It's easy to read this as just a list of names, but "their rulers, and elders, and scribes" signifies the highest religious and legal authorities of the Jewish people. Their immediate assembly shows just how alarmed and threatened they felt by Peter and John's healing and preaching, revealing the power and impact of the apostles' actions.
On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following Peter and John's healing of a lame man and their bold preaching about Jesus, the religious authorities, including the chief priests, rulers, elders, and scribes who formed the Sanhedrin, convened the next day. These influential leaders were clearly alarmed by the apostles' message and the growing crowds following them, a movement that threatened their own authority and echoed the events surrounding Jesus' own crucifixion. They gathered in Jerusalem specifically to confront Peter and John and to address this perceived challenge to their power and the established religious order.
When Peter and John healed the lame man, they didn't just challenge a few individuals. They provoked a powerful, organized opposition.
This verse introduces the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish council. Think of them as the ultimate authority in Jerusalem, combining religious, political, and judicial power.
Who Made Up the Council?
This diverse group, representing the elite of Jewish society, gathered to address the disruption caused by the apostles' healing and preaching. Their assembly signals the gravity of the situation from their perspective.
The healing happened, the crowds marveled, and then... the authorities acted. Why the immediate assembly?
The phrase 'on the morrow' isn't just a time marker; it highlights the swift and urgent response of the religious leaders.
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Why the Rush?
Understand the original words
archontes · Greek Noun
Leaders or magistrates with authority over the people, typically referring to members of the Sanhedrin. They held administrative and judicial power in the Jewish community.
presbyteroi · Greek Noun
Men recognized for their age, experience, and wisdom, who served as members of the Jewish council or governing body (Sanhedrin). They played a critical role in the religious and social leadership of Israel.
grammateis · Greek Noun
Experts in the interpretation and application of the Mosaic Law. They were highly respected teachers who studied, taught, and preserved the Hebrew Scriptures for the community.
archiereus · Greek Noun
The chief religious official of the Jewish nation, responsible for the oversight of the Temple and presiding over the Sanhedrin. Under the Law of Moses, the role was hereditary and lifelong, though political appointees often held the office during the Roman occupation.
onoma · Greek Noun
In a biblical context, it refers to the authority, efficacy, and authorization behind an action. To do something in a 'name' is to act by the authority, character, and representation of that person.
This event occurred within the turbulent early days of the Christian church, where the apostles' miraculous deeds directly challenged the authority of the Jewish religious establishment, specifically the Sanhedrin.
c. AD 30— this verse
Healing of the Lame Man
Peter and John heal a man who had been lame for years at the temple gate in Jesus' name. This event directly leads to their arrest and questioning by the religious authorities.
c. AD 30
Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin
The apostles Peter and John are brought before the high priest Annas, Caiaphas, and the entire Sanhedrin. They are questioned about the healing and boldly preach about Jesus.
c. AD 30
Release and Prayer of the Believers
The Sanhedrin, unable to silence the apostles, releases them after a warning. The believers then gather to pray for boldness and continued ministry.
c. AD 30-33
Early Church Growth
The church experiences rapid growth, with many signs and wonders performed by the apostles, increasing the number of believers greatly.
c. AD 33-36
Stephen's Ministry and Martyrdom
Stephen, a deacon known for his powerful preaching and miracles, is martyred, leading to a severe persecution of the church in Jerusalem.
c. AD 40s-50s
Paul's Missionary Journeys
The apostle Paul embarks on extensive missionary journeys, spreading the gospel throughout the Roman Empire and establishing numerous churches.
This passage shows a similar gathering of rulers and elders being confronted by Moses, who questions their authority, mirroring the authority clash seen in Acts.
Psalm 2:2This psalm describes the rulers of the earth taking counsel together against the Lord and His Anointed, directly paralleling the opposition the Sanhedrin displayed towards Peter and John, who spoke in Jesus' name.
Matthew 21:23Jesus himself was questioned by the chief priests and elders in the temple concerning His authority, setting a precedent for the interrogation of His followers by the same religious establishment.
Luke 22:66This verse describes the elders of the people, chief priests, and scribes assembling, just as in Acts 4:5, to deliberate against Jesus, highlighting the consistent opposition from this council.
Acts 5:27This verse immediately follows the account of Peter and John's release, showing the same council summoning them again, illustrating their persistent attempts to silence the apostles.
clarkeActs 4:5: "And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,"
Their rulers, and elders, and scribes - Those with the high priest Annas formed the Sanhedrin, or grand council of the Jews.
barnesActs 4:5: "And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,"
Their rulers - The rulers of the Jews; doubtless the members of the Sanhedrin, or Great Council of the nation. Compare Acts 4:15 . See the notes on Matthew 2:4 ; Matthew 5:22 . The expression their rulers looks as if this book was written for the Gentiles, or Luke would have said our rulers. Elders - Presbyters, or those who were chosen from among the people to sit in the Sanhedrin. It is probable that th…
It's easy to read this as just a list of names, but "their rulers, and elders, and scribes" signifies the highest religious and legal authorities of the Jewish people. Their immediate assembly shows just how alarmed and threatened they felt by Peter and John's healing and preaching, revealing the power and impact of the apostles' actions.
Following Peter and John's healing of a lame man and their bold preaching about Jesus, the religious authorities, including the chief priests, rulers, elders, and scribes who formed the Sanhedrin, convened the next day. These influential leaders were clearly alarmed by the apostles' message and the growing crowds following them, a movement that threatened their own authority and echoed the events surrounding Jesus' own crucifixion. They gathered in Jerusalem specifically to confront Peter and John and to address this perceived challenge to their power and the established religious order.
Following Peter and John's healing of a lame man and their bold preaching about Jesus, the religious authorities, including the chief priests, rulers, elders, and scribes who formed the Sanhedrin, convened the next day. These influential leaders were clearly alarmed by the apostles' message and the growing crowds following them, a movement that threatened their own authority and echoed the events surrounding Jesus' own crucifixion. They gathered in Jerusalem specifically to confront Peter and John and to address this perceived challenge to their power and the established religious order.
"On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. And when they had set them in the midst, they…" — It's easy to read this as just a list of names, but "their rulers, and elders, and scribes" signifies the highest religious and legal authorities of the Jewish people. Their immediate assembly shows…
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Last reviewed October 2026
