Vincent's Word Studies And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. They were (ὑπῆρχον)
See on James 2:15. Rev., more literally, had been. In the name (εἰς τὸ ὄνομα) Lit., "into the name." See on Matthew 28:19. Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Perish with thee (σὺν σοὶ εἴη εἰς ἀπώλειαν)
Lit., be along with thee unto destruction. Destruction overtake thy money and thyself. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, Part nor lot
Lot expresses the same idea as part, but figuratively. Matter (λόγῳ) The matter of which we are talking: the subject of discourse, as Luke 1:4; Acts 15:6. Right (εὐθεῖα) Lit., straight. If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; If perhaps
The doubt suggested by the heinousness of the offence. Thought (ἐπίνοια) Only here in New Testament. Lit., a thinking on or contriving; and hence implying a plan or design. 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. In the gall (εἰς χολὴν)
Lit., into. Thou hast fallen into and continuest in. Gall, only here and Matthew 27:34. Gall of bitterness is bitter enmity against the Gospel. Bond of iniquity (σύνδεσμον ἀδικίας) Thou hast fallen into iniquity as into fetters. The word σύνδεσμον denotes a close, firm bond (σύν, together). It is used of the bond of Christian peace (Ephesians 4:3); of the close compacting of the church represented as a body (Colossians 2:19); and of love as the bond of perfectness (Colossians 3:14 :). See Isaiah 58:6. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. The south (μεσημβρίαν)
A contracted form of μεσημερία, midday, noon, which is the rendering at Acts 22:6, the only other passage where it occurs. Rev. gives at noon in margin. Desert Referring to the route. On desert, see on Luke 15:4. There were several roads from Jerusalem to Gaza. One is mentioned by the way of Bethlehem to Hebron, and thence through a region actually called a desert. And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. Of Ethiopia
The name for the lands lying south of Egypt, including the modern Nubia, Cordofan, and Northern Abyssinia. Rawlinson speaks of subjects of the Ethiopian queens living in an island near Mero, in the northern part of this district. He further remarks: "The monuments prove beyond all question that the Ethiopians borrowed from Egypt their religion and their habits of civilization. They even adopted the Egyptian as the language of religion and of the court, which it continued to be till the power of the Pharaohs had fallen, and their dominion was again confined to the frontier of Ethiopia. It was through Egypt, too, that Christianity passed into Ethiopia, even in the age of the apostles, as is shown by the eunuch of Queen Candace." Of great authority (δυνάστης) A general term for a potentate. Candace The common name of the queens of Mero: a titular distinction, like Pharaoh in Egypt, or Caesar at Rome. Treasure (γάζης) Only here in New Testament. A Persian word. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
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. Join thyself (κολλήθητι)
See on Luke 15:15; and Luke 10:11; and Acts 5:12. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. Understandest thou what thou readest (ἆρά γε γινώσκεις ἃ ἀναγινώσκεις);
The play upon the words cannot be translated. The interrogative particles which begin the question indicate a doubt on Philip's part. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. How can I((πῶς γὰρ ἂν δυναίμην)?
Lit., for how should I be able? the for connecting the question with an implied negative: "No; for how could I understand except," etc. 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. The place of the scripture (ἡ περιοχὴ τῆς γραφῆς)
Strictly, the contents of the passage. See on Mark 12:10; and 1 Peter 2:6. He read Rev., correctly, was reading; imperfect. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
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.
For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed. Opened his mouth
Indicating a solemn announcement. Compare Matthew 5:2. And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
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: The best texts omit this verse.
Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. Caught away
Suddenly and miraculously. And he went, etc. (ἐπορεύετο γὰρ) A mistranslation. Rev., rightly, "for he went." A reason is given for the eunuch's seeing Philip no more. He did not stop nor take another road to seek him, but went on his way. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. Breathing out (ἐμπνέων)
Lit., breathing upon or at, and so corresponding to against the disciples. Threatenings and slaughter (ἀπειλῆς καὶ φόνου) Lit., threatening; so Rev. In the Greek construction, the case in which these words are marks them as the cause or source of the "breathing;" breathing hard out of threatening, and murderous desire. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, Of this way (τῆς ὁδοῦ)
Rev., more correctly, "the way." A common expression in the Acts for the Christian religion: "the characteristic direction of life as determined by faith on Jesus Christ" (Meyer). See Acts 19:9; Acts 22:4; Acts 24:22. For the fuller expression of the idea, see Acts 16:17; Acts 18:25. Women Paul three times alludes to his persecution of women as an aggravation of his cruelty (Acts 8:3; Acts 9:2; Acts 22:4). By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. There shined round about (περιήστραψεν)
Only here and Acts 22:6. Flashed. See on Luke 11:36; Luke 24:4. A light Compare Acts 22:6; Acts 26:13. 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. Saying
In Paul's own account he says that the words were spoken in Hebrew (Acts 26:14). And the multitude of them that believed were of 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. It is hard for thee, etc
Transferred from Acts 26:14, and omitted by the best texts. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Trembling and astonished
The best texts omit. 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, Speechless (ἐνεοί)
Only here in New Testament. And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet. Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]. Text Courtesy of Internet Sacred Texts Archive. Bible Apps.com |
