Act 4:1 | RWP | e4.org | The captain of the temple ( ο στρατηγος του ιερου ). Twenty-four bands of Levites guarded the temple, one guard at a time. They watched the gates. The commander of each band was called captain ( στρατηγος ). Josephus names this captain of the temple police next to the high priest ( War . VI. 5, 3). The Sadducees ( ο Σαδδουκαιο ). Most of the priests were Sadducees now and all the chief priests since John Hyrcanus I deserted the Pharisees (Josephus, Ant . XVII. 10, 6; XVIII. 1, 4; XX. 9, 1). The Sadducees were slow to line up with the Pharisees against Jesus, but they now take the lead against Peter and John. Came upon them ( επεστησαν αυτοις ). Second aorist active indicative (intransitive). Burst upon them suddenly or stood by them in a hostile attitude here ( ; ; ; ; ; ).

‏ Acts 4:1

The captain of the temple ( ο στρατηγος του ιερου ). Twenty-four bands of Levites guarded the temple, one guard at a time. They watched the gates. The commander of each band was called captain ( στρατηγος ). Josephus names this captain of the temple police next to the high priest (War. VI. 5, 3).

The Sadducees ( ο Σαδδουκαιο ). Most of the priests were Sadducees now and all the chief priests since John Hyrcanus I deserted the Pharisees (Josephus, Ant. XVII. 10, 6; XVIII. 1, 4; XX. 9, 1). The Sadducees were slow to line up with the Pharisees against Jesus, but they now take the lead against Peter and John.

Came upon them ( επεστησαν αυτοις ). Second aorist active indicative (intransitive). Burst upon them suddenly or stood by them in a hostile attitude here (Lu 20:1; 24:4; Ac 6:12; 17:5; 22:20; 23:11).