Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 4:1

"And as they spake unto the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them," — Acts 4:1 (ASV)

CHAPTER 4

The Priests. It is probable that these priests were a part of the Sanhedrin, or great council of the nation. It is evident that they claimed some authority for preventing the preaching of the apostles. And the whole transaction seems to show that they did not come upon them in a tumultuous manner, but as keepers of the peace.

The captain of the temple. See Barnes on Matthew 26:47. See also Barnes on Luke 22:4. This was the commander of the guard stationed chiefly in the tower Antonia, especially during the great feasts; and it was their duty to preserve order and prevent any tumult. The captain of the temple came at this time to prevent a tumult or suppress a riot, as it was supposed that the teaching of the apostles and the crowd collected by the healing of the lame man would lead to a tumult.

And the Sadducees. See Barnes on Matthew 3:7. One of the doctrines which the Sadducees maintained was that there was no resurrection of the dead. Hence they were particularly opposed to the apostles for preaching it, and because they gave such clear proof that Jesus had risen and were thus spreading the doctrine of the resurrection among the people.

Came upon them. This expression implies that they came in a sudden and violent manner. See Luke 20:1.