The apostles were very well liked and respected by the people as a whole because of the way in which they were seeking to help people. Knowing this, the officers are wary that the people might react negatively if their arrest involved the use of force.1 This suggests that it was common for them to use violence in arresting people.2 On this occasion, however, things are different. When the officers approach them, the apostles do not incite the people to riot, but they return peacefully with the captain and his servants to the council.3
26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.