Acts4
English Standard Version
1 as were the , the the of the the ,
2 were the the the .
3 they them the , it .
4 of those who had the , the of the .
5 the ,
6 the , who the .
7 when they had the , they , did ?
8 , with the , , of the ,
9 are being a done to a , what this has been ,
10let it to of to the of the of of , , the — this is .
11 Jesus the was , the , has .
12 there , there be .
13 when they the of , they , , they were . they had .
14 the who was , they to say in .
15 when they had to , they ,
16 , shall we with ? a has been is to the of , we it.
17 in order it may the , let us to no to .
18 they and them to at the of .
19 , it in the of to to to , you must ,
20 of we have .
21 when they had them, they , to , of the , were what had .
22 the of was old.
23When they were , they their the the had .
24 when they it, they their , Sovereign , the the the ,
25 through the of , , the , did the , the in ?
26The of the , the were , the —
27 there were , you , , along the the of ,
28to had to .
29 , , to to continue to ,
30 , are the of .
31 when had , the they was , they were with the continued to the of .
32 the of those who of , that of the things that to his , .
33 with the were their to the of the , .
34 , as of them and the of what was
35 it the ’ , it was to .
36 , was also the (which means of ), a , a of ,
37 a that to and the it the ’ .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Acts 4.
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
δέ (dé): but, and, etc.
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
λαλέω (laléō): to talk, i.e. utter words
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)
λαός (laós): a people (in general; thus differing from G1218 (δῆμος), which denotes one's own populace)
ἱερεύς (hiereús): a priest (literally or figuratively)
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
στρατηγός (stratēgós): a general, i.e. (by implication or analogy) a (military) governor (prætor), the chief (præfect) of the (Levitical) temple-wardens
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)
Σαδδουκαῖος (Saddoukaîos): a Sadducæan (i.e. Tsadokian), or follower of a certain heretical Israelite
Cross References
Acts 4Explicitly quoted by Peter to show Christ as the rejected stone made the head of the corner.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
Directly quoted by the early church in prayer to interpret the conspiracy against Jesus.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies Annas and Caiaphas, confirming historical continuity and their roles in trying Jesus and apostles.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Illustrates that though the ministers of God are imprisoned, the Word of God is not bound.
Supported by John Calvin
Direct fulfillment of Jesus' promise that the Spirit would give them irresistible speech before rulers.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Repeats the core apostolic kerygma: you crucified Jesus, but God raised Him from the dead.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Parallel defense before the Sanhedrim, reaffirming obedience to God over men and Christ's resurrection.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels the description of radical unity and shared property in the early Jerusalem community.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Traces Annas' role in the condemnation of Christ, mirroring his involvement in prosecuting the apostles.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Peter specifies the 'name of Jesus Christ' as the exact source of the lame man's healing.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Undergirds Peter's exclusive claim that there is salvation in no other name but Jesus.
Supported by Matthew Henry
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
Classic historical precedent of refusing to obey civil authorities when they command disobedience to God.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Provides historical background on Barnabas, who is introduced here by name and character.
Supported by Matthew Henry