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Acts4

American Standard 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 sore troubled because they taught the people, and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

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

4But many of them that heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

5And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem;

6and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest.

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

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

9if we this day are examined concerning a good deed done to an impotent man, by what means this man is made whole;

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

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

12And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.

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

14And seeing the man that 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 wrought through them, is manifest to all that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.

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

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

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

20for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard.

21And they, when they had further threatened them, 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 more than forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was wrought.

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

24And they, when they heard it, lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, O Lord, thou that didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is:

25who by the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David thy servant, didst say, Why did the Gentiles rage, And the peoples imagine vain things?

26The kings of the earth set themselves in array, And the rulers were gathered together, Against the Lord, and against his Anointed:

27for of a truth in this city against thy holy Servant Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered together,

28to do whatsoever thy hand and thy council foreordained to come to pass.

29And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness,

30while thou stretchest forth thy hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of thy holy Servant Jesus.

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

32And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul: and not one of them said that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

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

34For neither was there among them any 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 at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto each, according as any one had need.

36And Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of exhortation), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,

37having a field, 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