But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison.
The high priest and Sadducees certainly do have a theological problem with the early church, but the reason for their severe reaction and desperation to stop this message is jealousy. The gospel was transforming people, it was causing a stir. The religious leaders were no longer in control and they wanted that back. Do we find ourselves over-reacting about theological differences with others rather than dealing with them calmly and sensitively? Then maybe jealousy has entered the equation.