Atti 4
Conferenza Episcopale Italiana
Pietro e Giovanni davanti al sinedrio
4 Stavano ancora parlando al popolo, quando sopraggiunsero i sacerdoti, il capitano del tempio e i sadducei, 2 irritati per il fatto che essi insegnavano al popolo e annunziavano in Gesù la risurrezione dai morti. 3 Li arrestarono e li portarono in prigione fino al giorno dopo, dato che era ormai sera. 4 Molti però di quelli che avevano ascoltato il discorso credettero e il numero degli uomini raggiunse circa i cinquemila.
5 Il giorno dopo si radunarono in Gerusalemme i capi, gli anziani e gli scribi, 6 il sommo sacerdote Anna, Caifa, Giovanni, Alessandro e quanti appartenevano a famiglie di sommi sacerdoti. 7 Fattili comparire davanti a loro, li interrogavano: «Con quale potere o in nome di chi avete fatto questo?». 8 Allora Pietro, pieno di Spirito Santo, disse loro: «Capi del popolo e anziani, 9 visto che oggi veniamo interrogati sul beneficio recato ad un uomo infermo e in qual modo egli abbia ottenuto la salute, 10 la cosa sia nota a tutti voi e a tutto il popolo d'Israele: nel nome di Gesù Cristo il Nazareno, che voi avete crocifisso e che Dio ha risuscitato dai morti, costui vi sta innanzi sano e salvo. 11 Questo Gesù è
la pietra che, scartata da voi, costruttori,
è diventata testata d'angolo.
12 In nessun altro c'è salvezza; non vi è infatti altro nome dato agli uomini sotto il cielo nel quale è stabilito che possiamo essere salvati».
13 Vedendo la franchezza di Pietro e di Giovanni e considerando che erano senza istruzione e popolani, rimanevano stupefatti riconoscendoli per coloro che erano stati con Gesù; 14 quando poi videro in piedi vicino a loro l'uomo che era stato guarito, non sapevano che cosa rispondere. 15 Li fecero uscire dal sinedrio e si misero a consultarsi fra loro dicendo: 16 «Che dobbiamo fare a questi uomini? Un miracolo evidente è avvenuto per opera loro; esso è diventato talmente noto a tutti gli abitanti di Gerusalemme che non possiamo negarlo. 17 Ma perché la cosa non si divulghi di più tra il popolo, diffidiamoli dal parlare più ad alcuno in nome di lui». 18 E, richiamatili, ordinarono loro di non parlare assolutamente né di insegnare nel nome di Gesù. 19 Ma Pietro e Giovanni replicarono: «Se sia giusto innanzi a Dio obbedire a voi più che a lui, giudicatelo voi stessi; 20 noi non possiamo tacere quello che abbiamo visto e ascoltato». 21 Quelli allora, dopo averli ulteriormente minacciati, non trovando motivi per punirli, li rilasciarono a causa del popolo, perché tutti glorificavano Dio per l'accaduto. 22 L'uomo infatti sul quale era avvenuto il miracolo della guarigione aveva più di quarant'anni.
Preghiera degli apostoli nella persecuzione
23 Appena rimessi in libertà, andarono dai loro fratelli e riferirono quanto avevano detto i sommi sacerdoti e gli anziani. 24 All'udire ciò, tutti insieme levarono la loro voce a Dio dicendo: «Signore, tu che hai creato il cielo, la terra, il mare e tutto ciò che è in essi, 25 tu che per mezzo dello Spirito Santo dicesti per bocca del nostro padre, il tuo servo Davide:
Perché si agitarono le genti
e i popoli tramarono cose vane?
26 Si sollevarono i re della terra
e i principi si radunarono insieme,
contro il Signore e contro il suo Cristo; 27 davvero in questa città si radunarono insieme contro il tuo santo servo Gesù, che hai unto come Cristo, Erode e Ponzio Pilato con le genti e i popoli d'Israele, 28 per compiere ciò che la tua mano e la tua volontà avevano preordinato che avvenisse. 29 Ed ora, Signore, volgi lo sguardo alle loro minacce e concedi ai tuoi servi di annunziare con tutta franchezza la tua parola. 30 Stendi la mano perché si compiano guarigioni, miracoli e prodigi nel nome del tuo santo servo Gesù».
31 Quand'ebbero terminato la preghiera, il luogo in cui erano radunati tremò e tutti furono pieni di Spirito Santo e annunziavano la parola di Dio con franchezza.
