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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。

The Arrest and Trial of Peter and John

While Peter and John[a] were speaking to the people, the priests and the commander[b] of the temple guard[c] and the Sadducees[d] came up[e] to them, angry[f] because they were teaching the people and announcing[g] in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. So[h] they seized[i] them and put them in jail[j] until the next day (for it was already evening). But many of those who had listened to[k] the message[l] believed, and the number of the men[m] came to about 5,000.

On the next day,[n] their rulers, elders, and experts in the law[o] came together[p] in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and others who were members of the high priest’s family.[q] After[r] making Peter and John[s] stand in their midst, they began to inquire, “By what power or by what name[t] did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit,[u] replied,[v] “Rulers of the people and elders,[w] if[x] we are being examined[y] today for a good deed[z] done to a sick man—by what means this man was healed[aa] 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ[ab] the Nazarene whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, this man stands before you healthy. 11 This Jesus[ac] is the stone that was rejected by you,[ad] the builders, that has become the cornerstone.[ae] 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among people[af] by which we must[ag] be saved.”

13 When they saw the boldness[ah] of Peter and John, and discovered[ai] that they were uneducated[aj] and ordinary[ak] men, they were amazed and recognized these men had been with Jesus. 14 And because they saw the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say against this.[al] 15 But when they had ordered them to go outside the council,[am] they began to confer with one another, 16 saying, “What should we do with these men? For it is plain[an] to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable miraculous sign[ao] has come about through them,[ap] and we cannot deny it. 17 But to keep this matter from spreading any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more[aq] to anyone in this name.” 18 And they called them in and ordered[ar] them not to speak or teach at all in the name[as] of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied,[at] “Whether it is right before God to obey[au] you rather than God, you decide, 20 for it is impossible[av] for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.” 21 After threatening them further, they released them, for they could not find how to punish them on account of the people, because they were all praising[aw] God for what had happened. 22 For the man, on whom this miraculous sign[ax] of healing had been performed,[ay] was over forty years old.

The Followers of Jesus Pray for Boldness

23 When they were released, Peter and John[az] went to their fellow believers[ba] and reported everything the high priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices to God with one mind[bb] and said, “Master of all,[bc] you who made the heaven, the earth,[bd] the sea, and everything that is in them, 25 who said by the Holy Spirit through[be] your servant David our forefather,[bf]

Why do the nations[bg] rage,[bh]
and the peoples plot foolish[bi] things?
26 The kings of the earth stood together,[bj]
and the rulers assembled together,
against the Lord and against his[bk] Christ.’[bl]

27 “For indeed both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together in this city against[bm] your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed,[bn] 28 to do as much as your power[bo] and your plan[bp] had decided beforehand[bq] would happen. 29 And now, Lord, pay attention to[br] their threats, and grant[bs] to your servants[bt] to speak your message[bu] with great courage,[bv] 30 while you extend your hand to heal, and to bring about miraculous signs[bw] and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 When[bx] they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken,[by] and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak[bz] the word of God[ca] courageously.[cb]

