Acts 4:5

On the morrow. This was the first opportunity for the Jewish leaders to hold a judicial investigation (see on v. 3).

Rulers. This is probably a reference to the “priests,” or “high priests,” mentioned in v. 1.

Elders. The group here mentioned were doubtless those known in Hebrew as zeqenim. They represented the lay element of the Sanhedrin, as contrasted with the scribes and priests.

Scribes. The third constituent group in the Sanhedrin was composed of scribes, who were professional jurists and recognized interpreters of the law (see Vol. V, pp. 55, 56). It is understandable that they would be resentful toward a new teaching presented by seemingly unqualified men (cf. Matt. 7:29).