“Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.”
They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead — the disturbance (diachoō, greatly troubled, vexed, irritated) is provoked by two things: (1) the apostles' public teaching (didaskō, teach), and (2) the proclamation of resurrection (anistēmi nekroi, resurrection of the dead) through/in Jesus. The resurrection was theologically unacceptable to Sadducean thought and politically dangerous (suggesting a power beyond Rome's control).
Church Fathers on Acts 4:2
Being grieved that they taught the people. Acts 4:2 Not merely because they taught, but because they declared, not alone that Christ Himself was risen from the dead, but moreover, that we through Him do rise again. Because they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection of the dead. So mighty was His Resurrection, that to others also He is the cause of a resurrection. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day; for it was now…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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