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First Opposition

Passage To Study: Acts 5:17-26

17Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, 18and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. 19But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20“Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.” 21And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, 23saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” 24Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. 25So one came and told them, saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” 26Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.

(Verse 17) - 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. It is quite interesting that this man’s (if it is indeed the same, and it is likely that it is) opposition to God and His Gospel was both consistent and persistent. He opposed Jesus when He was here, and now we see him opposing the Apostles as they come on the scene. Wicked men oppose the work of God no matter what form it take and no matter what shape it shows itself in.

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). It certainly underscores the choice of the will to set out and deliberately do a thing.

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 Acts 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 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 (and thus, their entire religious system). 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. This is purely political, that is, it is pure politics. It is not religion in any true sense, but rather is politics in religious clothing. In fact, in is not just politics, but it is bad, vicious politics in the worst sense of the word! How sad that the “flower” of Judaism of the time was reduced to such an abominable state. However, in another vein, what else could they be but this when the, historically and over time, have separated themselves from the Gospel of God and the truth of the Word.

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,” (Acts 13:45; John 2:17; Rom. 10:2; 2 Cor. 7:7; 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). Again we must note that this is pure politics – they were after influence and it was their main goal, not true pursuit of God and His purpose and plan.

(Verse 18) - The common prison - The public prison; or the prison for the keeping of common and notorious offenders.

(Verse 19) - But the angel of the Lord - This does not denote any “particular” angel, but simply AN angel. The “definite article” is not used in the original. In the OT the appearance of the Angel of the Lord was often (most, but not all times) an appearance of Christ. It is not so here.

The word “angel” denotes properly a “messenger,” and particularly it is applied to the pure spirits that are sent to this world on errands of mercy. (See Matt. 1:20). The case here was evidently “a miracle.” An angel was employed for this special purpose, and the design might have been:

(1) To reprove the Jewish rulers, and to convince them of their guilt in resisting the gospel of God;

(2) To convince the apostles more firmly of the protection and approval of God;

(3) To encourage them more and more in their work, and in the faithful discharge of their high duty; and,

(4) To give the people a new and impressive proof of the truth of the message which they bore. That they were “imprisoned” would be known to the people. That they were made as secure as possible was also known. When, therefore, the next morning, before they could have been tried or acquitted, they were found again in the temple, delivering the same message still, it was a new and striking proof that they were sent by God.

(Verse 20) - In the temple - In a public and conspicuous place. In this way there would be a most striking exhibition of their boldness; a proof that “God” had delivered them, and a manifestation of their purpose to obey God rather than man.

All the words - All the doctrines. (Compare John 6:68, “Thou hast the words of eternal life.”) They were to be certain that they did not “hold back” on any doctrine, as their human tendency might be to “soft pedal” that which was objectionable in the hopes of gaining a hearing for what they considered to be their true message.

Of this life - Pertaining to life, to the eternal life which they taught through the resurrection of Jesus. The word “life” is used sometimes to express “the whole of religion,” as opposed to the spiritual “death” of sin. (See John 1:4; 3:36).

Their deliverance from prison was not that they might be idle, and escape to a place of safety. Again they were to engage in the toils and perils which they had just before encountered. God delivers us from dangers sometimes that we may plunge “into” new dangers; he preserves us from one form of calamity that we may be tried in some new furnace of affliction; he calls us to encounter trials simply “because” he demands it, and as an expression of gratitude to him for his gracious interposition. Sooner or later, all who name the name of Christ must come to grips with the truth that God is not primarily concerned with preserving us from danger or inconvenience – but with the propagation of the true Gospel of Grace.

(Verse 21-22) - Early in the morning - Greek: at the break of day, as soon as it was light. (Compare Luke 24:1; John 8:2).

Called the council together - The Sanhedrin, or the Great Council of the nation. This was clearly for the purpose of “trying” the apostles for disregarding their commandments.

And all the senate - Greek: “eldership.” Probably these were not a part of the Sanhedrin, but were people of age and experience, who in (Acts 4:8; 25:15, it appears that these are called “elders of the Jews,”) and who were present for the sake of counsel and advice in a case of emergency.

(Verse 23) - Found we shut - It had not been broken open; and there was therefore clear proof that they had been delivered by the interposition of God. Nor could they have been released by the guard, for they were keeping watch, as if unconscious that anything had happened, and the officers had the only means of entering the prison. This, of course, clearly points to the miraculous nature of the event. It wasn’t simply an overpowering of the human captors, but a release without their even knowing that it had happened.

(Verse 24-25) - The captain of the temple – (See the notes on Acts 4:1).

Doubted of them - They were in “perplexity” about these things. The word rendered “doubted” denotes “that state of anxiety which arises when a person has lost his way, or when he does not know what to do to escape from a difficulty.” (See Luke 9:7). The exercise of power clearly let them know that they were out of their league and that stymied them. They simply didn’t know where to go from here. It is interesting that the exercise of such power didn’t convince them they were wrong and lead them to the truth! This is because of the wickedness that was confirmed in their hearts.

Whereunto this would grow - What this “would be”; or, what would be the result or end of these events. For:

(1) Their authority was disregarded.

(2) God had opposed them by a miracle.

(3) The doctrines of the apostles were gaining ground.

(4) Their efforts to resist them had been in vain. They need “not” have doubted; but sinners are not disposed to be convinced of the truth of religion.

This is further demonstration of the danger of hard hearts. These men were incapable of responding to the Gospel at this point. The evidence could do nothing more than harden them further and build their determination to oppose and frustrate this threat to their power. They become afraid only, and that made them all the more dangerous.

(Verse 26) - Without violence - Not by force; not by “binding” them. (Compare Matt. 27:2). The command of the Sanhedrin was sufficient to secure their presence, as they did not intend to refuse to answer for any alleged violation of the laws. They were, after all, the legal power in the society. Besides, their going before the council would give them another noble opportunity to bear witness to the truth of the gospel. Christians, when charged with a violation of the laws of the land, should not refuse to answer, (Acts 25:11, “If I be an offender, or have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die.”) It is a part of our religion to yield obedience to all the just laws of the land, and to evince respect for all that are in authority, (Rom. 13:1-7).

For they feared the people - The people were favorable to the apostles. If violence had been attempted, or they had been taken in a cruel and forcible manner, the consequence would have been tumults and bloodshed. In this way, also, the apostles showed that they were not disposed to excite tumult. Opposition by them would have excited commotion; and though “they” would have been rescued, yet they resolved to show that they were not obstinate, contumacious, or rebellious, but were disposed, as far as it could be done with a clear conscience, to yield obedience to the laws of the land. This is yet more evidence of the truly political focus and concern of these leaders and yet more sad commentary on their spiritual state.

Why is it that we think that times have changed. We have lived in a society that has been, on the surface at least, sympathetic to the one true and living God for too long. We expect their to be general agreement and toleration of our views as the natural and normal state of society. I wonder if it was ever the true state of our society, but it most certainly is not its present state. I believe we must understand that wicked men will oppose the Gospel by any and all means and that opposition will be as fervent and as fevered as can be mustered. Those who embrace the true Gospel of salvation by grace thru faith alone must learn to expect opposition, and I believe even persecution by those who merely profess Christianity and are not truly saved men. It met the Apostles at every turn. So also, it will likely meet us as well.

I need to prepare myself to continue in the truth in spite of any opposition that comes my way.