Acts 4

Peter and John Arrested

1 And while#*Here “while” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“were speaking”) they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees approached them, 2greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3And they laid hands on them and put them#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation in custody until the next day, because it was already evening. 4But 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

5And it happened that on the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes came together in Jerusalem, 6and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all those who were from the high priest’s family. 7And they made them stand in their#*Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun midst and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“stand”) has been translated as a finite verb began to ask,#*The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to ask”) “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a sick man—by what means#Or “through whom” this man was healed—10let 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! 11This one#“This one” refers to Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, that has become the cornerstone.#Literally “the head of the corner”; this verse is an allusion to Ps 118:22 12And 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.”

13Now when they#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal 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. 14And because they#*Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as causal saw the man who had been healed standing there with them, they had nothing to say in return. 15But after they#*Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had ordered”) which is understood as temporal had ordered them to go outside the Sanhedrin,#Or “council” they began to confer#*The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to confer”) with one another, 16saying, “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!#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation 17But 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.”#Literally “to no man” 18And they called them back and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“called”) has been translated as a finite verb commanded them#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation not to speak or to teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John answered and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God, you decide! 20For we are not able to refrain from speaking about the things that we have seen and heard.” 21So after#*Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“threatening … further”) which is understood as temporal threatening them#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation 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. 22For the man on whom this sign of healing had been performed was more than forty years old.

The Believers Pray for Continued Bold Witness

23And when they#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“were released”) which is understood as temporal were released, they went to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24And when they#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal heard it,#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation 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, 25the one who said by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of our father David, your servant,

‘Why do the nations#Or “Gentiles”; the same Greek word can be translated “nations” or “Gentiles” depending on the context rage,

and the peoples conspire in vain?

26The kings of the earth stood opposed,

and the rulers assembled together at the same place,

against the Lord and against his Christ.’#Or “Messiah”; this is a quotation from Ps 2:1–2

27For 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, 28to do all that your hand and plan#Some manuscripts have “and your plan” had predestined to take place. 29And now, Lord, concern yourself with their threats and grant your slaves to speak your message with all boldness, 30as you extend your hand to heal and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31And when#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“had prayed”) 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#*The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to speak”) the word#Or “message” of God with boldness.

The Believers Share All Things in Common

32Now 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. 33And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on them all. 34For there was not even anyone needy among them, because all those who were owners of plots of land or houses were selling them#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“were selling”) has been translated as a finite verb bringing the proceeds of the things that were sold 35and placing them#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation at the feet of the apostles. And it was being distributed to each as anyone had need. 36So Joseph, who was called Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated “son of encouragement”), a Levite of Cyprus by nationality, 37sold a field#Or “a farm” that belonged to him and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“sold”) has been translated as a finite verb brought the money and placed it#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation at the feet of the apostles.

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Acts 4

Peter and John Are Taken to the Sanhedrin

1Peter and John were speaking to the people. The priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees came up to the apostles. 2They were very upset by what the apostles were teaching the people. The apostles were saying that people can be raised from the dead. They said this can happen because Jesus rose from the dead. 3So the temple authorities arrested Peter and John. It was already evening, so they put them in prison until the next day. 4But many who heard the message believed. The number of men who believed grew to about 5,000.

5The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6Annas, the high priest, was there. So were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and other people in the high priest’s family. 7They had Peter and John brought to them. They wanted to question them. “By what power did you do this?” they asked. “And through whose name?”

8Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit. He said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people! 9Are you asking us to explain our actions today? Do you want to know why we were kind to a man who couldn’t walk? Are you asking how he was healed? 10Then listen to this, you and all the people of Israel! You nailed Jesus Christ of Nazareth to the cross. But God raised him from the dead. It is through Jesus’ name that this man stands healed in front of you. 11Scripture says that Jesus is

“ ‘the stone you builders did not accept.

But it has become the most important stone of all.’ (Psalm 118:22)

12You can’t be saved by believing in anyone else. God has given people no other name under heaven that will save them.”

13The leaders saw how bold Peter and John were. They also realized that Peter and John were ordinary men with no training. This surprised the leaders. They realized that these men had been with Jesus. 14The leaders could see the man who had been healed. He was standing there with them. So there was nothing they could say. 15They ordered Peter and John to leave the Sanhedrin. Then they talked things over. 16“What can we do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed an unusual miracle. We can’t say it didn’t happen. 17We have to stop this thing. It must not spread any further among the people. We have to warn these men. They must never speak to anyone in Jesus’ name again.”

18Once again the leaders called in Peter and John. They commanded them not to speak or teach at all in Jesus’ name. 19But Peter and John replied, “Which is right from God’s point of view? Should we listen to you? Or should we listen to God? You be the judges! 20There’s nothing else we can do. We have to speak about the things we’ve seen and heard.”

21The leaders warned them again. Then they let them go. They couldn’t decide how to punish Peter and John. They knew that all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22The man who had been healed by the miracle was over 40 years old.

The Believers Pray

23Peter and John were allowed to leave. They went back to their own people. They reported everything the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24The believers heard this. Then they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Lord and King,” they said, “you made the heavens, the earth and the sea. You made everything in them. 25Long ago you spoke by the Holy Spirit. You spoke through the mouth of our father David, who served you. You said,

“ ‘Why are the nations angry?

Why do the people make useless plans?

26The kings of the earth rise up.

The rulers of the earth gather together

against the Lord

and against his anointed king.’ (Psalm 2:1,2)

27In fact, Herod and Pontius Pilate met with the Gentiles in this city. They also met with the people of Israel. All of them made plans against your holy servant Jesus. He is the one you anointed. 28They did what your power and purpose had already decided should happen. 29Now, Lord, consider the bad things they say they are going to do. Help us to be very bold when we speak your word. 30Stretch out your hand to heal. Do signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

31After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. They were bold when they spoke God’s word.

The Believers Share What They Own

32All the believers were agreed in heart and mind. They didn’t claim that anything they had was their own. Instead, they shared everything they owned. 33With great power the apostles continued their teaching. They were telling people that the Lord Jesus had risen from the dead. And God’s grace was working powerfully in all of them. 34So there were no needy persons among them. From time to time, those who owned land or houses sold them. They brought the money from the sales. 35They put it down at the apostles’ feet. It was then given out to anyone who needed it.

36Joseph was a Levite from Cyprus. The apostles called him Barnabas. The name Barnabas means Son of Help. 37Barnabas sold a field he owned. He brought the money from the sale. He put it down at the apostles’ feet.

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