The priests and rulers saw that Christ was extolled above them. As the Sadducees, who did not believe in a resurrection, heard the apostles declaring that Christ had risen from the dead, they were enraged, realizing that if the apostles were allowed to preach a risen Saviour, and to work miracles in His name, the doctrine that there would be no resurrection would be rejected by all, and the sect of the Sadducees would soon become extinct. The Pharisees were angry as they perceived that the tendency of the disciples' teaching was to undermine the Jewish ceremonies, and make the sacrificial offerings of no effect.

Præsterne og rådsherrerne så, at Kristus blev hævet til skyerne frem for dem selv. Da saddukæerne, som ikke troede på en opstandelse, hørte apostlene erklære, at Kristus var opstået fra de døde, blev de rasende, fordi de forstod, at hvis apostlene fik lov at prædike om en opstanden Frelser og i hans navn at gøre undergerninger, så ville læren om, at der ikke var nogen opstandelse, blive forkastet af alle, og saddukæernes sekt ville snart være udslettet. Farisæerne var vrede, da de opdagede, at disciplenes lære stilede mod at undergrave de jødiske ceremonier og forringe betydningen af offertjenesten.