Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 5:17
The high priest - and - the sect of the Sadducees - Αἱρεσις των Σαδδουκαιων , The heresy of the Sadducees. In this place, as well as in several others, the word αἱρεσις , heresy, has no evil meaning in itself; it is a word of distinction, and may receive either a good or bad colouring from the persons or opinions designated by it. It signifies a sect or party, whether good or bad, distinguished from any other sect. Αἱρεσις , heresy, comes from αἱρεω , I choose, and was anciently... read more
John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 5:33
When they heard that ,.... This defence of the apostles, in which they still insisted upon it, that they had been the crucifiers of Christ, and yet that he was raised from the dead, and exalted in heaven, and was a spiritual Saviour of men: they were cut; to the heart , as if they had been cut asunder with a saw; the Ethiopic version renders it, "they were angry", and "gnashed with their teeth", as if a saw was drawn to and fro; they were filled with rage and madness: and took counsel... read more