They
agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name.
Acts 5:40-41
Acts 5 [33.] But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and determined to kill them. But one stood up in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people, and commanded to put the apostles out for a little while. He said to them, “You men of Israel, be careful concerning these men, what you are about to do. For before these days Theudas rose up, making himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nothing. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some people after him. He also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad. Now I tell you, withdraw from these men, and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown. But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it, and you would be found even to be fighting against God!”
Acts 5 [40.] They agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name.
Acts 5 [42.] Every day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ.
Acts 6 [1.] Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service. The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables. Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”
Meaning:
Gamaliel had warned the council that if the apostles’ work was of God, “you will not be able to overthrow it, and you would be found even to be fighting against God!” (Acts 5:39). These verses tell how the council responded and how the apostles faced their first physical punishment for the name of Jesus.
- “They agreed with him”
The council accepted Gamaliel’s advice to the extent that they gave up their plan to kill the apostles (Acts 5:33). But they did not leave them entirely alone. They still wanted to show their authority and to discourage the apostles from continuing.
- “Summoning the apostles, they beat them”
This was most likely a flogging with a whip, a punishment the law limited: “He may sentence him to no more than forty stripes” (Deuteronomy 25:3). In practice thirty-nine lashes were often given to avoid exceeding the limit; Paul later wrote, “Five times from the Jews I received forty stripes minus one” (2 Corinthians 11:24). Such a beating was painful and could be dangerous, and it was also a public humiliation.
Jesus had warned his followers that this would happen: “they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you” (Matthew 10:17), and “You will be beaten in synagogues” (Mark 13:9).
- “and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go”
The council repeated its earlier order (Acts 4:18), even though the apostles had already told them that they must obey God rather than men. The command had failed once and would fail again.
- “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name”
This is the most surprising sentence in the passage. The apostles left the council not ashamed or bitter, but joyful. In their culture, honour and shame mattered greatly, and a public beating was meant to disgrace. But the apostles saw it as an honour to share in the shame that their Lord had borne.
Jesus had taught them, “Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:11-12). In Luke he said, “Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy” (Luke 6:23). Jesus himself “endured the cross, despising its shame” (Hebrews 12:2).
Years later Peter wrote, “But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice” (1 Peter 4:13), and “if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed” (1 Peter 4:16). He was writing from experience. The apostles did not seek suffering or enjoy pain, but they rejoiced in what it meant: they belonged to Jesus.
Their joy showed itself in action. The very next verse says, “Every day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ” (Acts 5:42).
The Significance of Acts 5:40-41
- Joy that does not depend on circumstances
The apostles’ joy came from their relationship with Jesus, not from comfort or approval. Believers can find the same joy when they suffer for doing right.
- Suffering as a privilege
Paul wrote, “it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf” (Philippians 1:29). Suffering for Christ is not a sign that God has abandoned his people, but a mark of belonging to him.
- Faithfulness after suffering
The beating did not silence the apostles. Pain and opposition can either drive believers away or deepen their commitment. The apostles chose to keep going.
Cross-References:
Matthew 5:12: "Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven." Joy in persecution.
Matthew 10:17: "in their synagogues they will scourge you." Jesus foretold this treatment.
1 Peter 4:13: "But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice;" Peter’s own later teaching.
Hebrews 12:2: "who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame," The example of Jesus.
Conclusion: Following Gamaliel’s advice, the council did not kill the apostles, but it had them beaten and again ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus. The apostles left rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer dishonour for his name, just as Jesus had taught. Their suffering did not silence them; it deepened their joy and their commitment.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible