Brought Before the Council…Again
Acts 5:26–28 (NASB95)
26 Then the captain went along with the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned). 27 When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
Acts 5:26-28 describes the apostles' second appearance before the Sanhedrin, highlighting the authorities' cautious approach and continued opposition to the apostles' message. The captain and officers bring the apostles from the temple, but they do so without using force. They feared the people might stone them if they treated the apostles roughly. This fear of the people indicates a growing public support for the apostles and their message, adding another layer of complexity to the Sanhedrin's dilemma. This fear of the crowd echoes similar instances in the Gospels, where the authorities hesitated to arrest Jesus publicly because of the people's support. Take note of that – what Christ experienced during His ministry, the apostles and the Church are now experiencing as well. This reminds us of the overall theme of the book of Acts, that the Church is a continuation of Christ’s ministry and the Missio Dei (mission of God).
Once the apostles are brought before the council, the high priest questions them. His accusation reveals the core of the conflict: "We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” The high priest's use of the phrase "this name," instead of directly mentioning Jesus, reflects a continued refusal to acknowledge Him. The accusation of "filling Jerusalem with their teaching" highlights the effectiveness of the apostles' ministry despite the Sanhedrin's attempts to silence them.
The final part of the accusation, "intend to bring this man’s blood upon us," reveals the council's deep-seated fear and guilt regarding Jesus' crucifixion. This phrase echoes Matthew 27:25, where the Jewish crowd takes responsibility for Jesus' blood. The high priest's words suggest an attempt to deflect responsibility for Jesus' death onto the apostles and their followers, portraying them as agitators who are stirring up trouble and potentially inciting Roman retribution.
This passage reveals the growing tension between the religious authorities and the burgeoning Christian movement. The Sanhedrin's cautious approach, motivated by fear of the people and their accusations against the apostles, demonstrates their struggle to maintain control in the face of the spreading Gospel message.
Here is the pattern in Acts: Jesus, sent by the Father and empowered by the Holy Spirit, started the ministry during his life on Earth. The Church—all members of the Church—sent and empowered just as Christ was—continues Christ’s ministry from the first century to the present day. As we continue the ministry Christ began, we, too, will face opposition and accusations from those who reject the Gospel.
How should we respond when such opposition occurs? We will see in tomorrow’s verses.
Blessings,
Ryan Goodnight