Peter and John Questioned by the CouncilBible World
4:5Acts 4:5
And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
On the morrow means on the morning of the day after Peter and John were seized at Jerusalem, following the healing of the cripple and the preaching and healing that drew attention. Those who gathered then were the Jewish rulers, elders, and scribes, the Sanhedrin and temple leading authorities, including the high priest with the high-priestly family, Annas and Caiaphas and other dignitaries of the temple.
They assembled to examine and try the prisoners about the healing of the impotent man and their preaching through Jesus the resurrection of the dead, asking by what name the miracle was done. The Sadducees had been grieved by that teaching and had laid hands on the apostles and put them in hold, though the disciples were giving truth for that time and had committed no error.
The hearing took place in that very room at Jerusalem and before those very men where Peter had shamefully denied his Lord at Jesus' trial, which came distinctly to Peter's mind. It stood before him as an opportunity to redeem his former wicked cowardice and to remove the stain of his apostasy by honoring the name he had once disowned. The Peter who stood there was no longer the impulsive, self-confident disciple and proud boaster who denied Christ in His greatest need, but a converted man, distrustful of self, filled with the Holy Spirit and through its power firm as a rock, courageous yet modest in magnifying Christ.
Though confronted and opposed by the religious authorities, Peter and John bore bold witness to Christ under the Holy Spirit's direction, with words and deeds reflecting Jesus' teaching and work. Boldly declaring before the council, they testified that the miracle was done through Jesus of Nazareth.
On the morrow means on the morning of the day after Peter and John were seized at Jerusalem, following the healing of the cripple and the preaching and healing that drew attention. Those who gathered then were the Jewish rulers, elders, and scribes, the Sanhedrin and temple leading authorities, including the high priest with the high-priestly family, Annas and Caiaphas and other dignitaries of the temple.
They assembled to examine and try the prisoners about the healing of the impotent man and their preaching through Jesus the resurrection of the dead, asking by what name the miracle was done. The Sadducees had been grieved by that teaching and had laid hands on the apostles and put them in hold, though the disciples were giving truth for that time and had committed no error.
The hearing took place in that very room at Jerusalem and before those very men where Peter had shamefully denied his Lord at Jesus' trial, which came distinctly to Peter's mind. It stood before him as an opportunity to redeem his former wicked cowardice and to remove the stain of his apostasy by honoring the name he had once disowned. The Peter who stood there was no longer the impulsive, self-confident disciple and proud boaster who denied Christ in His greatest need, but a converted man, distrustful of self, filled with the Holy Spirit and through its power firm as a rock, courageous yet modest in magnifying Christ.
Though confronted and opposed by the religious authorities, Peter and John bore bold witness to Christ under the Holy Spirit's direction, with words and deeds reflecting Jesus' teaching and work. Boldly declaring before the council, they testified that the miracle was done through Jesus of Nazareth.