Verse 1: “They were speaking to the people, and the priests, the captain of the temple and the Sadducees stood near to them.”

They: Probably Peter and John

The Sadducees: According to history they had the controlling majority in the Sanhedrin – the governing body, for Israel, from a political and spiritual perspective. The Sadducees denied angels, denied God’s interaction in His creation (they believed He was creator, but that once things were put in motion He stepped back), they did not believe in an afterlife (or an eternal Kingdom) and they did not believe in resurrection. Anything miraculous they always wanted to discredit.

Verse 2: “They were bothered on account that they were teaching the people and proclaiming, in Yeshua, the resurrection of the dead.”

They were bothered: The Sadducees were vexed that the Apostles were teaching in the name of Yeshua (who they had tried to blot out) and that they were teaching about resurrection.

Proclaiming in Yeshua the resurrection of the dead: By His name there is a Kingdom experience, and this miracle confirmed the reality of the power of His name and the coming of His kingdom.

Verse 3: “They cast upon them their hands and put them in custody until the next day, for it had already become evening.”

They cast upon them their hands: They seized Peter and John

Evening: This concept of evening is uniquely tied to Redemption. The Israelites were in bondage, so to speak, in Egypt. God moved to free them in the night. Peter and John were in prison, being held in custody, and it was night-time so we should expect God to move.

Verse 4: “But many of those who were listening to the Word believed; and it was made the number of men about 5000.”

But: Shows a contrast, something moving in a different direction.

Believed: Hearing the Word leads to believing, and the lives of those who believe are going to be eternally changed.

5000: 5,000 people now believed because of the teaching of the Word and faith. They did not come to faith on their own but they were made or caused to do so – God added them. They believed what they heard, and their faith (given to them by God, as they heard the message proclaimed – Romans 10v17) caused them to be added to this number.

5,000 = 50×100. 100 speaks of completion, 50 reminds us of jubilee – freedom, liberty. These people believed and because of that they had complete liberty or freedom from the bondage of this world.

Verse 5: “But it came about on the next day that the rulers, the elders and the scribes that were based in Jerusalem,”

Rulers: Those who have political connections.

Elders: The leaders of the people, chosen by the people.

Scribes: Experts in Biblical interpretation.

Verse 6: “Also Annas, the high priest, Caiaphas, John and Alexander – and as many that were from the lineage (family) of the high priests – were gathered to them.”

This was an important group that were part of the Sanhedrin.

Verse 7: “And they stood them (Peter and John) in the midst to interrogate them: ‘By what power and In whose name have you done this?’”

In the midst: Meaning in the midst of all these important people, possibly in order to intimidate them and cause them to submit.

Verse 8: “Then Peter, being filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: ‘Rulers of the people and elders of Israel,”

Being filled with the Holy Spirit: When someone believes they are filled with the Holy Spirit. The text is implying that Peter received an anointing for this time that he was going to respond, and the Spirit of God entered into him uniquely.

Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: Peter addressed them respectfully.

Verse 9: “If you are wanting to make judgment on a good deed: a weak man, by what means that this one, has been saved,”

A weak man: This is applicable to anybody, and not specifically the lame man that was healed. Weak men and women can find healing.

Saved: This word can be used for physical healings, but it also has salvation overtones. The lame man’s new condition (physical healing) parallels his spiritual healing. The man did not play a role in either his physical or spiritual healing. It happened to him.

Verse 10: “Let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Messiah Yeshua of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom the God raised from the dead, this one stands before you whole.”

Whom the God raised from the dead: Even though Peter was in this prestigious group of leaders, who did not believe in the resurrection, he was not intimidated, and he did not change the truth.

Whole: Healed, in accordance with the will of God.