Acts 4:1
And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
Original Language Analysis
αὐτοῖς
them
G846
αὐτοῖς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 18
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
4 of 18
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαὸν
the people
G2992
λαὸν
the people
Strong's:
G2992
Word #:
6 of 18
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
ἐπέστησαν
came upon
G2186
ἐπέστησαν
came upon
Strong's:
G2186
Word #:
7 of 18
to stand upon, i.e., be present (in various applications, friendly or otherwise, usually literal)
αὐτοῖς
them
G846
αὐτοῖς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 18
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
στρατηγὸς
the captain
G4755
στρατηγὸς
the captain
Strong's:
G4755
Word #:
13 of 18
a general, i.e., (by implication or analogy) a (military) governor (praetor), the chief (praefect) of the (levitical) temple-wardens
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἱεροῦ
of the temple
G2411
ἱεροῦ
of the temple
Strong's:
G2411
Word #:
15 of 18
a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Luke 22:4And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.Acts 6:12And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,Acts 5:24Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.Acts 5:26Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.Matthew 3:7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Historical Context
The temple captain (Sagan) ranked second only to the high priest in temple hierarchy. Sadducees controlled temple operations and high priesthood through Roman favor. Their denial of resurrection (Acts 23:8) made apostolic preaching especially threatening - validating resurrection undermined their theological system.
Questions for Reflection
- How does religious establishment opposition to the gospel continue in various forms today?
- What does the Sadducees' theological denial of resurrection teach about doctrine's practical consequences?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The arrival of 'priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees' signals organized religious opposition to gospel preaching. The Greek 'stratēgos' (captain) commanded temple police with authority to arrest. This triadic opposition - priestly aristocracy, temple security, and Sadducean theology - represents comprehensive establishment resistance. That they 'came upon them' (Greek 'epestēsan') suggests aggressive intervention, not mere inquiry, foreshadowing persecution's escalation.