The physician Luke wrote how the apostles were put in prison for teaching and preaching, and after an angel freed them, they were teaching and preaching again when the high priest confronted and interrogated them, and in chapter five and verse twenty-eight of the book of Acts Luke shared how the high priest asked the apostles, “did not we straightly command you that you should not teach in this name?” where we read:
Saying, Did not we straightly command you that you should not teach in this name? and, behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
The verse begins, “Saying, Did not we straightly command you that you should not teach in this name?” Luke began with the word, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring, proclaiming and asking”, “did we not straightly command you” or “ did not we religious leaders mandate and charge you apostles” “that you should not teach” which means “that you apostles are not to hold discourses, instruct or deliver didactic instruction” “in this name” or “in everything Jesus' name was used for and covers including the thoughts or feelings which are aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing and remembering”? Luke shared how the “high priest” rhetorically asked the “apostles” whether they instructed them not to “teach” in Jesus' “name”.
The verse continues, “and, behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” Luke added the words, “and, behold” which means “and look, lo, consider and observe”, “you have filled Jerusalem” or “you apostles have made and completely rendered full the city of Jerusalem which means set you double peace and is the capital of Palestine” “with your doctrine” which means “with your, the apostles', teaching and instruction”, “and intend to bring this man's blood upon us” or “and purpose, deliberately will, are minded and willing to superinduce and inflict this male human being's bloodshed on us, the religious leaders”. Luke shared how the “high priest” told the “apostles” they not only “filled” the city of “Jerusalem” with their teachings and instruction, but they also desired to “blame” the “religious leaders” for killing Jesus.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the “apostles” were being interrogated for “teaching” in Jesus' name. They were “commanded” by the “religious leaders” not to “speak or teach” in Jesus' name, but they did so anyway. God is the ultimate judge, and obedience to Him is more important than any man. God's desire is to have a personal relationship with every person who will believe and trust in His Son Jesus as their “Savior and Lord”, and those who submit to Him will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life. Let all who read these words be like these “apostles” who not only believed in Jesus, but also “filled” their city with His teachings regardless of what men may say.
Next time Luke shares how Peter and the other apostles answer, “We ought to obey God rather than men”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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