The high priest and his party could not forget the imprecation of Matthew 27:25. It haunted them. Compare Peter's description of the Cross as the tree with Deuteronomy 21:23 and Galatians 3:13; also his own usage of the phrase in 1 Peter 2:24. Notice in Acts 5:31 the divine order-Jesus must be Prince, if He is to be Savior. It is because that order is not observed, and men therefore seek to derive His benefits before they concede His rights, that He is unable to deliver them. Christ must be the enthroned Lord and Master of your life, if you want to be saved to the uttermost. See Romans 10:9, r.v. Repentance is His gift equally as forgiveness. Mark that reference to the witness of the Holy Spirit, Acts 5:32. Let us never stand in pulpit or class without being first assured that the truth we utter is such that He can endorse.
Gamaliel had been Paul's teacher. He was very astute and non-committal. He said, "Let us wait and see; the truth will conquer." He expected that the new enthusiasm would die down if it were let alone. He knew that a draught of wind fans a fire. But he lived to see his mistake. We must be warned by Acts 5:42 not only to preach Christ as king in the Temple, but also at home. [source]
Chapter Summary: Acts 5
1After that Ananias and Sapphira his wife, 3at Peter's rebuke had fallen down dead; 12and that the rest of the apostles had wrought many miracles; 14to the increase of the faith; 17the apostles are again imprisoned; 19but delivered by an angel bidding them preach openly to all; 21when, after their teaching accordingly in the temple, 29and before the council, 33they are in danger to be killed; 34but through the advice of Gamaliel, they are kept alive, and are only beaten; 41for which they glorify God, and cease no day from preaching
Greek Commentary for Acts 5:35
Take heed [προσεχετε εαυτοις] Hold your mind (νουν noun unexpressed) for or on yourselves (dative case), the usual idiom. [source]
Acts 5:34Had in honour of all the people [τιμιος παντι τωι λαωι] Ethical dative. Τιμιος Timios from τιμη timē old word meaning precious, dear. The men (τους αντρωπους tous anthrōpous). Correct text as in Acts 5:35, not “the apostles” as Textus Receptus. [source]
Acts 5:34The men [τους αντρωπους] Correct text as in Acts 5:35, not “the apostles” as Textus Receptus. [source]
What do the individual words in Acts 5:35 mean?
He saidthentothemMenIsraelitestake heedto yourselveswiththementhesewhatyou are aboutto do
Greek Commentary for Acts 5:35
Hold your mind (νουν noun unexpressed) for or on yourselves (dative case), the usual idiom. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 5:35
The full phrase had τον νουν ton noun hold your mind on yourselves (or other object in the dative), as often in old writers and in Job 7:17. But the ancients often used the idiom with νουν noun understood, but not expressed as here and Acts 5:35; Luke 12:1; Luke 17:3; Luke 21:34; 1 Timothy 1:4; 1 Timothy 3:8; 1 Timothy 4:13. Επεχε Epeche is so used in 1 Timothy 4:16. [source]
Ethical dative. Τιμιος Timios from τιμη timē old word meaning precious, dear. The men (τους αντρωπους tous anthrōpous). Correct text as in Acts 5:35, not “the apostles” as Textus Receptus. [source]
Correct text as in Acts 5:35, not “the apostles” as Textus Receptus. [source]