Atos 4

Peter and John Before the Council

1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and *ch. 5:24,26;Luke 22:4,52;[1 Chr. 9:11;Neh. 11:11] the captain of the temple and *See Matt. 22:23the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming *ch. 17:18;[ch. 3:15]in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and *See Luke 21:12put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and *[ch. 2:41]the number of the men came to about five thousand.

5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with *Luke 3:2;John 18:13,24Annas the high priest and *See Matt. 26:3Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, *[Matt. 21:23] "By what power or *[ver. 10]by what name did you do this?" 8 Then Peter, *See Matt. 10:20filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today *ch. 3:7,8concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that *ch. 3:6by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, *See ch. 2:24whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 *See Ps. 118:22This Jesus*4:11 Greek This one is the stone that was *Mark 9:12;Luke 23:11rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.*4:11 Greek the head of the corner12 And there is *ch. 13:26;28:28;John 4:22;Heb. 2:3;Jude 3salvation *[1 Tim. 2:5] in no one else, for *[Gal. 1:7] there is no other *ch. 10:43;Luke 24:47;John 20:31name under heaven given among men*4:12 The Greek word anthropoi refers here to both men and women by which we must be saved."

13 *[John 7:15]Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed *ch. 3:11standing beside them, *[Luke 21:15]they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, *[John 11:47;12:19] "What shall we do with these men? For that *ver. 21;ch. 3:9,10a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them *ch. 5:28,40to speak no more to anyone in this name." 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, *ch. 5:29"Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for *[Amos 3:8;John 15:27;1 Cor. 9:16] we cannot but speak of what *ch. 22:15;1 John 1:1,3we have seen and heard." 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, *ch. 5:13,26;[Matt. 21:26,46;Mark 11:32;Luke 20:6,19;22:2] because of the people, for all were praising God *ch. 3:7,8for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

The Believers Pray for Boldness

23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices *See ch. 1:14together to God and said, "Sovereign Lord, *Ex. 20:11;2 Chr. 2:12;Neh. 9:6;Ps. 102:25;124:8;134:3;146:6who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant,*4:25 Or child; also verses 27, 30 said by the Holy Spirit,

*Cited from Ps. 2:1,2"‘Why did the Gentiles rage,

and the peoples plot in vain?

26 The kings of the earth set themselves,

and *ver. 5the rulers were gathered together,

against the Lord and against his *ch. 10:38;Luke 4:18;Heb. 1:9;[Dan. 9:24;Rev. 11:15]Anointed’*4:26 Or Christ—

27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your *ver. 30holy servant Jesus, *ver. 26whom you anointed, both *Luke 23:7-11Herod and *Matt. 27:2Pontius Pilate, along *See Matt. 20:19with the Gentiles and *Matt. 26:3the peoples of Israel, 28 *[Isa. 46:10] to do whatever your hand and *See ch. 2:23your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, *[2 Kgs. 19:16] look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all *ver. 13, 31;ch. 9:27,29;13:46;14:3;18:26;19:8;28:31;Eph. 6:19boldness, 30 while *[Ps. 138:7;Prov. 31:20;Isa. 1:25;Zeph. 1:4] you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed *ch. 3:6;[Matt. 7:22;Mark 9:39;16:17] through the name of your *ver. 27holy servant Jesus." 31 And when they had prayed, *[ch. 2:2;16:26;Ps. 77:18] the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and *See ch. 2:4they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and *[Phil. 1:14]continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

They Had Everything in Common

32 Now the full number of those who believed were of *2 Chr. 30:12;Ezek. 11:19one heart and *Phil. 1:27soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but *ch. 2:44they had everything in common. 33 And with great *See ch. 1:8,22power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and *[ch. 11:23]great grace was upon them all. 34 *[2 Cor. 8:14,15] There was not a needy person among them, for *ch. 2:45as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and *ver. 37;ch. 5:2laid it at the apostles’ feet, and *[ch. 6:1]it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means *[Mark 3:17]son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and *ver. 35laid it at the apostles’ feet.