Acts4
New International Version
1The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people.
2They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.
3They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.
4But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.
5The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem.
6Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family.
7They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!
9If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed,
10then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.
11Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’
12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
13When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
14But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.
15So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together.
16“What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it.
17But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”
18Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
19But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!
20As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
21After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.
22For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.
23On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
24When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.
25You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
26The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.’
27Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.
28They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.
29Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
30Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.
33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all
34that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales
35and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
36Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”),
37sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
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