Acts 5:33

33 When they heard that, they were divided and took counsel to slay them.

Acts 5:33 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 5:33

When they heard that
This defence of the apostles, in which they still insisted upon it, that they had been the crucifiers of Christ, and yet that he was raised from the dead, and exalted in heaven, and was a spiritual Saviour of men:

they were cut; to the heart,
as if they had been cut asunder with a saw; the Ethiopic version renders it, "they were angry", and "gnashed with their teeth", as if a saw was drawn to and fro; they were filled with rage and madness:

and took counsel to slay them;
not in a legal and judicial way, but in a private manner, or by force; stirring up the zealots to rise up against them, and dispatch them at once, as blasphemers and heretics.

Acts 5:33 In-Context

31 God has exalted him with his right hand as Prince and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

32 And we are his witnesses of these things, and so is also the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those that persuade him.

33 When they heard that, they were divided and took counsel to slay them.

34 Then a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, who had a reputation among all the people, stood up in the council and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space

35 and said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as concerning these men.