Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Acts 4:8

"Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders," — Acts 4:8 (ASV)

In a context of a prophetic description of national calamities and cosmic turmoil, Luke earlier quoted Jesus as saying: “But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict” . Undoubtedly Luke was thinking of many incidents of opposition to the Gospel message when he wrote down these words. Indeed, he records a number of such happenings in Acts. But certainly when he wrote about Peter’s first defense before the Jewish Sanhedrin (and also about the apostles’ second appearance before the Sanhedrin in 5:17ff.), these words were ringing in his ears. For almost every item of Jesus’ oracle is exemplified in Luke’s account of Peter’s situation, attitude, and message here in Acts, beginning with his being “filled with the Holy Spirit.” Peter receives a special moment of inspiration that brings to a functional focus the person and ministry of God’s Spirit.

While constructing a road on the Mount of Olives (see picture on left), the Israelis recently found a gravesite that proved to be that of the family of Caiaphas (cf. 4:6). The drawing above depicts the front of the ossuary and the end, which has the inscription, “Joseph son of Caiaphas.” Drawing by Rachel Bierling.