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Acts4

King James Version · Public Domain

1And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

2Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

3And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.

4Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

5And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

6And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

7And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

9If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

10Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

11This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

14And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

15But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

16Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.

17But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

18And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

21So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

22For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

23And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

24And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

25Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

26The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

27For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

28For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

29And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

30By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

31And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

32And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

33And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

34Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

35And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

36And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

37Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Acts 4.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: Peter and John imprisoned. (1–4). The apostles boldly testify to Christ. (5–14). Peter and John refuse to be silenced. (15–22). The believers unite in prayer and praise. (23–31). The holy charity of the Christians. (32–37).

vv1-4

The apostles preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. It includes all the happiness of the future state; this they preached through Jesus Christ, to be had through him only. Miserable is their case, to whom the glory of Christ's kingdom is a grief; for since the glory of that kingdom is everlasting, their grief will be everlasting also. The harmless and useful servants of Christ, like the apostles, have often been troubled for their work of faith and labour of love, when wicked men have escaped. And to this day instances are not wanting, in which reading the Scriptures, social prayer, and religious conversation meet with frowns and checks. But if we obey the precepts of Christ, he will support us.

vv5-14

Peter being filled with the Holy Ghost, would have all to understand, that the miracle had been wrought by the name, or power, of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, whom they had crucified; and this confirmed their testimony to his resurrection from the dead, which proved him to be the Messiah. These rulers must either be saved by that Jesus whom they had crucified, or they must perish for ever. The name of Jesus is given to men of every age and nation, as that whereby alone believers are saved from the wrath to come. But when covetousness, pride, or any corrupt passion, rules within, men shut their eyes, and close their hearts, in enmity against the light; considering all as ignorant and unlearned, who desire to know nothing in comparison with Christ crucified. And the followers of Christ should act so that all who converse with them, may take knowledge that they have been with Jesus. That makes them holy, heavenly, spiritual, and cheerful, and raises them above this world.

vv15-22

All the care of the rulers is, that the doctrine of Christ spread not among the people, yet they cannot say it is false or dangerous, or of any ill tendency; and they are ashamed to own the true reason; that it testifies against their hypocrisy, wickedness, and tyranny. Those who know how to put a just value upon Christ's promises, know how to put just contempt upon the world's threatenings. The apostles look with concern on perishing souls, and know they cannot escape eternal ruin but by Jesus Christ, therefore they are faithful in warning, and showing the right way. None will enjoy peace of mind, nor act uprightly, till they have learned to guide their conduct by the fixed standard of truth, and not by the shifting opinions and fancies of men. Especially beware of a vain attempt to serve two masters, God and the world; the end will be, you can serve neither fully.

Key Words

AndG1161Greek

δέ (dé): but, and, etc.

theyG846Greek

αὐτός (autós): the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

speakingG2980Greek

λαλέω (laléō): to talk, i.e. utter words

toG4314Greek

πρός (prós): a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated)

peopleG2992Greek

λαός (laós): a people (in general; thus differing from G1218 (δῆμος), which denotes one's own populace)

priestsG2409Greek

ἱερεύς (hiereús): a priest (literally or figuratively)

andG2532Greek

καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

captainG4755Greek

στρατηγός (stratēgós): a general, i.e. (by implication or analogy) a (military) governor (prætor), the chief (præfect) of the (Levitical) temple-wardens

templeG2411Greek

ἱερόν (hierón): a sacred place, i.e. the entire precincts (whereas G3485 (ναός) denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the Temple (at Jerusalem or elsewhere)

SadduceesG4523Greek

Σαδδουκαῖος (Saddoukaîos): a Sadducæan (i.e. Tsadokian), or follower of a certain heretical Israelite

Cross References

Acts 4
v11Psalms 118:22quotation

Explicitly quoted by Peter to show Christ as the rejected stone made the head of the corner.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB

v25Psalms 2:1-4quotation

Directly quoted by the early church in prayer to interpret the conspiracy against Jesus.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB

v6Luke 3:2thematic

Identifies Annas and Caiaphas, confirming historical continuity and their roles in trying Jesus and apostles.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v42 Timothy 2:9thematic

Illustrates that though the ministers of God are imprisoned, the Word of God is not bound.

Supported by John Calvin

v8Luke 21:15fulfillment

Direct fulfillment of Jesus' promise that the Spirit would give them irresistible speech before rulers.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v10Acts 2:23thematic

Repeats the core apostolic kerygma: you crucified Jesus, but God raised Him from the dead.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v10Acts 5:29-32thematic

Parallel defense before the Sanhedrim, reaffirming obedience to God over men and Christ's resurrection.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v32Acts 2:44-46thematic

Parallels the description of radical unity and shared property in the early Jerusalem community.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v6John 18:13thematic

Traces Annas' role in the condemnation of Christ, mirroring his involvement in prosecuting the apostles.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v10Acts 3:6thematic

Peter specifies the 'name of Jesus Christ' as the exact source of the lame man's healing.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v12John 14:6thematic

Undergirds Peter's exclusive claim that there is salvation in no other name but Jesus.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v28Acts 3:18thematic

Verifies that the sufferings of Christ fulfilled what God's hand and counsel predetermined.

Supported by Matthew Henry

Parallels the Sanhedrim's shock that God used 'unlearned and ignorant' men to confound the wise.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v19Daniel 3:18thematic

Classic historical precedent of refusing to obey civil authorities when they command disobedience to God.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v36Acts 11:22-25thematic

Provides historical background on Barnabas, who is introduced here by name and character.

Supported by Matthew Henry