Act 5:17 | RWP | e4.org | Which is the sect of the Sadducees ( η ουσα αιρεσις των Σαδδουκαιων ). Literally, "the existing sect of the Sadducees" or "the sect which is of the Sadducees," η being the article, not the relative. Hαιρεσις means a choosing, from αιρεομα , to take for oneself, to choose, then an opinion chosen or tenet (possibly ), then parties or factions ( ; ; possibly ). It is applied here to the Sadducees; to the Pharisees in ; ; to the Christians in ; . Already Luke has stated that the Sadducees started the persecution of Peter and John ( .). Now it is extended to "the apostles" as a whole since Christianity has spread more rapidly in Jerusalem than before it began.

‏ Acts 5:17

Which is the sect of the Sadducees ( η ουσα αιρεσις των Σαδδουκαιων ). Literally, "the existing sect of the Sadducees" or "the sect which is of the Sadducees," η being the article, not the relative. Hαιρεσις means a choosing, from αιρεομα, to take for oneself, to choose, then an opinion chosen or tenet (possibly 2Pe 2:1), then parties or factions (Gal 5:20; 1Co 11:19; possibly 2Pe 2:1). It is applied here to the Sadducees; to the Pharisees in Ac 15:5; 26:5; to the Christians in 24:5-14; 28:22. Already Luke has stated that the Sadducees started the persecution of Peter and John (Ac 4:1f.). Now it is extended to "the apostles" as a whole since Christianity has spread more rapidly in Jerusalem than before it began.