LESSON 173: PETER AND JOHN IMPRISONED

Acts 4

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INTRODUCTION. As Peter preached to the crowd in Solomon's porch, he explained the healing of the lame man. When he spoke of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus and repentance for forgiveness of sins, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees arrested him and John. The captain of the temple was the commander of the

guard of Levites who were stationed in the temple at the gates and elsewhere to keep order. The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead, and therefore they objected to the preaching of Peter.

Peter and John were kept in prison overnight. In the morning they were brought before the Sanhedrin which was the Jewish supreme council or court of justice composed of seventy-one men. The president of the Sanhedrin was the high priest. Annas was high priest from A. D. 6-15, but his influence continued as five of his sons, a grandson, and his son-in-law Caiaphas served as high priests after him. Caiaphas was the actual high priest from A. D. 18-36 and thus presided over the Sanhedrin during Jesus' ministry and at the time of this incident.