Acts 5:12-26
12. Solomon's Porch—(See on Joh 10:23).
13-16. of the rest durst no man join himself, &c.—Of the unconverted none ventured, after what had taken place, to profess discipleship; but yet their number continually increased.
15. into the streets—"in every street."
on beds and couches—The words denote the softer couches of the rich and the meaner cribs of the poor [BENGEL]. shadow of Peter . . . might overshadow some of them—Compare Ac 19:12; Lu 8:46. So Elisha. Now the predicted greatness of Peter (Mt 16:18), as the directing spirit of the early Church, was at its height.13-16. of the rest durst no man join himself, &c.—Of the unconverted none ventured, after what had taken place, to profess discipleship; but yet their number continually increased.
17-23. sect of the Sadducees—See on Ac 4:1 for the reason why this is specified.
19. by night—the same night.
20. all the words of this life—beautiful expression for that Life in the Risen One which was the burden of their preaching!
21. entered into the temple, &c.—How self-possessed! the indwelling Spirit raising them above fear.
called . . . all the senate, &c.—an unusually general convention, though hastily summoned.17-23. sect of the Sadducees—See on Ac 4:1 for the reason why this is specified.
23. the prison . . . shut . . . keepers . . . before the doors, but . . . no man within—the reverse of the miracle in Ac 16:26; a similar contrast to that of the nets at the miraculous draughts of fishes (Lu 5:6; Joh 21:11).
24-26. they doubted—"were in perplexity."
26. without violence, for they feared, &c.—hardened ecclesiastics, all unawed by the miraculous tokens of God's presence with the apostles, and the fear of the mob only before their eyes!
Ac 5:27-42. SECOND APPEARANCE AND TESTIMONY BEFORE THE SAMHEDRIM—ITS RAGE CALMED BY GAMALIEL—BEING DISMISSED, THEY DEPART REJOICING, AND CONTINUE THEIR PREACHING.