Conditions Among the Early Believers

32 The group of those who believed were of one heart and mind,[cc] and no one said that any of his possessions was his own, but everything was held in common.[cd] 33 With[ce] great power the apostles were giving testimony[cf] to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on them all. 34 For there was no one needy[cg] among them, because those who were owners of land or houses were selling[ch] them[ci] and bringing the proceeds from the sales 35 and placing them at the apostles’ feet. The proceeds[cj] were distributed to each, as anyone had need. 36 So Joseph, a Levite who was a native of Cyprus, called by the apostles Barnabas (which is translated “son of encouragement”),[ck] 37 sold[cl] a field[cm] that belonged to him and brought the money[cn] and placed it at the apostles’ feet.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 4:1 tn Grk “While they”; the referents (Peter and John) have been specified in the translation for clarity.
  2. Acts 4:1 tn Or “captain.”
  3. Acts 4:1 tn Grk “the official of the temple,” a title for the commander of the Jewish soldiers guarding the temple (thus the translation, “the commander of the temple guard”). See L&N 37.91.sn The commander of the temple guard was the title of the officer commanding the Jewish soldiers responsible for guarding and keeping order in the temple courts in Jerusalem.
  4. Acts 4:1 sn The Sadducees controlled the official political structures of Judaism at this time, being the majority members of the Sanhedrin. They were known as extremely strict on law and order issues (Josephus, J. W. 2.8.2 [2.119], 2.8.14 [2.164-166]; Ant. 13.5.9 [13.171-173], 13.10.6 [13.293-298], 18.1.2 [18.11], 18.1.4 [18.16-17], 20.9.1 [20.199]; Life 2 [10-11]). See also Matt 3:7; 16:1-12; 22:23-34; Mark 12:18-27; Luke 20:27-38; Acts 5:17; 23:6-8.
  5. Acts 4:1 tn Or “approached.” This verb often denotes a sudden appearing (BDAG 418 s.v. ἐφίστημι 1).
  6. Acts 4:2 tn Or “greatly annoyed,” “provoked.”
  7. Acts 4:2 tn Or “proclaiming.”
  8. Acts 4:3 tn Grk “And” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the logical sequence of events.
  9. Acts 4:3 tn Or “they arrested”; Grk “they laid hands on.”
  10. Acts 4:3 tn Or “prison,” “custody.”
  11. Acts 4:4 tn Or “had heard.”
  12. Acts 4:4 tn Or “word.”
  13. Acts 4:4 tn In the historical setting it is likely that only men are referred to here. The Greek term ἀνήρ (anēr) usually refers to males or husbands rather than people in general. Thus to translate “of the people” would give a false impression of the number, since any women and children were apparently not included in the count.
  14. Acts 4:5 tn Grk “It happened that on the next day.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
  15. Acts 4:5 tn Or “and scribes.” The traditional rendering of γραμματεύς (grammateus) as “scribe” does not communicate much to the modern English reader, for whom the term might mean “professional copyist,” if it means anything at all. The people referred to here were recognized experts in the law of Moses and in traditional laws and regulations. Thus “expert in the law” comes closer to the meaning for the modern reader.sn Experts in the law would have been mostly like the Pharisees in approach. Thus various sects of Judaism were coming together against Jesus.
  16. Acts 4:5 tn Or “law assembled,” “law met together.”
  17. Acts 4:6 sn The high priest’s family. This family controlled the high priesthood as far back as a.d. 6. Annas, Caiaphas, and Alexander were all high priests at one time (though Alexander held that office after this event).
  18. Acts 4:7 tn Grk “And after.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, καί (kai) has not been translated here. Instead a new sentence is begun in the translation at the beginning of v. 7.
  19. Acts 4:7 tn Grk “making them”; the referents (Peter and John) have been specified in the translation for clarity.
  20. Acts 4:7 sn By what name. The issue of the “name” comes up again here. This question, meaning “by whose authority,” surfaces an old dispute (see Luke 20:1-8). Who speaks for God about the ancient faith?
  21. Acts 4:8 sn Filled with the Holy Spirit. The narrator’s remark about the Holy Spirit indicates that Peter speaks as directed by God and for God. This fulfills Luke 12:11-12 (1 Pet 3:15).
  22. Acts 4:8 tn Grk “Spirit, said to them.”
