Then the high priest rising up, and all they that were with him, (which is the heresy of the Sadducees,) were filled with envy.18 And they laid hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.19 But an angel of the Lord by night opening the doors of the prison, and leading them out, said:20 Go, and standing speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.21 Who having heard this, early in the morning, entered into the temple, and taught. And the high priest coming, and they that were with him, called together the council, and all the ancients of the children of Israel; and they sent to the prison to have them brought.22 But when the ministers came, and opening the prison, found them not there, they returned and told,†23 Saying: The prison indeed we found shut with all diligence, and the keepers standing before the doors; but opening it, we found no man within.24 Now when the officer of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were in doubt concerning them, what would come to pass.25 But one came and told them: Behold, the men whom you put in prison are in the temple standing, and teaching the people.26 Then went the officer with the ministers, and brought them without violence; for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.
"Having risen up," that is, being roused, being excited at the things taking place, the high-priest and they which were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees) were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the Apostles: they now assault them more vigorously: and put them in the common prison; but did not forthwith bring them to trial, because they expected them again to be softened down.
This was done both for the encouragement of the disciples, and for the benefit and instruction of the others. And observe how the proceeding in the present instance is just the same as in what Christ Himself did. Namely, in His miracles though He does not let men see them in the act of being wrought, He furnishes the means whereby they may be apprised of the things wrought: thus, in His Resurrection, He did not let them see how He rose; in the water made wine, the guests do not see it done, for they have been drinking much, and the discernment He leaves to others. Just so in the present case, they do not see them in the act of being brought forth, but the proofs from which they might gather what had been done, they do see. And it was by night that the Angel put them forth. Why was this? Because in this way they were more believed than they would have been in the other.
He did not bring them away to benefit themselves thereby, but, "Stand," he says, "and speak in the temple to the people." But if the guards had put them out, as those thought, they would have fled, that is, supposing they had been induced to come out: and if those had put them forth, they would not have stood in the temple, but would have absconded. No one is so void of sense, as not at once to see this.
It is well ordered that the information was not brought to them at once, but they are first utterly at a loss what to think, that when they have considered it well and seen that there is a Divine Power in the case, then they may learn the whole state of the case.
A twofold security this; as was the case at the sepulchre, where was both the seal, and the men to watch. See how they fought against God! Say, was this of man's doing, that happened to them? Who led them forth, when the doors were shut? How came they out, with the keepers standing before the door? Verily they must be mad or drunken to talk so. Here are men, whom neither prison, nor bonds, nor closed doors, had been able to keep in; and yet they expect to overpower them: such is their childish folly!
O the folly of the men! "They feared," saith he, "the multitude." Why, how had the multitude helped the Apostles? When they ought to have feared that God Who was continually delivering them like winged creatures out of their power, instead of that, "they feared the multitude!"
I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall be always in my mouth.3 In the Lord shall my soul be praised: let the meek hear and rejoice.4 O magnify the Lord with me; and let us extol his name together.5 I sought the Lord, and he heard me; and he delivered me from all my troubles.6 Come ye to him and be enlightened: and your faces shall not be confounded.7 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him: and saved him out of all his troubles.8 The angel of the Lord shall encamp round about them that fear him: and shall deliver them.9 O taste, and see that the Lord is sweet: blessed is the man that hopeth in him.
The Lord loves thankful people. They never cease to praise him, and they regularly thank him. In both good times and bad times they offer praise and thanksgiving to God. They worship the Lord, the God of times, without regard to what the times are like.
For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting.†17 For God sent not his Son into the world, to judge the world, but that the world may be saved by him.18 He that believeth in him is not judged. But he that doth not believe, is already judged: because he believeth not in the name of the only begotten Son of God.19 And this is the judgment: because the light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than the light: for their works were evil.20 For every one that doth evil hateth the light, and cometh not to the light, that his works may not be reproved.21 But he that doth truth, cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest, because they are done in God.
(vi. de Trin. c. 40) If it were only a creature given up for the sake of a creature, such a poor and insignificant loss were no great evidence of love. They must be precious things which prove our love, great things must evidence its greatness. God, in love to the world, gave His Son, not an adopted Son, but His own, even His Only Begotten. Here is proper Sonship, birth, truth: no creation, no adoption, no lie: here is the test of love and charity, that God sent His own and only begotten Son to save the world.
About CSB. A personal translation of the New Testament, rendered directly from the public-domain Greek in a literary style — not a scholarly critical edition, and not for liturgical or doctrinal authority. It is one reader's work, offered for enjoyment; where it matters, weigh it against an established translation. (Placeholder text — final wording to come.)