Print Page Options

彼得約翰在公議會受審

使徒們正對群眾講話的時候,祭司、聖殿的守衛長,和撒都該人來到他們那裡。 因為使徒教訓群眾,並且傳揚耶穌從死人中復活,他們就非常惱怒, 於是下手拿住使徒。那時天已經晚了,就把他們拘留到第二天。 然而有許多聽道的人信了,男人的數目,約有五千。

第二天,猶太人的官長、長老、經學家,都聚集在耶路撒冷, 還有大祭司亞那和該亞法、約翰、亞歷山大,以及大祭司的家人,所有的人都在那裡。 他們叫使徒都站在當中,查問說:“你們憑甚麼能力,奉誰的名作這事?” 當時彼得被聖靈充滿,對他們說:“民眾的領袖和長老啊! 我們今天受審,如果是為了在那殘疾人身上所行的善事,就是這個人怎麼會好的, 10 那麼,你們各位和以色列全民都應當知道,站在你們面前這人好了,是因拿撒勒人耶穌基督的名。這位耶穌基督,你們把他釘死在十字架上, 神卻使他從死人中復活。 11 這耶穌是你們

‘建築工人所棄的石頭,

成了房角的主要石頭。’

12 除了他以外,別無拯救,因為在天下人間,沒有賜下別的名,我們可以靠著得救。”

13 他們看見彼得和約翰的膽量,也知道這兩個人是沒有學問的平民,就很驚奇;同時認出他們是跟耶穌一夥的, 14 又看見那醫好了的人,和他們一同站著,就沒有話可辯駁。 15 於是吩咐他們到公議會外面去,彼此商議, 16 說:“對這些人我們應該怎麼辦呢?因為有一件人所共知的神蹟,藉著他們行了出來,所有住在耶路撒冷的人都知道,我們也無法否認。 17 為了避免這件事在民間越傳越廣,我們應該警告他們,不許再奉這名向任何人談道。” 18 於是叫了他們來,嚴禁他們再奉耶穌的名講論教導。 19 彼得和約翰回答:“聽從你們過於聽從 神,在 神面前對不對,你們自己說吧! 20 我們看見的聽見的,不能不說!” 21 眾人因著所發生的事,都頌讚 神,於是公議會為了群眾的緣故,也因為找不到藉口懲罰他們,就恐嚇一番,把他們放了。 22 原來藉著神蹟醫好的那人,有四十多歲了。

信徒同心祈禱

23 彼得和約翰被釋放了之後,回到自己的人那裡去,把祭司長和長老說的一切,都告訴他們。 24 他們聽了,就同心向 神高聲說:“主啊,你是那創造天地、海洋和其中萬物的主宰。 25 你曾以聖靈藉著你僕人我們祖先大衛的口說:

‘列國為甚麼騷動?

萬民為甚麼空謀妄想?

26 地上的君王都起來,

首領聚在一起,

敵對主和他的受膏者。’

27 希律和本丟.彼拉多,外族人和以色列民,真的在這城裡聚集,反對你所膏立的聖僕耶穌, 28 行了你手和你旨意所預定要成就的一切。 29 主啊,他們恐嚇我們,現在求你鑒察,也賜你僕人們大有膽量,傳講你的道。 30 求你伸手醫治,藉著你聖僕耶穌的名,大行神蹟奇事。” 31 他們禱告完了,聚會的地方震動起來,他們都被聖靈充滿,放膽傳講 神的道。

信徒凡物公用

32 全體信徒一心一意,沒有一個人說自己的財物是自己的,他們凡物公用。 33 使徒大有能力,為主耶穌的復活作見證,眾人都蒙了大恩。 34 他們中間沒有一個有缺乏的,因為凡有田產房屋的都賣了,把得到的錢拿來, 35 放在使徒腳前,照著各人的需要來分配。 36 有一個人名叫約瑟,使徒稱他為巴拿巴,就是“安慰者”的意思,他是個利未人,生在塞浦路斯。 37 他賣掉了自己的田地,把錢拿來,放在使徒的腳前。

彼得约翰在公议会受审

使徒们正对群众讲话的时候,祭司、圣殿的守卫长,和撒都该人来到他们那里。 因为使徒教训群众,并且传扬耶稣从死人中复活,他们就非常恼怒, 于是下手拿住使徒。那时天已经晚了,就把他们拘留到第二天。 然而有许多听道的人信了,男人的数目,约有五千。

