Acts 4:3

In hold. Or, “in custody.” This experience introduces the first persecution of the apostles.

Eventide. It will be recalled that the story of the healing of the lame man begins at about 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon (see on ch. 3:1). After the healing of this man Peter made his address, and then he and John were arrested. By then it was “eventide,” which doubtless began about sunset, or the 12th hour. Since it was forbidden for the Jews to pass judgment in a night session, and their day closed with the 12th hour, it was now too late for a judicial proceeding (see Additional Notes on Matt 26, Note 2). The rabbis placed this restriction on night trials because of Jer. 21:12, “O house of David, thus saith the Lord; Execute judgment in the morning.” They applied this even to deliberations concerning the declaration of the newmoon festival (Mishnah Rosh Hashanah 3.1, Soncino ed. of the Talmud, p. 113).