King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Having land, sold [it], and brought the money, and laid [it] at the apostles' feet.
Complete Jewish Bible:
sold a field which belonged to him and brought the money to the emissaries.
Berean Standard Bible:
sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
American Standard Version:
having a field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Having{G5225}{G846} land{G68}, sold{G4453} it, and brought{G5342} the money{G5536}, and{G2532} laid{G5087} it at{G3844} the apostles{G652}' feet{G4228}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Matthew 19:29
- And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Acts 5:1
- ¶ But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
Acts 5:2
- And kept back [part] of the price, his wife also being privy [to it], and brought a certain part, and laid [it] at the apostles' feet.
Acts 4:34
- 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,
Acts 4:35
- And laid [them] down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Acts 4:37
Acts 4:37 is a verse set within the historical context of the early Christian church, shortly after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. This verse highlights the radical generosity and communal living of the early believers in Jerusalem. The theme of selflessness and shared possessions is central to the passage, reflecting the teachings of Jesus and the apostles about the need to prioritize the community of believers over personal wealth.
In the verse, an individual named Joseph, also known as Barnabas, is described as having sold a piece of property and then bringing the proceeds from the sale and laying the money at the apostles' feet. This act is emblematic of the spirit of the early church, where members would liquidate assets and contribute to a common fund, ensuring that everyone's needs were met. The money was likely used to support the poor, the widows, and others in the community who were in need, as described elsewhere in the book of Acts.
Barnabas' action is also significant because it contrasts with the deceptive behavior of Ananias and Sapphira in the subsequent verses, who sold property but secretly held back part of the money for themselves while claiming to give the entire amount. Their dishonesty and subsequent judgment serve as a stark warning against hypocrisy and a reinforcement of the importance of integrity and genuine charity within the Christian community.
In summary, Acts 4:37 encapsulates the themes of generosity, communal unity, and the sacrifices made by early Christians to support one another. It exemplifies the practical outworking of the Christian doctrine of caring for the less fortunate and the transformative impact of the Gospel on the lives of believers.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G5225
There are 47 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὑπάρχω
Transliteration: hypárchō
Pronunciation: hoop-ar'-kho
Description: from ὑπό and ἄρχομαι; to begin under (quietly), i.e. come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively, to exist (as copula or subordinate to an adjective, participle, adverb or preposition, or as an auxiliary to a principal (verb):--after, behave, live. - Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ. - Strong's Number: G68
There are 156 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀγρός
Transliteration: agrós
Pronunciation: ag-ros'
Description: from ἄγω; a field (as a drive for cattle); genitive case, the country; specially, a farm, i.e. hamlet:--country, farm, piece of ground, land. - Strong's Number: G4453
There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πωλέω
Transliteration: pōléō
Pronunciation: po-leh'-o
Description: probably ultimately from (to be busy, to trade); to barter (as a pedlar), i.e. to sell:--sell, whatever is sold. - Strong's Number: G5342
There are 58 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: φέρω
Transliteration: phérō
Pronunciation: en-eng'-ko
Description: a primary verb (for which other, and apparently not cognate ones are used in certain tenses only; namely, ; and ; to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows):--be, bear, bring (forth), carry, come, + let her drive, be driven, endure, go on, lay, lead, move, reach, rushing, uphold. - Strong's Number: G5536
There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: χρῆμα
Transliteration: chrēma
Pronunciation: khray'-mah
Description: - Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G5087
There are 94 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τίθημι
Transliteration: títhēmi
Pronunciation: theh'-o
Description: a prolonged form of a primary (which is used only as alternate in certain tenses); to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from ἵστημι, which properly denotes an upright and active position, while κεῖμαι is properly reflexive and utterly prostrate):--+ advise, appoint, bow, commit, conceive, give, X kneel down, lay (aside, down, up), make, ordain, purpose, put, set (forth), settle, sink down. - Strong's Number: G3844
There are 189 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: παρά
Transliteration: pará
Pronunciation: par-ah'
Description: a primary preposition; properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subjectively), (with accusative case) to the proximity with (local (especially beyond or opposed to) or causal (on account of):--above, against, among, at, before, by, contrary to, X friend, from, + give (such things as they), + that (she) had, X his, in, more than, nigh unto, (out) of, past, save, side…by, in the sight of, than, (there-)fore, with. In compounds it retains the same variety of application. - Strong's Number: G652
There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀπόστολος
Transliteration: apóstolos
Pronunciation: ap-os'-tol-os
Description: from ἀποστέλλω; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle") (with miraculous powers):--apostle, messenger, he that is sent. - Strong's Number: G4228
There are 86 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πούς
Transliteration: poús
Pronunciation: pooce
Description: a primary word; a "foot" (figuratively or literally):--foot(-stool).