第二天,犹太人的官长、长老、经学家,都聚集在耶路撒冷, 还有大祭司亚那和该亚法、约翰、亚历山大,以及大祭司的家人,所有的人都在那里。 他们叫使徒都站在当中,查问说:“你们凭甚么能力,奉谁的名作这事?” 当时彼得被圣灵充满,对他们说:“民众的领袖和长老啊! 我们今天受审,如果是为了在那残疾人身上所行的善事,就是这个人怎么会好的, 10 那么,你们各位和以色列全民都应当知道,站在你们面前这人好了,是因拿撒勒人耶稣基督的名。这位耶稣基督,你们把他钉死在十字架上, 神却使他从死人中复活。 11 这耶稣是你们

‘建筑工人所弃的石头,

成了房角的主要石头。’

12 除了他以外,别无拯救,因为在天下人间,没有赐下别的名,我们可以靠着得救。”

13 他们看见彼得和约翰的胆量,也知道这两个人是没有学问的平民,就很惊奇;同时认出他们是跟耶稣一伙的, 14 又看见那医好了的人,和他们一同站着,就没有话可辩驳。 15 于是吩咐他们到公议会外面去,彼此商议, 16 说:“对这些人我们应该怎么办呢?因为有一件人所共知的神迹,借着他们行了出来,所有住在耶路撒冷的人都知道,我们也无法否认。 17 为了避免这件事在民间越传越广,我们应该警告他们,不许再奉这名向任何人谈道。” 18 于是叫了他们来,严禁他们再奉耶稣的名讲论教导。 19 彼得和约翰回答:“听从你们过于听从 神,在 神面前对不对,你们自己说吧! 20 我们看见的听见的,不能不说!” 21 众人因着所发生的事,都颂赞 神,于是公议会为了群众的缘故,也因为找不到借口惩罚他们,就恐吓一番,把他们放了。 22 原来借着神迹医好的那人,有四十多岁了。

信徒同心祈祷

23 彼得和约翰被释放了之后,回到自己的人那里去,把祭司长和长老说的一切,都告诉他们。 24 他们听了,就同心向 神高声说:“主啊,你是那创造天地、海洋和其中万物的主宰。 25 你曾以圣灵借着你仆人我们祖先大卫的口说:

‘列国为甚么骚动?

万民为甚么空谋妄想?

26 地上的君王都起来,

首领聚在一起,

敌对主和他的受膏者。’

27 希律和本丢.彼拉多,外族人和以色列民,真的在这城里聚集,反对你所膏立的圣仆耶稣, 28 行了你手和你旨意所预定要成就的一切。 29 主啊,他们恐吓我们,现在求你鉴察,也赐你仆人们大有胆量,传讲你的道。 30 求你伸手医治,借着你圣仆耶稣的名,大行神迹奇事。” 31 他们祷告完了,聚会的地方震动起来,他们都被圣灵充满,放胆传讲 神的道。

信徒凡物公用

32 全体信徒一心一意,没有一个人说自己的财物是自己的,他们凡物公用。 33 使徒大有能力,为主耶稣的复活作见证,众人都蒙了大恩。 34 他们中间没有一个有缺乏的,因为凡有田产房屋的都卖了,把得到的钱拿来, 35 放在使徒脚前,照着各人的需要来分配。 36 有一个人名叫约瑟,使徒称他为巴拿巴,就是“安慰者”的意思,他是个利未人,生在塞浦路斯。 37 他卖掉了自己的田地,把钱拿来,放在使徒的脚前。

Peter and John before the Council

Peter and John were still speaking to the people when some priests,[a] the officer in charge of the Temple guards, and some Sadducees arrived. They were annoyed because the two apostles were teaching the people that Jesus had risen from death, which proved that the dead will rise to life. So they arrested them and put them in jail until the next day, since it was already late. But many who heard the message believed; and the number grew to about five thousand.

The next day the Jewish leaders, the elders, and the teachers of the Law gathered in Jerusalem. They met with the High Priest Annas and with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and the others who belonged to the High Priest's family. They made the apostles stand before them and asked them, “How did you do this? What power do you have or whose name did you use?”

Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, answered them, “Leaders of the people and elders: if we are being questioned today about the good deed done to the lame man and how he was healed, 10 then you should all know, and all the people of Israel should know, that this man stands here before you completely well through the power of the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth—whom you crucified and whom God raised from death. 11 (A)Jesus is the one of whom the scripture says,

‘The stone that you the builders despised
    turned out to be the most important of all.’

12 Salvation is to be found through him alone; in all the world there is no one else whom God has given who can save us.”

