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Conditions Among the Early Believers

32 The group of those who believed were of one heart and mind,[a] and no one said that any of his possessions was his own, but everything was held in common.[b] 33 With[c] great power the apostles were giving testimony[d] to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on them all. 34 For there was no one needy[e] among them, because those who were owners of land or houses were selling[f] them[g] and bringing the proceeds from the sales 35 and placing them at the apostles’ feet. The proceeds[h] were distributed to each, as anyone had need. 36 So Joseph, a Levite who was a native of Cyprus, called by the apostles Barnabas (which is translated “son of encouragement”),[i] 37 sold[j] a field[k] that belonged to him and brought the money[l] and placed it at the apostles’ feet.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 4:32 tn Grk “soul.”
  2. Acts 4:32 tn Grk “but all things were to them in common.”sn Everything was held in common. The remark is not a reflection of political philosophy, but of the extent of their spontaneous commitment to one another. Such a response does not have the function of a command, but is reflective of an attitude that Luke commends as evidence of their identification with one another.
  3. Acts 4:33 tn Grk “And with.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
  4. Acts 4:33 tn Or “were witnessing.”
  5. Acts 4:34 tn Or “poor.”
  6. Acts 4:34 tn Grk “houses, selling them were bringing.” The participle πωλοῦντες (pōlountes) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
  7. Acts 4:34 tn The word “them” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.
  8. Acts 4:35 tn Grk “It” (or “They,” plural). The referent of the understood pronoun subject, the proceeds from the sales, of the verb διεδίδετο (diedideto) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  9. Acts 4:36 sn This is a parenthetical note by the author. Note how the actions of Barnabas are in keeping with the meaning of his nickname. He stands in contrast to Ananias and Sapphira in 5:1-11.
  10. Acts 4:37 tn Grk “selling a field that belonged to him, brought” The participle πωλήσας (pōlēsas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
  11. Acts 4:37 tn Or “a farm.”
  12. Acts 4:37 tn Normally a reference to actual coins (“currency”). See L&N 6.68.

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.(A) 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify(B) to the resurrection(C) of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace(D) 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,(E) brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet,(F) and it was distributed to anyone who had need.(G)

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

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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.

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Sharing in All Things

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

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

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 4:36 NU Joseph
  2. Acts 4:36 Or Consolation

They Had Everything in Common

32 Now the full number of those who believed were of (A)one heart and (B)soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but (C)they had everything in common. 33 And with great (D)power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and (E)great grace was upon them all. 34 (F)There was not a needy person among them, for (G)as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and (H)laid it at the apostles' feet, and (I)it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means (J)son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and (K)laid it at the apostles' feet.

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