Acts 4

Acts 4 continues the narrative of the early Christian community following the miraculous healing of a lame man by Peter and John at the Temple in Jerusalem. This chapter highlights the early persecution of the apostles by Jewish authorities, the boldness of Peter and John in proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus, and the response of the Christian community to the threats from the authorities. It provides a window into the dynamics of early Christian witness in the face of opposition, the power of communal prayer, and the unity and generosity among believers.

Verse 1: "And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,"

As Peter and John were addressing the people who had gathered after the healing miracle, they were confronted by a group of leaders, including temple authorities and Sadducees, who were troubled by their teaching, particularly because they denied the resurrection of the dead.

Verse 2: "Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead."

The leaders were disturbed not just by the crowd that had gathered but also by the apostles' message that in Jesus, the resurrection of the dead was a reality, a concept that directly contradicted the Sadducees’ beliefs.

Verse 3: "And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide."

The authorities arrested Peter and John, detaining them until the next day since it was already evening, postponing any formal proceedings or interrogation.

Verse 4: "Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand."

Despite the arrest, the message had a profound impact, with the number of believers growing to about five thousand men, indicating a significant and rapid expansion of the early Christian community.

Verse 5: "And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,"

The next day, a formal assembly of Israel’s leaders, including rulers, elders, and scribes, was convened to interrogate Peter and John.

Verse 6: "And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem."

This assembly included high-ranking officials like Annas and Caiaphas (the same high priest involved in Jesus’ trial), showcasing the serious attention the apostles’ case received.

Verse 7: "And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?"

The central question posed to Peter and John was about the source of their power or authority to perform the healing, probing whether their actions could be justified within Jewish law and tradition.

Verse 8: "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,"

Peter, empowered by the Holy Spirit, responded not with fear but with boldness, addressing the leaders directly and setting the stage to testify about Jesus.

Verse 9: "If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;"

Peter clarified the situation, pointing out that the interrogation was about a good deed—the healing of a man unable to walk.

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

Peter boldly proclaimed that the healing was performed in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, emphasizing Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, challenging the leaders with their complicity in Jesus’ death, and affirming the miraculous power of Jesus' name in healing.

Verse 11: "This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner."

Peter quoted Psalm 118:22 to illustrate that Jesus, rejected by the leaders (the builders), has become the cornerstone, central to God’s plan despite their rejection.

Verse 12: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

He emphasized the exclusivity of salvation through Jesus, stating that no other name or authority offers salvation, underlining a fundamental Christian doctrine of faith in Jesus as the sole pathway to salvation.

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

The leaders were astonished by the confidence of Peter and John, noting their ordinary backgrounds and recognizing their association with Jesus, which explained their boldness and authority.

Verse 14: "And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it."

The presence of the healed man among the apostles left the leaders without a counterargument, as the evidence of the miracle was visibly undeniable.

Verse 15: "But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,"

The leaders, unsure how to proceed in the face of undeniable proof and public support, held a private discussion to decide the apostles' fate.

Verse 16: "Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it."

The leaders acknowledged privately that a remarkable miracle had occurred, which was widely recognized in Jerusalem, making it impossible to dismiss or cover up.

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

Their solution was to intimidate Peter and John, hoping to contain the spread of their message by forbidding them to speak or teach in the name of Jesus.

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

Peter and John were officially ordered not to preach or teach in Jesus' name, an attempt to stifle the growth of the Christian movement through threats and commands.

Verse 19: "But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye."

In response, Peter and John posed a rhetorical question, essentially arguing that their allegiance to God's command to speak the truth took precedence over human authority, inviting the leaders to consider what was truly righteous.

Verse 20: "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."

They declared their inability to remain silent about their experiences with Jesus and the truths they had witnessed, emphasizing their commitment to their mission despite the threats.

Verse 21: "So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done."
After additional threats, the leaders released the apostles, unable to find a legal reason to punish them without inciting public unrest, as the populace was praising God for the healing miracle.

Verse 22: "For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed."

This verse underscores the significance of the miracle by noting the man's age, suggesting that his infirmity was long-standing and well-known, making the miracle even more remarkable and undeniable.

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

Upon release, Peter and John returned to their community of believers and recounted the events and the threats they had faced from the Jewish leaders.

Verse 24: "And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:"

The response of the community was to unite in prayer, acknowledging God's sovereignty as Creator, and drawing on His power in the face of persecution.

Verse 25: "Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?"

In their prayer, they quoted Psalm 2, which prophesies the nations' and peoples' futile rebellion against God and His anointed king, applying it to their current situation.

Verse 26: "The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ."

This continuation of the Psalm 2 quotation highlights the alignment of earthly rulers against God’s purposes, seen in their opposition to Jesus and now to His followers.

Verse 27: "For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,"

The prayer explicitly named the political and religious leaders, including Herod and Pontius Pilate, who conspired against Jesus, fulfilling the prophecy by uniting Jew and Gentile against Him.

Verse 28: "For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done."

They acknowledged that these actions against Jesus were part of God's predetermined plan, underscoring the divine sovereignty over human history and the fulfillment of God’s purposes even through human opposition.

Verse 29: "And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,"

The community's prayer shifted to a request for boldness to continue proclaiming the gospel despite the threats, asking for divine empowerment to remain steadfast.

Verse 30: "By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus."

They also prayed for God to continue to perform healings and other miraculous signs in the name of Jesus, as a testimony to His power and as validation of their message.

Verse 31: "And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness."

The immediate response to their prayer was a physical shaking of their meeting place, signifying God's presence and approval. They were all filled anew with the Holy Spirit, which enabled them to preach boldly, demonstrating the intimate connection between prayer, divine empowerment, and courageous witness.

Verse 32: "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common."

This verse describes the remarkable unity and generosity within the early Christian community, where personal possessions were shared to meet collective needs, reflecting their commitment to each other under the new covenant.

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

The apostles continued to testify powerfully about Jesus' resurrection, the cornerstone of Christian faith, and the community experienced great grace, indicating divine favor and spiritual blessings.

Verse 34: "Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,"

The practical outworking of their unity and love was that believers who owned property sold it to support those in need, ensuring that there was no poverty among them.

Verse 35: "And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need."

The proceeds from these sales were entrusted to the apostles, who distributed them fairly, making sure that each person's needs were met, demonstrating a structured yet caring community support system.

Verse 36: "And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,"

This introduces Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas, meaning "son of encouragement." This nickname reflected his character and his role within the community.

Verse 37: "Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet."

Barnabas exemplified the generous spirit of the community by selling his land and donating the proceeds to the apostles for distribution, highlighting his commitment to the welfare of his fellow believers and his trust in the apostles’ leadership.