Acts 4
New Century Version
Peter and John at the Council
4 While Peter and John were speaking to the people, priests, the captain of the soldiers that guarded the Temple, and Sadducees came up to them. 2 They were upset because the two apostles were teaching the people and were preaching that people will rise from the dead through the power of Jesus. 3 The older leaders grabbed Peter and John and put them in jail. Since it was already night, they kept them in jail until the next day. 4 But many of those who had heard Peter and John preach believed the things they said. There were now about five thousand in the group of believers.
5 The next day the rulers, the elders, and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander were there, as well as everyone from the high priest’s family. 7 They made Peter and John stand before them and then asked them, “By what power or authority did you do this?”
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and you elders, 9 are you questioning us about a good thing that was done to a crippled man? Are you asking us who made him well? 10 We want all of you and all the people to know that this man was made well by the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth. You crucified him, but God raised him from the dead. This man was crippled, but he is now well and able to stand here before you because of the power of Jesus. 11 Jesus is
‘the stone[a] that you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’ Psalm 118:22
12 Jesus is the only One who can save people. No one else in the world is able to save us.”
13 The leaders saw that Peter and John were not afraid to speak, and they understood that these men had no special training or education. So they were amazed. Then they realized that Peter and John had been with Jesus. 14 Because they saw the healed man standing there beside the two apostles, they could say nothing against them. 15 After the leaders ordered them to leave the meeting, they began to talk to each other. 16 They said, “What shall we do with these men? Everyone in Jerusalem knows they have done a great miracle, and we cannot say it is not true. 17 But to keep it from spreading among the people, we must warn them not to talk to people anymore using that name.”
18 So they called Peter and John in again and told them not to speak or to teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “You decide what God would want. Should we obey you or God? 20 We cannot keep quiet. We must speak about what we have seen and heard.” 21 The leaders warned the apostles again and let them go free. They could not find a way to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had been done. 22 The man who received the miracle of healing was more than forty years old.
The Believers Pray
23 After Peter and John left the meeting of leaders, they went to their own group and told them everything the leading priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When the believers heard this, they prayed to God together, “Lord, you are the One who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and everything in them. 25 By the Holy Spirit, through our father David your servant, you said:
‘Why are the nations so angry?
Why are the people making useless plans?
26 The kings of the earth prepare to fight,
and their leaders make plans together
against the Lord
and his Christ.’ Psalm 2:1–2
27 These things really happened when Herod, Pontius Pilate, and some Jews and non-Jews all came together against Jesus here in Jerusalem. Jesus is your holy servant, the One you made to be the Christ. 28 These people made your plan happen because of your power and your will. 29 And now, Lord, listen to their threats. Lord, help us, your servants, to speak your word without fear. 30 Show us your power to heal. Give proofs and make miracles happen by the power of Jesus, your holy servant.”
31 After they had prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke God’s word without fear.
The Believers Share
32 The group of believers were united in their hearts and spirit. All those in the group acted as though their private property belonged to everyone in the group. In fact, they shared everything. 33 With great power the apostles were telling people that the Lord Jesus was truly raised from the dead. And God blessed all the believers very much. 34 There were no needy people among them. From time to time those who owned fields or houses sold them, brought the money, 35 and gave it to the apostles. Then the money was given to anyone who needed it.
36 One of the believers was named Joseph, a Levite born in Cyprus. The apostles called him Barnabas (which means “one who encourages”). 37 Joseph owned a field, sold it, brought the money, and gave it to the apostles.
Footnotes
- 4:11 stone A symbol meaning Jesus.
Acts 4
English Standard Version
Peter and John Before the Council
4 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and (A)the captain of the temple and (B)the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming (C)in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and (D)put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and (E)the number of the men came to about five thousand.
5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with (F)Annas the high priest and (G)Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, (H)“By what power or (I)by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, (J)filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today (K)concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that (L)by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, (M)whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 (N)This Jesus[a] is the stone that was (O)rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.[b] 12 And there is (P)salvation (Q)in no one else, for (R)there is no other (S)name under heaven given among men[c] by which we must be saved.”
13 (T)Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed (U)standing beside them, (V)they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, (W)“What shall we do with these men? For that (X)a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them (Y)to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, (Z)“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for (AA)we cannot but speak of what (AB)we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, (AC)because of the people, for all were praising God (AD)for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
The Believers Pray for Boldness
23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices (AE)together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, (AF)who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant,[d] said by the Holy Spirit,
(AG)“‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and (AH)the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his (AI)Anointed’[e]—
27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your (AJ)holy servant Jesus, (AK)whom you anointed, both (AL)Herod and (AM)Pontius Pilate, along (AN)with the Gentiles and (AO)the peoples of Israel, 28 (AP)to do whatever your hand and (AQ)your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, (AR)look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all (AS)boldness, 30 while (AT)you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed (AU)through the name of your (AV)holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, (AW)the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and (AX)they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and (AY)continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
They Had Everything in Common
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of (AZ)one heart and (BA)soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but (BB)they had everything in common. 33 And with great (BC)power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and (BD)great grace was upon them all. 34 (BE)There was not a needy person among them, for (BF)as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and (BG)laid it at the apostles' feet, and (BH)it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means (BI)son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and (BJ)laid it at the apostles' feet.
The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
