I.e., the captain of the temple guard.

See note Matt. 3:7^2b.

I.e., in the power (with the nature and character) of.

This was a gathering of the Jewish Sanhedrin (v. 15). In the four Gospels this Sanhedrin, composed of the Jewish leaders, became the strongest opponent of the Lord Jesus and His ministry and condemned Him to death (Matt. 26:59). Now, in this book, the same Sanhedrin, with the same constituents, began the persecution of the apostles and their ministry (Acts 5:21; 6:12; 22:30). This indicates that Judaism had fallen into the hand of God's enemy, Satan the devil, and was being used by him in his attempt to frustrate and even destroy God's move in His New Testament economy for the carrying out of His eternal purpose, that is, to bring His kingdom to the earth by establishing and building up the churches through the preaching of the gospel of Christ.

A high priest (Luke 3:2).

John and Alexander might have been the kindred of the high priest. In any case, they must have been dignitaries among the Jews, since they are named with the leaders of the Jewish Sanhedrin (v. 15).

Lit., By what kind of power or in what kind of name...

Filled outwardly and economically (see note Acts 2:4²).

Lit., saved.

See note Acts 3:6^2c.

You here is emphatic.

See note Acts 2:24¹.

This word was spoken by the Lord in Matt. 21:42 (see note 1 there), quoted from Psa. 118:22. It unveiled the Jewish leaders' rejection of Him and God's honoring of Him for the building of His habitation among His people on the earth. By this word Peter learned to know the Lord as the precious stone held in honor by God, as he expounded concerning Him in his first Epistle (1 Pet. 2:4-7). Peter's quoting of this word indicates that he preached Christ not only as the Savior for the sinners' salvation but also as the stone for God's building. It is such a Christ who is the unique salvation to sinners, and it is in His unique name under heaven, a name despised and rejected by the Jewish leaders but honored and exalted by God (Phil. 2:9-10), that sinners must be saved (v. 12) not only from sin (Matt. 1:21) but also to participate in God's building (1 Pet. 2:5).

Or, rejected. Implying to despise, to consider as nothing (cf. Mark 9:12).

See note Matt. 21:42^2c.

Lit., unlettered.

Referring to one without professional knowledge.

See note Matt. 5:22^6c.

Referring to the church people, who were made distinct and separate from the Jews by calling on the name of Jesus (Acts 9:14). All the brothers and sisters in the Lord are the believers' own people.

The Greek word for Sovereign Master denotes a master (of a slave), one who has absolute sovereign power, as in Luke 2:29; Jude 1:4; Rev. 6:10; 1 Tim. 6:1-2.

The Greek word means to snort like a horse; i.e., to be haughty, insolent.

Cf. determined in Acts 2:23 and note Acts 2:23^1b.

See note Acts 2:4².

See note Acts 2:45^1a.

See note Acts 2:44^1a.

See note Acts 2:32².

See note John 1:17^1a and note 1 Cor. 15:10^1a.

See note Acts 2:45^1a.

Aramaic, meaning son of prophecy, applied figuratively to one who speaks to encourage, exhort, and console people.