La prima comunità cristiana
32 La moltitudine di coloro che eran venuti alla fede aveva un cuore solo e un'anima sola e nessuno diceva sua proprietà quello che gli apparteneva, ma ogni cosa era fra loro comune. 33 Con grande forza gli apostoli rendevano testimonianza della risurrezione del Signore Gesù e tutti essi godevano di grande simpatia. 34 Nessuno infatti tra loro era bisognoso, perché quanti possedevano campi o case li vendevano, portavano l'importo di ciò che era stato venduto 35 e lo deponevano ai piedi degli apostoli; e poi veniva distribuito a ciascuno secondo il bisogno.
La generosità di Barnaba
36 Così Giuseppe, soprannominato dagli apostoli Barnaba, che significa «figlio dell'esortazione», un levita originario di Cipro, 37 che era padrone di un campo, lo vendette e ne consegnò l'importo deponendolo ai piedi degli apostoli.
ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 4
1881 Westcott-Hort New Testament
4 λαλουντων δε αυτων προς τον λαον επεστησαν αυτοις οι αρχιερεις και ο στρατηγος του ιερου και οι σαδδουκαιοι
2 διαπονουμενοι δια το διδασκειν αυτους τον λαον και καταγγελλειν εν τω ιησου την αναστασιν την εκ νεκρων
3 και επεβαλον αυτοις τας χειρας και εθεντο εις τηρησιν εις την αυριον ην γαρ εσπερα ηδη
4 πολλοι δε των ακουσαντων τον λογον επιστευσαν και εγενηθη αριθμος των ανδρων ως χιλιαδες πεντε
5 εγενετο δε επι την αυριον συναχθηναι αυτων τους αρχοντας και τους πρεσβυτερους και τους γραμματεις εν ιερουσαλημ
6 και αννας ο αρχιερευς και καιαφας και ιωαννης και αλεξανδρος και οσοι ησαν εκ γενους αρχιερατικου
7 και στησαντες αυτους εν τω μεσω επυνθανοντο εν ποια δυναμει η εν ποιω ονοματι εποιησατε τουτο υμεις
8 τοτε πετρος πλησθεις πνευματος αγιου ειπεν προς αυτους αρχοντες του λαου και πρεσβυτεροι
9 ει ημεις σημερον ανακρινομεθα επι ευεργεσια ανθρωπου ασθενους εν τινι ουτος σεσωσται
10 γνωστον εστω πασιν υμιν και παντι τω λαω ισραηλ οτι εν τω ονοματι ιησου χριστου του ναζωραιου ον υμεις εσταυρωσατε ον ο θεος ηγειρεν εκ νεκρων εν τουτω ουτος παρεστηκεν ενωπιον υμων υγιης
11 ουτος εστιν ο λιθος ο εξουθενηθεις υφ υμων των οικοδομων ο γενομενος εις κεφαλην γωνιας
12 και ουκ εστιν εν αλλω ουδενι η σωτηρια ουδε γαρ ονομα εστιν ετερον υπο τον ουρανον το δεδομενον εν ανθρωποις εν ω δει σωθηναι ημας
13 θεωρουντες δε την του πετρου παρρησιαν και ιωαννου και καταλαβομενοι οτι ανθρωποι αγραμματοι εισιν και ιδιωται εθαυμαζον επεγινωσκον τε αυτους οτι συν τω ιησου ησαν
14 τον τε ανθρωπον βλεποντες συν αυτοις εστωτα τον τεθεραπευμενον ουδεν ειχον αντειπειν
15 κελευσαντες δε αυτους εξω του συνεδριου απελθειν συνεβαλλον προς αλληλους
16 λεγοντες τι ποιησωμεν τοις ανθρωποις τουτοις οτι μεν γαρ γνωστον σημειον γεγονεν δι αυτων πασιν τοις κατοικουσιν ιερουσαλημ φανερον και ου δυναμεθα αρνεισθαι
17 αλλ ινα μη επι πλειον διανεμηθη εις τον λαον απειλησωμεθα αυτοις μηκετι λαλειν επι τω ονοματι τουτω μηδενι ανθρωπων
18 και καλεσαντες αυτους παρηγγειλαν καθολου μη φθεγγεσθαι μηδε διδασκειν επι τω ονοματι [του] ιησου
19 ο δε πετρος και ιωαννης αποκριθεντες ειπον προς αυτους ει δικαιον εστιν ενωπιον του θεου υμων ακουειν μαλλον η του θεου κρινατε
20 ου δυναμεθα γαρ ημεις α ειδαμεν και ηκουσαμεν μη λαλειν
21 οι δε προσαπειλησαμενοι απελυσαν αυτους μηδεν ευρισκοντες το πως κολασωνται αυτους δια τον λαον οτι παντες εδοξαζον τον θεον επι τω γεγονοτι
22 ετων γαρ ην πλειονων τεσσερακοντα ο ανθρωπος εφ ον γεγονει το σημειον τουτο της ιασεως
23 απολυθεντες δε ηλθον προς τους ιδιους και απηγγειλαν οσα προς αυτους οι αρχιερεις και οι πρεσβυτεροι ειπαν
24 οι δε ακουσαντες ομοθυμαδον ηραν φωνην προς τον θεον και ειπαν δεσποτα συ ο ποιησας τον ουρανον και την γην και την θαλασσαν και παντα τα εν αυτοις
25 ο του πατρος ημων δια πνευματος αγιου στοματος δαυιδ παιδος σου ειπων ινατι εφρυαξαν εθνη και λαοι εμελετησαν κενα
26 παρεστησαν οι βασιλεις της γης και οι αρχοντες συνηχθησαν επι το αυτο κατα του κυριου και κατα του χριστου αυτου
27 συνηχθησαν γαρ επ αληθειας εν τη πολει ταυτη επι τον αγιον παιδα σου ιησουν ον εχρισας ηρωδης τε και ποντιος πιλατος συν εθνεσιν και λαοις ισραηλ
28 ποιησαι οσα η χειρ σου και η βουλη προωρισεν γενεσθαι
29 και τα νυν κυριε επιδε επι τας απειλας αυτων και δος τοις δουλοις σου μετα παρρησιας πασης λαλειν τον λογον σου
30 εν τω την χειρα εκτεινειν σε εις ιασιν και σημεια και τερατα γινεσθαι δια του ονοματος του αγιου παιδος σου ιησου
31 και δεηθεντων αυτων εσαλευθη ο τοπος εν ω ησαν συνηγμενοι και επλησθησαν απαντες του αγιου πνευματος και ελαλουν τον λογον του θεου μετα παρρησιας
32 του δε πληθους των πιστευσαντων ην καρδια και ψυχη μια και ουδε εις τι των υπαρχοντων αυτω ελεγεν ιδιον ειναι αλλ ην αυτοις παντα κοινα
