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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act_5:40-42
40They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. 41So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
Act_5:40 "They took his advice" This phrase is included in Act_5:39 in some translations (cf. NRSV) and in Act_5:40 in others (cf. NASB, NKJV). The TEV and NJB keep it in Act_5:39, but start a new paragraph.
▣ "flogged" This was not the same as the Roman flogging (mastix, cf. Act_22:24-25), which Jesus endured. This referred to the Jewish beating with rods (cf. Deu_25:3; i.e., derô, Luk_12:47-48; Luk_20:10-11; Luk_22:63). It was very painful, but not life-threatening.
The interpretive problem is that these two Greek terms are often used interchangeably. The Septuagint of Deu_25:3 has mastix, but it refers to a Jewish punishment. Luke regularly uses derô for this Jewish synagogue beating (literally "skinning an animal").
▣ "and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus" This same Council had done this earlier (cf. Act_4:17; Act_4:21). This time they beat them and repeated the warning.
Act_5:41 Jesus had predicted this type of treatment (cf. Mat_10:16-23; Mar_13:9-13; Luk_12:1-12; Luk_21:10-19; Joh_15:18-27; Joh_16:2-4).
▣ "rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name" This seems surprising to us today because we live in a society where physical persecution is so rare, but this has not been the case for the vast majority of believers through the centuries.
Jesus plainly said that His followers would suffer. Please read Mat_5:10-12; Joh_15:18-21; Joh_16:1-2; Joh_17:14; Act_14:22; Rom_5:3-4; Rom_8:17; 2Co_4:16-18; Php_1:29; 1Th_3:3; 2Ti_3:12; Jas_1:2-4. Also notice how in 1 Peter Jesus' suffering (cf. Act_1:11; Act_2:21; Act_2:23; Act_3:18; Act_4:1; Act_4:13; Act_5:1) is to be emulated by His followers (cf. Act_1:6-7; Act_2:19; Act_3:13-17; Act_4:1; Act_4:12-19; Act_5:9-10).
Act_5:42 "every day, in the temple" These early witnesses of Jesus refused to be silenced, even in the very heart of Judaism, the temple in Jerusalem.
▣ "from house to house" The early church had their meetings in private homes spread throughout the city (cf. Act_2:46). There were no church buildings until several hundred years later.
NASB, NKJV "the Christ"
NRSV, TEV,
REB"the Messiah"
In this Jewish setting the title "Messiah" (see Special Topic at Act_2:31) is more appropriate (cf. Act_2:31; Act_3:18; Act_5:42; Act_8:5; Act_9:22), as Peter used in Mat_16:16. When Paul preached to Jews he also used this as a reference to the promised, anointed One (cf. Act_17:3; Act_18:5; Act_18:28).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR Acts 3-5
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. Why did the Apostles stay within Judaism so long?
2. List the titles of Jesus and their meanings which are used in Acts 3.
3. What are the two minimal requirements in salvation?
4. Why is Moses quoted so often in the New Testament?
5. What is the significance of the Abrahamic covenant to the NT church?
6. Why were Peter and John arrested?
7. Outline Peter's third sermon.
8. What is significant about the prayer of Act_4:24-31?
9. To be truly New Testament must one be communistic? (cf. Act_4:32)
10. List the reasons why Luke included the account of Ananias and Sapphira.
11. Did Ananias realize that he was filled with Satan? Did he realize that he had lied to God?
12. Why was God seemingly so harsh?
13. What about miracles (especially healings) in our day?
14. Why were the Sadducees so mad?
15. Why did the angel release the Apostles from prison?
16. Outline Peter's fourth sermon. List the common elements between his other recorded sermons in Acts.
17. Who was Gamaliel?
18. Why should Christians rejoice in suffering?
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