Acts 5:40 - They agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
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What does "Acts 5:40" mean?
This verse from Acts 5:40 is a pivotal moment in the early church's history and highlights the tension between the apostles' mission and the Jewish authorities' desire to suppress it. Let's break it down:
"They agreed with him...": The "they" refers to the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. "Him" refers to Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee and teacher of the law, who had just advised the Sanhedrin to be cautious in dealing with the apostles, suggesting that if their movement was not of God, it would fade away on its own (Acts 5:38-39). So, the Sanhedrin decided to take Gamaliel's advice to not kill the apostles, but didn't want to let them go unpunished.
"...summoning the apostles...": The apostles were brought before the Sanhedrin once again. This implies that despite Gamaliel's cautious advice, the Sanhedrin still viewed the apostles as a threat.
"...they beat them...": The Greek word used here implies a severe flogging or whipping. This was a common form of punishment in that time. This was a public humiliation and a physical deterrent intended to discourage the apostles from continuing their activities.
"...and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus...": This is the core of the conflict. The Sanhedrin specifically prohibited the apostles from preaching or teaching about Jesus. This shows they were threatened by the apostle's teachings. It wanted to silence the spread of Christianity.
"...and let them go.": Despite the beating and the command, the apostles were eventually released.
In summary, this verse portrays:
The Sanhedrin's inability to completely suppress the apostles: While they resorted to violence and threats, they were ultimately unwilling to execute them, possibly due to Gamaliel's influence or fear of public backlash.
The apostles' unwavering commitment to their mission: Despite the punishment, the verse hints that the apostles would continue to preach about Jesus. The subsequent verses (Acts 5:41-42) confirm this, stating they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus, and they continued to teach and preach in the temple and from house to house.
The growing conflict between the early church and the Jewish authorities: This event foreshadows further persecution and challenges the early Christians would face as they spread their message.
The apostles' obedience to God over man. The apostles were told not to speak about Jesus, but in Acts 4:19, Peter and John proclaimed that they could not help but speak the things which they have seen and heard. This emphasizes that God has commanded his disciples to spread the gospel.
The verse highlights the courage and faith of the early apostles and underscores the central theme of the Book of Acts: the unstoppable spread of the gospel despite opposition.
Acts 5:40 - They agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
What does "Acts 5:40" mean?
This verse from Acts 5:40 is a pivotal moment in the early church's history and highlights the tension between the apostles' mission and the Jewish authorities' desire to suppress it. Let's break it down:
"They agreed with him...": The "they" refers to the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. "Him" refers to Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee and teacher of the law, who had just advised the Sanhedrin to be cautious in dealing with the apostles, suggesting that if their movement was not of God, it would fade away on its own (Acts 5:38-39). So, the Sanhedrin decided to take Gamaliel's advice to not kill the apostles, but didn't want to let them go unpunished.
"...summoning the apostles...": The apostles were brought before the Sanhedrin once again. This implies that despite Gamaliel's cautious advice, the Sanhedrin still viewed the apostles as a threat.
"...they beat them...": The Greek word used here implies a severe flogging or whipping. This was a common form of punishment in that time. This was a public humiliation and a physical deterrent intended to discourage the apostles from continuing their activities.
"...and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus...": This is the core of the conflict. The Sanhedrin specifically prohibited the apostles from preaching or teaching about Jesus. This shows they were threatened by the apostle's teachings. It wanted to silence the spread of Christianity.
"...and let them go.": Despite the beating and the command, the apostles were eventually released.
In summary, this verse portrays:
The Sanhedrin's inability to completely suppress the apostles: While they resorted to violence and threats, they were ultimately unwilling to execute them, possibly due to Gamaliel's influence or fear of public backlash.
The apostles' unwavering commitment to their mission: Despite the punishment, the verse hints that the apostles would continue to preach about Jesus. The subsequent verses (Acts 5:41-42) confirm this, stating they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus, and they continued to teach and preach in the temple and from house to house.
The growing conflict between the early church and the Jewish authorities: This event foreshadows further persecution and challenges the early Christians would face as they spread their message.
The apostles' obedience to God over man. The apostles were told not to speak about Jesus, but in Acts 4:19, Peter and John proclaimed that they could not help but speak the things which they have seen and heard. This emphasizes that God has commanded his disciples to spread the gospel.
The verse highlights the courage and faith of the early apostles and underscores the central theme of the Book of Acts: the unstoppable spread of the gospel despite opposition.