Acts 4:18 Kommentar

They were not able to keep the dead Jesus in the tomb- and they try to entomb a name, though a name is something that invariably becomes better known after death.

In going over the last two chapters, where we met with so many good things that the apostles did, I wondered what was become of the scribes and Pharisees, and chief priests, that they did not appear to contradict and oppose them, as they had used to treat Christ himself; surely they were so confounded at first with the pouring out of the Spirit that they were for a time struck dumb! But I find we have not lost them; their forces rally again, and here we have an encounter between them and the apostles; for from the beginning the gospel met with opposition. Here, I. Peter and John are taken up, upon a warrant from the priests, and committed to jail (Act 4:1-4). II. They are examined by a committee of the great sanhedrim (Act 4:5-7). III. They bravely avow what they have done, and preach Christ to their persecutors (Act 4:8-12). IV. Their persecutors, being unable to answer them, enjoin them silence, threatening them if they go on to preach the gospel, and so dismiss them (Act 4:13-22). V. They apply to God by prayer, for the further operations of that grace which they had already experienced (Act 4:23-30). VI. God owns them, both outwardly and inwardly, by manifest tokens of his presence with them (Act 4:31-33). VII. The believers had their hearts knit together in holy love, and enlarged their charity to the poor, and the church flourished more than ever, to the glory of Christ (Act 4:33-37).

And as they spake unto the people,.... For though only mention is made of Peter's preaching in the preceding chapter, yet doubtless John preached as well as he; either in turn, or to a part of the people at some distance: and this shows their diligence, faithfulness, and integrity, in the ministration of the word; and it is recorded to their honour, that whilst they were about their master's business, and discharging the duty of their office, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them; by agreement, with great violence, and at unawares: the "priests" might be those who kept the watch in the temple; for "in three places the priests kept watch, in the house of the sanctuary; in the house of Abtines, in the house of Nitsots, and in the house of Moked, and the Levites in one and twenty places (p).'' And it now being eventide, they might be about to take their stands; "and the captain of the temple" might be he, whom they call, , "the man of the mountain of the house"; who was a ruler, or governor, and a president over all the wards (q); he is sometimes called , "the head of the ward" (r); and of him it is said (s), "the man of the mountain of the house goes his round through every ward, with burning torches before him; and every ward that does not stand (is not on his feet), the man of the mountain of the house, says to him, peace be to thee; and if he observes that he is asleep, he strikes him with his staff, and he has power to burn his garments.'' The Vulgate Latin and the Oriental versions read in the plural number, as in See Gill on Luk 22:4, Luk 22:52. The Sadducees were a sect among the Jews, that denied the resurrection of the dead; of their rise, name, and tenets; see Gill on Mat 3:7. (p) Misn. Middot, c. 1. sect. 1. (q) Bartenora & Yom Tob in ib. sect. 2. (r) Bemidbar Rabba, sect. 6. fol. 186. 3. (s) Misn. Middot, c. 1. sect. 2.

And they called them,.... From the apartment where they were; or ordered their servants to call them in to them: and commanded them not to speak at all; either privately or publicly, in the ministry of the word, or in working of miracles, in the city, or in the country: nor teach in the name of Jesus; any doctrine whatever; or "the name of Jesus", as the Arabic version reads; that is, the doctrine of Jesus, that which respects his person, his carnation, his offices, his sufferings, death, and resurrection from the dead.

"And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all, nor teach, in the name of Jesus." See what effrontery is shown by these, and what greatness of mind by the Apostles.

"And they called them, and commanded them," etc. It had been much better for them to let them go.

Yet they do not lead the apostles before Pilate as they did Christ, but they themselves judge: first indeed affected by shame and modesty, then fearing for fear that they too be accused by these concerning him.

The priests and Sadducees are incensed at the apostles' teaching, and put them in prison, Act 4:1-3. The number of those who believed, Act 4:4. The rulers, elders, and scribes call the apostles before them, and question them concerning their authority to teach, Act 4:5-7. Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, answers, and proclaims Jesus, Act 4:8-12. They are confounded at his discourse and the miracle wrought on the lame man, yet command them not to preach in the name of Jesus, Act 4:13-18. Peter and John refuse to obey, Act 4:19, Act 4:20. They are farther threatened and dismissed, Act 4:21, Act 4:22. They return to their own company, who all join in praise and prayer to God, Act 4:23-30. God answers, and fills them with the Holy Spirit, Act 4:31. The blessed state of the primitive disciples, Act 4:32-35. The case of Joses, who sells his estate, and brought the money to the common stock, Act 4:36, Act 4:37.

Not to speak ...nor teach in the name of Jesus - Any other doctrine, and any other name, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites and infidels will bear, but the doctrine which is according to godliness, proclaiming salvation through the blood of Christ crucified, they will not bear. If their doctrine were not the truth of God it could not be so unpopular; there is such an enmity in human nature against all that is good and true, that whatever comes from God is generally rejected by wicked men.

PETER AND JOHN BEFORE THE SAMHEDRIM. (Act 4:1-13) the captain--of the Levitical guard. of the temple--annoyed at the disturbance created around it. and the Sadducees--who "say that there is no resurrection" (Act 23:8), irritated at the apostles "preaching through (rather, 'in') Jesus the resurrection from the dead"; for the resurrection of Christ, if a fact, effectually overthrew the Sadducean doctrine.

Whether it be right . . . to hearken to you more than . . . God, judge ye.