ananias and Sapphira was so far from hindering persons from coming into the church, that there were greater additions made to it than before, even of such as were true believers in Christ. The Ethiopic version reads, "and many were added who believed in our Lord"; the Arabic version, "they that believed in the Lord increased"; the Syriac version, "and they more increased who believed in the Lord"; and so the Vulgate Latin version, "but the multitude of them that believe in the Lord were the more increased"; all of them reading the phrase, "the Lord", not in construction with the word "added", but with "believers: multitudes both of men and women"; the weaker sex were not intimidated any more than the men, such power went along with the word, and such grace was bestowed upon them. This church must now be prodigiously numerous, for before these additions, eight thousand had been added to the hundred and twenty; such success the Gospel had, and such progress it made in the hands of such mean and contemptible persons, notwithstanding the opposition of the chief men of the nation to it. Acts 5:15 act 5:15 act 5:15 act 5:15Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets,.... These words are to be read in connection with the former part of the twelfth verse. Such miraculous cures being wrought by the apostles, the people who had sick persons in their houses, hearing of it brought them out; either "into the streets", as we render it, and as the Alexandrian copy reads; or "in every street" in Jerusalem, waiting for the apostles as they came, to receive a cure from them: and laid them on beds and couches; for the better conveniency of carrying them to the apostles, or for their lying upon them until they came by that way: that at the least, the shadow of Peter passing by, might overshadow some of them. The Vulgate Latin version adds, "and be delivered from their infirmities"; but this is not supported by any copy, nor is it in any other version. Peter is only mentioned because he was most known, he being the chief speaker and actor. Who these were that fancied there was such a virtue in Peter's shadow, and whether any were cured by it, is not certain. However, it is a vain thing in the Papists to conclude from hence the primacy of Peter, the worshipping of images, and that the Pope is Peter's shadow, and has his power.

"There were," however, "the more added unto the Lord, believers, multitudes both of men and of women." "Believers were the more added unto the Lord, multitudes both of men and of women." Observe, how he now no longer tells the number of them that believe; at such a rate was the faith making way even to an immense multitude, and so widely was the Resurrection proclaimed. So then "the people magnified them:" but they were now no longer lightly to be despised as once they were: for in a little moment, at a single turn of the scale, such have been the effects produced by the fisherman and by the publican! Earth was become a heaven, for manner of life, for boldness of speech, for wonders, for all besides; like Angels were they looked upon with wonder: all unconcerned for ridicule, for threats, for perils: compassionate were they, and beneficent; some of them they succoured with money, and some with words, and some with healing of their bodies and of their souls; no kind of healing but they accomplished.

For he wishes to show this also in saying, "By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people," and immediately adds, "and no one from the rest dared to join them"; that is, no one dared to approach them. "but the people magnified them." Who? a Jew. Whom? the apostles. And what is the greatness? that with the faith of Christ being added, they even carried their sick through the streets and squares of the city on couches and pallets, so that they might happen to be strengthened by the overspreading of Peter's shadow. Which did not occur with Christ, but this too is the work of the One who promised and said: "He who believes in me, the works that I do he will do also, and greater than these he will do." (Jn. 14:12) Therefore these things likewise from the promised Christ befell the apostles: through those who believed, through those who were healed, through those who were punished, as in the case of Ananias. For even the apostles themselves, being modest, ascribed the miracles to the Teacher, completing them in his name; and moreover their life and their apostolic virtue being such, were sufficient to reward with greatness those who therefore chose to live.

The hypocrisy of Ananias and his wife Sapphira, and their awful death, Act 5:1-11. The apostles work many miracles, and the Church of God is increased, Act 5:12-16. The high priest and the Sadducees, being incensed against the apostles, seize and put them in prison, Act 5:17, Act 5:18. The angel of God delivers them, and commands them to go to the temple, and proclaim the Gospel, Act 5:19, Act 5:20. The high priest, having gathered the council together in the morning, sends to the prison to have the apostles brought before him, Act 5:21. The offers return, and report that they found the prison shut, and the watch set, but that the men had got out, Act 5:22, Act 5:23. A messenger arrives in the meanwhile, and says that the apostles are preaching in the temple, Act 5:24, Act 5:25. The captain and officers go and bring than before the council, who expostulate with them, Act 5:26-28. The apostles defend themselves, and charge the council with the murder of Christ; and assert his resurrection from the dead and ascension to the right hand of God, Act 5:29-32. The council are confounded, and purpose to slay the apostles, Act 5:33. Gamaliel gives them seasonable and prudent advice, Act 5:34-39. The council agree to it, but, before they discharge the apostles, beat them, and command them not to teach in the name of Jesus, Act 5:40. They depart rejoicing in their persecution, and continue to preach Jesus Christ, Act 5:41, Act 5:42.

And believers were the more added to the Lord - Believers: 1. Those who credited the Divine mission of Christ. 2. That he was the Messiah. 3. That he died for their sins. 4. That he rose again. 5. That he ascended into heaven. 6. That he sent down the gift of the Holy Spirit. 7. That he ever appeared in the presence of God for them. 8. That it was he who gives repentance and remission of sins. And, 9. He by whom the world is to be judged. These were simple articles, of the truth of which they had the fullest evidence.

ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA. (Act 5:1-11) kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it--The coolness with which they planned the deception aggravated the guilt of this couple. brought a certain part--pretending it to be the whole proceeds of the sale.