1 While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests and the commander of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them,2 angry because they were teaching the people and announcing in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.3 So they seized them and put them in jail until the next day (for it was already evening).4 But many of those who had listened to the message believed, and the number of the men came to about 5,000.
- The opposition to the apostles' preaching came from powerful Jewish religious and political groups: priests (concerned with temple order), the temple captain (security), and Sadducees (theologically opposed).
- The Sadducees were particularly provoked because they denied the concept of resurrection (Acts 23:8), which was central to the apostles' message about Jesus.
- The arrest demonstrates the immediate conflict between the gospel message and the established religious authorities in Jerusalem.
- Despite the arrest and opposition, the message spread effectively, leading to significant church growth ("the number of the men came to about five thousand"). This highlights the power of the gospel message.
- The timing of the arrest (evening) necessitated overnight imprisonment, setting the stage for a formal trial the next day.
- This event fulfills Jesus' warnings to his disciples that they would face persecution for his name's sake (Matthew 10:17-18).