www.biblestudiesonline.org.uk
The Acts of the Apostles Chapter 3:1-26 Arrested for proclaiming the gospel 4. 1 - 3. 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, angry because they were teaching the people and announcing in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. So they seized them and put them in jail until the next day (for it was already evening). The commotion that Peter and John had caused by the healing of the lame man and then preaching the gospel message particularly concerning the resurrection of Christ from the dead brought a response from those in authority. The head of the temple police along with some priests and Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection (Math. 22: 23), came and arrested them and they were held in custody overnight. 4.4. But many of those who had listened to the message believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. Those who had heard and believed were saved and within a few days their number had grown from 120 to 3000 and then to 5000 and this was just men there were most probably women and children as well. Jesus had told them that they would do greater things than He after the Comforter the Holy Ghost had come and here was the fulfilment of His word (John 14: 12,16). 4.5 - 6. On the next day, their rulers, elders, and experts in the law came together in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and others who were members of the high priest's family. The next day Peter and John were hauled before the Sanhedrin with all the leading dignitaries present. Remember that they were but common fishermen therefore to be brought before the Jewish supreme court was no light matter and would have ordinarily given them great fear. Jesus said that they would be brought before those in authority for testifying of Him and He also instructed them what they should do (Math. 10: 17 - 20).