12 And through the hands of the apostles came many signs and wonders among the people, and they were with one accord all in the porch of Solomon; 13 and of the rest no one was daring to join himself to them, but the people were magnifying them, 14 (and the more were believers added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women,) 15 so as into the broad places to bring forth the ailing, and to lay 'them' upon couches and mats, that at the coming of Peter, even 'his' shadow might overshadow some one of them; 16 and there were coming together also the people of the cities round about to Jerusalem, bearing ailing persons, and those harassed by unclean spirits—who were all healed.
17 And having risen, the chief priest, and all those with him—being the sect of the Sadducees—were filled with zeal, 18 and laid their hands upon the apostles, and did put them in a public prison; 19 and a messenger of the Lord through the night opened the doors of the prison, having also brought them forth, he said, 20 'Go on, and standing, speak in the temple to the people all the sayings of this life;' 21 and having heard, they did enter at the dawn into the temple, and were teaching. And the chief priest having come, and those with him, they called together the sanhedrim and all the senate of the sons of Israel, and they sent to the prison to have them brought, 22 and the officers having come, did not find them in the prison, and having turned back, they told, 23 saying—'The prison indeed we found shut in all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors, and having opened—within we found no one.' 24 And as the priest, and the magistrate of the temple, and the chief priests, heard these words, they were doubting concerning them to what this would come; 25 and coming near, a certain one told them, saying—'Lo, the men whom ye did put in the prison are in the temple standing and teaching the people;'
26 then the magistrate having gone away with officers, brought them without violence, for they were fearing the people, lest they should be stoned;
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 5:12-26
Commentary on Acts 5:12-16
(Read Acts 5:12-16)
The separation of hypocrites by distinguishing judgments, should make the sincere cleave closer to each other and to the gospel ministry. Whatever tends to the purity and reputation of the church, promotes its enlargement; but that power alone which wrought such miracles by the apostles, can rescue sinners from the power of sin and Satan, and add believers to His worshippers. Christ will work by all his faithful servants; and every one who applies to him shall be healed.
Commentary on Acts 5:17-25
(Read Acts 5:17-25)
There is no prison so dark, so strong, but God can visit his people in it, and, if he pleases, fetch them out. Recoveries from sickness, releases out of trouble, are granted, not that we may enjoy the comforts of life, but that God may be honoured with the services of our life. It is not for the preachers of Christ's gospel to retire into corners, as long as they can have any opportunity of preaching in the great congregation. They must preach to the lowest, whose souls are as precious to Christ as the souls of the greatest. Speak to all, for all are concerned. Speak as those who resolve to stand to it, to live and die by it. Speak all the words of this heavenly, divine life, in comparison with which the present earthly life does not deserve the name. These words of life, which the Holy Ghost puts into your mouth. The words of the gospel are the words of life; words whereby we may be saved. How wretched are those who are vexed at the success of the gospel! They cannot but see that the word and power of the Lord are against them; and they tremble for the consequences, yet they will go on.
Commentary on Acts 5:26-33
(Read Acts 5:26-33)
Many will do an evil thing with daring, yet cannot bear to hear of it afterward, or to have it charged upon them. We cannot expect to be redeemed and healed by Christ, unless we give up ourselves to be ruled by him. Faith takes the Saviour in all his offices, who came, not to save us in our sins, but to save us from our sins. Had Christ been exalted to give dominion to Israel, the chief priests would have welcomed him. But repentance and remission of sins are blessings they neither valued nor saw their need of; therefore they, by no means, admitted his doctrine. Wherever repentance is wrought, remission is granted without fail. None are freed from the guilt and punishment of sin, but those who are freed from the power and dominion of sin; who are turned from it, and turned against it. Christ gives repentance, by his Spirit working with the word, to awaken the conscience, to work sorrow for sin, and an effectual change in the heart and life. The giving of the Holy Ghost, is plain evidence that it is the will of God that Christ should be obeyed. And He will surely destroy those who will not have Him to reign over them.