St. John Chrysostom
Homily 10 on the Acts of
the Apostles
Acts IV. 1
And
as they spoke unto the people, there came unto them the priests, and the
captain of the temple.
Ere yet they had time to
take breath after their first trials, straightway they enter into others. And
observe how the events are disposed. First, they were all mocked together; this
was no small trial: secondly, they enter into dangers. And these two things do
not take place in immediate succession; but when first the Apostles have won
admiration by their two discourses, and after that have performed a notable
miracle, thereupon it is that, after they are waxen bold, through God's
disposal, they enter the lists. But I wish you to consider, how those same
persons, who in the case of Christ must need look out for one to deliver Him up
to them, now with their own hands arrest the Apostles, having become more
audacious and more impudent since the Crucifixion. In truth, sin, while it is
yet struggling to the birth, is attended with some sense of shame; but when once
fully born, it makes those more shameless who practise it. And the captain of
the temple, it is said. The object again was to attach a public criminality to
what was doing, and not to prosecute it as the act of private individuals: such
in fact was constantly their plan of proceeding.
Being grieved that they
taught the people. Acts 4:2 Not merely because they taught, but because they
declared, not alone that Christ Himself was risen from the dead, but moreover,
that we through Him do rise again. Because they taught the people, and preached
through Jesus the resurrection of the dead. So mighty was His Resurrection,
that to others also He is the cause of a resurrection. And they laid hands on
them, and put them in hold unto the next day; for it was now eventide. Acts 4:3
What impudence! They feared not the multitude; for this also the captain of the
temple was with them: they had their hands still reeking with the blood of the
former victim. For it was now eventide, it is said. It was with the wish to
abate their spirit that those men did this, and guarded them; but the delay
only served to make the Apostles more intrepid. And consider who these are who
are arrested. They are the chiefs of the Apostles, who are now become a pattern
to the rest, that they should no longer crave each other's support, nor want to
be together. Howbeit, many having heard the word, believed; and the number of
the men was about five thousand. Acts 4:4 How was this? Did they see them in
honor? Did they not behold them put in bonds? How then did they believe? Do you
see the evident efficacy? And yet even those that believed already might well
have become weaker. But no, it is no longer so: for Peter's sermon had laid the
seed deep into them, and had taken a hold upon their understandings. Therefore
were [their enemies] incensed, that they did not fear them, that they made no
account of their present troubles. For, say they, if He that was crucified
effects such great things, and makes the lame to walk, we fear not these men
either. This again is of God's ordering. For those who now believe were more
numerous than the former. Therefore it was that in their presence they bound
the Apostles, to make them also more fearful. But the reverse took place. And
they examine them not before the people, but privately, that the hearers may
not profit by their boldness.
And it came to pass on the
morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, and Annas the High Priest,
and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of
the High Priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. (v. 5-6.)
For now along with the other evils (of the times ), the Law was no longer observed. And again they set off the business with the form of a tribunal, to constitute them guilty by their iniquitous sentence. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Acts 4:7 And yet they knew it well; for it was because they were grieved that they preached through Jesus the resurrection that they arrested them. Then for what purpose do they question them? They expected the numbers present would make them recant, and thought by this means to have put all right again. Observe then what they say: And by what name have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them. Acts 4:8 And now, I pray you, call to mind Christ's saying; When they deliver you up unto the synagogues, take ye no thought how or what thing you shall speak; for it is the Spirit of your Father which speaks in you. Luke 12:11-14 So that it was a mighty Power they enjoyed. What then says Peter? You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel. Mark the Christian wisdom of the man; how full of confidence it is: he utters not a word of insult, but says with respect, You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, if we be this day called to account of the good deed done to the impotent man. He takes them in hand right valiantly; by the opening of his speech he exposes them, and reminds them of the former things: that it is for a work of beneficence they are calling them to account. As if he had said, In all fairness we ought to have been crowned for this deed, and proclaimed benefactors; but since we are even put upon our trial for a good deed done to an impotent man, not a rich man, not powerful, not noble— and yet who would feel envy in a case like this? It is a most forcible (ἀ παγγελια, al. ἐ παγγελία) way of putting the case; and he shows that they are piercing their own selves:— By what means this man is made whole: be it known unto you all, and to all the people Israel; that by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth:— this is what would vex them most. For this was that which Christ had told the disciples, What ye hear in the ear that preach ye upon the housetops.— That in the name of Jesus Christ, he says, of Nazareth, Whom you crucified, Whom God raised from the dead, even by Him does this man stand here before you whole. Acts 4:10. Matthew 10:27 Think not, he says that we conceal the country, or the nature of the death. Whom you crucified, Whom God raised from the dead, even by Him does this man stand before you whole. Again the death, again the resurrection. This is the stone, he says, which was set at nought of you builders, which has become the head of the corner. Acts 4:11 He reminds them also of a saying which was enough to frighten them. For it had been said, Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. Matthew 21:44— Neither is there salvation in any other, Acts 4:12 Peter says. What wounds, think you, must these words inflict on them! For there is none other name, he continues, under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Here he utters also lofty words. For when the object is, not to carry some point successfully, but only to show boldness he does not spare; for he was not afraid of striking too deep. Nor does he say simply, By another; but, Neither is there salvation in any other: that is, He is able to save us. In this way he subdued their threatening.
For now along with the other evils (of the times ), the Law was no longer observed. And again they set off the business with the form of a tribunal, to constitute them guilty by their iniquitous sentence. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Acts 4:7 And yet they knew it well; for it was because they were grieved that they preached through Jesus the resurrection that they arrested them. Then for what purpose do they question them? They expected the numbers present would make them recant, and thought by this means to have put all right again. Observe then what they say: And by what name have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them. Acts 4:8 And now, I pray you, call to mind Christ's saying; When they deliver you up unto the synagogues, take ye no thought how or what thing you shall speak; for it is the Spirit of your Father which speaks in you. Luke 12:11-14 So that it was a mighty Power they enjoyed. What then says Peter? You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel. Mark the Christian wisdom of the man; how full of confidence it is: he utters not a word of insult, but says with respect, You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, if we be this day called to account of the good deed done to the impotent man. He takes them in hand right valiantly; by the opening of his speech he exposes them, and reminds them of the former things: that it is for a work of beneficence they are calling them to account. As if he had said, In all fairness we ought to have been crowned for this deed, and proclaimed benefactors; but since we are even put upon our trial for a good deed done to an impotent man, not a rich man, not powerful, not noble— and yet who would feel envy in a case like this? It is a most forcible (ἀ παγγελια, al. ἐ παγγελία) way of putting the case; and he shows that they are piercing their own selves:— By what means this man is made whole: be it known unto you all, and to all the people Israel; that by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth:— this is what would vex them most. For this was that which Christ had told the disciples, What ye hear in the ear that preach ye upon the housetops.— That in the name of Jesus Christ, he says, of Nazareth, Whom you crucified, Whom God raised from the dead, even by Him does this man stand here before you whole. Acts 4:10. Matthew 10:27 Think not, he says that we conceal the country, or the nature of the death. Whom you crucified, Whom God raised from the dead, even by Him does this man stand before you whole. Again the death, again the resurrection. This is the stone, he says, which was set at nought of you builders, which has become the head of the corner. Acts 4:11 He reminds them also of a saying which was enough to frighten them. For it had been said, Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. Matthew 21:44— Neither is there salvation in any other, Acts 4:12 Peter says. What wounds, think you, must these words inflict on them! For there is none other name, he continues, under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Here he utters also lofty words. For when the object is, not to carry some point successfully, but only to show boldness he does not spare; for he was not afraid of striking too deep. Nor does he say simply, By another; but, Neither is there salvation in any other: that is, He is able to save us. In this way he subdued their threatening.
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And as they spoke unto the people, etc. Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection of the dead. (Recapitulation, v. 1, 2.) So then at first they did all for the sake of man's opinion (or glory): but now another motive was added:
that they should not be thought guilty of murder, as they said subsequently, Do ye wish to bring this man's blood on us? Acts 5:28
O the folly! Persuaded that He was risen, and having received this proof of it, they expected that He Whom death could not hold, could be cast into the shade by their machinations! What can match the folly of this! Such is the nature of wickedness: it has no eyes for anything, but on all occasions it is thrown into perturbation. Finding themselves overborne, they felt like persons who have been outwitted: as is the case with people who have been forestalled and made a sport of in some matter. And yet they everywhere affirmed that it was God that raised Him: but it was in the Name of Jesus that they spoke; showing that Jesus was risen. Through Jesus, the resurrection of the dead: for they themselves also held a resurrection: a cold and puerile doctrine, indeed, but still they held it. Why this alone, was it not sufficient to induce them to do nothing to them— I mean, that the disciples with such boldness bore themselves in the way they did? Say, wherefore, O Jew, do you disbelieve? You ought to have attended to the sign done, and to the words, not to the evil disposition of the many. By their teaching the people. For already they were in ill repute with them by reason of what they had done to Christ; so that they were rather increasing their own obloquy. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold until the morrow; for it was now eventide. Acts 4:3 In the case of Christ, however, they did not so; but having taken Him at midnight, they immediately led him away, and made no delay, being exceedingly in fear of the multitude: whereas in the case of the Apostles here, they were bold. And they no more take them to Pilate, being ashamed and blushing at the thought of the former affair, lest they should also be taken to task for that.
that they should not be thought guilty of murder, as they said subsequently, Do ye wish to bring this man's blood on us? Acts 5:28
O the folly! Persuaded that He was risen, and having received this proof of it, they expected that He Whom death could not hold, could be cast into the shade by their machinations! What can match the folly of this! Such is the nature of wickedness: it has no eyes for anything, but on all occasions it is thrown into perturbation. Finding themselves overborne, they felt like persons who have been outwitted: as is the case with people who have been forestalled and made a sport of in some matter. And yet they everywhere affirmed that it was God that raised Him: but it was in the Name of Jesus that they spoke; showing that Jesus was risen. Through Jesus, the resurrection of the dead: for they themselves also held a resurrection: a cold and puerile doctrine, indeed, but still they held it. Why this alone, was it not sufficient to induce them to do nothing to them— I mean, that the disciples with such boldness bore themselves in the way they did? Say, wherefore, O Jew, do you disbelieve? You ought to have attended to the sign done, and to the words, not to the evil disposition of the many. By their teaching the people. For already they were in ill repute with them by reason of what they had done to Christ; so that they were rather increasing their own obloquy. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold until the morrow; for it was now eventide. Acts 4:3 In the case of Christ, however, they did not so; but having taken Him at midnight, they immediately led him away, and made no delay, being exceedingly in fear of the multitude: whereas in the case of the Apostles here, they were bold. And they no more take them to Pilate, being ashamed and blushing at the thought of the former affair, lest they should also be taken to task for that.
And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes were gathered together at Jerusalem. Acts 4:5
Again in Jerusalem: and there it is that men's blood is poured out; no reverence for their city either; And Annas, and Caiaphas, etc. Acts 4:6
And Annas, it says, and Caiaphas. His maid-servant it was that questioned Peter, and he could not bear it: in his house it was that Peter denied, when Another was in bonds there: but now, when he has come into the midst of them all, see how he speaks! By what name have ye done this? Why do you not speak it, what it is, but keepest that out of sight? By what name have ye done this? Acts 4:7 And yet he affirmed, It was not we that did it. You rulers of the people, etc. Acts 4:8 Observe his wisdom: he does not say outright, In the Name of Jesus we did it, but how? In His Name this man— He does not say, was made whole by us; but— does stand here before you whole. And again, If we be examined concerning the good deed done to the impotent man. Acts 4:9 He hits them hard, that they are always making a crime of such acts, finding fault with works of beneficence done to men: and he reminds them of their former doings, that they run to do murder, and not only so, but make a crime of doing good deeds. Do you observe too (in point of rhetoric) with what dignity they express themselves? Even in the use of words they were becoming expert by practice, and henceforth they were not to be beaten down. Be it known unto you all, etc. Acts 4:10 Whereby he shows them that they rather do, in spite of themselves, preach Christ; themselves extol the doctrine, by their examining and questioning. O exceeding boldness— Whom you crucified! Whom God raised up— this is bolder still! Think not that we hide what there is to be ashamed of. He says this all but tauntingly: and not merely says it, but dwells upon the matter. This, says he, is the Stone which was set at naught by you builders; and then he goes on to teach them, saying in addition, Which is made the head of the corner Acts 4:11; that is to say, that the Stone is indeed approved! Great was the boldness they now had, in consequence of the miracle. And when there was need to teach, observe how they speak and allege many prophecies; but when the point was to use boldness of speech, then they only speak peremptorily. Thus Neither, says he, is there any other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12 It is manifest to all, he says, because not to us alone was that Name given; he cites even themselves as witnesses. For, since they asked, In what name did ye it? In Christ's, says he: there is none other name. How is it that you ask? On all hands this is palpable. For there exists not another name under heaven, whereby we must be saved. This is the language of a soul which has renounced (κατεγνωκυίας) this present life. His exceeding out-spokenness proves here, that when he speaks in lowly terms of Christ, he does it not of fear, but of wise forbearance (συγκαταβαίνων): but now that it was the fitting time, he speaks not in lowly terms: by this very thing intending to strike dismay into them. Behold another miracle not less than the former. And beholding the boldness of Peter and John, etc. And they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 Not without a meaning has the Evangelist set down this passage; but in saying, they recognized them that they had been with Jesus, he means, in His Passion: for only these were [with Him] at that time, and then indeed they had seen them humble, dejected: and this it was that most surprised them: the greatness of the change. For in fact Annas and Caiaphas with their company were there, and these then also had stood by Him, and their boldness now amazed them. And beholding the boldness. For not only their words; their very bearing showed it; that they should stand there so intrepidly to be tried in a cause like this, and with uttermost peril impending over them! Not only by their words, but by their gesture also, and their look and voice, and, in short, by everything about them, they manifested the boldness with which they confronted the people. From the things they uttered, they marvelled, perhaps: that they were unlearned and common men: for one may be unlearned, yet not a common or private man, and a common man, yet not unlearned. Having perceived, it says. Whence? From what they said? Peter does not draw out long speeches, but then by his very manner and method (τἥς ἀπαγγελίας καὶ τἥς συνθήκης) he declares his confidence. And they recognized them that they had been with Jesus. Which circumstance made them believe that it was from Him they had learned these things, and that they did all in the character of His disciples. But not less than the voice of these, the miracle uttered a voice of its own: and that sign itself stopped their mouths. [And beholding the man, etc.] So that they would have been peremptory (ἐ πέσκηψαν) with them, if the man had not been with them. We cannot deny it. So that they would have denied it, if the thing had not been so: if the testimony had not been that of the people in general.
Again in Jerusalem: and there it is that men's blood is poured out; no reverence for their city either; And Annas, and Caiaphas, etc. Acts 4:6
And Annas, it says, and Caiaphas. His maid-servant it was that questioned Peter, and he could not bear it: in his house it was that Peter denied, when Another was in bonds there: but now, when he has come into the midst of them all, see how he speaks! By what name have ye done this? Why do you not speak it, what it is, but keepest that out of sight? By what name have ye done this? Acts 4:7 And yet he affirmed, It was not we that did it. You rulers of the people, etc. Acts 4:8 Observe his wisdom: he does not say outright, In the Name of Jesus we did it, but how? In His Name this man— He does not say, was made whole by us; but— does stand here before you whole. And again, If we be examined concerning the good deed done to the impotent man. Acts 4:9 He hits them hard, that they are always making a crime of such acts, finding fault with works of beneficence done to men: and he reminds them of their former doings, that they run to do murder, and not only so, but make a crime of doing good deeds. Do you observe too (in point of rhetoric) with what dignity they express themselves? Even in the use of words they were becoming expert by practice, and henceforth they were not to be beaten down. Be it known unto you all, etc. Acts 4:10 Whereby he shows them that they rather do, in spite of themselves, preach Christ; themselves extol the doctrine, by their examining and questioning. O exceeding boldness— Whom you crucified! Whom God raised up— this is bolder still! Think not that we hide what there is to be ashamed of. He says this all but tauntingly: and not merely says it, but dwells upon the matter. This, says he, is the Stone which was set at naught by you builders; and then he goes on to teach them, saying in addition, Which is made the head of the corner Acts 4:11; that is to say, that the Stone is indeed approved! Great was the boldness they now had, in consequence of the miracle. And when there was need to teach, observe how they speak and allege many prophecies; but when the point was to use boldness of speech, then they only speak peremptorily. Thus Neither, says he, is there any other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12 It is manifest to all, he says, because not to us alone was that Name given; he cites even themselves as witnesses. For, since they asked, In what name did ye it? In Christ's, says he: there is none other name. How is it that you ask? On all hands this is palpable. For there exists not another name under heaven, whereby we must be saved. This is the language of a soul which has renounced (κατεγνωκυίας) this present life. His exceeding out-spokenness proves here, that when he speaks in lowly terms of Christ, he does it not of fear, but of wise forbearance (συγκαταβαίνων): but now that it was the fitting time, he speaks not in lowly terms: by this very thing intending to strike dismay into them. Behold another miracle not less than the former. And beholding the boldness of Peter and John, etc. And they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 Not without a meaning has the Evangelist set down this passage; but in saying, they recognized them that they had been with Jesus, he means, in His Passion: for only these were [with Him] at that time, and then indeed they had seen them humble, dejected: and this it was that most surprised them: the greatness of the change. For in fact Annas and Caiaphas with their company were there, and these then also had stood by Him, and their boldness now amazed them. And beholding the boldness. For not only their words; their very bearing showed it; that they should stand there so intrepidly to be tried in a cause like this, and with uttermost peril impending over them! Not only by their words, but by their gesture also, and their look and voice, and, in short, by everything about them, they manifested the boldness with which they confronted the people. From the things they uttered, they marvelled, perhaps: that they were unlearned and common men: for one may be unlearned, yet not a common or private man, and a common man, yet not unlearned. Having perceived, it says. Whence? From what they said? Peter does not draw out long speeches, but then by his very manner and method (τἥς ἀπαγγελίας καὶ τἥς συνθήκης) he declares his confidence. And they recognized them that they had been with Jesus. Which circumstance made them believe that it was from Him they had learned these things, and that they did all in the character of His disciples. But not less than the voice of these, the miracle uttered a voice of its own: and that sign itself stopped their mouths. [And beholding the man, etc.] So that they would have been peremptory (ἐ πέσκηψαν) with them, if the man had not been with them. We cannot deny it. So that they would have denied it, if the thing had not been so: if the testimony had not been that of the people in general.
