And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The authorities didn't imprison Peter and John out of malice, but because Jewish law prohibited holding trials after dark. This detail highlights that their actions, though harsh, were framed within a legalistic system, revealing a subtle tension between religious law and the apostles' Spirit-led boldness.
And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter and John, after healing a lame man and proclaiming Jesus' resurrection in the temple, are confronted by the temple authorities and religious leaders who are deeply disturbed by their teaching. Because it was already evening, the authorities couldn't conduct a trial that night and instead arrested Peter and John, placing them in custody until the following day for examination. This swift action reflects the leaders' urgent desire to silence the growing movement and suppress the message of resurrection that challenged their own authority and beliefs, particularly those of the Sadducees.
Peter and John were arrested after a powerful sermon. What does their 'custody' reveal about God's plan?
The authorities arrested Peter and John, placing them 'in custody until the next day.' This wasn't just a random detention; it was strategic. The Jewish leaders couldn't hold a trial at night, as their legal proceedings required daylight. They likely relied on religious and civil law prohibiting night judgments, possibly referencing verses like Jeremiah 21:12 which commands executing judgment 'in the morning.'
This delay, however, became an opportunity. While the apostles were confined, their message was spreading. The 'five thousand' who believed (Acts 4:4) wouldn't have been solely convinced by Peter and John's single sermon; the impact of their witness was already echoing. God used this pause to solidify the faith of believers and to demonstrate that even confinement couldn't silence the Gospel's advance.
Why were the religious leaders so quick to arrest Peter and John? What does their reaction tell us?
The swift arrest of Peter and John wasn't accidental. The priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees 'came upon them' with urgency. This shows how 'watchful the wicked are' (as Calvin notes) when it comes to silencing the Gospel. Their grievance was specific: Peter and John were teaching 'in Jesus' name, the resurrection from the dead.'
This directly challenged the Sadducees, who denied any resurrection. The religious establishment, even with their differing beliefs, united against this new doctrine that threatened their authority and theological systems. They 'took it grievously,' not because they cared about the people's spiritual well-being, but because their power and established order were being disrupted by the undeniable power of the resurrected Christ being proclaimed.
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Understand the original words
epiballō · Greek Verb
To lay hold of, seize, or detain someone, often by authority, for the purpose of trial or legal interrogation.
tērēsis · Greek Noun
The state of being kept under guard or confinement, often for safety, protection, or impending legal proceedings.
The arrest and overnight imprisonment highlight the tension between the burgeoning Christian movement and established Jewish religious and legal practices, particularly regarding judicial procedures and the Sadducees' disbelief in resurrection.
c. AD 30
Healing of the Lame Man
Peter and John heal a man lame from birth at the temple's Beautiful Gate, drawing a large crowd. This event sparks the confrontation with religious authorities.
c. AD 30
Peter's Sermon at Solomon's Portico
Following the healing, Peter preaches a powerful sermon about Jesus' resurrection and the need for repentance, leading to thousands believing.
c. AD 30— this verse
Arrest of Peter and John
Religious leaders, including priests, the temple captain, and Sadducees, arrest Peter and John due to their teaching and proclamation of resurrection in Jesus' name.
c. AD 30
Confinement for the Night
Peter and John are imprisoned overnight because it is evening, and Jewish law prohibited judicial proceedings after dark. This allows time for reflection and prayer for the apostles.
c. AD 30
Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin
The next day, Peter and John are brought before the Sanhedrin, where they boldly proclaim their allegiance to Jesus, further angering the authorities.
c. AD 30
Release and Continued Ministry
The Sanhedrin, unable to refute the apostles' boldness and the evidence of the healing, releases Peter and John with a warning, while the church continues to grow.
This passage describes Jesus being taken into custody and moved from one place to another before his trial, similar to how Peter and John were held overnight before their hearing.
Acts 5:18This verse also mentions the apostles being arrested and put into 'the common prison,' showing a pattern of opposition and imprisonment faced by early Christian leaders.
Jeremiah 21:12This Old Testament passage provides a basis for the Jewish legal principle that judgments should not be made at night, explaining why Peter and John were held until the next day.
Matthew 26:47-56This account of Jesus' arrest shows a similar swift action by authorities in response to a religious leader, highlighting the immediate threat perceived by the religious establishment.
barnesActs 4:3: "And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide."
Put them in hold - That is, they took them into "custody," or into safe keeping. Probably they committed them to the care of a guard. Eventide - Evening. It was not convenient to assemble the council at night. This was, moreover, the time for the evening prayer or sacrifice, and it was not usual to assemble the Sanhedrin at that hour.
vincentActs 4:3: "And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide."
In hold (εἰς τήρησιν)A somewhat antiquated rendering. Better, as Rev., in ward. See on 1 Peter 1:4.
The authorities didn't imprison Peter and John out of malice, but because Jewish law prohibited holding trials after dark. This detail highlights that their actions, though harsh, were framed within a legalistic system, revealing a subtle tension between religious law and the apostles' Spirit-led boldness.
Peter and John, after healing a lame man and proclaiming Jesus' resurrection in the temple, are confronted by the temple authorities and religious leaders who are deeply disturbed by their teaching. Because it was already evening, the authorities couldn't conduct a trial that night and instead arrested Peter and John, placing them in custody until the following day for examination. This swift action reflects the leaders' urgent desire to silence the growing movement and suppress the message of resurrection that challenged their own authority and beliefs, particularly those of the Sadducees.
Peter and John, after healing a lame man and proclaiming Jesus' resurrection in the temple, are confronted by the temple authorities and religious leaders who are deeply disturbed by their teaching. Because it was already evening, the authorities couldn't conduct a trial that night and instead arrested Peter and John, placing them in custody until the following day for examination. This swift action reflects the leaders' urgent desire to silence the growing movement and suppress the message of resurrection that challenged their own authority and beliefs, particularly those of the Sadducees.
"And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening." — The authorities didn't imprison Peter and John out of malice, but because Jewish law prohibited holding trials after dark. This detail highlights that their actions, though harsh, were framed within…
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Last reviewed October 2026