Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. (Acts 5:28)
Here was an unconscious testimony from their enemies themselves that the apostles had worked faithfully and successfully to fulfill the first part of Christ’s command (cf. ch. 1:8), by proclaiming the gospel in Jerusalem.
Doctrine.
Rather, “teaching,” the same word in the original that is translated “doctrine” in Matt. 7:28. But the “teaching” in general was rapidly taking on the quality and meaning of doctrine in the modern sense, as illustrated in 1 Tim. 4:16.
Intend.
Rather, “ye want.” This was not true. Peter wanted their salvation, not their condemnation.
This man’s blood.
They avoided mentioning the name of Jesus. This may have been through scorn, because they despised the crucified Galilean, or through guilt, because they knew their responsibility for His death, or through fear, because they knew how powerful the name had proved to be. Peter had previously and without hesitation charged them with crucifying this Jesus (chs. 2:36; 3:13-15; 4:10), making their scorn empty and their fear reasonable. Had their position been just, these priestly judges would have been dealing out penalties; but they found themselves in the position of culprits who were anticipating accusation. In their ears must have rung the terrible cry they uttered in Pilate’s judgment hall, “His blood be on us, and on our children” (Matt. 27:25). They had already brought “this man’s blood” upon themselves.
Not teach in this name.
Compare on chs. 3:16; 4:17. This was the apostles’ great offense. The Jews had commanded that the name should not even be mentioned. It was the name of Him whom they knew they had crucified, who was now being proclaimed as alive, and whose followers were doing mighty works that could not be denied. This name, and the activity centering on it, was the point of the Sadducees’ attack.
Straitly command you.
Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the reading, “we commanded you with a command.” This expression is an echo of a common Hebrew idiom, and suggests that Luke may be giving a literal translation of a question originally put in Aramaic. The charge had been given to Peter and John only (ch. 4:18), but word of it had gone to all the Twelve. The apostles had declared that they would not abide by the command, and had continued to preach with boldness (ch. 4:19, 20, 31). They were obeying a higher authority, their Lord (Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 1:8).