13 The members of the Council were amazed to see how bold Peter and John were and to learn that they were ordinary men of no education. They realized then that they had been companions of Jesus. 14 But there was nothing that they could say, because they saw the man who had been healed standing there with Peter and John. 15 So they told them to leave the Council room, and then they started discussing among themselves. 16 “What shall we do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone in Jerusalem knows that this extraordinary miracle has been performed by them, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to keep this matter from spreading any further among the people, let us warn these men never again to speak to anyone in the name of Jesus.”

18 So they called them back in and told them that under no condition were they to speak or to teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “You yourselves judge which is right in God's sight—to obey you or to obey God. 20 For we cannot stop speaking of what we ourselves have seen and heard.” 21 So the Council warned them even more strongly and then set them free. They saw that it was impossible to punish them, because the people were all praising God for what had happened. 22 The man on whom this miracle of healing had been performed was over forty years old.

The Believers Pray for Boldness

23 As soon as Peter and John were set free, they returned to their group and told them what the chief priests and the elders had said. 24 (B)When the believers heard it, they all joined together in prayer to God: “Master and Creator of heaven, earth, and sea, and all that is in them! 25 (C)By means of the Holy Spirit you spoke through our ancestor David, your servant, when he said,

‘Why were the Gentiles furious;
    why did people make their useless plots?
26 The kings of the earth prepared themselves,
    and the rulers met together
    against the Lord and his Messiah.’

27 (D)For indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together in this city with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Jesus, your holy Servant, whom you made Messiah. 28 They gathered to do everything that you by your power and will had already decided would happen. 29 And now, Lord, take notice of the threats they have made, and allow us, your servants, to speak your message with all boldness. 30 Reach out your hand to heal, and grant that wonders and miracles may be performed through the name of your holy Servant Jesus.”

31 When they finished praying, the place where they were meeting was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim God's message with boldness.

The Believers Share Their Possessions

32 (E)The group of believers was one in mind and heart. None of them said that any of their belongings were their own, but they all shared with one another everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God poured rich blessings on them all. 34 There was no one in the group who was in need. Those who owned fields or houses would sell them, bring the money received from the sale, 35 and turn it over to the apostles; and the money was distributed according to the needs of the people.

36 And so it was that Joseph, a Levite born in Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “One who Encourages”), 37 sold a field he owned, brought the money, and turned it over to the apostles.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 4:1 priests; some manuscripts have chief priests.

The priests put Peter and John in prison

Peter and John were still speaking to the crowd in the yard of the temple. Then some priests, the leader of the police in the temple and some Sadducees came to them. They were angry because of the things that Peter and John were teaching the people there. They were teaching that Jesus had become alive again after his death. The Jewish leaders did not agree that dead people could become alive again. So they took hold of Peter and John. They put them in prison, because by then it was evening time. They put them in the prison until the next day. But many of the people who had heard Peter's message believed what he said. There were now about 5,000 men who believed in Jesus.

The Jewish leaders ask Peter and John questions

The next day, the Jewish rulers and other important Jews met together in Jerusalem. The teachers of God's Law met together with them. They met with Annas who was the most important priest. Caiaphas, John and Alexander were also there. Other men from the family of the most important priest were with them too. The Jewish leaders made Peter and John stand in front of them. They began to ask them questions. They said, ‘How did you cause that man's legs to become strong? Who gave you the power and the authority to do it?’

Then Peter became full with the Holy Spirit and he said to them, ‘All you men are rulers of the people and important Jews. Today you are asking us questions about the good thing that we did for this man. Before that, he could not walk. You are asking us how we caused his legs to become strong. 10 Now I need to tell you and all the people of Israel what is true. Then you will know how this happened. This man is standing here in front of you and he is well. His legs are strong because of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and his authority. You fixed Jesus to a cross so that he died. But after that, God caused him to become alive again. 11 The Bible says this about him:[a]

“The builders refused to use a certain stone. They thought that it had no value.
But now that stone has become the most important stone at the corner of the building.” ’

12 Then Peter said, ‘Only Jesus can save people. There has never been another person in the world that could do this. God has not given any other man the authority to save us.’

13 The Jewish leaders saw that Peter and John were not afraid of them. They also knew that they were not special people. They had not been to any school.[b] So the leaders were very surprised about how Peter and John spoke. They understood that Peter and John had been friends with Jesus.

14 The man who was now well stood in front of the Jewish leaders. They could see that his legs had become strong again. So they could not say anything against Peter and John. 15 They told Peter and John to go out of the room where the leaders were meeting. Then they talked together to decide what they should do. 16 ‘What should we do with these men?’ they said. ‘Everyone who lives in Jerusalem knows about this miracle. They know that Peter and John did a great thing for that man. So we cannot say that they did not do it. 17 But we do not want any more people to know what has happened. So we must say to these men, “You must stop using the name of Jesus. You must stop teaching people about him.” ’[c]

18 Then the Jewish leaders told Peter and John to come back into the room. They said to them, ‘You must not use the authority of Jesus to teach people any more. You must not speak about him.’ 19 Then Peter and John replied to the leaders, ‘What do you think God wants us to do? Should we obey you? Or should we obey God? You decide! 20 We know what is right. We must continue to speak about these things. We must tell people about the things that we have seen and heard.’

