Acts 5:17

¶ 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,

Then {G1161} the high priest {G749} rose up {G450}, and {G2532} all they {G3956} that were with {G4862} him {G846},(which {G3588} is {G5607} the sect {G139} of the Sadducees {G4523},) and were filled {G4130} with indignation {G2205},

But the cohen hagadol and his associates, who were members of the party of the Tz’dukim, were filled with jealousy.

Then the high priest and all his associates, who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They went out

But the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy,

Acts 5:17 marks a significant escalation in the opposition faced by the early Christian church in Jerusalem. Following a period of remarkable growth and powerful miracles performed by the apostles, the established religious authorities move to suppress this burgeoning movement.

Context

This verse immediately follows a description of the apostles performing many signs and wonders among the people, leading to a surge in believers. The temple area, specifically Solomon's Porch, had become a hub for their ministry (Acts 5:12). The "high priest" mentioned here is likely Caiaphas, who had previously been involved in the trial and condemnation of Jesus (John 18:24) and had also confronted Peter and John earlier (Acts 4:6).

The crucial detail is the identification of "all they that were with him" as "the sect of the Sadducees." The Sadducees were a powerful, aristocratic Jewish sect that held significant political and religious influence, often collaborating with the Roman authorities. Unlike the Pharisees, they did not believe in the resurrection of the dead, angels, or spirits (Acts 23:8). This theological difference is key to understanding their reaction.

Key Themes

  • Religious Opposition: The verse highlights the deep-seated antagonism of the established religious elite towards the burgeoning Christian movement. Their "indignation" was not merely disagreement but a strong, hostile reaction.
  • Threat to Authority: The Sadducees saw the apostles' growing popularity and their claims of Jesus' resurrection as a direct challenge to their spiritual and political authority. The people were being drawn away from their leadership.
  • The Centrality of the Resurrection: The apostles' consistent proclamation of Jesus' resurrection directly contradicted a core Sadducean doctrine. This fundamental theological clash fueled their anger and desire to silence the apostles.
  • Jealousy and Envy: The phrase "filled with indignation" also carries connotations of jealousy or envy. The success and spiritual power demonstrated by the apostles likely provoked a strong sense of rivalry among those who felt their own status was being diminished.

Linguistic Insights

The King James Version's phrase "filled with indignation" translates the Greek word zelos (ζῆλος). While zelos can mean positive zeal or fervor, in this context, it often carries a negative connotation of jealousy, envy, or hostile rivalry. It suggests that the Sadducees' anger was rooted not just in theological disagreement but also in a resentful competitive spirit, seeing the apostles' influence as a threat to their own power and prestige.

Practical Application

Acts 5:17 reminds believers that proclaiming the truth of the Gospel, especially the core message of Christ's death and resurrection, can provoke strong opposition from those whose established beliefs, power, or traditions are challenged. It underscores that spiritual conflict often involves not just intellectual disagreement but also human emotions like jealousy, fear, and the desire to maintain control. The early church faced such resistance, yet they continued to preach boldly, trusting in God's power over human authority.

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 13:45

    But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

  • Acts 7:9

    And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,

  • Acts 17:5

    But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

  • 1 Peter 2:1

    ¶ Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

  • John 11:47

    Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.

  • John 11:49

    And one of them, [named] Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,

  • Job 5:2

    For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back