A.T. Robertson Commentary Acts 4
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Acts 4
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Acts 4
"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)
The captain of the temple (ο στρατηγος του ιερου). Twenty-four bands of Levites guarded the temple, one guard at a time. They watched the gates. The commander of each band was called captain (στρατηγος). Josephus names this captain of the temple police next to the high priest (War. VI. 5, 3).
The Sadducees (ο Σαδδουκαιο). Most of the priests were Sadducees now and all the chief priests since John Hyrcanus I deserted the Pharisees (Josephus, Ant. XVII. 10, 6; XVIII. 1, 4; XX. 9, 1). The Sadducees were slow to line up with the Pharisees against Jesus, but they now take the lead against Peter and John.
Came upon them (επεστησαν αυτοις). Second aorist active indicative (intransitive). Burst upon them suddenly or stood by them in a hostile attitude here (Luke 20:1; Luke 24:4; Acts 6:12; Acts 17:5; Acts 22:20; Acts 23:11).
"being sore troubled because they taught the people, and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead." — Acts 4:2 (ASV)
Being sore troubled (διαπονουμενο). Present passive participle of old verb διαπονεω (perfective use of δια) to be worked up, indignant. In the N.T. only here and 16:8.
Because (δια το). The articular infinitive with two accusatives, one the object (the people), the other ("they") of general reference.
In Jesus (εν Ιησου). In the case of Jesus, an actual instance of resurrection which the Sadducees denied (Matthew 22:23). This same use of εν appears in 1 Corinthians 4:6 (in us). The Sadducees were also aristocrats and political ecclesiastics who disliked popular disturbances. In particular, they resented the claim about Jesus whom they had helped crucify.
"And they laid hands on them, and put them in ward unto the morrow: for it was now eventide." — Acts 4:3 (ASV)
In ward (εις τηρησιν). Probably in one of the chambers of the temple. In safe keeping (from τηρεω, to guard). Old word, in the N.T. only here and Ac 5:18; 1 Corinthians 7:19. So in papyri.
Now eventide (εσπερα ηδη). Hence no trial could take place before the next day, a regulation violated in the case of Jesus.
"But many of them that heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand." — Acts 4:4 (ASV)
Men (ανδρων). Strictly, men and not women, for ανθρωπος is the term for both men and women. But in Lu 11:31 ανδρες seems to include both men and women and that is possible here, though by no means certain, for see Mt 14:21 where the women and children are expressly excepted.
"And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem;" — Acts 4:5 (ASV)
Rulers and elders and scribes (τους αρχοντας κα τους πρεσβυτερους κα τους γραμματεις). The three classes composing the Sanhedrin (rulers=chief priests who were Sadducees, the scribes usually Pharisees, the elders not in either class: 24 priests, 24 elders, 22 scribes).
Were gathered together (συναχθηνα). First aorist passive infinitive of συναγω with accusative of general reference and the subject of εγενετο.
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