Bible Commentaries
Acts 5

Verses 1-42

V 1-11 Ananias and Saphira —Here and by the murmurings, 6:1, we learn that there were shadows, even in the olden Age.

2. Through avarice part of the price was retained, through vanity it was pretended that all had been given.

3. ’Why hath Satan filled thy heart?’ The evil spirit led them to attempt to deceive the Holy Spirit, who filled and possessed the Church and the Apostles, and hence whose spokesman St Peter was.

4. ’While it remained unsold did it not remain to thee? and after it was sold was it not at thy disposal?’ There was no compulsion to give up the whole price. These verses reveal the personality and divinity of the Holy Spirit. 6. ’And the young men rising, wrapped him up . . .’ Both circumstances and climate made quick burial advisable.

8. St Peter wished to enable Saphira to repent and be truthful, cf. Chrysostom, Hom. XII.

9. He does not call down death on her, but announces the judgement of God.

10. The grave punishment was exemplary, to show the respect due to the Church, and preserve discipline, both so necessary for the persecuted infant community. Ananias and Saphira had received the Holy Spirit and many graces, ’yet it is to be believed that after this life God spared them, for his mercy is great. St Aug. Serm.148. 1 Corinthians 11:32 also suggests that death may have a merciful purpose.

11. ’Church’ used by our Lord in Matthew 16:18 now first occurs in Ac as the name of the community at Jerusalem.

12-16 Miracles and Growth, the Third Summary —12. As our Lord had promised, John 14:12, miracles come in answer to the prayer of 4:30.

13. ’The rest’ seem to be those with a certain standing, held back by fear of the Sanhedrin, as contrasted with the people, cf. 4:21 and John 7:48-49.

15. ’Beds and pallets’, i.e. rich and poor were brought out. What warrant this verse and 19:12, provide for attitudes regarded as typically Catholic! Small examples of that preservation of type, which is the ’first note of a genuine development’. 16. ’And there came also together a multitude from the towns around Jerusalem’. The church had begun to spread in Judaea.

17-42 The Second Persecution of the Apostles: 17-21a Arrest and Release —17. ’The party’ of the Sadducees was alarmed in 4:2, by the teaching, now rather, by the popularity of the Apostles.

19. The angel led the Apostles out, in such a way that the sentries who were at their posts could not see them, 23. 20. In John 6:69 St Peter says ’Thou hast the words of eternal life’, cf. 13:26, the new life of union with God, cf.§ 818d. 21a. The day’s work begins early in the East.

21b-28 The Apostles re-arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin —21. ’The council, even all the senate of the Jewish people’.

28. ’We laid a strict command on you’. The high-priest does not refer to the miraculous escape, but accuses the Apostles of disobeying the command of 4:18, and secondly of stirring up the people to seek the lives of the authorities who condemned Jesus, cf.Matthew 27:25. Clearly the Christians were already a numerous body.

29-32 The Answer of the Apostles —29. St Peter is the leader. Our Lord’s command to preach has the authority of God, cf. 4:19. 30. The main facts are once more outlined. Jesus was raised up from the dead.

31. ’Prince’ is a Messianic title, the deliverer. Saviour completes the idea. Jesus is the leader who saves, the ’author of our salvation’, 3:15; Hebrews 2:10.

32. The Holy Spirit witnesses to Jesus by outward signs, by inspiring the Apostles’ preaching, and by moving mens’ hearts to accept it. On this witness of the Holy Spirit see John 15:26-27; Romans 8:16. The Gift of the Spirit is not for the Apostles only, but for all who obey God.

33-39a The Advice of Gamaliel —33-34. The violent reaction of the Council was calmed by Gamaliel the Elder. He was probably the grandson of Hillel, the founder of the liberal party among the Pharisees. According to the rabbinical writings, he was held in great esteem, and given the title of Rabban. It was said that when he died ’the Law ceased to be held in honour’. He was renowned for his tolerant views, exemplified here, and was the master of St Paul 22:3. 36. Gk Theudas. Jos. Ant. XX. 5, 1. mentions a Messianic movement with a leader of this name, which was put down in a.d. 45. Then a large multitude was involved, and it was with difficulty that they were suppressed. Theudas is a common contraction for many names, and so there must have been a much earlier rebellion, of the kind that was then frequent, to which St Luke here refers.

37. Judas of Galilee, several times mentioned by Josephus, led a rebellion against the census of a.d. 6-7. This was to have been used for taxation purposes; and to pay taxes to foreigners was considered a violation of fidelity to Yahweh.

39a. Gamaliel’s advice is in keeping with his character. His prophetic words have lost none of their force. There was a legend that Gamaliel later became a Christian, but his advice was dictated by prudence rather than sympathy, as the comparisons he employs show. And as he is always held in honour in the Talmud, the story of his conversion can hardly be true. St Paul disregarded the prudent advice of his master.

39b-42 The Release of the Apostles —40. The Apostles were scourged, presumably with forty stripes save one, for disregarding the prohibition to preach.

41. They rejoiced to suffer in the interests of Jesus, as he had told them to, Matthew 5:11-12.

42. ’To teach and preach Jesus as the Christ’, i.e. Messias.