Acts 5:24

Act 5:24-25. When the high-priest, &c., heard these things — So perfectly unexpected; they doubted of them — They were extremely perplexed, and even at their wit’s end, having never been so disappointed before of a thing they were so sure of. They doubted, τι αν γενοιτο τουτο, what this thing might be — That is, whether they had procured their liberty by corrupting the keepers, or whether there might not be something miraculous in the deliverance of persons, whom such extraordinary circumstances had attended; and in that case, what this affair might import, and what the issue of it might be. Thus the world, in persecuting the children of God, entangle themselves in numberless difficulties. Then came one — Who knew their disappointment, and the uneasiness it gave them; saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison — And have commanded to be brought to your bar; are standing in the temple — Here, however they came thither; and teaching the people — With as much freedom and confidence as ever. Now this confounded them more than any thing. Prisoners, who had broken prison, used to abscond for fear of being retaken; but these prisoners, after they had made their escape, durst show their faces even there where their prosecutors had the greatest influence.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Act 5:24. Διηπόρουν, they were perplexed) The world, in harassing the servants of God, involves itself in countless perplexities, and attributes all the blame to them: ch. Act 12:18, Act 16:20, Act 17:6.

Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament — English translation (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1860) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Act_5:24-25. Ὅ τε ἱερεύς] the (above designated) priest, points to the one expressly named in Act_5:21 as ὁ ἁρχιερεύς. The word in itself has not the signification high priest; but the context (so also in 1Ma_15:1; Bar_1:7; Heb_5:6; and see Krebs, p. 178) gives to the general expression this special reference.

ὁ στρατηγὸς τ. ἱεροῦ] see on Act_4:1. He also, as the executive functionary of sacred justice, was summoned to the Sanhedrim.

οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς] are the titular high priests; partly those who at an earlier date had really held the office, and partly the presidents of the twenty-four classes of priests. Comp. on Mat_2:4

The order in which Luke names the persons is quite natural. For first and chiefly the directing ἱερεύς, the head of the whole assembly, must feel himself concerned in the unexpected news; and then, even more than the ἀρχιερεῖς, the στρατηγός, because he, without doubt, had himself carried into effect the arrest mentioned at Act_5:18, and held the supervision of the prison.

διηπόρουν … τοῦτο] they were full of perplexity (see on Luk_24:4) concerning them (the apostles), as to what this might come towhat they had to think of as the possible termination of the occurrence just reported to them. Comp. on Act_2:12, also Act_10:17.

ἑστῶτες κ.τ.λ.] Comp. Act_5:20-21.

Meyer — Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament — English translation by Peter Christie, edited by Frederick Crombie (T&T Clark, 1880) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Act 5:24 . ὅ τε ἱερεὺς καὶ ὁ στρατηγὸς τοῦ ἱεροῦ καὶ οἱ ἀρχ .: if we retain ὁ ἱερεύς it must mean the high priest, Act 5:27 , cf. 1Ma 15:1 ; Jos., Ant. , vi., 12, 1. But Weiss and Wendt both follow W.H [178] and R.V., and omit ἱερεὺς καὶ ὁ (so Blass [179] ). ὁ στρατ . and οἱ ἀρχ . are thus closely united by the τε καὶ , inasmuch as the former in the flight of the prisoners had the greatest responsibility, and the ἀρχ . had occasioned the imprisonment, Act 5:17 . The στρατ . τοῦ ἱερ . was present at the meetings of the Sanhedrim, and assisted in their deliberations. ἀρχιερεῖς : see on Act 4:1 . The word is probably used as including the heads of the twenty-four courses, those who had been high priests and still retained the title, and also those referred to in Act 4:6 . Schürer, Jewish People , div. ii., vol. i., 203 206; O. Holtzmann, Neutestamentliche Zeitgeschichte , p. 142. διηπόρουν , Act 2:12 , “were much perplexed,” R.V. See on περὶ αὐτῶν , sc. , λόγοι : not the Apostles, as Alford and Meyer. τί ἂν γένοιτο τοῦτο , “whereunto this might grow,” so A. and R.V. Blass interprets quomodo hoc factum esse posset, cf. Act 10:17 ; Grammatik des N. G. , p. 173. St. Luke alone uses the optative with ἄν in the N.T., cf. Luk 1:62 ; Luk 6:11 ; Luk 9:46 , Act 5:24 ; Act 8:31 ; Act 10:17 ; Act 17:18 (Luk 15:26 ; Luk 18:36 , Act 26:29 , doubtful text); Burton, N. T. Moods and Tenses , pp. 80 and 133; see also Viteau, Le Grec du N. T. , p. 66 (1893).

