Acts 4

Peter and John before the Council

1 # Mt 3.7; Lk 22.4; Acts 6.12 While Peter and John#4.1 Gk While they were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them, 2#Acts 17.18; 23.8much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead. 3#Acts 5.18So they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4#Acts 2.41But many of those who heard the word believed, and they numbered about five thousand.

5 # Lk 23.13 The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, 6#Mt 26.3; Lk 3.2with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John,#4.6 Other ancient authorities read Jonathan and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7When they had made the prisoners#4.7 Gk them stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8#v 5; Lk 23.13; Acts 13.9Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9if we are being questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are being asked how this man has been healed,#4.9 Or saved 10#Acts 2.24; 3.6let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,#4.10 Gk the Nazorean whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. 11#Ps 118.22; Isa 28.16; Mt 21.42This Jesus#4.11 Gk This is

‘the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;

it has become the cornerstone.’#4.11 Or keystone (in an arch)

12 # Mt 1.21; Acts 10.43; 1 Tim 2.5, 6 “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”

13 # v 31 ; Mt 11.25; 1 Cor 1.27Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus. 14When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15#Mt 5.22So they ordered them to leave the council while they discussed the matter with one another. 16#Jn 11.47; Acts 3.7–10They said, “What will we do with them? For it is obvious to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable sign has been done through them; we cannot deny it. 17But to keep it from spreading further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18#Acts 5.40So they called them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19#Acts 5.28, 29But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; 20#Acts 1.8; 2.32for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21#Acts 3.7, 8; 5.26After threatening them again, they let them go, finding no way to punish them because of the people, for all of them praised God for what had happened. 22For the man on whom this sign of healing had been performed was more than forty years old.

The Believers Pray for Boldness

23After they were released, they went to their own people and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24#2 Kings 19.15When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and everything in them, 25#Ps 2.1; Acts 1.16it is you who said by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant:#4.25 Or child

‘Why did the gentiles rage

and the peoples imagine vain things?

26 # Heb 1.9 The kings of the earth took their stand,

and the rulers have gathered together

against the Lord and against his Messiah.’#4.26 Or his Christ

27 # v 30 ; Mt 14.1; Lk 4.18; 23.12; Jn 10.36“For in this city, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servant#4.27 Or child Jesus, whom you anointed, 28to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29#Acts 9.27; 13.46; 28.31And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, 30#v 27; Acts 2.43; 3.6, 16; 5.12while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant#4.30 Or child Jesus.” 31#v 29; Acts 2.2, 4When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.

The Believers Share Their Possessions

32 # Acts 2.44; 5.12 Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. 33#Acts 1.8, 22With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34#Acts 2.45There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. 35#v 37; Acts 2.45; 5.2; 6.1They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36There was a Levite from Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”). 37#v 35; Acts 5.2He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

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