The officer (of the guard) of the temple: literally, the magistrate of the temple. But this magistrate, by the Greek, was an officer over soldiers; we may presume, over those who were to guard the temple. (Witham)
At first they (priests and magistrate) did all for the sake of man’s opinion (or glory): but now another motive was added: that they should not be thought guilty of murder,
The priests and the magistrate, who seem to have been the teachers and judges of the people, were grieved because a large crowd was assembling to hear the apostles. The Sadducees were grieved because they were preaching the resurrection. Both groups were indeed grieved because they were affirming that Jesus had been glorified by God the Father, and they knew that he was the man whom they had killed.
Ere yet they had time to take breath after their first trials, straightway they enter into others. And observe how the events are disposed. First, they were all mocked together; this was no small trial: secondly, they enter into dangers. And these two things do not take place in immediate succession; but when first the Apostles have won admiration by their two discourses, and after that have performed a notable miracle, thereupon it is that, after they are waxen bold, through God's disposal, they enter the lists. But I wish you to consider, how those same persons, who in the case of Christ must need look out for one to deliver Him up to them, now with their own hands arrest the Apostles, having become more audacious and more impudent since the Crucifixion. In truth, sin, while it is yet struggling to the birth, is attended with some sense of shame; but when once fully born, it makes those more shameless who practise it. "And the captain of the temple," it is said. The object again was ...
