Addressing the Sanhedrin

And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, as well as (A)Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, (B)“By what power or by what name have you done this?”

(C)Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, (D)that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, (E)whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the (F)‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 (G)Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

The Name of Jesus Forbidden

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, (H)and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed (I)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, (J)“What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a [a]notable miracle has been done through them is (K)evident[b] to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”

18 (L)So 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 to them, (M)“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 (N)For we cannot but speak the things which (O)we have seen and heard.” 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, (P)because of the people, since they all (Q)glorified God for (R)what had been done. 22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

Prayer for Boldness(S)

23 And being let go, (T)they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, (U)You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who [c]by the mouth of Your servant David have said:

(V)‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His Christ.’

27 “For (W)truly against (X)Your holy Servant Jesus, (Y)whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 (Z)to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants (AA)that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, (AB)and that signs and wonders may be done (AC)through the name of (AD)Your holy Servant Jesus.”

31 And when they had prayed, (AE)the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, (AF)and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Sharing in All Things

32 Now the multitude of those who believed (AG)were of one heart and one soul; (AH)neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with (AI)great power the apostles gave (AJ)witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And (AK)great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; (AL)for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 (AM)and laid them at the apostles’ feet; (AN)and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

36 And [d]Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of [e]Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 (AO)having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Lying to the Holy Spirit

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. (AP)But Peter said, “Ananias, why has (AQ)Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

Then Ananias, hearing these words, (AR)fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and (AS)wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.

Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?”

She said, “Yes, for so much.”

Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together (AT)to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 (AU)Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. 11 (AV)So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 4:16 remarkable sign
  2. Acts 4:16 well known
  3. Acts 4:25 NU through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father, Your servant David,
  4. Acts 4:36 NU Joseph
  5. Acts 4:36 Or Consolation

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)

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.(AK) 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify(AL) to the resurrection(AM) of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace(AN) 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,(AO) brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet,(AP) and it was distributed to anyone who had need.(AQ)

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

Ananias and Sapphira

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself,(AT) but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.(AU)

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan(AV) has so filled your heart(AW) that you have lied to the Holy Spirit(AX) and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?(AY) Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal?(AZ) What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”(BA)

When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died.(BB) And great fear(BC) seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body,(BD) and carried him out and buried him.

About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”

“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”(BE)

Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord?(BF) Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died.(BG) Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.(BH) 11 Great fear(BI) seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

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

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.

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.