Acts 4
Lexham English Bible
Peter and John Arrested
4 And while[a] they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees approached them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them and put them[b] in custody until the next day, because it was already evening. 4 But many of those who listened to the message believed, and the number of the men was approximately five thousand.
Peter and John on Trial Before the Sanhedrin
5 And it happened that on the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes came together in Jerusalem, 6 and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all those who were from the high priest’s family. 7 And they made them stand in their[c] midst and[d] began to ask,[e] “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a sick man—by what means[f] this man was healed— 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man stands before you healthy! 11 This one[g] is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, that has become the cornerstone.[h] 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among people by which we must be saved.”
13 Now when they[i] saw the boldness of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were astonished, and recognized them, that they had been with Jesus. 14 And because they[j] saw the man who had been healed standing there with them, they had nothing to say in return. 15 But after they[k] had ordered them to go outside the Sanhedrin,[l] they began to confer[m] with one another, 16 saying, “What should we do with these men? For that a remarkable sign has taken place through them is evident to all those who live in Jerusalem, and we are not able to deny it![n] 17 But in order that it may not spread much further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more in this name to anyone at all.”[o] 18 And they called them back and[p] commanded them[q] not to speak or to teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and[r] said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God, you decide! 20 For we are not able to refrain from speaking about the things that we have seen and heard.” 21 So after[s] threatening them[t] further, they released them, finding no way to punish them on account of the people, because they were all praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing had been performed was more than forty years old.
The Believers Pray for Continued Bold Witness
23 And when they[u] were released, they went to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they[v] heard it,[w] they lifted their voices with one mind to God and said, “Master, you are the one who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all the things in them, 25 the one who said by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of our father David, your servant,
‘Why do the nations[x] rage,
and the peoples conspire in vain?
26 The kings of the earth stood opposed,
and the rulers assembled together at the same place,
against the Lord and against his Christ.’[y]
27 For in truth both Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, assembled together in this city against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed, 28 to do all that your hand and plan[z] had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, concern yourself with their threats and grant your slaves to speak your message with all boldness, 30 as you extend your hand to heal and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when[aa] they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak[ab] the word[ac] of God with boldness.
The Believers Share All Things in Common
32 Now the group of those who believed were one heart and soul, and no one said anything of what belonged to him was his own, but all things were theirs in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on them all. 34 For there was not even anyone needy among them, because all those who were owners of plots of land or houses were selling them[ad] and[ae] bringing the proceeds of the things that were sold 35 and placing them[af] at the feet of the apostles. And it was being distributed to each as anyone had need. 36 So Joseph, who was called Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated “son of encouragement”), a Levite of Cyprus by nationality, 37 sold a field[ag] that belonged to him and[ah] brought the money and placed it[ai] at the feet of the apostles.
Footnotes
- Acts 4:1 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“were speaking”)
- Acts 4:3 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 4:7 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
- Acts 4:7 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“stand”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 4:7 *The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to ask”)
- Acts 4:9 Or “through whom”
- Acts 4:11 “This one” refers to Jesus
- Acts 4:11 Literally “the head of the corner”; this verse is an allusion to Ps 118:22
- Acts 4:13 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 4:14 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as causal
- Acts 4:15 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had ordered”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 4:15 Or “council”
- Acts 4:15 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to confer”)
- Acts 4:16 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 4:17 Literally “to no man”
- Acts 4:18 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“called”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 4:18 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 4:19 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 4:21 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“threatening … further”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 4:21 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 4:23 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“were released”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 4:24 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 4:24 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 4:25 Or “Gentiles”; the same Greek word can be translated “nations” or “Gentiles” depending on the context
- Acts 4:26 Or “Messiah”; this is a quotation from Ps 2:1–2
- Acts 4:28 Some manuscripts have “and your plan”
- Acts 4:31 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“had prayed”)
- Acts 4:31 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to speak”)
- Acts 4:31 Or “message”
- Acts 4:34 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 4:34 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“were selling”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 4:35 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 4:37 Or “a farm”
- Acts 4:37 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“sold”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 4:37 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
Acts 4
King James Version
4 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
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.
7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
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.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
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.
14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
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.
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.
18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
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.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
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.
22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
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:
25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
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,
28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
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.
32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
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,
35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
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,
37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Acts 4
New King James Version
Peter and John Arrested
4 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the (A)Sadducees came upon them, 2 being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
Addressing the Sanhedrin
5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, 6 as well as (B)Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, (C)“By what power or by what name have you done this?”
8 (D)Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, (E)that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, (F)whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the (G)‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 (H)Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
The Name of Jesus Forbidden
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, (I)and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed (J)standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, (K)“What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a [a]notable miracle has been done through them is (L)evident[b] to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”
18 (M)So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, (N)“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 (O)For we cannot but speak the things which (P)we have seen and heard.” 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, (Q)because of the people, since they all (R)glorified God for (S)what had been done. 22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.
Prayer for Boldness(T)
23 And being let go, (U)they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, (V)You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who [c]by the mouth of Your servant David have said:
(W)‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His Christ.’
27 “For (X)truly against (Y)Your holy Servant Jesus, (Z)whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 (AA)to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants (AB)that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, (AC)and that signs and wonders may be done (AD)through the name of (AE)Your holy Servant Jesus.”
31 And when they had prayed, (AF)the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, (AG)and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Sharing in All Things
32 Now the multitude of those who believed (AH)were of one heart and one soul; (AI)neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with (AJ)great power the apostles gave (AK)witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And (AL)great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; (AM)for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 (AN)and laid them at the apostles’ feet; (AO)and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
36 And [d]Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of [e]Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 (AP)having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
