Acts 4
4
Peter and John Arrested
1And while Peter and John were talking to the people, the priests and the captain [who was in charge of the temple area and] of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, 2being extremely disturbed and thoroughly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in [the case of] Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3So they arrested them and put them in jail until the next day, because it was evening. 4But many of those who heard the message [of salvation] believed [in Jesus and accepted Him as the Christ]. And the number of the men came to be about 5,000.
5On the next day, their magistrates and elders and scribes (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) were gathered together in Jerusalem; 6and #4:6 Annas served as high priest a.d. 6-15. He was removed from the position by Rome, but continued to be extremely influential and was regarded by the Jews as de facto high priest even though others (his sons and son-in-law) officially held the office.Annas the high priest was there, and #4:6 Caiaphas (Annas’ son-in-law) served as high priest a.d. 18-36.Caiaphas and #4:6 Perhaps this is Jonathan, one of Annas’ sons.John and Alexander, and all others who were of high-priestly descent. 7When they had put the men in #4:7 The Sanhedrin sat in a semi-circle.front of them, they repeatedly asked, “By what sort of power, or in what name [that is, by what kind of authority], did you do this [healing]?” 8Then Peter, filled with [the power of] the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people [members of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish High Court], 9if we are being put on trial today [to interrogate us] for a good deed done to [benefit] a disabled man, as to how this man has been restored to health, 10let it be known and clearly understood by all of you, and by all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you [demanded be] crucified [by the Romans and], whom God raised from the dead—in this name [that is, by the authority and power of Jesus] this man stands here before you in good health. 11This Jesus is the stone which was despised and rejected by you, the builders, but which became the #4:11 The cornerstone is the supreme foundation stone governing the structure of the entire building. All other stones will be set in reference to this stone.chief Cornerstone. [Ps 118:22] 12And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among people by which we must be saved [for God has provided the world no alternative for salvation].”
Threat and Release
13Now when the men of the Sanhedrin (Jewish High Court) saw the confidence and boldness of Peter and John, and grasped the fact that they were #4:13 They had no formal religious training in the rabbinical schools.uneducated and untrained [ordinary] men, they were astounded, and began to recognize that they had been with Jesus. 14And seeing the man who had been healed standing there with them, they had nothing to say in reply. 15But after ordering them to step out of the Council [chamber], they began to confer among themselves, 16saying, “What are we to do with these men? For the fact that an extraordinary miracle has taken place through them is public knowledge and clearly evident to all the residents of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17But to keep it from spreading further among the people and the nation, let us [sternly] warn them not to speak again to anyone in this name.” 18So they sent for them, and commanded them not to speak [as His representatives] or teach at all in the name of Jesus [using Him as their authority]. 19But Peter and John replied to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you and obey you rather than God, you must judge [for yourselves]; 20for we, on our part, cannot stop telling [people] about what we have seen and heard.” 21When the rulers and Council members had threatened them further, they let them go, finding no way to punish them because [of their fear] of the people, for they were all praising and glorifying and honoring God for what had happened; 22for the man to whom this sign (attesting miracle) of healing had happened was more than forty years old.
23After Peter and John were released, they returned to their own [people] and reported everything that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24And when they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, “O Sovereign Lord [having complete power and authority], it is You who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything that is in them, [Ex 20:11; Ps 146:6] 25who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David, Your servant, said,
‘Why did the nations (Gentiles) become arrogant and rage,
And the peoples devise futile things [against the Lord]?
26‘The kings of the earth took their stand [to attack],
And the rulers were assembled together
Against the Lord and against His Anointed (the Christ, the Messiah).’ [Ps 2:1, 2]
27For in this city there were gathered together against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined [before the creation of the world] to occur [and so without knowing it, they served Your own purpose]. 29And now, Lord, observe their threats [take them into account] and grant that Your bond-servants may declare Your message [of salvation] with great confidence, 30while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders (attesting miracles) take place through the name [and the authority and power] of Your holy Servant and Son Jesus.” 31And when they had prayed, the place where they were meeting together was shaken [a sign of God’s presence]; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness and courage.
Sharing among Believers
32Now the company of believers was of one heart and soul, and not one [of them] claimed that anything belonging to him was [exclusively] his own, but everything was common property and for the use of all. 33And with great ability and power the apostles were continuously testifying to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace [God’s remarkable lovingkindness and favor and goodwill] rested richly upon them all. 34There was not a needy person among them, because those who were owners of land or houses were selling them, and bringing the proceeds of the sales 35and placing the money down at the apostles’ feet. Then it was distributed to each as anyone had need.
36Now Joseph, a Levite and native of Cyprus, who was surnamed #4:36 Barnabas becomes a prominent figure in the book of Acts (9:27; 11:22-30; 13:1-14:28, etc.), and it may be for that reason that Luke briefly mentions him here, telling the reader how Barnabas came to be associated with the apostles.Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), 37sold a field belonging to him and brought the money and set it at the apostles’ feet.
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Acts 4
4
The Apostles and the Jewish High Council
1While 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. 2They 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. 3The 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. 4But many of the people who heard the apostles believed what they said. There were now about 5000 men in the group of believers.
5The next day the Jewish rulers, the older Jewish leaders, and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander were there. Everyone from the high priest’s family was there. 7They 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?”
8Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, “Rulers of the people and you older leaders, 9are you questioning us today about what we did to help this crippled man? Are you asking us what made him well? 10We 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! 11Jesus is
‘the stone#4:11 stone A picture or symbol meaning Jesus. that you builders thought was not important.
But this stone has become the cornerstone.’ Psalm 118:22
12Jesus 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!”
13The 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. 14They saw the crippled man standing there beside the apostles. They saw that he was healed, so they could say nothing against the apostles.
15The Jewish leaders told them to leave the council meeting. Then the leaders talked to each other about what they should do. 16They 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. 17But we must make them afraid to talk to anyone again using that name.#4:17 that name That is, Jesus’ name. The Jewish leaders avoided saying his name. See Lk. 15:2. Then this problem will not spread among the people.”
18So 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. 19But Peter and John answered them, “What do you think is right? What would God want? Should we obey you or God? 20We cannot be quiet. We must tell people about what we have seen and heard.”
21-22The 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
23Peter 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. 24When 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. 25Our 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.’ Psalm 2:1-2
27That’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. 28These people who came together against Jesus made your plan happen. It was done because of your power and your will. 29And 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. 30Help us to be brave by showing us your power. Make sick people well. Cause miraculous signs and wonders to happen by the authority#4:30 authority Literally, “name.” of Jesus, your holy servant.”
31After 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
32The 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. 33With 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. 34None of them could say they needed anything. Everyone who owned fields or houses sold them. They brought the money they got 35and gave it to the apostles. Then everyone was given whatever they needed.
36One 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. 37Joseph sold a field he owned. He brought the money and gave it to the apostles.
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