Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
We are not told what it was that the apostles preached to the people; no doubt it was according to the direction of the angel - the words of this life; but what passed between them and the council we have here an account of; for in their sufferings there appeared more of a divine power and energy than even in their preaching. Now here we have, I.
Commenting on Acts 5:26-42
And when they had brought them,.... From the temple, to the place where the sanhedrim sat, which, by this, seems to have been not in the room Gazith, nor in the shops, which were both in the temple, but in some part of the city of Jerusalem: they set them before the council; whereby was fulfilled what Christ had foretold, Mat 10:17 "they will deliver...
Verse 26. Without violence. Not by force; not by binding them. Comp. . The command of the sanhedrim was sufficient to secure their presence, as they did not intend to refuse to answer for any alleged violation of the laws. Besides, their going before the council would give them another noble opportunity to bear witness to the truth of the gospel.