Acts 5:27-32

Acts 5:27-32
Eastertide C22

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27 When they had broughtA them, they had them standB before the council.C The high priestD questionedE them, 

Notes on verse 27

A “brought” = ago. This is lead, bring, carry, guide, drive, go.
B “stand” = histemi. This is to stand, place, establish, appoint, stand ready, be steadfast.
C “council” = sunedrion. From sun (with, together with) + hedra (convening, siting together, being firm and faithful); {from aphedron (seat, well-seated; figuratively, this is firm in purpose, steadfast); from hedra (a seat)}. This is Sanhedrin – literally a sitting together. It was the high court for Jews and had 71 members. This term could also mean council or meeting place and was used for the lower courts that were throughout the land and had 23 members.
D “high priest” = archiereus. From archo (to rule, begin, have first rank or have political power) + hiereus (a priest literal or figurative – of any faith); {from hieros (sacred, something sacred, temple, holy, set apart; something consecrated to God or a god)} This is a high or chief priest.
E “questioned” = eperotao. From epi (on, upon, against, what is fitting) + erotao (asking a question or making an earnest request; used when one anticipates special consideration for their request); {from eromai (to ask) OR from ereo (to say, tell, call, speak of)}. This is to question, interrogate, seek, or demand. The questioner is at an advantage – in a preferred position when they make their question.

28 saying, “We gaveF you strict ordersG not to teachH in this name,I 

Notes on verse 28a

F “gave” = paraggello. Related to “brought” in v27 & “strict orders” in v28. See note G below.
G “strict orders” = paraggelia. Related to “brought” in v27. 5x in NT. From paraggello (to send a message, order, notify, command. It is a charge – a proper command as a military term that has followed proper channels. It can also mean to entreat solemnly); {from para (from beside, by) + aggello (to announce, report) {from aggelos (angel, messenger – supernatural or human envoy of God); probably from ago (see note A above)}}. This is instruction, order, commandment, rule of living.
H “teach” = didasko. From dao (learn). This is to teach, direct, instruct, or impart knowledge. In the New Testament, this is almost always used for teaching scripture.
I “name” = onoma. May be from ginosko (know, recognize, learn from firsthand experience). This is a name, authority, cause, character, fame, reputation. The name was thought to include something of the essence of the person so it was not thought to be separate from the person.

yet hereJ you have filledK JerusalemL with your teachingM

Notes on verse 28b

J “here” = idou. From eido (to be aware, see, know, remember, appreciate). This is see! Lo! Behold! Look! Used to express surprise and or draw attention to the statement.
K “filled” = pleroo. From pleres (to be full, complete, abounding in, occupied with). This is to fill, make full or complete. Properly, this is filling something up to the maximum extent that it can be filled – an appropriate amount for its individual capacity. So, this is used figuratively for furnish, influence, satisfy, finish, preach, perfect, and fulfill.
L “Jerusalem” = Ierousalem. From Hebrew yerushalaim (probably foundation of peace); {from yarah (to throw, shoot, be stunned; to flow as water so figuratively to instruct or teach) + shalam (to make amends, to be complete or sound)}. This is Jerusalem, dwelling of peace.
M “teaching” = didache. Related to “teach” in v28. From didasko (see note H above). This is teaching or doctrine.

and you are determinedN to bringO this man’sP bloodQ on us.” 

Notes on verse 28c

N “are determined” = boulomai. This is to wish, desire, intend. Also, to plan with great determination.
O “bring” = epago. Related to “brought” in v27 & “strict orders” and “gave” in v28. 3x in NT. From epi (on, upon, to, against, what is fitting) + ago (see note A above). This is to bring upon, inflict evil.
P “man’s” = anthropos. Probably from aner (man, male, husband) + ops (eye, face); {from optanomai (to appear, be seen); perhaps from horao (become, seem, appear)}. This is human, humankind. Used for all genders.
Q “blood” = haima. This is blood in a literal sense as bloodshed. Figuratively, it can also be used to refer to wine or to kinship (being related).

29 But PeterR and the apostlesS answered, “We mustT obeyU GodV ratherW than any humanX authority. 

Notes on verse 29

R “Peter” = Petros. Related to petra (large rock that is connected and or projecting like a rock, ledge, or cliff; can also be cave or stony ground). This is Peter, a stone, pebble, or boulder.
S “apostles” = apostolos. From apostello (to send, send away, send forth as a messenger, to commission); {from apo (from, away from) + stello (to set, arrange, prepare, provide for); {probably from histemi (to stand, place, set up, establish, stand firm)}}. This is a messenger – someone sent out on a mission as an envoy or delegate. It can also refer to someone set at liberty. Generally, this is a messenger who is meant to be a representative of the one who sent them. They are thus, set apart on a mission literally or figuratively.
T “must” = dei. From deo (to tie, bind, compel; declare unlawful). This is what is necessary or proper. It is what is needed or what one should do – a duty or something inevitable. This refers to something absolutely necessary.
U “obey” = peitharcheo. Related to “high priest” in v27. 4x in NT. From peitho (to have confidence, urge, be persuaded, agree, assure, believe, have confidence, trust) + archo (see note D above). This is to obey or follow. It can be to conform to a higher authority or a ruler.
V “God” = Theos. From Proto-Indo-European origins, meaning do, put, place. This is God or a god in general.
W “rather” = mallon. This is rather, more than, or better.
X “human” = anthropos. Same as “man’s” in v28. See note P above.

30 The God of our ancestorsY raised upZ Jesus,AA

Notes on verse 30a

Y “ancestors” = pater. This is father in a literal or figurative sense. Could be elder, senior, ancestor, originator, or patriarch.
Z “raised up” = egeiro. This is to awake, raise up or lift up. It can be to get up from sitting or lying down, to get up from sleeping, to rise from a disease or from death. Figuratively, it can be rising from inactivity or from ruins.
AA “Jesus” = Iesous. From Hebrew Yehoshua (Joshua, the Lord is salvation); {from YHVH (proper name of the God of Israel; the self-existent and eternal one); {from havah (to become) or from hayah (to come to pass, become, be)} + yasha (to deliver, defend, help, preserve, rescue; properly, to be open, wide or free, which implies being safe. So, in a causative sense, this is to free someone)}. This is Jesus or Joshua in Greek – the Lord saves or the Lord is salvation.

whom you had killedBB by hangingCC him on a tree.DD 

Notes on verse 30b

BB “killed” = diacheirizomai. 2x in NT – both in Acts. From dia (through, across to the other side, thoroughly) + cheir (hand in a literal sense; figuratively, the means a person uses to accomplish things so it can mean power, means, or instrument); {perhaps from cheimon (winter, storm – winter as the rainy season); related to the base of chasma (chasm, gap, gulf); from chasko (to yawn)}. This is to lay hands on, to kill, use violence.  
CC “hanging” = kremannumi. 7x in NT. This is to hang or suspend. Figuratively, it means to depend.
DD “tree” = xulon. This refers to things made of wood such as a tree trunk, club, staff, or cross. It can also refer to timber used as fuel for a fire.

31 God exaltedEE him at his right handFF as LeaderGG and SaviorHH

Notes on verse 31a

EE “exalted” = hupsoo. From hupsos (height, high position, heaven, dignity, eminence; elevation, altitude; to be exalted); from hupsi (on high, aloft); from huper (over, above, beyond). This is to elevate in a literal or figurative sense. So it could be to raise up or set something in a high place or to exalt or make something great.
FF “right hand” = dexios. Perhaps from dechomai (to warmly receive, be ready for what is offered, take, accept, or welcome; to receive in a literal or figurative sense). This is right, right side, or the right hand.
GG “Leader” = Archegos. Related to “brought” and “high priest” in v27 & “strict orders” and “gave” and “bring” in v28 & “obey” in v29. 4x in NT. From archo (see note D above) + hegeomai (to think, suppose, have an opinion; to lead the way, what comes in front or first, initial thought, high esteem or authority; one who commands in an official capacity); {from ago (see note A above)}. This is leader, founder, captain – someone who begins or pioneers a movement with followers.
HH “Savior” = Soter. From sozo (to save, heal, preserve, or rescue. Properly, this is taking someone from danger to safety. It can be delivering or protecting literally or figuratively); from sos (safe, rescued, well). This is savior, deliverer, preserver.

that he might giveII repentanceJJ to IsraelKK and forgivenessLL of sins.MM 

Notes on verse 31b

II “give” = didomi. To give, offer, place, bestow, deliver. This is give in a literal or figurative sense.
JJ “repentance” = metanoia. Related to “name” in v28. From meta (with, among, after, beyond) + noieo (to perceive, think, understand); {from nous (mind, understanding, reasoning faculty, intellect, capacity to reflect); probably from the base as ginosko (see note I above)}. This is literally to change one’s mind – to choose to think differently and so to act differently because of a moral compunction. It is an intentional change to the inner self. This word shares a root with the English “paranoia.”
KK “Israel” = Israel. From Hebrew Yisrael (God strives or one who strives with God; new name for Jacob and for his offspring); {from sarah (to persist, exert oneself, contend, persevere, wrestle, prevail) + el (God or god)}. This is Israel the people and the land.
LL “forgiveness” = aphesis. 17x in NT. From aphiemi (to send away, release, abandon, lay aside, forgive); {from apo (from, away from) + hiemi (to send, to go)}. This is sending away – a release or letting go. So, it can be releasing someone from debt, slavery, or some other obligation – thus, freedom or liberty. Figuratively it can mean to pardon as releasing from the debt of sin.
MM “sins” = hamartia. From hamartano (to miss the mark, do wrong, make a mistake, sin); {from a (not) + meros (a part or share)}. Literally, this means not having one’s share or portion – like not receiving inheritance or what was allotted to you. This word means missing the mark so it is used for guilt, fault, and acts of sin.

32 And we are witnessesNN to these things,OO and so is the HolyPP SpiritQQ whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Notes on verse 32

NN “witnesses” = martus. This is a witness whether having heard or seen something. It refers to a witness literally, judicially, or figuratively. By analogy, this is a martyr. This is also where the word “martyr” comes from.
OO “things” = rhema. From rheo (to speak, command, make, say, speak of); from ereo (to all, say, speak of, tell; denotes ongoing speech). This is word, which implies a matter or thing spoken, a command, report, promise, thing, or business. Often used for narration, commands, or disputes.
PP “Holy” = Hagios. From hagnos (holy, sacred, pure ethically, ritually, or ceremonially; prepared for worship, chaste, unadulterated, pure to the core; undefiled by sin; figurative for innocent, modest, perfect). God is totally different from humanity and thus set apart. That which is consecrated to worship God (elements of worship) or to serve God (as the saints) are holy because they are now set apart for God’s purposes. Holy because important to God. This is sacred physically, pure. It can be morally blameless or ceremonially consecrated.
QQ “Spirit” = Pneuma. From pneo (to blow, breath, breathe hard). This is wind, breath, or ghost. A breeze or a blast or air, a breath. Figuratively used for a spirit, the human soul or part of us that is rational. It is also used supernaturally for angels, demons, God, and the Holy Spirit. This is where pneumonia comes from.


Image credit: “Statue of St. Peter, Makarska, Croatia.” Photo by PLBechly, 2017.

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