  23. Acts 4:8 tc The Western and Byzantine texts, as well as one or two Alexandrian witnesses, read τοῦ ᾿Ισραήλ (tou Israēl, “of Israel”) after πρεσβύτεροι (presbuteroi, “elders”; so D E Ψ 33 1739 M it), while most of the better witnesses, chiefly Alexandrian (P74 א A B 0165 1175 vg sa bo), lack this modifier. The longer reading was most likely added by scribes to give literary balance to the addressees in that “Rulers” already had an adjunct while “elders” was left absolute.
  24. Acts 4:9 tn This clause is a first class condition. It assumes for the sake of argument that this is what they were being questioned about.
  25. Acts 4:9 tn Or “questioned.” The Greek term ἀνακρίνω (anakrinō) points to an examination similar to a legal one.
  26. Acts 4:9 tn Or “for an act of kindness.”
  27. Acts 4:9 tn Or “delivered” (σέσωται [sesōtai], from σώζω [sōzō]). See 4:12.
  28. Acts 4:10 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”
  29. Acts 4:11 tn Grk “This one”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  30. Acts 4:11 tn The word “you” is inserted into the quotation because Peter is making a direct application of Ps 118:22 to his hearers. Because it is not in the OT, it has been left as normal type (rather than bold italic). The remarks are like Acts 2:22-24 and 3:12-15.
  31. Acts 4:11 sn A quotation from Ps 118:22 which combines the theme of rejection with the theme of God’s vindication/exaltation.
  32. Acts 4:12 tn Here ἀνθρώποις (anthrōpois) has been translated as a generic noun (“people”).
  33. Acts 4:12 sn Must be saved. The term used here (δεῖ, dei, “it is necessary”) reflects the necessity set up by God’s directive plan.
  34. Acts 4:13 tn Or “courage.”
  35. Acts 4:13 tn Or “and found out.”
  36. Acts 4:13 sn Uneducated does not mean “illiterate,” that is, unable to read or write. Among Jews in NT times there was almost universal literacy, especially as the result of widespread synagogue schools. The term refers to the fact that Peter and John had no formal rabbinic training and thus, in the view of their accusers, were not qualified to expound the law or teach publicly. The objection is like Acts 2:7.
  37. Acts 4:13 tn For the translation of ἰδιῶται (idiōtai) as “ordinary men” see L&N 27.26.
  38. Acts 4:14 tn Or “nothing to say in opposition.”
  39. Acts 4:15 tn Or “the Sanhedrin” (the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews).
  40. Acts 4:16 tn Or “evident.”
  41. Acts 4:16 tn Here σημεῖον (sēmeion) has been translated as “miraculous sign” rather than simply “sign” or “miracle” since both components appear to be present in the context. It is clear that the healing of the lame man was a miracle, but for the Sanhedrin it was the value of the miraculous healing as a sign that concerned them because it gave attestation to the message of Peter and John. The sign “speaks” as Peter claimed in 3:11-16.
  42. Acts 4:16 tn Or “has been done by them.”
  43. Acts 4:17 tn Or “speak no longer.”
  44. Acts 4:18 tn Or “commanded.”
  45. Acts 4:18 sn In the name of Jesus. Once again, the “name” reflects the person. The person of Jesus and his authority is the “troubling” topic that, as far as the Jewish leadership is concerned, needs controlling.
  46. Acts 4:19 tn Grk “answered and said to them.”
  47. Acts 4:19 tn Grk “hear,” but the idea of “hear and obey” or simply “obey” is frequently contained in the Greek verb ἀκούω (akouō; see L&N 36.14).
  48. Acts 4:20 tn Grk “for we are not able not to speak about what we have seen and heard,” but the double negative, which cancels out in English, is emphatic in Greek. The force is captured somewhat by the English translation “it is impossible for us not to speak…” although this is slightly awkward.
  49. Acts 4:21 tn Or “glorifying.”
  50. Acts 4:22 tn Here σημεῖον (sēmeion) has been translated as “miraculous sign” rather than simply “sign” or “miracle” since both components appear to be present in the context. See also the note on this word in v. 16.
  51. Acts 4:22 tn Or “had been done.”
  52. Acts 4:23 tn Grk “they”; the referents (Peter and John) have been specified in the translation for clarity, since a new topic begins in v. 23 and the last specific reference to Peter and John in the Greek text is in 4:19.
  53. Acts 4:23 tn Grk “to their own [people].” In context this phrase is most likely a reference to other believers rather than simply their own families and/or homes, since the group appears to act with one accord in the prayer that follows in v. 24. At the literary level, this phrase suggests how Jews were now splitting into two camps, pro-Jesus and anti-Jesus.