[178] Westcott and Hort’s The New Testament in Greek: Critical Text and Notes.

[179] R(omana), in Blass, a first rough copy of St. Luke.

The Expositor's Greek Testament, edited by W. Robertson Nicoll (1897–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

they doubted--"were in perplexity."

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 24. They doubted of them whereunto this would grow.] They did not know what to think of the apostles, whether they had saved themselves by magic, or whether they were delivered by a real miracle; and they were at a loss to tell what the issue of these things would be.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(24) The high priest.—The Received text gives “the priest,” but the use of that word as meaning the high priest has no parallel in the New Testament, and the word is omitted by many of the best MSS.

The captain of the temple.—The commander of the Levite sentinels. (See Notes on Act_4:1; Luk_22:52.)

Whereunto this would grow.—Literally, what it might become, or, possibly, what it might be. They do not seem to have recognised at once the supernatural character of what had taken place, and may have conjectured that the Apostles had by some human help effected their escape.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

24. Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple] The best MSS. have only Now when the captain of the temple. The word which in the A. V. is rendered high priest is simply = priest, but the like usage is common enough in Hebrew.

On the captain of the temple, see Act_4:1; and on chief priests, Act_4:23.

heard these things] Better, these words. It refers simply to the report which the officers had just brought back.

they doubted of them whereunto this would grow] i.e. they were at a loss about what was said, and did not know what step to take next. It is worthy of notice that when the Apostles are brought before them in the end, the magistrates avoid all questions about how they had been released. They clearly wished to have no more testimony to the supernatural powers which had been so often manifested in connection with Jesus and His followers. Caiaphas and his party could not be ignorant how Jesus Himself had risen out of His grave to the great terror of the Jewish guard set over it. With the opinions these authorities held, we can quite understand their perplexity and their silence on the subject, at all events before the disciples and the multitude.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Then came one and told them, saying,.... Who this man was, is of no consequence to know; it can hardly be thought that he was one of the number of the disciples, or a member of the church, or a professor of the Christian religion; but rather an enemy, and one that sought his own interest, and to obtain the favour and affection of the chief priests and elders, and therefore very officiously came to them, and reported as follows:

behold, the men whom ye put in prison, last night,

are standing in the temple; openly and publicly, and without fear;

and teaching the people; in the name of Jesus, which the sanhedrim had forbid them to do.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.

Ver. 24. They doubted of them] Conturbabantur, et ad angustias inexplicabiles detrusi haesitabant, they were at their wit’s end, διηπορουν, and could not tell what in the world to do with them. Herod was troubled in like sort, Luk 9:7. So was Diocletian, who therefore laid down the empire, because he could not conquer the Christians, merely out of discontent; so did Charles V

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

The captain of the temple - See the notes on Act 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 Luk 9:7.

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

Their authority was disregarded. 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.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

The captain of the temple; the commander over the soldiers who were set to guard the temple, either to secure the treasure there, or to be in a readiness to suppress any tumult thereabouts; Pilate speaks of this, Mat 27:65.

The chief priests; the heads of the families, or chief of the courses of the priests.

They doubted of them; by what means these wonderful things were done; for they were loth to see and acknowledge God in them.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

24. Captain of the temple—The Jewish commandant over the Jewish police guard who kept order on the temple grounds.

Chief priests—The heads of the priestly courses and priests who were relatives of the high priest.

Whereunto this would grow—Literally, what it might become.

The matter had already assumed a very supernatural shape; these men were reputed as possessing miraculous powers; and truly, if prison doors could not hold them how was it possible to manage their case?

