Acts 4
Legacy Standard Bible
Peter and John Arrested
4 Now 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 agitated 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 jail 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 Now it happened that 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 and John and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent. 7 And when they had placed them in their midst, 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]being examined today for (L)a good deed done to a sick man, [f]as to how this man has been [g]saved from his sickness, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that [h](M)by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom (N)God raised from the dead—[i]by [j]this name this man stands here before you in good health. 11 [k](O)He is the (P)stone which was (Q)rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. 12 And there is salvation in (R)no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
Peter and John Threatened and Released
13 Now as they observed the (S)confidence of (T)Peter and John and comprehended that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were marveling, and (U)began to recognize them [l]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 [m](V)Sanhedrin, they began to confer with one another, 16 saying, “(W)What should we do with these men? For the fact that a (X)noteworthy [n]sign has happened through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But lest it spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man (Y)in this name.” 18 And when they had summoned them, they (Z)commanded them not to speak or teach at all [o]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 hear you rather than God, you be the judge; 20 for (AC)we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21 And 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 was more than forty years old on whom this sign of healing had occurred.
23 So when they were released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Master, it is You who (AF)made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who (AG)by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said,
‘(AH)Why did the [p]Gentiles rage,
And the peoples devise vain things?
26 (AI)The kings of the earth [q]took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His [r](AJ)Christ.’
27 For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy [s](AK)Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both (AL)Herod and (AM)Pontius Pilate, along with (AN)the [t]Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever Your hand and (AO)Your purpose predestined to occur. 29 And [u]now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your slaves may (AP)speak Your word with all (AQ)confidence, 30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and [v](AR)signs and wonders happen through the name of Your holy [w](AS)Servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed earnestly, 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)confidence.
Distribution Among Needy Believers
32 And the [x]congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and not one was saying that any of his possessions was his own, but, for them, (AX)everything was common. 33 And (AY)with great power the apostles were bearing (AZ)witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great 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 [y]proceeds of the sales 35 and (BB)lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be (BC)distributed to each as 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 [z](BF)Encouragement), 37 and who owned a field, sold it and brought the money and (BG)laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Footnotes
- Acts 4:2 Or in the case of
- Acts 4:4 Lit word
- Acts 4:8 Or having just been filled
- Acts 4:8 Lit Rulers of the people and elders
- Acts 4:9 Or on trial
- Acts 4:9 Or by whom
- Acts 4:9 Or made well
- Acts 4:10 Or in
- Acts 4:10 Or in
- Acts 4:10 Or Him
- Acts 4:11 Lit This One
- Acts 4:13 Lit that they had been
- Acts 4:15 Or Council
- Acts 4:16 Or attesting miracle
- Acts 4:18 Or on the basis of
- Acts 4:25 Or nations
- Acts 4:26 Or approached
- Acts 4:26 Or Anointed One; Messiah, cf. Ps 2:2; Acts 4:27
- Acts 4:27 Or Son
- Acts 4:27 Or nations
- Acts 4:29 Or as for the present situation
- Acts 4:30 Or attesting miracles
- Acts 4:30 Or Son
- Acts 4:32 Or multitude
- Acts 4:34 Lit the prices of the things being sold
- Acts 4:36 Or Exhortation, Consolation
Acts 4
Easy-to-Read Version
The Apostles and the Jewish High Council
4 While Peter and John were speaking to the people, some Jewish leaders came up to them. There were some priests, the captain of the soldiers that guarded the Temple, and some Sadducees. 2 They were upset because of what Peter and John were teaching the people. By telling people about Jesus, the apostles were teaching that people will rise from death. 3 The Jewish leaders arrested Peter and John and put them in jail. It was already night, so they kept them in jail until the next day. 4 But many of the people who heard the apostles believed what they said. There were now about 5000 men in the group of believers.
5 The next day the Jewish rulers, the older Jewish leaders, and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander were there. Everyone from the high priest’s family was there. 7 They made Peter and John stand before all the people. They asked them over and over, “How did you make this crippled man well? What power did you use? By whose authority did you do this?”
8 Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, “Rulers of the people and you older leaders, 9 are you questioning us today about what we did to help this crippled man? Are you asking us what made him well? 10 We want all of you and all the people of Israel to know that this man was made well by the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth. You nailed Jesus to a cross, but God raised him from death. This man was crippled, but he is now well. He is able to stand here before you because of the power of Jesus! 11 Jesus is
‘the stone[a] that you builders thought was not important.
