Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Why tempt ye God? (ti peirazete ton qeon). By implying that God had made a mistake this time, though right about Cornelius. It is a home-thrust. They were refusing to follow the guidance of God like the Israelites at Massah and Meribah (Exodus 17:7; Deuteronomy 6:16; 1 Corinthians 10:9).
That ye should put (epiqeinai). Second aorist active infinitive of epitiqhmi, epexegetic, explaining the tempting.
A yoke upon the neck (zugon epi ton traxhlon). Familiar image of oxen with yokes upon the necks. Paul's very image for the yoke of bondage of the Mosaic law in Galatians 5:1. It had probably been used in the private interview. Cf. the words of Jesus about the Pharisees (Matthew 23:4) and how easy and light his own yoke is (Matthew 11:30).
Were able to bear (isxusamen bastasai). Neither our fathers nor we had strength (isxuw) to carry this yoke which the Judaizers wish to put on the necks of the Gentiles. Peter speaks as the spiritual emancipator. He had been slow to see the meaning of God's dealings with him at Joppa and Caesarea, but he has seen clearly by now. He takes his stand boldly with Paul and Barnabas for Gentile freedom.
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
John 16:12
1 Corinthians 1:12
Galatians 2:16
Galatians 4:3
Colossians 2:8
Revelation 6:5
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