And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. (Acts 5:40)
The Sadducees would probably have preferred a more vigorous course, but there were many Pharisees in the Sanhedrin, and the middle course, which Gamaliel had recommended, was adopted.
Called the apostles.
That is, back into the judgment hall.
Beaten them.
Probably with 39 stripes (see on Deut. 25:1-3; 2 Cor. 11:24), a painful ordeal. The Sanhedrin evidently judged the apostles worthy of punishment, either for disobeying the command of Acts 4:18, or for disturbing the peace by preaching in the Temple (ch. 5:25), or for having escaped from prison—or on all counts. This appears to be the first taste of physical suffering endured by the church.
Should not speak.
The same prohibition as in ch. 4:18, with the added sting of the lash to emphasize it.
In the name.
See on chs. 2:38; 3:6, 16; 4:12. The Jewish leaders were learning to dread the power that accompanied this name.