But this stone has become the cornerstone.’ (A)
12 Jesus is the only one who can save people. His name is the only power in the world that has been given to save anyone. We must be saved through him!”
13 The Jewish leaders understood that Peter and John had no special training or education. But they also saw that they were not afraid to speak. So the leaders were amazed. They also realized that Peter and John had been with Jesus. 14 They saw the crippled man standing there beside the apostles. They saw that he was healed, so they could say nothing against the apostles.
15 The Jewish leaders told them to leave the council meeting. Then the leaders talked to each other about what they should do. 16 They said, “What shall we do with these men? Everyone in Jerusalem knows about the miracle they did as a sign from God. It’s too obvious. We can’t say it didn’t happen. 17 But we must make them afraid to talk to anyone again using that name.[b] Then this problem will not spread among the people.”
18 So the Jewish leaders called Peter and John in again. They told the apostles not to say anything or to teach anything in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “What do you think is right? What would God want? Should we obey you or God? 20 We cannot be quiet. We must tell people about what we have seen and heard.”
21-22 The Jewish leaders could not find a way to punish the apostles, because all the people were praising God for what had been done. This miracle was a sign from God. The man who was healed was more than 40 years old. So the Jewish leaders warned the apostles again and let them go free.
Peter and John Return to the Believers
23 Peter and John left the meeting of Jewish leaders and went to their own group. They told the group everything that the leading priests and the older Jewish leaders had said to them. 24 When the believers heard this, they all prayed to God with one purpose. They said, “Master, you are the one who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and everything in the world. 25 Our ancestor David was your servant. With the help of the Holy Spirit he wrote these words:
‘Why are the nations shouting?
Why are the people planning such useless things?
26 ‘The kings of the earth prepare themselves to fight,
and the rulers all come together against the Lord and against his Messiah.’ (B)
27 That’s what actually happened when Herod, Pontius Pilate, the other nations, and the people of Israel all came together against Jesus here in Jerusalem. He is your holy Servant, the one you made to be the Messiah. 28 These people who came together against Jesus made your plan happen. It was done because of your power and your will. 29 And now, Lord, listen to what they are saying. They are trying to make us afraid. We are your servants. Help us to say what you want us to say without fear. 30 Help us to be brave by showing us your power. Make sick people well. Cause miraculous signs and wonders to happen by the authority[c] of Jesus, your holy servant.”
31 After the believers prayed, the place where they were meeting shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they continued to speak God’s message without fear.
The Believers Share
32 The whole group of believers was united in their thinking and in what they wanted. None of them said that the things they had were their own. Instead, they shared everything. 33 With great power the apostles were making it known to everyone that the Lord Jesus was raised from death. And God blessed all the believers very much. 34 None of them could say they needed anything. Everyone who owned fields or houses sold them. They brought the money they got 35 and gave it to the apostles. Then everyone was given whatever they needed.
36 One of the believers was named Joseph. The apostles called him Barnabas, a name that means “one who encourages others.” He was a Levite born in Cyprus. 37 Joseph sold a field he owned. He brought the money and gave it to the apostles.
Acts 4
Jubilee Bible 2000
4 ¶ And as they spoke unto the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,
2 resentful that they taught the people and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 And they laid hands on them and put them in jail unto the next day, for it was now evening.
4 But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men was about five thousand.
5 ¶ And it came to pass on the next day that their princes and elders and scribes
6 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.
7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power or by what name have ye done this?
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, Ye princes of the people and elders of Israel,
9 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 in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him does 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 no other name under heaven given among men in which we can 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 who 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 has been done by them is manifest to all those 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 from now on they speak 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 Then Peter and John answered and said unto them, Judge whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God.
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 no way how they might punish them because of the people, for everyone glorified God for that which was done.
22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shown.
23 ¶ And being let go, they went to their own company and reported all that the princes of the priests and the 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 the God, who hast made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them,
25 who (in the Holy Spirit) by the mouth of thy servant David (our father) hast said, Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples imagine vain things?
26 The kings of the earth were present, and the princes were gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ.
27 For of a truth against thy holy servant Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together (in this city),
28 to do that which thy hand and thy counsel had determined beforehand must be done.
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings and grant unto thy slaves that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
30 that thou might stretch forth thine hand so that healings and signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy slave Jesus.
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
32 ¶ And of the multitude of those that had believed was one heart and one soul; no one said that anything he possessed was his own, but they had all things common.
33 And with great power the apostles gave 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 each one according to their need.
36 Then 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.
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