33 και δυναμει μεγαλη απεδιδουν το μαρτυριον οι αποστολοι του κυριου ιησου της αναστασεως χαρις τε μεγαλη ην επι παντας αυτους
34 ουδε γαρ ενδεης τις ην εν αυτοις οσοι γαρ κτητορες χωριων η οικιων υπηρχον πωλουντες εφερον τας τιμας των πιπρασκομενων
35 και ετιθουν παρα τους ποδας των αποστολων διεδιδετο δε εκαστω καθοτι αν τις χρειαν ειχεν
36 ιωσηφ δε ο επικληθεις βαρναβας απο των αποστολων ο εστιν μεθερμηνευομενον υιος παρακλησεως λευιτης κυπριος τω γενει
37 υπαρχοντος αυτω αγρου πωλησας ηνεγκεν το χρημα και εθηκεν παρα τους ποδας των αποστολων
Acts 4
New King James Version
Peter and John Arrested
4 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the (A)Sadducees came upon them, 2 being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
Addressing the Sanhedrin
5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, 6 as well as (B)Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, (C)“By what power or by what name have you done this?”
8 (D)Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, (E)that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, (F)whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the (G)‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 (H)Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
The Name of Jesus Forbidden
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, (I)and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed (J)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, (K)“What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a [a]notable miracle has been done through them is (L)evident[b] to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”
18 (M)So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, (N)“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 (O)For we cannot but speak the things which (P)we have seen and heard.” 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, (Q)because of the people, since they all (R)glorified God for (S)what had been done. 22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.
Prayer for Boldness(T)
23 And being let go, (U)they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, (V)You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who [c]by the mouth of Your servant David have said:
(W)‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His Christ.’
27 “For (X)truly against (Y)Your holy Servant Jesus, (Z)whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 (AA)to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants (AB)that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, (AC)and that signs and wonders may be done (AD)through the name of (AE)Your holy Servant Jesus.”
31 And when they had prayed, (AF)the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, (AG)and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Sharing in All Things
32 Now the multitude of those who believed (AH)were of one heart and one soul; (AI)neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with (AJ)great power the apostles gave (AK)witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And (AL)great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; (AM)for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 (AN)and laid them at the apostles’ feet; (AO)and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
36 And [d]Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of [e]Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 (AP)having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 4
King James Version
4 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
2 Being grieved 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 hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, 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 Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers 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 by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth 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 none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must 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 which 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 hath been done by them is manifest to all them 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 they speak henceforth 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 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
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 nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and 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 God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
