Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 5:32
Verse 32. We are his witnesses] The word autou, his, is omitted by AD, and several others of good note; the Syriac, all the Arabic, AEthiopic, and Vulgate. It does not seem to be necessary. Of these things] twn phmatwn toutwn, Of these transactions: i.e. of Christ's life and miracles, and of your murderous proceedings against him.
And so is also the Holy Ghost] In the gift of tongues lately communicated; and by his power and influence on our souls, by which we are enabled to give irresistible witness of our Lord's resurrection.
To them that obey him.] We obey GOD, not you; and therefore God gives us this Spirit, which is in us a fountain of light, life, love, and power.
The Spirit of God is given to the obedient: in proportion as a man who has received the first influences of it (for without this he cannot move in the spiritual life) is obedient to those influences, in the same proportion the gifts and graces, the light, life, and power, of the Holy Spirit, are increased in his soul.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 32. And we are his witnesses of these things , etc.] Of the incarnation of Christ, of his crucifixion and death, of his resurrection from the dead, of his exaltation by the right hand of God, and of his offices as a Prince and a Saviour, and of the influences of his grace, in giving repentance and remission of sins to his people; and even to many of the Jews, who had been his crucifiers, and who were now converted under the ministry of the apostles: and so is also the Holy Ghost ; in his descent upon the apostles, through the miraculous gifts bestowed upon them, and the wonderful works done by them, and the mighty power accompanying their ministry to the conversion of sinners: whom God hath given to them that obey him ; that hearken to his Gospel, and believe in Christ, even to all private Christians, as well as ministers of the word; if not in his extraordinary gifts, yet in the ordinary measures of his grace.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 26-33 - Many will do an evil thing with daring, yet cannot bear to hear of i afterward, or to have it charged upon them. We cannot expect to be redeemed and healed by Christ, unless we give up ourselves to be rule by him. Faith takes the Saviour in all his offices, who came, not to save us in our sins, but to save us from our sins. Had Christ bee exalted to give dominion to Israel, the chief priests would have welcomed him. But repentance and remission of sins are blessings the neither valued nor saw their need of; therefore they, by no means admitted his doctrine. Wherever repentance is wrought, remission i granted without fail. None are freed from the guilt and punishment of sin, but those who are freed from the power and dominion of sin; wh are turned from it, and turned against it. Christ gives repentance, by his Spirit working with the word, to awaken the conscience, to wor sorrow for sin, and an effectual change in the heart and life. The giving of the Holy Ghost, is plain evidence that it is the will of God that Christ should be obeyed. And He will surely destroy those who wil not have Him to reign over them.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ ημεις 2249 P-1NP εσμεν 2070 5748 V-PXI-1P αυτου 846 P-GSM μαρτυρες 3144 N-NPM των 3588 T-GPN ρηματων 4487 N-GPN τουτων 5130 D-GPN και 2532 CONJ το 3588 T-ASN πνευμα 4151 N-ASN δε 1161 CONJ το 3588 T-ASN αγιον 40 A-ASN ο 3739 R-ASN εδωκεν 1325 5656 V-AAI-3S ο 3588 T-NSM θεος 2316 N-NSM τοις 3588 T-DPM πειθαρχουσιν 3980 5723 V-PAP-DPM αυτω 846 P-DSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
32. Witnesses. See on Acts i. 22.Obey. See on ver. 29.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
5:32 {We are witnesses} (hemeis esmen martures). As in #2:32. {Things} (rhematwn). Literally, sayings, but like the Hebrew _dabhar_ for "word" it is here used for "things." {And so is the Holy Ghost} (kai to pneuma to hagion). The word for "is" (estin) is not in the Greek, but this is plainly the meaning. Peter claims the witness of the Holy Spirit to the raising of Jesus Christ, God's Son, by the Father.
