Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
17 32. Arrest of the Twelve. Their miraculous deliverance and their Defense before the Sanhedrin
17. Then the high priest rose up ]The conjunction at the beginning of the sentence should be But. While the multitudes thronged to be healed, the effect on the authorities was to provoke them to opposition.
rose-up ]The Greek word is used in this chapter of the insurrections of Theudas and Judas ( Acts 5:36-37) and in the next chapter (Act 6:9) of the disputers with Stephen. It is often found without the sense of opposition which it has here and in those verses.
and all they were with him ]A phrase more comprehensive than that used in Acts 4:6, “as many as were of the kindred of the high priest.” The opposition has had time to gather its forces and now represents not only the family of Annas, but the heads of the party of the Sadducees.
which is the sect ]The word is that which St Paul uses in his defense (act 24:14) before Felix, “after the way which they call heresy.” But he employs it without any sense of blame (Act 26:5) about the Pharisees, and it is used of them also Act 15:5. With a bad sense it is applied to the Nazarenes (Act 24:5), and similarly Act 28:22.
of the Sadducees ]Desde Act 5:21 it will be seen that the statement of Josephus concerning the influence of this sect is fully borne out ( Antiq. xiii. 11. 6), for they had the rich on their side. We have no certain evidence in Scripture that Annas was a Sadducee, but Josephus ( Old. xx. 9. 1) tells us that his son Ananus was of this sect.
and were filled with indignation ]The word used to express their feeling might better be rendered jealousy. What the historian is describing is an outbreak of party-feeling. The whole influence of the Sadducean party is called forth by their antagonism to the doctrine of the resurrection and their envy of the growth of the new movement.
Source: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Then the high priest – Probably Caiaphas. compare John 11:49. It seems from this place that he belonged to the sect of the Sadducees. It is certain that he had signalized himself by opposition to the Lord Jesus and to his cause constantly.
Rose up – This expression is sometimes redundant, and at others it means simply to begin to do a thing, or to resolve to do it. compare Luke 15:18.
And all they that were with him – That is, all they that coincided 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 so strong a majority as to be able to control its decisions. compare Act 23:6.
Which is the sect – The word translated sect here is that from which we have derived our word heresy. It means simply sect or party, and is not used in a bad sense as implying reproach, or even error. The idea which 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 Matt 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 dwelt much on the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, which, if true, completely overthrew their doctrine. All the converts, therefore, that were made to Christianity, tended to diminish their numbers and influence, and also to establish the belief of the Pharisees in the doctrine of the resurrection. So long, therefore, as the effect of the labors of the apostles was to establish one of the main doctrines of the Pharisees, and to confute the Sadducees, so long we may suppose that the Pharisees would either favor them or be silent; and so long the Sadducees would be opposed to them, and enraged against them. One sect will often see with composure the progress of another that it really hates, if it will humble a rival. Even opposition to the gospel will sometimes be silent provided the spread of religion will tend to humble and mortify those against whom we may be opposed.
Were filled with indignation – Greek: zeal. The word denotes any kind of fervor or warmth, and may be applied to any warm or violent affection of the mind, either envy, wrath, zeal, or love, Act 13:45; John 2:17; Romans 10:2; 2Co 7:7; 2Co 11:2. Here it probably includes envy and wrath. They were envious at the success of the apostles – at the number of converts that were made to a doctrine that they hated, and they were envious that the Pharisees were deriving such an accession of strength to their doctrine of the resurrection; and they were indignant that the apostles regarded so little their authority, and disobeyed the solemn injunction of the Sanhedrin. compare Acts 4:18-21.
Source: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Acts 5:17-26
Then the high priest rose up.
Vain efforts to oppose the gospel
YO. The effort in this case; by the imprisonment of the leaders of the gospel (Acts 5:17-18). The whole Jewish authority was in opposition.
II. Its vanity.
1. Because God was on the side of the gospel (Acts 5:19-24).
(1). Sending His angel to release.
(two) Infusing courage. If God be for us, who can be against us?
two. Because the people wanted and needed the gospel (Acts 5:20-21; Acts 5:25-28). The rulers were fighting against the deepest requirements of the human soul. The gospel is for the people.
3. Because Christ is a Prince as well as a Savior (Acts 5:29-32). (Christian Age.)
The priests and the preachers
YO. The devil some times makes use of the best instruments for the basis of his purposes. The Sadducees the best sect: the high priest the pick of his nation from him.
