What Happened on the Morrow - Acts 4:5

The physician Luke wrote 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. Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand”, and in chapter four and verse five of the book of Acts Luke shared what, “came to pass on the morrow” where we read:

And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

The verse begins, “And it came to pass on the morrow, ...” Luke began with the words, “and it came” which means “and the next event or happening” “to pass” which means “occurred, became, arose and appeared” “on the morrow” or “on the next or following day”. Luke shared how the next day after the seizing of Peter and John, the following occurred.

The verse goes on to say, “... that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, ...” Luke continued with the words, “that their rulers” or “that the Jewish people's chiefs, magistrates and princes”, “and elders” which means “and overseers, forefathers and senior ones of the Jews who were members of the great council or Sanhedrin”, “and scribes” or “and men learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings who served as interpreters and teachers”. Luke shared noted the “religious hierarchy” who were among the men who were to determine what would happen to Peter and John.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we discover that Peter and John were held captive all night, and the next morning, they were to be “judged” by this council of religious leaders. This happened because they were teaching in the temple and speaking of the resurrection from the dead, and these leaders did not appreciate them. Jesus knew His disciples would encounter opposition when they spoke of Him, and He told them, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (See John 16:33). God loves people, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with everyone through His Son Jesus. When a person yields themselves to Jesus they will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life. Afterward, they are to be His “witnesses” to others which sometimes comes with adversity. Nonetheless, let all who read these words not only submit to Jesus as their “Savior and Lord”, but also be willing to be used by Him in His Kingdom regardless of the opposition.

Next time Luke shares how the religious leaders, “were gathered together at Jerusalem”, 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".