21 The Jewish leaders were angry. They told Peter and John that they must obey them. Then they let Peter and John go free. All the people there were praising God because of the miracle. So the leaders could not decide how to punish Peter and John. 22 The man who became well because of this miracle was more than 40 years old.

The group of believers pray to God

23 After the Jewish leaders let them go free, Peter and John went back to the group of believers. They told them what the leaders of the priests and the important Jews had said. 24 The believers listened to what Peter and John told them. Then they all prayed together. They said to God, ‘You are the Lord who rules over everything. You made the sky, the earth and the sea. You also made everything that is in them. 25 Our ancestor, King David, was your servant. You sent your Holy Spirit to him so that he spoke your message. You said through him,[d]

    “People of other nations were very angry.
    They made plans to do useless things.
    Why did they do that?
26 The kings and rulers of the world met together.
    They decided to fight against the Lord God
    and against his Messiah.”

27 Lord God, it has now happened like that. Herod and Pontius Pilate have met together here in Jerusalem. They met with Israelite people and with people of other nations. Together they made plans to kill your holy servant, Jesus. He is the one that you chose to be your Messiah. 28 But you are powerful. These men did only what you said would happen. You had already decided on these events. 29 Lord God, you know that the Jewish leaders want to punish Peter and John. We are your servants. Please help us not to be afraid. Help us to speak your message to people without fear. 30 Show people that you are strong. Cause sick people to become well. Do other powerful things to show that you are God. It is the authority of your holy servant Jesus that will make these things happen.’

31 The believers finished praying. The house where they were meeting together shook. God filled them all with his Holy Spirit. That made them very brave and they spoke God's message clearly to people.

The believers help each other

32 All the believers agreed completely with each other about how they should live. They wanted to help each other. Nobody kept anything only for themselves. They let the other believers use it. 33 The apostles continued to teach about the Lord Jesus. They spoke with great power. They told people, ‘After Jesus died, God caused him to live again. We saw that happen.’ God was very kind to all the believers and he helped them in many ways. 34 Everyone had as much as they needed. Some believers had land or houses, which belonged to them. They sold those things and then they took the money to the apostles. 35 Then the apostles gave the money to any of the believers who needed it.

36 One of the believers was called Joseph. He was from the family of Levi. He was from the island called Cyprus. The apostles called him Barnabas because he liked to help people. 37 Joseph sold a field that belonged to him. He took the money from this and he gave it to the apostles. He wanted them to use the money to help other believers.[e]

Footnotes

  1. 4:11 We can read this in Psalms 118:22. The prophet was saying that the Messiah would be like a special stone that makes a building strong. When the Jewish leaders refused Jesus, they were like the builders.
  2. 4:13 The teachers of God's Law went to special schools. At these schools, they learned how to teach the people about God. Peter and John had never been to one of these schools. But they knew how to teach the people about God.
  3. 4:17 The people in Jerusalem knew that Peter and John had done a good thing for the man. The Jewish leaders had asked Pilate to kill Jesus for them. Now the leaders were afraid that more people would believe in Jesus. Then those people might fight against them.
  4. 4:25 See Psalms 2:1-3.
  5. 4:37 The family of Levi were servants in the temple, where they worked for the priests. We can read about them in Numbers 3:5-13.

Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin

The priests and the captain of the temple guard(A) and the Sadducees(B) came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.(C) They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail(D) until the next day. But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew(E) to about five thousand.

The next day the rulers,(F) the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas,(G) 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,(H) said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!(I) If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame(J) 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,(K) whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead,(L) that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is

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

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.”(N)

13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John(O) and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men,(P) they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.(Q) 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(R) and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?”(S) they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign,(T) 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.(U) 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him?(V) You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking(W) about what we have seen and heard.”(X)

21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people(Y) were praising God(Z) 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.(AA) “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.(AB) 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:(AC)

“‘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](AD)

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

31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.(AL) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit(AM) and spoke the word of God(AN) boldly.(AO)

The Believers Share Their Possessions

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.(AP) 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify(AQ) to the resurrection(AR) of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace(AS) was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them,(AT) brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet,(AU) and it was distributed to anyone who had need.(AV)

36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas(AW) (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.(AX)

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