Acts 4:2
Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
Original Language Analysis
διαπονούμενοι
Being grieved
G1278
διαπονούμενοι
Being grieved
Strong's:
G1278
Word #:
1 of 17
to toil through, i.e., (passively) be worried
διὰ
that
G1223
διὰ
that
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
2 of 17
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοὺς
they
G846
αὐτοὺς
they
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 17
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
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαὸν
the people
G2992
λαὸν
the people
Strong's:
G2992
Word #:
7 of 17
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
12 of 17
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀνάστασιν
the resurrection
G386
ἀνάστασιν
the resurrection
Strong's:
G386
Word #:
14 of 17
a standing up again, i.e., (literally) a resurrection from death (individual, genitive case or by implication, (its author)), or (figuratively) a (mor
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 17:18Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.Acts 13:45But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.Romans 8:11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Historical Context
Sadducees, collaborating with Rome for political power, rejected oral tradition and supernatural elements including angels, spirits, and resurrection. They controlled the Sanhedrin majority. Apostolic preaching threatened their theological system and political position by validating what they denied and accusing them of killing the Messiah.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's resurrection serve as guarantee and ground of believers' future resurrection?
- What motivates religious opposition to the gospel - theological disagreement, political threat, or both?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The authorities were 'grieved' (Greek 'diaponeomai,' thoroughly annoyed) for two reasons: apostles 'taught the people' without rabbinic credentials, and 'preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.' The phrase 'in Jesus' (Greek 'en Iēsou') indicates Jesus as resurrection's ground and guarantee - His rising proved general resurrection. This challenged Sadducean theology while implying their role in executing God's Messiah, hence their intense opposition.