“Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,”
Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy - the opposition is now institutional and theological, not spontaneous. The 'party of the Sadducees' (hairesis tōn Saddoukaīōn) were the priestly party who denied resurrection; the apostles' proclamation of Jesus's resurrection strikes at the core of Sadducean theology. The 'jealousy' (zēlos) here has a possessive quality—they jealously guard the temple's spiritual authority.
Church Fathers on Acts 5:17
Having risen up, that is, being roused, being excited at the things taking place, the high-priest and they which were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees) were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the Apostles: they now assault them more vigorously: and put them in the common prison; but did not immediately bring them to trial, because they expected them again to be softened down.
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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