IVP New Testament Commentary Series – The Apostles' Report (4:23)
The Apostles' Report (4:23)

The apostles are released, showing for the first time what Luke will contend consistently: Christianity is both innocent before the state and triumphant when its enemies seek to use state authority to hinder its advance (5:40; 16:35-40; 18:14-16; 23:28-29; 25:25-27; 26:32). They report to their own people—probably not simply the other ten apostles nor the whole assembly of more than five thousand, but their close friends and supporters, perhaps the original 120 of the pre-Pentecost upper room days (1:13-15; Kistemaker 1990:165). They report all that the chief priests and elders had said, particularly the threats (4:17-18, 21). (By referring to the Sanhedrin as the chief priests and elders Luke highlights the Sadducean loyalists among them.)

The first Christians were realists, and so must we be. These threats, coming as they did from the highest civil authority, had the force of law. Obedience to Christ in the midst of a hostile environment will be costly. Will we realistically face that cost?

Bible Gateway Recommends

1 Corinthians: IVP New Testament Commentary [IVPNTC] -eBook
1 Corinthians: IVP New Testament Commentary [IVPNTC] -eBook
Retail: $15.99
Our Price: $9.99
Save: $6.00 (38%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
Acts - eBook
Acts - eBook
Retail: $29.99
Our Price: $16.49
Save: $13.50 (45%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
Revelation: The IVP NT Commentary [IVPNTC]
Revelation: The IVP NT Commentary [IVPNTC]
Retail: $30.00
Our Price: $27.00
Save: $3.00 (10%)
John: IVP New Testament Commentary [IVPNTC]
John: IVP New Testament Commentary [IVPNTC]
Retail: $35.00
Our Price: $16.99
Save: $18.01 (51%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars