Acts 5:28

King James Version (KJV)

Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Did not we straitly command you - Ου παραγγελιᾳ παρηγγειλαμεν, With commanding did we not command you; a Hebraism - another proof of the accuracy and fidelity of St. Luke, who seems always to give every man's speech as he delivered it; not the substance, but the very words. See Acts 4:17.

Not teach in this name? - That is, of Jesus as the Christ or Messiah. His saving name, and the doctrines connected with it, were the only theme and substance of their discourses.

Intend to bring this men's blood upon us - You speak in such a way of him to the people as to persuade them that we have crucified an innocent man; and that we must on that account fall victims to the Divine vengeance, or to the fury of the people, whom, by your teaching, you are exciting to sedition against us.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Straitly command you - Did we not command you with a “threat?” Acts 4:17-18, Acts 4:21.

In this name - In the name of Jesus.

Ye have filled Jerusalem - This, though not so desired, was an honorable tribute to the zeal and fidelity of the apostles. When Chastens are arraigned or persecuted, it is well if the only charge which their enemies can bring against them is that they have been distinguished for zeal and success in propagating their religion. See 1 Peter 4:16, “If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glory God on this behalf”; also Acts 5:13-15.

Intend to bring this man‘s blood upon us - To bring “one‘s blood” upon another is a phrase signifying to hold or to prove him guilty of murdering the innocent. The expression here charges them with desiring to prove that they had put Jesus to death when he was innocent; to convince “the people” of this, and thus to enrage them against the Sanhedrin; and also to prove that they were guilty, and were exposed to the divine vengeance for having put the Messiah to death. Compare Acts 2:23, Acts 2:36; Acts 3:15; Acts 7:52. That the apostles “did” intend to charge them with being guilty of murder is clear; but it is observable that on “this occasion” they had said no thing of this, and it is further observable that they did not charge it on them “except in their presence.” See the places just referred to. They took no pains to spread this among the people, “except as the people were accessory to the crime of the rulers,” Acts 2:23, Acts 2:36. Their consciences were not at ease, and the remembrance of the death of Jesus would occur to them at once at the sight of the apostles.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

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.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

28. Straitly command you. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the reading, “we commanded you with a command.” This expression is an echo of a common Hebrew idiom, and suggests that Luke may be giving a literal translation of a question originally put in Aramaic. The charge had been given to Peter and John only (ch. 4:18), but word of it had gone to all the Twelve. The apostles had declared that they would not abide by the command, and had continued to preach with boldness (ch. 4:19, 20, 31). They were obeying a higher authority, their Lord (Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 1:8).

Not teach in this name. Compare on chs. 3:16; 4:17. This was the apostles’ great offense. The Jews had commanded that the name should not even be mentioned. It was the name of Him whom they knew they had crucified, who was now being proclaimed as alive, and whose followers were doing mighty works that could not be denied. This name, and the activity centering on it, was the point of the Sadducees’ attack.

Filled Jerusalem. Here was an unconscious testimony from their enemies themselves that the apostles had worked faithfully and successfully to fulfill the first part of Christ’s command (cf. ch. 1:8), by proclaiming the gospel in Jerusalem.

Doctrine. Rather, “teaching,” the same word in the original that is translated “doctrine” in Matt. 7:28. But the “teaching” in general was rapidly taking on the quality and meaning of doctrine in the modern sense, as illustrated in 1 Tim. 4:16.

Intend. Rather, “ye want.” This was not true. Peter wanted their salvation, not their condemnation.

This man’s blood. They avoided mentioning the name of Jesus. This may have been through scorn, because they despised the crucified Galilean, or through guilt, because they knew their responsibility for His death, or through fear, because they knew how powerful the name had proved to be. Peter had previously and without hesitation charged them with crucifying this Jesus (chs. 2:36; 3:13-15; 4:10), making their scorn empty and their fear reasonable. Had their position been just, these priestly judges would have been dealing out penalties; but they found themselves in the position of culprits who were anticipating accusation. In their ears must have rung the terrible cry they uttered in Pilate’s judgment hall, “His blood be on us, and on our children” (Matt. 27:25). They had already brought “this man’s blood” upon themselves.

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Ellen G. White
The Acts of the Apostles, 77-86

This chapter is based on Acts 5:12-42.

It was the cross, that instrument of shame and torture, which brought hope and salvation to the world. The disciples were but humble men, without wealth, and with no weapon but the word of God; yet in Christ's strength they went forth to tell the wonderful story of the manger and the cross, and to triumph over all opposition. Without earthly honor or recognition, they were heroes of faith. From their lips came words of divine eloquence that shook the world. AA 77.1

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Ellen G. White
The Story of Redemption, 254-8

This chapter is based on Acts 5:12-42.

The apostles continued their work of mercy, in healing the afflicted and in proclaiming a crucified and risen Saviour, with great power. Numbers were continually added to the church by baptism, but none dared join them who were not united heart and mind with the believers in Christ. Multitudes flocked to Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those who were vexed by unclean spirits. Many sufferers were laid in the streets as Peter and John passed by, that their shadows might fall upon and heal them. The power of the risen Saviour had indeed fallen upon the apostles, and they worked signs and miracles that daily increased the number of believers. SR 254.1

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Ellen G. White
Early Writings, 194-6

The people were astonished at the boldness of Peter and John and took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus; for their noble, fearless conduct was like that of Jesus when before His enemies. Jesus, by one look of pity and sorrow, reproved Peter when he had denied Him, and now as he boldly acknowledged his Lord, Peter was approved and blessed. As a token of the approbation of Jesus, he was filled with the Holy Spirit. EW 194.1

The priests dared not manifest the hatred which they felt toward the disciples. They commanded them to go aside out of the council, and then conferred among themselves, saying, “What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.” They were afraid to have the report of this good deed spread among the people. Should it become generally known, the priests felt that their own power would be lost, and they would be looked upon as the murderers of Jesus. Yet all that they dared to do was to threaten the apostles and command them to speak no more in the name of Jesus, lest they die. But Peter declared boldly that they could but speak the things which they had seen and heard. EW 194.2

By the power of Jesus the disciples continued to heal the afflicted and the sick who were brought to them. Hundreds enlisted daily under the banner of a crucified, risen, and ascended Saviour. The priests and elders, and those particularly engaged with them, were alarmed. Again they put the apostles in prison, hoping that the excitement would subside. Satan and his angels exulted; but the angels of God opened the prison doors, and, contrary to the command of the high priests and elders, bade the apostles, “Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.” EW 194.3

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Ellen G. White
Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 72

“And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood upon us.” (See Matthew 23:34, 35.) “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him. When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.” TM 72.1

Then the Holy Spirit moved upon Gamaliel, a Pharisee, “a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people.” His advise was, “Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. And to him they agreed.” TM 72.2

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Acts 5:28