The next day the rulers,(A) the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas,(B) John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit,(C) said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!(D) If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame(E) and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,(F) whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead,(G) that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is

“‘the stone you builders rejected,
    which has become the cornerstone.’[a](H)

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”(I)

13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John(J) and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men,(K) they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.(L) 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin(M) and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?”(N) they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign,(O) and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.(P) 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him?(Q) You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking(R) about what we have seen and heard.”(S)

21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people(T) were praising God(U) for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

The Believers Pray

23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.(V) “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.(W) 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:(X)

“‘Why do the nations rage
    and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
against the Lord
    and against his anointed one.[b][c](Y)

27 Indeed Herod(Z) and Pontius Pilate(AA) met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus,(AB) whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.(AC) 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.(AD) 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders(AE) through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”(AF)

31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.(AG) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit(AH) and spoke the word of God(AI) boldly.(AJ)

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 4:11 Psalm 118:22
  2. Acts 4:26 That is, Messiah or Christ
  3. Acts 4:26 Psalm 2:1,2

On the next day, their (A)rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; and (B)Annas the high priest was there, and (C)Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent. When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?” Then Peter, [a](D)filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “[b](E)Rulers and elders of the people, if we are [c]on trial today for (F)a benefit done to a sick man, as to [d]how this man has been made well, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that [e](G)by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom (H)God raised from the dead—[f]by [g]this name this man stands here before you in good health. 11 [h](I)He is the (J)stone which was (K)rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in (L)no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.”

Threat and Release

13 Now as they observed the (M)confidence of (N)Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and (O)began to recognize them [i]as having been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. 15 But when they had ordered them to leave the [j](P)Council, they began to confer with one another, 16 saying, “(Q)What are we to do with these men? For the fact that a (R)noteworthy [k]miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let’s warn them not to speak any longer to any person (S)in this name.” 18 And when they had summoned them, they (T)commanded them not to speak or teach at all [l]in the name of Jesus. 19 But (U)Peter and John answered and said to them, “(V)Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, make your own judgment; 20 for (W)we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21 When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) (X)on account of the people, because they were all (Y)glorifying God for what had happened; 22 for the man on whom this [m]miracle of healing had been performed was more than forty years old.

23 When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported everything that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard this, they raised their voices to God with one mind and said, “[n]Lord, it is You who (Z)made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything that is in them, 25 who (AA)by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said,

(AB)Why were the [o]nations insolent,
And the peoples plotting in vain?
26 (AC)The kings of the earth [p]took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His [q](AD)Christ.’

27 For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy [r](AE)servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both (AF)Herod and (AG)Pontius Pilate, along with (AH)the [s]Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever Your hand and (AI)purpose predestined to occur. 29 And [t]now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant it to Your bond-servants to (AJ)speak Your word with all (AK)confidence, 30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and [u](AL)signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy [v](AM)servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the (AN)place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all (AO)filled with the Holy Spirit and began to (AP)speak the word of God with (AQ)boldness.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 4:8 Or having just been filled
  2. Acts 4:8 Lit Rulers of the people and elders
  3. Acts 4:9 Lit answering
  4. Acts 4:9 Or by what; or by whom
  5. Acts 4:10 Or in
  6. Acts 4:10 Or in
  7. Acts 4:10 Or Him
  8. Acts 4:11 Lit This One
  9. Acts 4:13 Lit that they had been
  10. Acts 4:15 Or Sanhedrin
  11. Acts 4:16 Or sign
  12. Acts 4:18 Or on the basis of
  13. Acts 4:22 Or sign
  14. Acts 4:24 Or Master
  15. Acts 4:25 Or Gentiles
  16. Acts 4:26 Or approached
  17. Acts 4:26 I.e., Messiah
  18. Acts 4:27 Or Son
  19. Acts 4:27 Or nations
  20. Acts 4:29 Or as for the present situation
  21. Acts 4:30 I.e., confirming miracles
  22. Acts 4:30 Or Son

And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

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.

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

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

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.

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