II. Persecution must be reckoned as the cost of Christian courage. The age of martyrdom not yet closed.
III. Gods deliverances of His chosen often appear like miraculous interventions of His own hand (Psalm 91:11-12).
IV. The true purpose of every Christian career is to go stand and speak to the people all the words of this life: by testimony or works.
v. The devils minions are usually the earliest to become frightened when the fight really begins.
SAW. What satan fears most is good doctrinal teaching (Act 5:28).
VII. The great principle of the gospel is unqualified obedience to God.
VII. The entire gospel is contained in the story of Christ’s humiliation and exaltation.
IX. The limit of human responsibility is found in stating the truth and living up to it. (CS Robinson, DD)
The Sanhedrin and the apostles
In considering the lessons to be drawn from this history we see–
YO. How God overrules opposition for the good of His Church. It seemed indeed a dark hour for the cause of Christ when the apostles were shut up in the common prison, and left, apparently, in the power of their bitterest enemies. They were now beginning to realize the truth of their Lords words: They shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, etc. But they had no reason for despondency, for in that same prediction was also the promise of help: And it shall turn to you for a testimony. In the faith of this they waited on the Lord. Nor did they wait in vain. It was a triumphant answer to the teaching of the Sadducees, who denied the existence of angels, and it was also calculated to instruct and elevate the faith of the Church. Nor was the lesson lost. As mercies granted make us bold to ask for more, so, we may believe, this deliverance was remembered on a subsequent occasion, when the disciples met together to pray for the release of Peter. But more especially was this event blessed to the apostles themselves. The angel who delivered them said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. Their trial and deliverance, after all, increased their qualifications to preach. Satan defeated himself. So it has ever been in the experience of Gods faithful ministers. Many a sore trial or dark night of sorrow has fitted them to proclaim more clearly and positively the words of life. The apostles in prison, Paul in Neros dungeon, and John Bunyan in Bedford jail, are events which show how God can make the trials and persecutions of His servants advance His glory and turn to them for a testimony. We cannot but admire the prompt and faithful obedience of the apostles. To stand in that public place and teach in the name of Jesus was to expose themselves again to danger and death. Carnal prudence might say, You are now delivered; hide yourselves until this storm of indignation has swept by. But no; these were men who thought more of Christ than of their personal safety.
II. Rationalism confused. The high priest and his council slept undisturbed by the visits of angels. On the morrow they were to pass sentence, But instead of their anticipated triumph came their discomfiture. Evil is never so near its defeat as when it seems to be in the hour of its triumph. The morrow came; the high priest, his council of him and the Sanhedrin were assembled, and officers were sent to bring in the prisoners. The officers return, with their faces proclaiming their amazement, saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, etc. (verse 23). Here was something that confused all their plans and put a new phase on the matter before them. Just when rationalism thought to put down the supernatural, lo! it appears in a new manifestation before them. The perplexity of the council is further increased when one came saying, Behold, the men whom ye put into prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. When men escape from prison it is to hide themselves, but these prisoners go at once to repeat their offence. It was this conduct, as much as the strangeness of their deliverance, that impressed the senate. Then, as often since, men were made to see that there is a hidden spiritual force about the gospel which cannot be accounted for, save on the ground that the life of Christ is in it.
III. The enemies of the gospel made to fear and respect those who are fearless in proclaiming it. The high priest and his council have now heard where their former prisoners are, but how were they to arrest them? A short hour before they deemed it enough to send the ordinary officers to drag them to their tribunal. But now (verse 26) they were compelled to show special consideration to the apostles, and the latter are set before the Sanhedrin with something of honor and deference. The meeting is most significant: it presents one of those striking contrasts between the old and the new which history now and then furnishes. On one side are men of this world, who have no aims or hopes beyond the grave–men of policy and self-interest, controlled in their actions by fear of the people; on the other side, men who are living for eternity, and who through the risen Christ have seen the glorified life beyond the grave–men whose conduct is shaped only by the fear of God. The issue between them is the struggle of the ages; they represent the parties of to-day. Which side are you on? (S.J. Niccolls, DD)
Persecution renewed
YO. The apostles in prison. The high priest and the Sadducees were filled with jealousy.
1. Because of the popularity and success of the apostles (verses 12-16). The rapid growth of the Church was a threat to them. It presented to them the uneasy suggestion of…