Acts 5:12-42
The expression “No good deed goes unpunished” expresses the cynical point of view that good deeds often aren’t received with good responses. Sometimes the kindest acts are met with the most cruel behavior.
Some literaries attribute the phrase to the 19th century playwright Oscar Wilde, but it appeared in print in the 12th century work by Walter Map, who described one of his characters as "leaving no good deed unpunished, no bad one unrewarded."
Sadly, though the saying springs from a pessimistic point of view, it does happen. People have a talent for becoming short-sighted by sin and selfishness that they refuse to recognize good as such.
Jesus warned His disciples that the world would hate them because of their association with Him.
“Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” (Matthew 10:16-20) In this passage in Acts, we see Jesus’ prediction come true with startling accuracy.
Context: In the preceding verses of Acts 5 we have the first incidence of hypocrisy in the church. A husband and wife, Ananias and Sapphira, tried to convince the church that they’d sold their property and given the proceeds to the Apostles. The Holy Spirit was not fooled and their attempt at deception cost them their lives.
In the remainder of chapter five we see opposition to the church done by Jewish hypocrites. People in positions of authority did almost everything they could to shut down the church.
Enemies of the Cross will try to negate the good you do in Jesus’ name.
1. The apostles did miraculous good works.
God’s purpose in granting these SIGNS and WONDERS was to get the word out by demonstrating its power. Verse twelve has two qualifiers that describe the miracles: first, MANY. The number of miracles given as signs were great in number, too many to be explained as a fluke or fraud. Second, they were performed AMONG THE PEOPLE, not among the “elites.” The passage is a contrast between the believing masses and the unbelieving minority in power.
In verse 32, the Apostles rightly identified themselves as WITNESSES (32). The SIGNS and WONDERS were given to validate their witness.
The miracles were so persuasive that people lined up, hoping to be healed by Peter’s shadow. (15) The scene Luke described is that of people so certain they could be healed that they were brought out to the streets outside the temple to intercept Peter before he entered the temple courts. (Perhaps their illnesses made them “unclean,” unworthy to enter the temple.) This description reminds us of occasions in Luke’s gospel when this same scene occurred during Jesus’ ministry (4:40-41; 5:17-19).
People came from nearby villages, bringing their loved ones. (16) There were a variety of needs, from SICK to demon possessed. But ALL of them were HEALED. This was a complete victory; all who came were healed, whether by Peter’s shadow or by some other means. These healings fulfilled the second part of Jesus’ mandate to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea, and in all the world.” (Acts 1:8)
A third miracle occurred; this one benefitted the Apostles. An ANGEL freed the apostles from jail. (19)
The SIGNS and MIRACLES were getting results. One result was that the people had HIGH REGARD for the Apostles. (13)n Though some feared the religious authorities (13), away from the temple MORE AND MORE PEOPLE BELIEVED AND WERE BROUGHT TO THE LORD. (14) In fact, CROWDS of people were converted to the faith. Luke pointed out that BOTH MEN AND WOMEN believed.
2. The religious authorities tried to stop the apostles.
Reasons for their opposition. The apostles were using the hypocrites’ “home turf.” Verse twelve tells us the believers met REGULARLY in an area of the temple known as SOLOMON’S COLONNADE. This area was a row of columns covered by a roof on the east side of the temple.
It was a place where public discourse often occurred, a kind of open-air public classroom. As it was adjacent to the Women’s Court, both women and Gentiles were allowed to enter, thus making it ideal for the First Church’s use.
It was named after King Solomon because it was constructed next to a portion of the remains of Solomon’s temple. This was the second replacement temple.
The hypocritical leaders were FILLED WITH JEALOUSY. (17) Luke here used an Old Testament word for jealousy, an emotion like zeal. We are to be zealous for the things of God, that is a virtue. However, when it is corrupted by hate, personal ambition, and/or hypocrisy, it becomes a vice. The best you can say about these religious authorities is that they were guilty of a misguided zeal where the ends justified any means.
Most of the members of the Sanhedrin belonged to the party of the Sadducees, the most worldly-minded among the different Jewish groups. They tended to discount things that were supernatural and miraculous, like the kind of healings the Apostles were doing
The hypocrites were FURIOUS with the Apostles, deciding to KILL THEM in v. 33. Their fury was also based on corrupted zealotry. Its evil origin is betrayed by the fact that it led them to desire to murder the Apostles, just as they murdered their Master, Jesus.
Sometimes opposition works to distract or deter the faithful. Verse thirteen states, NO ONE ELSE DARED TO JOIN THEM. This may seem contradictory with verse fourteen, where MORE AND MORE PEOPLE BELIEVED. I believed Luke noted the reception the Gospel received in two different places. In the temple courts (v. 13), under the watchful eyes of the temple guards and priests, people were reluctant to openly express faith in Jesus. However, everywhere else, where the threat of retaliation was not present (v. 14), people were more eager to commit themselves. Whoever Luke is referring to in these verses, what’s important to note is that despite the miracles they’d seen, some were not yet daring enough to join the new group.
The religious authorities acted to trying to stop the Apostles. First, they ARRESTED the Apostles (v. 18). However, AN ANGEL came and released them from prison. (The Sadducees didn’t believe in angels either.) The angel commanded the Apostles to go right back to the temple and continue telling the people the message of life.
Second, when it came to their attention their prisoners were missing and found to be right back in the temple courts, they re-arrested the Apostles (v. 26). The guards’ fear of being stoned by the people is explained back in v. 13 – ALL THE PEOPLE HAD HIGH REGARD for the Apostles. That’s why the TEMPLE GUARDS rearrested the Apostles WITHOUT VIOLENCE, even though they were infamous for their use of violence. (Remember their abuse of Jesus when He was under arrest and appeared before Caiaphas.)
Third, they put the Apostles on trial before the Sanhedrin, accusing them of defying their orders to keep silent. (27-31) The high priest wanted to KILL THEM, but reason prevailed, thanks to the intervention of Gamaliel. (32-40)
Fourth, they had the Apostles FLOGGED and again ordered them to say no more about Jesus. (40) The flogging was no incidental punishment, administering 40 strokes save one of a whip.
3. Despite opposition, the Apostles continued to witness about Jesus. (41-42)
Instead of being intimidated, the Apostles rejoiced at being counted worthy to suffer DISGRACE for Jesus’ name. In Luke’s writings, there are two things that bring a Christian joy: thinking about salvation and being dishonored for Jesus’ sake. The Apostles took the broadest possible view of their situation; they saw it as another opportunity to serve their risen Lord. They returned to the temple courts to continue preaching and went further, going from house to house to tell their fellow Jews, “JESUS IS THE MESSIAH.”
Enemies of the Cross will try to negate the good you do in Jesus’ name.
The Apostle Paul experienced more than his share of suffering and persecution. Here’s his definitive statement on the subject:
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:1-5)
It is normal to fear rejection or to take it hard. We don’t like to have people we love or respect disagree with us. What we must not do is be defeated by disrespect, rejection, or persecution. We should take as our example the Apostles, who did not suffer in silence, but took their suffering with a brighter testimony about their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
RESOURCES:
William J. Larkin, Cornerstone Bible Commentary, Vol. 12, Acts, 2006, pp. 421-426.
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