Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 5:17

"But the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy," — Acts 5:17 (ASV)

Then the High Priest. This was probably Caiaphas . It seems from this passage that he belonged to the sect of the Sadducees. It is certain that he had constantly distinguished himself by his opposition to the Lord Jesus and His cause.

Rose up. This expression is sometimes redundant, and at other times it means simply to begin to do something, or to resolve to do it .

And all those who were with him. That is, all those who agreed with him in doctrine or opinion; or, in other words, that portion of the Sanhedrin that was composed of Sadducees. There was a strong party of Sadducees in the Sanhedrin; and perhaps at this time it was such a strong majority as to be able to control its decisions .

Which is the sect. The word translated sect here is the one from which we have derived our word heresy. It simply means sect, or party, and is not used in a negative sense, as implying reproach or even error. The idea that we attach to it—of error, and of denying fundamental doctrines in religion—is one that does not occur in the New Testament.

Sadducees. See the notes on Matthew 3:7.

The main doctrine of this sect was the denial of the resurrection of the dead. The reason why they were particularly opposed to the apostles, rather than the Pharisees, was that the apostles emphasized the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. If this resurrection was true, it completely overthrew the Sadducees' doctrine.

Therefore, all the converts made to Christianity tended to diminish the Sadducees' numbers and influence. These conversions also served to establish the belief of the Pharisees in the doctrine of the resurrection.

Therefore, as long as the effect of the apostles' labors was to establish one of the main doctrines of the Pharisees and to refute the Sadducees, we may suppose that the Pharisees would either favor them or remain silent. During this time, the Sadducees would be opposed to them and enraged against them.

One sect will often watch with composure the progress of another that it truly hates, if that progress will humble a rival. Even opposition to the gospel will sometimes be silent, if the spread of religion will tend to humble and mortify those against whom they are opposed.

Were filled with indignation. In Greek, this is Zeal. The word denotes any kind of fervour or warmth and may be applied to any strong or violent emotion of the mind, whether envy, wrath, zeal, or love (Acts 13:45; John 2:17; Romans 10:2; 2 Corinthians 7:7; 2 Corinthians 11:2).

Here it probably includes envy and wrath. They were envious of the apostles' success and of the number of converts made to a doctrine they hated. They were also envious that the Pharisees were gaining such an increase in strength for their doctrine of the resurrection. Furthermore, they were indignant that the apostles showed so little regard for their authority and disobeyed the solemn command of the Sanhedrin .