John Chrysostom

The accusation is artfully made. They are accused of the crimen majestatis - treason against Caesar. The Jews knew well that to accuse them of disturbing their worship or opposing their opinions would produce no effect. To arouse the Roman feeling against them it was necessary to present their teaching concerning the Kingship of Jesus so as to make it seem to the rulers of this free city as a treasonable doctrine against the Roman state.

Homily on Acts 37 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

"They all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, acknowledging another as king, Jesus." In exactly the same way, their fathers also accused Jesus, saying that He called Himself king. But they had at least a somewhat plausible pretext, since the accused was still alive. But what did these people hope to gain by their lie, when they said of the apostles that they proclaimed Jesus as king — Jesus who, in their opinion, had died, and whom earthly kings had nothing more to fear, since they saw that He no longer appeared at all?

Commentary on Acts ↗