Definition: And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Acts 5:35. It’s a really important and somewhat complex passage, but here’s the gist in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about warning and controlling a group of people who are being manipulated by a powerful figure – likely a leader or someone trying to lead Israel astray. Here's what it means, broken down piece by piece: "And said unto them..." : This is a formal address, like speaking to a group of people. “They” refers to the individuals involved in the situation. "...Ye men of Israel..." : This identifies the specific group being addressed – the Israelites (the Jewish people). "...take heed to yourselves..." : This is the crucial part. It’s telling them they need to be careful and aware of what they are doing. It's a call for responsibility. "...what ye intend to do as touching these men." : This is where it gets interesting. "These men" refers to a specific individual – likely the leader or someone trying to influence the Israelites. The verse warns them that they need to be mindful of how they are acting, specifically with this person. In simpler terms: The author is saying, “Be careful! Don’t do anything that could harm or mislead these people. Think carefully about what you're planning.” Why was this verse important? This event happened in the early days of the Christian church. Peter, one of Jesus’s apostles, was dealing with a man who was trying to lead the followers of Jesus into a dangerous path. This verse is a warning and a call for vigilance – it's about protecting believers from being led astray by those who might seek to cause harm or confusion. It’s a reminder that: Careful thought matters: We should always consider the consequences of our actions. Responsibility is important: We have a duty to be aware of what we do and how it impacts others. Watch out for deception: Be cautious of people who might try to lead you astray or manipulate your thinking. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Relate it to a specific historical context (like the early church)?