Acts 5:17-18 ESV

17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison.

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17 Pagkatapos ay kumilos ang pinakapunong pari at ang lahat ng mga kasama niya (na sekta ng mga Saduceo) at sila'y napuno ng inggit. 18 Kanilang dinakip ang mga apostol at kanilang inilagay sila sa bilangguang bayan.


OUT OF JEALOUSY

Now, all twelve apostles are healing and preaching in Jesus' name and it's driving the Sadducees mad with jealousy (v.17] It was not just because the people are flocking around them only but because the people had believed their message and are following Jesus (Acts 5:14).

Having no other option that they could think to do, they arrested them all and put them in prison. This time, they would beat them (Acts 5:40). Later on, they will go after all the Jesus-followers, leaders and converts (Acts 8:1–3). Out of jealousy, they would these extreme measures to remove everyone before their path. As Solomon says, “Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?” [Prov 27:4]

The council initially held Peter and John because they taught the resurrection from the dead, which the Sanhedrin, composed mostly of Sadducees, don't believe in. But, the preaching of the resurrection isn't a crime for the Pharisees who believed in it and so did the crowd. Thus, the council could reprimand them but couldn't punish them. But, the apostles defied them, as Peter warned they would (Acts 4:19–20). This had added fuel to the rage of the religious leaders.

In the original, the word "jealous" implies a fierce, passionate emotion. It can mean a potent desire or love for something, or to want what someone else has. In a positive way God is described as "jealous God" and He is indeed jealous for us. It is because we rightfully belong to Him (Ex 20:5). Paul also says this to the church members in Corinth when they followed false teachers (2 Cor 11:2). Having been deceived, the priests may have felt that their jealousy was righteous. That, they certainly felt these Jesus-followers were robbing the people away from their leadership and theology, as did Jesus (Mat 27:18). Sadly, they failed to ask objectively, “Are the apostles leading people toward or away from God? Are the apostles or the priests leading the people closer to God? Does the priests' jealousy align with God's righteous jealousy? Is it possible these men are telling the truth?”

Today, let’s be watchful not to be clouded by the attitude of jealousy. It always ruins relationships. As James articulated, “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”[Jas 3:16]

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