  54. Acts 4:24 sn With one mind. Cf. Acts 1:14.
  55. Acts 4:24 tn Or “Lord of all.”sn The use of the title Master of all (δεσπότης, despotēs) emphasizes that there is a sovereign God who is directing what is taking place.
  56. Acts 4:24 tn Grk “and the earth, and the sea,” but καί (kai) has not been translated before “the earth” and “the sea” since contemporary English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
  57. Acts 4:25 tn Grk “by the mouth of” (an idiom).
  58. Acts 4:25 tn Or “ancestor”; Grk “father.”
  59. Acts 4:25 tn Or “Gentiles.”
  60. Acts 4:25 sn The Greek word translated rage includes not only anger but opposition, both verbal and nonverbal. See L&N 88.185.
  61. Acts 4:25 tn Or “futile”; traditionally, “vain.”
  62. Acts 4:26 tn Traditionally, “The kings of the earth took their stand.”
  63. Acts 4:26 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”sn See the note on Christ in 2:31.
  64. Acts 4:26 sn A quotation from Ps 2:1-2.
  65. Acts 4:27 sn The application of Ps 2:1-2 is that Jews and Gentiles are opposing Jesus. The surprise of the application is that Jews are now found among the enemies of God’s plan.
  66. Acts 4:27 sn A wordplay on “Christ,” v. 26, which means “one who has been anointed.”
  67. Acts 4:28 tn Grk “hand,” here a metaphor for God’s strength or power or authority.
  68. Acts 4:28 tn Or “purpose,” “will.”
  69. Acts 4:28 tn Or “had predestined.” Since the term “predestine” is something of a technical theological term, not in wide usage in contemporary English, the translation “decide beforehand” was used instead (see L&N 30.84). God’s direction remains as the major theme.
  70. Acts 4:29 tn Or “Lord, take notice of.”
  71. Acts 4:29 sn Grant to your servants to speak your message with great courage. The request is not for a stop to persecution or revenge on the opponents, but for boldness (great courage) to carry out the mission of proclaiming the message of what God is doing through Jesus.
  72. Acts 4:29 tn Grk “slaves.” See the note on the word “servants” in 2:18.
  73. Acts 4:29 tn Grk “word.”
  74. Acts 4:29 tn Or “with all boldness.”
  75. Acts 4:30 tn The miraculous nature of these signs is implied in the context.
  76. Acts 4:31 tn Grk “And when.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
  77. Acts 4:31 sn The place where they were assembled…was shaken. This signifies that God is in their midst. See Acts 16:26; Exod 19:18; Ps 114:7; Isa 6:4.
  78. Acts 4:31 tn The imperfect verb has been translated as an ingressive imperfect (“began to speak”). Logical sequencing suggests that their speaking began after they were filled with the Spirit. The prayer was answered immediately.
  79. Acts 4:31 tn Or “speak God’s message.”
  80. Acts 4:31 tn Or “with boldness.”
  81. Acts 4:32 tn Grk “soul.”
  82. Acts 4:32 tn Grk “but all things were to them in common.”sn Everything was held in common. The remark is not a reflection of political philosophy, but of the extent of their spontaneous commitment to one another. Such a response does not have the function of a command, but is reflective of an attitude that Luke commends as evidence of their identification with one another.
  83. Acts 4:33 tn Grk “And with.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
  84. Acts 4:33 tn Or “were witnessing.”
  85. Acts 4:34 tn Or “poor.”
  86. Acts 4:34 tn Grk “houses, selling them were bringing.” The participle πωλοῦντες (pōlountes) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
  87. Acts 4:34 tn The word “them” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.
  88. Acts 4:35 tn Grk “It” (or “They,” plural). The referent of the understood pronoun subject, the proceeds from the sales, of the verb διεδίδετο (diedideto) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  89. Acts 4:36 sn This is a parenthetical note by the author. Note how the actions of Barnabas are in keeping with the meaning of his nickname. He stands in contrast to Ananias and Sapphira in 5:1-11.
  90. Acts 4:37 tn Grk “selling a field that belonged to him, brought” The participle πωλήσας (pōlēsas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
  91. Acts 4:37 tn Or “a farm.”
  92. Acts 4:37 tn Normally a reference to actual coins (“currency”). See L&N 6.68.