“Those Who Were With Him” (Acts 5.17): Interpretation
The Greek expression καὶ πάντες οἱ σὺν αὐτῷ (“and all those who were with him”) can indeed be interpreted in several ways:
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Ideological interpretation (partisans)
This is the most likely interpretation, and Luke himself seems to confirm it by the explanatory apposition:
“The high priest and all those who were with him, that is, the (ἡ οὖσα αἵρεσις τῶν Σαδδουκαίων)”
The term αἵρεσις (hairesis) here denotes a “school of thought,” a “party,” a “sect” in the philosophical sense — a group sharing the same doctrinal convictions. The expression “those who were with him” would therefore refer to the members of the Sadducean party in general, those who shared the high priest’s ideology.
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Physical interpretation (presence at a meeting)
One could also imagine a small meeting of the high priest’s immediate circle — his close associates, all — who would have decided on the arrest before convening the full (mentioned later in v. 21).
This reading would explain why the such as only step in afterward, at the official convening of the (v. 34).
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Both at once?
The two readings are not mutually exclusive. Luke may mean:
- The high priest acted with his inner circle (physically present)
- This circle was composed exclusively of (ideologically united)
This would underline that the initiative for the arrest was a decision of a faction, taken by the Sadducean clan without consulting the whole — which would explain the moderating reaction of afterward.
Conclusion
The apposition “that is, the ” suggests that Luke stresses ideological affiliation: it is the as a doctrinal group who oppose the apostles. But the narrative context (a decision to arrest followed by the convening of the ) also implies that it was probably a small circle acting on its own initiative, before involving the official assembly.