Gr. desmōtērion, “a place where bound men are kept.” This is a different word from that used in v. 18, possibly suggesting that the apostles had been bound soon after their arrest.

 Gr. gerousia, the name of Sparta’s assembly of old men, or elders. The word was used for the Sanhedrin at Jerusalem (see Vol. V, p. 67). Here it is an official group of elders, qualified by age and experience to give counsel on special occasions. It may have been a gathering corresponding to “all the estate of the elders” of ch. 22:5.

 That is, the Sanhedrin (see Vol. V, p. 67). Evidently the case before them was considered so important that no effort was spared to gather together as full a membership as possible. Gamaliel’s presence indicates that not only Sadducees but also Pharisees and others were called to this meeting (see v. 34).

 For comment see on v. 17.

That is, into the council chamber, to decide what should be done with the imprisoned apostles. The council had not yet learned of their mysterious release.

Note the immediate obedience of the apostles.

Rather, “about dawn.” The Mishnah indicates that the sacrifices began to be offered in the Temple in the morning as soon as the sky was light (Yoma, 3. 1, Soncino ed. of the Talmud, p. 131; Tamid, 3. 2, Soncino ed. of the Talmud, p. 18).

 This is what the Sadducees in council had forbidden the apostles to do (ch. 4:17, 18). These haughty rulers were enraged by the fact that the untrained and unauthorized Galileans were teaching, that they taught the resurrection, and that they witnessed to Jesus Christ as the One who, having been crucified, had risen from the dead. But the apostles were under divine orders. The church has a teaching mission to perform, the mission of presenting the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to a sin-sick world. That task it must never neglect.