{Why tempt ye God?} (	i peirazete ton theon;). 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 ( Ex 17:7  De 6:16  1Co 10:9 ). {That ye should put}
(epitheinai). Second aorist active infinitive of epitith(886d)i,
epexegetic, explaining the tempting. {A yoke upon the neck}
(zugon epi ton trach(886c)on). Familiar image of oxen with yokes
upon the necks. Paul's very image for the yoke of bondage of the
Mosaic law in  Ga 5:1 . It had probably been used in the private
interview. Cf. the words of Jesus about the Pharisees ( Mt 23:4 )
and how easy and light his own yoke is ( Mt 11:30 ). {Were able
to bear} (ischusamen bastasai). Neither our fathers nor we had
strength (ischu(935c)) 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.