Acts 4:3-4 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold to the next day: for it was now eventide.… I. THE ARREST was brought about — 1. While the service was being held (ver. 1). The devil has a keen aversion to the proclaiming of the gospel, and will stop it if he can. 2. By ecclesiastical officials. In proportion as Christ is exalted, the Jewish idea of an official priesthood must lose its hold upon the minds of men. 3. By men who felt deeply — "grieved." The preaching of the gospel causes heaven to rejoice, and it brings joy to those who receive it, but these men were grieved because of it. How thoroughly even religious men may be out of touch with sympathies that emanate from God! What a pity there should be so much deep feeling wrongly directed! There has been quite a Niagara of human emotion, which, during the Christian ages, has spent itself in win in dashing against the impregnable rock of Christian verities. II. The detention. Tim apostles had started out to visit the temple at the hour of the evening sacrifice, but as that evening closed they themselves offered a sacrifice with which the Lord would be well pleased. The bars and bolts of the strong door might keep them in, but they could not keep Jesus out. Even on earth suffering saints have Often found what Thomas Cooper calls "the paradise of martyrs." III. THE TRIAL. 1. Christ was honoured. 2. There was a word for the rulers. 3. There was a word for everybody. IV. THE RESULT. 1. The rulers were impressed. 2. The apostles were threatened. 3. The apostles were released. 4. God was glorified. To Peter and John this would be an all-sufficient recompense. (H. Thorne.) Parallel Verses KJV: And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.WEB: They laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was now evening. |
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