Acts 4:1-22
New Matthew Bible
The apostles are taken and brought before the council. They are forbidden to preach, but they turn themselves to prayer, and are more obedient to God than to men.
4 As they spoke to the people, the priests and the chief warden of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 taking it grievously that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from death. 3 And they laid hands on them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was now evening. 4 However, many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men was about five thousand.
5 And it happened on the next day that their rulers and elders and scribes, 6 as Annas the chief priest, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priests, gathered together at Jerusalem, 7 and set the apostles before them and asked, By what power or in what name have you done this, Sirs?
8 Then Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, said to them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9 if we this day are examined concerning the good deed done to the sick man, how he has been made whole, 10 let it be known to you all, and to the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth – whom you crucified, and whom God raised again from death – even by him does this man stand here present before you, healed. 11 Jesus is the stone cast aside by you builders, which is set in the chief place of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other, nor yet also is there any other name given to mankind in which we can be saved.
13 When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and understood that they were unlearned men and lay people, they marvelled. And they knew them, that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing also the man that was healed standing with them, they could not speak against it. 15 But they ordered them to go aside out of the council, and conferred among themselves, 16 saying, What shall we do with these men? For a manifest sign has been done by them, and is openly known to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us threaten them, and charge them to speak to no one in this name from now on.
18 And they called them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them and said, Whether it is right in the sight of God to obey you more than God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak that which we have seen and heard.
21 So they threatened them and let them go, and found no way to punish them, because of the people. For all the people lauded God for the miracle that was done. 22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been shown.
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Acts 4:1-22
1599 Geneva Bible
4 1 Peter and John, 3 are taken and brought before the council, 7 and 19 They speak boldly in Christ’s cause. 24 The disciples pray unto God. 32 Many sell their possessions. 36 Of whom Barnabas is one.
1 And [a]as they spake unto the people, the Priests and the [b]Captain of the Temple, and the Sadducees came upon them.
2 Taking it grievously that they taught the people, and preached in Jesus’ Name the resurrection from the dead.
3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold, until the next day, for it was now eventide.
4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word, believed, and the [c]number of the men was about five thousand.
5 ¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, that their [d]rulers, and Elders, and Scribes, were gathered together at Jerusalem,
6 And Annas the chief Priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the [e]kindred of the high Priest.
7 [f]And when they had set them before them, they asked, By what power, or in what [g]Name have ye done this?
8 Then Peter full of the holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and Elders of Israel,
9 [h]For as much as we this day are examined, of the good deed done to the impotent man, to wit, by what means he is made whole,
10 [i]Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye have crucified, whom God raised again from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you, whole.
11 (A)This is the stone cast aside of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for among men there is [j]given none other [k]Name [l]under heaven, whereby we must be saved.
13 [m]Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and understood that they were unlearned men and without [n]knowledge, they marveled, and knew them, that they had been with Jesus:
14 And beholding also the man which was healed standing with them, they had nothing to say against it.
15 Then they commanded them to go aside out of the Council, and [o]conferred among themselves,
16 [p]Saying, What shall we do to these men? for surely a manifest sign is done by them, and it is openly known to all them that dwell in Jerusalem: and we cannot deny it.
17 But that it be noised no farther among the people, let us threaten and charge them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this Name.
18 So they called them, and commanded them, that in no wise they should speak or teach in the Name of Jesus.
19 [q]But Peter and John answered unto them, and said, Whether it be right in the sight of God, to obey you rather than God, judge ye.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
21 [r]So they threatened them, and let them go, and found nothing how to punish them, because of the people: for all men praised God for that which was done.
22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was showed.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Acts 4:1 None are commonly more diligent or bolder enemies of the Church, than such as profess themselves to be head builders: but the more they rage, the more constantly the faithful servants of God do continue.
- Acts 4:1 The Jews had certain garrisons for the guard and safety of the Temple and holy things, Matt. 26:65. These garrisons had a Captain, such as Eleazarus Ananias, the high Priest’s son was, in the time of the war that was in Judea, being a very impudent and proud young man, Josephus, lib. 2, of the taking of Judea.
- Acts 4:4 While they thought to diminish the number, they increased them.
- Acts 4:5 These were they that made the Sanhedrin, which were all of the tribe of Judah, until Herod used that cruelty against David’s stock.
- Acts 4:6 Of whom the high Priests were wont to be chosen and made, the execution of the yearly office being now changed them.
- Acts 4:7 Against such as brag of a succession of persons, without a succession of doctrine, and by that means beat down the true ministers of the word, so far forth as they are able.
- Acts 4:7 By what authority.
- Acts 4:9 Wolves which succeed true pastors plead their own cause, and not God’s neither the Churches’.
- Acts 4:10 He is indeed a true Shepherd, that teacheth his sheep to hang upon Christ only, as upon one that is not dead, but hath conquered death, and hath all rule in his own hand.
- Acts 4:12 Of God.
- Acts 4:12 There is no other man, or no other power and authority whatsoever: which kind of speech being usual among the Jews, rose upon this, that when we are in danger, we call upon them at whose hands we look for help.
- Acts 4:12 Anywhere: and this setteth forth unto us the largeness of Christ’s kingdom.
- Acts 4:13 The good liberty and boldness of the servants of God doeth yet thus much good that such as lay hid under a vizard of zeal, do at length bewray themselves to be indeed wicked men.
- Acts 4:13 The word used here, is Idiot, which being spoken in comparison had to a Magistrate, betokeneth a private man, but when we speak of sciences and studies, it signifieth one that is unlearned: and in accompt of honor and estimation it importeth one of base degree, and no estimation.
- Acts 4:15 Laid their heads together.
- Acts 4:16 He that flattereth himself in ignorance, cometh at length to do open wickedness, and that against his own conscience.
- Acts 4:19 We must so obey men to whom we are subject, that especially and before all things we obey God.
- Acts 4:21 So far off are the wicked from doing what they list, that contrariwise God useth even that to the setting forth of his glory, which he giveth them leave to do.
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
