The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum The politics and theology of the Sadducees

I was remiss in commenting on this pastor's interpretation and subsequent application and I thought it should be addressed. I mean, after all, his responsibility is to "preach the Word" and not deal in fanciful musings. It should be perspicuous from the immediate context, that what precipitated the arrest of Peter, John and the beggar whom they had just healed, was not simply that they were teaching the people, but what they were teaching; the resurrection of the dead (specifically in regard to Jesus whom the Jewish leaders through the instrumentality of the Romans, crucified and buried. Now, being that I am no "authority" but a simple beggar myself who has been redeemed by the infinite mercy and grace of God through the shed blood and resurrection of Christ, I thought it wise to consult a reliable source on the matter. So, I turned to one of the several commentaries I have on hand; R.C.H. Lenski (NT Greek Scholar) to see what how he interpreted the passage. This is a portion of what he wrote:

Likewise, Lenski is clearly convinced that the (main) impetus behind the disciples' arrest was theological. The consequences of teaching a doctrine that was most dear to the Sadducees would certainly have negative effects as to their standing in the Jewish community but doubtless it would go unnoticed by the Roman authorities, aka: political ramifications.

The emphasis, IMHO, is upon the dramatic transformation and boldness of the disciples after witnessing the risen Christ, so much so that they entered the actual Temple, which was constantly under the watchful eye of the "commander of the Temple", who was in charge of a group of other priests commissioned as the Temple police, teaching the resurrection of the crucified Christ, who claimed to be the long-awaited Messiah and God Himself in the flesh.