Acts 4
Lexham English Bible
Peter and John Arrested
4 And while[a] they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees approached them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them and put them[b] in custody until the next day, because it was already evening. 4 But many of those who listened to the message believed, and the number of the men was approximately five thousand.
Peter and John on Trial Before the Sanhedrin
5 And it happened that on the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes came together in Jerusalem, 6 and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all those who were from the high priest’s family. 7 And they made them stand in their[c] midst and[d] began to ask,[e] “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, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a sick man—by what means[f] this man was healed— 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man stands before you healthy! 11 This one[g] is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, that has become the cornerstone.[h] 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among people by which we must be saved.”
13 Now when they[i] saw the boldness of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were astonished, and recognized them, that they had been with Jesus. 14 And because they[j] saw the man who had been healed standing there with them, they had nothing to say in return. 15 But after they[k] had ordered them to go outside the Sanhedrin,[l] they began to confer[m] with one another, 16 saying, “What should we do with these men? For that a remarkable sign has taken place through them is evident to all those who live in Jerusalem, and we are not able to deny it![n] 17 But in order that it may not spread much further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more in this name to anyone at all.”[o] 18 And they called them back and[p] commanded them[q] not to speak or to teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and[r] said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God, you decide! 20 For we are not able to refrain from speaking about the things that we have seen and heard.” 21 So after[s] threatening them[t] further, they released them, finding no way to punish them on account of the people, because they were all praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing had been performed was more than forty years old.
The Believers Pray for Continued Bold Witness
23 And when they[u] were released, they went to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they[v] heard it,[w] they lifted their voices with one mind to God and said, “Master, you are the one who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all the things in them, 25 the one who said by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of our father David, your servant,
‘Why do the nations[x] rage,
and the peoples conspire in vain?
26 The kings of the earth stood opposed,
and the rulers assembled together at the same place,
against the Lord and against his Christ.’[y]
27 For in truth both Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, assembled together in this city against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed, 28 to do all that your hand and plan[z] had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, concern yourself with their threats and grant your slaves to speak your message with all boldness, 30 as you extend your hand to heal and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when[aa] they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak[ab] the word[ac] of God with boldness.
The Believers Share All Things in Common
32 Now the group of those who believed were one heart and soul, and no one said anything of what belonged to him was his own, but all things were theirs in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on them all. 34 For there was not even anyone needy among them, because all those who were owners of plots of land or houses were selling them[ad] and[ae] bringing the proceeds of the things that were sold 35 and placing them[af] at the feet of the apostles. And it was being distributed to each as anyone had need. 36 So Joseph, who was called Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated “son of encouragement”), a Levite of Cyprus by nationality, 37 sold a field[ag] that belonged to him and[ah] brought the money and placed it[ai] at the feet of the apostles.
Footnotes
- Acts 4:1 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“were speaking”)
- Acts 4:3 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 4:7 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
- Acts 4:7 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“stand”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 4:7 *The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to ask”)
- Acts 4:9 Or “through whom”
- Acts 4:11 “This one” refers to Jesus
- Acts 4:11 Literally “the head of the corner”; this verse is an allusion to Ps 118:22
- Acts 4:13 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 4:14 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as causal
- Acts 4:15 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had ordered”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 4:15 Or “council”
- Acts 4:15 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to confer”)
- Acts 4:16 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 4:17 Literally “to no man”
- Acts 4:18 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“called”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 4:18 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 4:19 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 4:21 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“threatening … further”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 4:21 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 4:23 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“were released”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 4:24 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 4:24 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 4:25 Or “Gentiles”; the same Greek word can be translated “nations” or “Gentiles” depending on the context
- Acts 4:26 Or “Messiah”; this is a quotation from Ps 2:1–2
- Acts 4:28 Some manuscripts have “and your plan”
- Acts 4:31 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“had prayed”)
- Acts 4:31 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to speak”)
- Acts 4:31 Or “message”
- Acts 4:34 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 4:34 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“were selling”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 4:35 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 4:37 Or “a farm”
- Acts 4:37 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“sold”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 4:37 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
Acts 4
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised
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, 2 much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead. 3 So they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who heard the word believed; and they numbered about five thousand.
5 The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John,[b] and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 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, 9 if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, 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,[d] whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. 11 This Jesus[e] is
“the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;
it has become the cornerstone.”[f]
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.’
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. 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. 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. 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. 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; 20 for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.’ 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. 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 friends[g] 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, 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?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand,
and the rulers have gathered together
against the Lord and against his Messiah.”[i]
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, 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[k] to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant[l] Jesus.’ 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.
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. 33 With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 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. 35 They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 There was a Levite, a native of 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.
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