Acts 4:5

¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

And {G1161} it came to pass {G1096} on {G1909} the morrow {G839}, that their {G846} rulers {G758}, and {G2532} elders {G4245}, and {G2532} scribes {G1122},

The next day, the people’s rulers, elders and Torah-teachers assembled in Yerushalayim,

The next day the rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem,

And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem;

Context of Acts 4:5

Acts 4:5 sets the scene for a pivotal confrontation between the nascent Christian movement and the established Jewish religious authority in Jerusalem. This verse immediately follows the arrest of Peter and John, who had just performed a miraculous healing of a lame man at the Temple gate (Acts 3:6) and subsequently preached a powerful sermon, boldly proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah and the necessity of repentance (Acts 3:19). The rapid growth of believers, reaching about five thousand men (Acts 4:4), had alarmed the Sadducees and priests who were disturbed by the apostles teaching the resurrection from the dead through Jesus.

Key Themes and Significance

  • Confrontation with Authority: This verse highlights the immediate and formal opposition faced by the early church. The summoning of "their rulers, and elders, and scribes" signifies a serious, institutional challenge to the apostles' message and actions.
  • The Sanhedrin's Role: The collective term "rulers, elders, and scribes" refers to the members of the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish judicial and legislative council. This was the highest religious court in Jerusalem, the same body that had condemned Jesus Christ to death (Matthew 26:57). Their assembly "on the morrow" indicates a swift and deliberate response to what they perceived as a significant threat to their religious and social order.
  • Continuity of Opposition: The opposition faced by Peter and John mirrors the persecution Jesus Himself endured. It underscores a recurring pattern in the New Testament where divine truth is met with resistance from those clinging to human traditions and power structures.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "rulers, and elders, and scribes" is a standard designation for the various components of the Sanhedrin.

  • Rulers (Greek: archontes) typically refers to leading figures, often high priests or members of priestly families, many of whom were Sadducees.
  • Elders (Greek: presbyteroi) were respected heads of families or communities, representing the lay aristocracy.
  • Scribes (Greek: grammateis) were experts in the Mosaic Law, often Pharisees, responsible for its interpretation and application.
This combination signifies the full weight of both religious and civil authority within the Jewish community being brought to bear against Peter and John.

Practical Application

Acts 4:5 reminds believers that proclaiming the Gospel and demonstrating its power can often lead to confrontation with established authorities, whether religious, political, or social. Just as the apostles were called to give an account, followers of Christ may face scrutiny or opposition for their faith and actions. This verse encourages us to remember that God empowers His servants to speak boldly, even in the face of intimidation, as seen in Peter's Spirit-filled response in Acts 4:8. It teaches us to be prepared for such moments, trusting in God's provision for wisdom and courage.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 4:8

    Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

  • Acts 6:12

    And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon [him], and caught him, and brought [him] to the council,

  • Acts 5:34

    Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;

  • Mark 15:1

    ¶ And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried [him] away, and delivered [him] to Pilate.

  • Isaiah 1:10

    ¶ Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.

  • Luke 23:13

    ¶ And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

  • Micah 2:1

    ¶ Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.

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