Religious Leaders Grieved by Peter and John - Acts 4:2

Luke the physician wrote how while Peter and John, “spoke unto the people” in the temple, “the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them”, and in chapter four and verse two of the book of Acts Luke shared how the religious leaders were, “grieved that they taught the people” where we read:

Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

The verse begins, “Being grieved that they taught the people, ...” Luke began with the words, “being grieved” which means “exerting labor, striving and pained” “that they taught the people” which means “that Peter and John gave didactic discourses, instructed and imparted instruction to the men and women who were gathered in the temple”. Luke shared how the “religious leaders” were “striving in pain” over the fact that Peter and John gave instruction to the people in the temple.

The verse continues, “... and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.” Luke added the words, “and preached through Jesus” or “and announced, proclaimed publicly, published and reported by way of the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation” “the resurrection from the dead” which means “the rising back to life of those who were non-living, without breath and inanimate”. Luke shared how the “religious leaders” were also upset that Peter and John were proclaiming and speaking to the people in the temple about people being raised from the dead by “Jesus”.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the “religious leaders” were reacting to “Peter and John” teaching and preaching in the temple. They were “in pain” over “Peter and John” telling the people about the “resurrection” of the “dead” as brought about by Jesus. The idea of anyone “teaching and preaching” to people in the temple was perceived as sacrilege by anyone other than the approved teachers and preachers, so when Peter and John assumed their authoritative positions, the “religious leadership” was upset. God desires to have all people come to Him through His Son Jesus, and when they believe and trust in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive their sins, grant them everlasting life and use them in His Kingdom to spread His “good news”. Regardless of whether people approve or who do not approve, those who are wise will yield themselves to Jesus who alone is able to raise people from the dead.

Next time Luke shares how the religious leaders, “laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day”, 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".