Acts 4:2 - Peter and John Before the Council
greatly disturbed
The religious leaders, particularly the Sadducees, were deeply troubled by the apostles' actions. This disturbance was not merely emotional but stemmed from a perceived threat to their authority and doctrinal beliefs. The Sadducees, who held significant power in the Sanhedrin, denied the resurrection and any form of afterlife, which was a core part of their theological stance. The apostles' message directly challenged their beliefs and threatened their influence over the people.
that they were teaching the people
The apostles were actively engaging with the public, spreading the teachings of Jesus. This was significant because teaching was traditionally the role of the rabbis and religious leaders. The apostles, considered uneducated by the standards of the time, were now assuming a role of authority, which undermined the established religious hierarchy. This teaching was not confined to the synagogues but was taking place in public spaces, making it accessible to all.
and proclaiming in Jesus
The central focus of the apostles' message was Jesus Christ. They were not merely teaching moral or ethical lessons but were proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah. This proclamation was a direct continuation of Jesus' own ministry and fulfilled Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. The apostles' boldness in declaring Jesus as the risen Lord was a testament to their conviction and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
the resurrection of the dead
The doctrine of resurrection was a contentious issue, especially with the Sadducees, who rejected it. However, the Pharisees, another influential group, did believe in the resurrection. The apostles' teaching affirmed the resurrection as a cornerstone of Christian faith, emphasizing that Jesus' resurrection was the firstfruits of those who have died. This teaching connected to Old Testament prophecies, such as those found in Isaiah and Daniel, and was a fulfillment of Jesus' own predictions about His death and resurrection. The resurrection was not just a future hope but a present reality that validated Jesus' divinity and the truth of His message.
Persons / Places / Events
1. Peter and John
Apostles of Jesus Christ who were actively preaching and teaching about Jesus and His resurrection.
2. The Sadducees
A sect of Jewish leaders who were particularly disturbed by the teaching of the resurrection, as they did not believe in the resurrection of the dead.
3. The Temple
The central place of worship in Jerusalem where Peter and John were teaching.
4. The Resurrection of Jesus
The central event being proclaimed by the apostles, which was a cornerstone of early Christian preaching.
5. The People
The audience in the temple who were receiving the teaching about Jesus and His resurrection.
Teaching Points
The Centrality of the Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical event but the foundation of Christian faith. It validates Jesus' divinity and the truth of His teachings.
Boldness in Proclamation
Like Peter and John, Christians are called to boldly proclaim the truth of the Gospel, even in the face of opposition or disbelief.
Understanding Opposition
Recognize that opposition to the Gospel often stems from deeply held beliefs or traditions, as seen with the Sadducees. Approach such opposition with grace and truth.
The Power of the Resurrection
The resurrection is a source of hope and power for believers, assuring us of eternal life and victory over sin and death.
Engaging with Scripture
Study the Scriptures to understand the full implications of the resurrection and how it impacts every aspect of life and faith.
Lists and Questions
Top 10 Lessons from Acts 4What is the meaning of Judgment Day?What is Peter's gospel?What is the purpose of baptism in Christianity?What does "Jesus rose again" signify?
(2) Being grieved.--The verb is one which expresses something like an intensity of trouble and vexation. (Comp. Acts 16:18.)
Preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.--Literally, preached in Jesus--i.e., in this as the crucial instance in which the resurrection of the dead had been made manifest. (Comp. the close union of "Jesus and the resurrection" in Acts 17:18.)
Verse 2. - Sore troubled for grieved, A.V.; because for that, A.V.; proclaimed in Jesus for preached through Jesus, A.V. The preaching the resurrection of the Lord Jesus as the "First fruits of them that slept," would be especially obnoxious to the Sadducees, "which deny that there is any resurrection" (Luke 20:27). The Sadducees were at this time in power (see Acts 5:17; and comp. Acts 23:6-8); and we learn from Josephus ('Ant. Jud.,'20. 9:1) that the son of this Annas (or Anauus) went over to the sect of the Sadducees, being himself high priest as his father had been. Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
greatly disturbed
διαπονούμενοι (diaponoumenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1278: To be greatly troubled. From dia and a derivative of ponos; to toil through, i.e. be worried.
that
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.
they
αὐτοὺς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.
were teaching
διδάσκειν (didaskein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1321: To teach, direct, admonish. A prolonged form of a primary verb dao; to teach.
the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
people
λαὸν (laon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2992: Apparently a primary word; a people.
and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.
proclaiming
καταγγέλλειν (katangellein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 2605: To declare openly, proclaim, preach, laud, celebrate. From kata and the base of aggelos; to proclaim, promulgate.
in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.
Jesus
Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.
the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
resurrection
ἀνάστασιν (anastasin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 386: A rising again, resurrection. From anistemi; a standing up again, i.e. a resurrection from death (its author), or a recovery.
of
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.
[the] dead.
νεκρῶν (nekrōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3498: (a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead.
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