RSV ~ Acts 5 Notes

Acts 5:1-11 | ISB Notes

The deceptive ploy of Ananias and Sapphira stands in stark contrast to the heroic generosity of the Jerusalem community (2:45; 4:32-37). While most believers were filled with the Spirit (4:31), this couple allowed their hearts to be filled with Satan instead (5:3).

Acts 5:4 | ISB Notes

at your disposal: Donations to the apostolic fund were voluntary, not mandatory. So the couple was entitled to retain some or all of their monetary resources, but apparently they misled the apostles to think they had donated everything and gave the false impression of being honest and generous (5:8).

not lied to men but to God: The parallel statement in 5:3 hints at the personhood and divinity of the Holy Spirit.

• The First Council of Constantinople in 381 declared that the Spirit is the third Divine Person of the Trinity, coequal with the Father and the Son. Its credal formula states that the Holy Spirit is to be “worshiped and glorified” as God (CCC 255, 266).

Acts 5:12 | ISB Notes

signs and wonders: An expression drawn from 2:19 that appears frequently in Acts (2:43; 4:30; 6:8; 14:3; 15:12).

• The same expression is a recurrent theme in the Exodus traditions, describing how Yahweh performed mighty deeds through Moses in bringing Israel out of Egypt (Ex 7:3; 11:10; Deut 6:22; 26:8). This association stands out in Stephen’s speech in 7:36. Solomon’s Portico: A covered walkway in the Temple (3:11).

Acts 5:14 | ISB Notes

men and women: Luke often highlights the fact that the gospel claimed disciples from the ranks of both genders (8:12; 9:2; 16:1; 17:4, 12).

Acts 5:15 | ISB Notes

at least his shadow: In the name of Jesus, the apostles displayed extraordinary power over demons, death, and disease. This was particularly true in the ministry of Peter, the recognized leader of the apostolic band (3:6; 9:34, 40-41).

Acts 5:17 | ISB Notes

the high priest: Presumably Annas, although Caiaphas was officiating in this capacity at the time. See note on Acts 4:6.

Acts 5:19 | ISB Notes

angel of the Lord: Angelic intervention, instruction, and assistance feature regularly in the narrative of Acts (8:26; 10:3-6; 12:7-10, 23; 27:23-24).

Acts 5:21 | ISB Notes

the council: The Sanhedrin, the high court of Judaism, was composed of the high priest and 70 leaders of Israel. Many of its members followed the Pharisee or Sadducee movement (5:17, 34; 23:6). Roman law permitted the court to administer corporal discipline (5:40) but prohibited it from executing a capital sentence (Jn 18:31). See note on Mk 14:55.

Acts 5:28 | ISB Notes

blood upon us: Bloodguilt for the condemnation and death of Jesus rested on the head of Jewish and Roman authorities (4:27). Though degrees of personal and individual guilt are known to God alone, collective responsibility for this outrage was accepted by the frenzied mob in Jerusalem that coerced Pilate to have him crucified (Mt 27:24-26; CCC 597).

Acts 5:29 | ISB Notes

obey God rather than men: The foundational premise of civil disobedience. It insists that believers cannot submit to human authorities, institutions, and laws that contradict the laws of God (Wis 6:1-3; Mk 7:8-13). Part of the Christian mission is to bring civil legislation in line with divine law and, when this proves unsuccessful, to make a courageous stand in favor of the gospel. In this episode, the mandate of Jesus to preach the gospel (1:8) overrides the charge of the Sanhedrin to keep silent (4:18; CCC 450, 2242).

Acts 5:30 | ISB Notes

on a tree: A reference to crucifixion, described in terms of Deut 21:22. See note on Gal 3:13.

Acts 5:34 | ISB Notes

Gamali-el: Gamali-el I, the Elder, a distinguished Pharisee influential in Jerusalem around A.D. 20 to 50. Jewish tradition revered his memory with the honorary title “rabban” (our teacher) over the more usual “rabbi” (teacher). Gamali-el is also remembered in Christian antiquity for his moderate stance toward the apostolic movement (5:38-39) and his role as the teacher of the Apostle Paul (22:3).

Acts 5:36 | ISB Notes

Theudas: History knows of a later Theudas whose following was crushed by the prefect Fadus between A.D. 44 and 46, but nothing is known of this earlier figure beyond this verse.

Acts 5:37 | ISB Notes

Judas the Galilean: According to the historian Josephus, he led a violent revolt against Rome for imposing taxes on Judea in A.D. 6. His philosophy of armed resistance later crystallized into the Zealot movement, which failed to liberate Israel from Roman control in the Jewish War of A.D. 66 to 70.

the census: Not the census ordered by Caesar Augustus in Lk 2:1 but a later registration for taxation in A.D. 6, when Judea came under direct Roman rule.

Acts 5:41 | ISB Notes

rejoicing … to suffer: The apostles remembered the blessings in store for those who suffer like Jesus (Mt 5:10-12). This joyous response to persecution and affliction resonates throughout the NT writings (Jn 16:33; Rom 5:3; Jas 1:2; 1 Pet 2:19-21).