4:1 And 1 as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the
a captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon
them,
(1) There are none more commonly diligent or bold enemies of
the Church than those who profess themselves to be the
chief builders of it, but the more they rage, the more
steadfastly the faithful servants of God continue.
(a) The Jews had certain troops for the guard and safety of
the temple and holy things (see (Mt 26:47)). These
garrisons had a captain, such as Eleazarus Ananias, the
high Priest's son in the time of the war that was in
Judea, being a very impudent and proud young man;
Josephus, lib. 2, of the taking of Judea.
4:4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the
b number of the men was about five thousand.
(b) While they thought to diminish the number, they actually
increased it.
4:5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their c rulers,
and elders, and scribes,
(c) These were those who were members of the Sanhedrin, who
were all from the tribe of Judah, until Herod came to
power.
4:6 And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and
Alexander, and as many as were of the d kindred of the
high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
(d) From whom the high Priests were usually chosen and made.
At this time the former high Priest was stepping down,
and a new high Priest was being appointed.
4:72 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By
what power, or by what e name, have ye done this?
(2) Against those who brag of a succession of persons, without
a succession of doctrine, and by that means beat down the
true ministers of the word, as much as they are able.
(e) By what authority.
4:93 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the
impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
(3) The wolves who come after true pastors plead their own
cause and not God's, neither the cause of the Church.
4:104 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of
Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom
ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, [even] by him
doth this man stand here before you whole.
(4) He is indeed a true shepherd that teaches his sheep to rest
upon Christ alone as upon one that is not dead, but has
conquered death, and has all rule in his own hands.
4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none
other f name g under heaven h given among men,
whereby we must be saved.
(f) There is no other man, or no other power and authority
at all; and this kind of speech was common among the
Jews, and arose from this, that when we are in danger
we call upon those at whose hands we look for help.
(g) Anywhere: and this shows us the largeness of Christ's
kingdom.
(h) Of God.
4:135 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and
perceived that they were unlearned and i ignorant men,
they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they
had been with Jesus.
(5) The good liberty and boldness of the servants of God does
yet this much good, that those who lay hidden under a mask
of zeal at length betray themselves to indeed be wicked
men.
(i) The word used here is "idiot", which signifies a
private man when it is used in reference to a
magistrate: but with reference to sciences and studies,
it signifies one that is unlearned, and with regard to
honour and estimation, it implies one of base degree,
and of no estimation.
4:15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the
council, they k conferred among themselves,
(k) Laid their heads together.
4:166 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed
a notable miracle hath been done by them [is] manifest to
all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny [it].
(6) He that flatters himself in ignorance, at length comes to
do open wickedness, and that against his own conscience.
4:197 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether
it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more
than unto God, judge ye.
(7) We must obey men to whom we are subject, but especially and
before all things we must obey God.
4:218 So when they had further threatened them, they let them
go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of
the people: for all [men] glorified God for that which was
done.
(8) The wicked are so far off from doing what they wish, that
God uses them contrary to their desires to set forth his
glory, which he gives them permission to do.
4:239 And being let go, they went to their own company, and
reported all that the chief priests and elders had said
unto them.
(9) The apostles share their troubles with the congregation.
4:2410 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice
to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou [art] God,
which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all
that in them is:
(10) We should neither be afraid of the threats of our enemies,
neither yet foolishly condemn their rage and madness
against us: but we have to set against their force and
malice an earnest thinking upon the power and good will of
God (both which we manifestly behold in Christ) and so
flee to the aid and assistance of our Father.
4:27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast
anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the
Gentiles, and the l people of Israel, were gathered
together,
(l) Although the people of Israel were but one people, yet
the plural number is used here, not so much for the
twelve tribes, every one of which counted as a people,
but because of the great multitude of them, as though
many nations had assembled themselves together, as in
(Jdg 5:14).
4:28 For to m do whatsoever n thy hand and thy counsel
determined before to be done.
(m) The wicked execute God's counsel, even though they
think nothing of it, but they are not therefore without
fault.
(n) You had determined by your absolute authority and
power.
4:3111 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where
they were assembled together; and they were all filled with
the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with
boldness.
(11) God witnesses to his Church by a visible sign that it is
he that will establish it, by shaking the powers both of
heaven and of earth.
4:3212 And the multitude of them that believed were of o
one heart and of one soul: neither said any [of them] that
ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but
they had all things common.
(12) An example of the true Church, in which there is equal
consent both in doctrine and in charity toward one
another: and the pastors deliver true doctrine both
sincerely and constantly.
(o) They agreed in counsel, will, and all plans.
4:3413 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as
many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and
brought the prices of the things that were sold,
(13) True charity helps the need of the poor with its own loss,
but in such a way that all things are done well and
orderly.