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

The captain of the temple for the high priest and the captain, etc., A.V and T.R.; words for things, A.V.; were much perplexed concerning them for doubted of them, A.V. The captain of the temple, etc. Meyer, followed by Alford, retains the T.R., in which the word for the high priest is oJ iJereuv. It is true that this word occurs nowhere else in the New Testament for "the high priest." But in the Old Testament heko is very frequently used to designate the high priest, as Exo_29:30 Exo_35:19; Num_3:32; 2Ch_22:11; 2Ki_22:10 1Ki_1:8, etc.; and in such places is represented by iJereuv in the LXX So that St. Luke may very probably have used it here where the context made the meaning clear, and where he intended to use the word ajrciereiv for "the chief priests." For the captain, see above. (Act_4:1, note) He was especially interested as being, probably, the officer who had arrested the apostles the day before. Were much perplexed concerning. The verb (diaporew), which only occurs in the New Testament here and Act_2:12, Act_10:17, Luk_9:7, and (in the middle voice) Luk_24:4, means properly "to be in doubt which road to take," hence generally to be in doubt, perplexity. Them may apply either to the words, the strange things just reported to them, or to the apostles about whom the things were reported. It seems most natural to refer it to the words. They were in doubt and perplexity as to what it would all grow to.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

They doubted what this should be - They were even at their wit's end. The world, in persecuting the children of God, entangle themselves in numberless difficulties.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

24-26. The startling announcement was not without serious effect even upon the stubborn Sadducees. They were staggered by it, and knew not at first what to do or think. (24) " Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple, and the chief priest heard these words, they were perplexed concerning them, what this might come to. (25) But some one came and announced to them, Behold, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people. " This announcement relieved the perplexity of the Sanhedrim, by enabling them to proceed with business, and relieving them from the unpleasant necessity of dispersing without a good excuse. They now dispatch a more honorable guard after the apostles than they had, at first; for the captain of the temple himself takes command. (26) " Then the captain went with the officers, and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. " The clause, "lest they should be stone," is so arranged as to furnish a reason for both the preceding statements, that they " feared the people," and that they "brought them without violence. " The enthusiasm of the people had been much increased, no doubt, by the angelic deliverance, which was by this time well known about the temple.

J. W. McGarvey (with Philip Y. Pendleton), Commentaries on the New Testament (The Fourfold Gospel, 1914; Acts; and the epistles) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

General Information:

Here the word "you" is plural and refers to the captain of the temple and the chief priests. (See: Forms of You)

they were much perplexed

"they were very puzzled" or "they were very confused"

concerning them

"concerning the words they had just heard" or "concerning these things"

what would come of it

"and what would happen as a result"

standing in the temple

They did not go into the part of the temple building where only the priests were allowed. AT: "standing in the temple courtyard" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

translationWords

temple

chief priests

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

24. ἱερεὺς καὶ ὁ omitted as in אABD. Vulg. has only ‘magistratus templi.’

24. ἤκουσαν τοῦς λόγους τούτους, heard these words, i.e. the report of the officers who had been to the prison. ὁ στρατηγὸς τοῦ ἱεροῦ. On this officer see on Act 4:1, and on ἀρχιερεῖς Act 4:23.

διηπόρουν, they doubted of them, i.e. they were at a loss about what was said, and did not know what step to take next. It is worthy of notice that when the Apostles are brought before them in the end, the magistrates avoid all questions about how they had been released. They clearly wished to have no more testimony to the supernatural powers which had been so often manifested in connexion with Jesus and His followers. Caiaphas and his party could not be ignorant how Jesus Himself had risen out of His grave to the great terror of the Jewish guard set over it. Holding the opinions which they did, we can quite understand their perplexity and their silence on the subject, at all events before the disciples and the multitude.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

24.] If the ἱερεύς of the rec. be genuine, it must designate the High Priest; not that the word itself can bear the meaning (compare 1 Macc. 15:1 and 2), but that the context points out the priest thus designated to be the H. P. (Meyer.)

On ὁ στρατ. τ. ἱερ., see note, ch. 4:1. He appears to have been summoned to meet the Sanhedrim, perhaps as the offence had taken place within his jurisdiction. But he was probably one of the ἀρχιερεῖς (see Winer, Realw., Tempel, end). These latter were the titular High Priests, partly those who had served the office, partly the presidents of the twenty-four courses, partly the kindred of the H. P. (see Mat 2:4.)

αὐτῶν] ‘The Apostles,’ the αὐτούς of ver. 22: not ‘these words,’ as would appear at first sight.

τί ἂν γέν. τοὺτο] To what this would come; ‘whereunto this would grow,’ E. V.:—not ‘quomodo factum sit,’ as Kuin.,—nor ‘quid hoc esset rei’ (τί ὂν εἴη, as ch. 10:17), as Grot. and others.

Henry Alford, The Greek Testament (1849–1861) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

They doubted [διηπορουν] . See on Luk 9:5. Rev., were much perplexed, giving the force of dia, thoroughly at a loss. Compare Luk 24:4. 1 4

Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.