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Acts 4
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Peter and John before the Council

4 While Peter and John[a] were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them,(A) 2 much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead.(B) 3 So they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.(C) 4 But many of those who heard the word believed, and they numbered about five thousand.(D)

5 The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem,(E) 6 with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John,[b] and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.(F) 7 When they had made the prisoners[c] stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders,(G) 9 if we are being questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are being asked how this man has been healed,[d] 10 let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,[e] whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead.(H) 11 This Jesus[f] is

‘the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;
    it has become the cornerstone.’[g](I)

12 “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”(J)

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus.(K) 14 When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 So they ordered them to leave the council while they discussed the matter with one another.(L) 16 They said, “What will we do with them? For it is obvious to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable sign has been done through them; we cannot deny it.(M) 17 But to keep it from spreading further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.(N) 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge;(O) 20 for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.”(P) 21 After threatening them again, they let them go, finding no way to punish them because of the people, for all of them praised God for what had happened.(Q) 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing had been performed was more than forty years old.

The Believers Pray for Boldness

23 After they were released, they went to their own people and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and everything in them,(R) 25 it is you who said by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant:[h]

‘Why did the gentiles rage
    and the peoples imagine vain things?(S)
26 The kings of the earth took their stand,
    and the rulers have gathered together
        against the Lord and against his Messiah.’[i](T)

27 “For in this city, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servant[j] Jesus, whom you anointed,(U) 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness,(V) 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant[k] Jesus.”(W) 31 When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.(X)

The Believers Share Their Possessions

32 Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common.(Y) 33 With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.(Z) 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold.(AA) 35 They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.(AB) 36 There was a Levite from Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”). 37 He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.(AC)

Footnotes

  1. 4.1 Gk While they
  2. 4.6 Other ancient authorities read Jonathan
  3. 4.7 Gk them
  4. 4.9 Or saved
  5. 4.10 Gk the Nazorean
  6. 4.11 Gk This
  7. 4.11 Or keystone (in an arch)
  8. 4.25 Or child
  9. 4.26 Or his Christ
  10. 4.27 Or child
  11. 4.30 Or child
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Acts 4
New American Standard Bible

Peter and John Arrested

4 As they were speaking to the people, the priests and (A)the captain of the temple guard and (B)the Sadducees (C)came up to them, 2 being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming [a](D)in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them and (E)put them in prison until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the [b]message believed; and (F)the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

5 On the next day, their (G)rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; 6 and (H)Annas the high priest was there, and (I)Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent. 7 When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?” 8 Then Peter, [c](J)filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “[d](K)Rulers and elders of the people, 9 if we are [e]on trial today for (L)a benefit done to a sick man, as to [f]how this man has been made well, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that [g](M)by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom (N)God raised from the dead—[h]by [i]this name this man stands here before you in good health. 11 [j](O)He is the (P)stone which was (Q)rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in (R)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 (S)confidence of (T)Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and (U)began to recognize them [k]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 [l](V)Council, they began to confer with one another, 16 saying, “(W)What are we to do with these men? For the fact that a (X)noteworthy [m]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 (Y)in this name.” 18 And when they had summoned them, they (Z)commanded them not to speak or teach at all [n]in the name of Jesus. 19 But (AA)Peter and John answered and said to them, “(AB)Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, make your own judgment; 20 for (AC)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) (AD)on account of the people, because they were all (AE)glorifying God for what had happened; 22 for the man on whom this [o]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, “[p]Lord, it is You who (AF)made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything that is in them, 25 who (AG)by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said,

‘(AH)Why were the [q]nations insolent,
And the peoples plotting in vain?
26 (AI)The kings of the earth [r]took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His [s](AJ)Christ.’

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

Sharing among Believers

32 And the [y]congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them [z]claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but (AX)all things were common property to them. 33 And (AY)with great power the apostles were giving (AZ)testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses (BA)would sell them and bring the [aa]proceeds of the sales 35 and (BB)lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be (BC)distributed to each to the extent that any had need.

36 Now Joseph, a Levite of (BD)Cyprian birth, who was also called (BE)Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of [ab](BF)Encouragement), 37 [ac]owned a tract of land. So he sold it, and brought the money and (BG)laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 4:2 Or in the case of
  2. Acts 4:4 Lit word
  3. Acts 4:8 Or having just been filled
  4. Acts 4:8 Lit Rulers of the people and elders
  5. Acts 4:9 Lit answering
  6. Acts 4:9 Or by what; or by whom
  7. Acts 4:10 Or in
  8. Acts 4:10 Or in
  9. Acts 4:10 Or Him
  10. Acts 4:11 Lit This One
  11. Acts 4:13 Lit that they had been
  12. Acts 4:15 Or Sanhedrin
  13. Acts 4:16 Or sign
  14. Acts 4:18 Or on the basis of
  15. Acts 4:22 Or sign
  16. Acts 4:24 Or Master
  17. Acts 4:25 Or Gentiles
  18. Acts 4:26 Or approached
  19. Acts 4:26 I.e., Messiah
  20. Acts 4:27 Or Son
  21. Acts 4:27 Or nations
  22. Acts 4:29 Or as for the present situation
  23. Acts 4:30 I.e., confirming miracles
  24. Acts 4:30 Or Son
  25. Acts 4:32 Or community; lit multitude
  26. Acts 4:32 Lit was saying
  27. Acts 4:34 Lit the prices of the things being sold
  28. Acts 4:36 Or Exhortation; or Consolation
  29. Acts 4:37 Lit a tract...belonging to him, he sold...
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