Acts 4
Peter and John imprisoned
1And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sad'ducees came upon them, 2annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3And they arrested them and put them in custody until the morrow, for it was already evening. 4But many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
Peter's defence
5On the morrow their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem, 6with Annas the high priest and Ca'iaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a cripple, by what means this man has been healed, 10be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man is standing before you well. 11This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the head of the corner. 12And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Notes for verses 5–121 entry
Cross-references
Acts 4:11 – Psalms 118:22 .
13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they wondered; and they recognised that they had been with Jesus. 14But seeing the man that had been healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred with one another, 16saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is manifest to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to any one in this name.” 18So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; 20for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for all men praised God for what had happened. 22For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
23When they were released they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25who by the mouth of our father David, thy servant, didst say by the Holy Spirit,
Notes for verses 23–253 entries
Text notes
Acts 4:25 Or child View in passage
Cross-references
Acts 4:24 – Exodus 20:11 ; Psalms 146:6 .
Acts 4:25–26 – Psalms 2:1–2 .
‘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’ —
Notes for verses 25–261 entry
Text notes
Acts 4:26 Or Christ View in passage
27for truly in this city there were gathered together against thy holy servant Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28to do whatever thy hand and thy plan had predestined to take place. 29And now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness, 30while thou stretchest out thy hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of thy holy servant Jesus.” 31And when 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.
Notes for verses 27–314 entries
Text notes
Acts 4:27 Or child View in passage
Acts 4:29 Or slaves View in passage
Acts 4:30 Or child View in passage
Cross-references
Acts 4:27 – Psalms 2:2 ; Psalms 2:1 .
32Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common. 33And with great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35and laid it at the apostles' feet; and distribution was made to each as any had need. 36Thus Joseph who was surnamed by the apostles Barnabas (which means, Son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37sold a field which belonged to him, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Notes for verses 32–371 entry
Cross-references
Acts 4:32–35 – Acts 2:44–45 .