Acts 4:7

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

Complete Jewish Bible:

They had the emissaries stand before them and asked, “By what power or in what name did you do this?”

Berean Standard Bible:

They had Peter and John brought in and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

American Standard Version:

And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, By what power, or in what name, have ye done this?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} when they had set^{G2476} them^{G846} in^{G1722} the midst^{G3319}, they asked^{G4441}, By^{G1722} what^{G4169} power^{G1411}, or^{G2228} by^{G1722} what^{G4169} name^{G3686}, have^{G4160} ye^{G5210} done^{G4160} this^{G5124}?

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Commentary for Acts 4:7

Acts 4:7 is a verse set within the larger narrative of the early Christian church as recorded in the Book of Acts, which details the growth and spread of Christianity after the ascension of Jesus Christ. This verse specifically captures a moment of interrogation by the Jewish religious authorities in Jerusalem, including the high priest and other members of the Sadducee sect, who are questioning the apostles Peter and John.

The historical context is crucial to understanding the tension in this verse. The Jewish leaders are confronting Peter and John because they had healed a man who was lame from birth, an act that attracted significant attention and many new believers to the Christian faith. The leaders are confounded by this event, as it challenges their authority and the established religious order. They demand to know "by what power, or by what name" the apostles have performed this healing, as they are keen to suppress any movement that might undermine their influence or contradict their beliefs.

The themes present in this verse include the conflict between the emerging Christian faith and the established Jewish religious hierarchy, the miraculous power of Jesus' name, and the boldness of the apostles in the face of persecution. The question posed by the rulers reveals their ignorance of the true source of the apostles' authority and sets the stage for Peter's forthcoming defense of the gospel, which is a key theme throughout the Book of Acts—the proclamation of Jesus Christ as the source of salvation and healing, and the role of His followers in continuing His work through the power of the Holy Spirit. This verse encapsulates the early church's struggle against skepticism and opposition, and the transformative impact of the Christian message in the first century.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: G2476
   There are 152 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἵστημι
   Transliteration: hístēmi
   Pronunciation: stah'-o
   Description: a prolonged form of a primary (of the same meaning, and used for it in certain tenses); to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively):--abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stanch, stand (by, forth, still, up). Compare τίθημι.
   
3. 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.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1722
   There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐν
   Transliteration: en
   Pronunciation: en
   Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
   
5. Strong's Number: G3319
   There are 59 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μέσος
   Transliteration: mésos
   Pronunciation: mes'-os
   Description: from μετά; middle (as an adjective or (neuter) noun):--among, X before them, between, + forth, mid(-day, -night), midst, way.
   
6. Strong's Number: G4441
   There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πυνθάνομαι
   Transliteration: pynthánomai
   Pronunciation: poon-than'-om-ahee
   Description: middle voice prolonged from a primary (which occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses); to question, i.e. ascertain by inquiry (as a matter of information merely; and thus differing from ἐρωτάω, which properly means a request as a favor; and from αἰτέω, which is strictly a demand for something due; as well as from ζητέω, which implies a search for something hidden; and from δέομαι, which involves the idea of urgent need); by implication, to learn (by casual intelligence):--ask, demand, enquire, understand.
   
7. Strong's Number: G4169
   There are 33 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ποῖος
   Transliteration: poîos
   Pronunciation: poy'-os
   Description: from the base of ποῦ and οἷος; individualizing interrogative (of character) what sort of, or (of number) which one:--what (manner of), which.
   
8. Strong's Number: G1411
   There are 116 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δύναμις
   Transliteration: dýnamis
   Pronunciation: doo'-nam-is
   Description: from δύναμαι; force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself):--ability, abundance, meaning, might(-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle(-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.
   
9. Strong's Number: G2228
   There are 283 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἤ
   Transliteration: ḗ
   Pronunciation: ay
   Description: a primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than:--and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea. Often used in connection with other particles. Compare especially ἤδη, ἤπερ, ἤτοι.
   
10. Strong's Number: G3686
    There are 214 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὄνομα
    Transliteration: ónoma
    Pronunciation: on'-om-ah
    Description: from a presumed derivative of the base of γινώσκω (compare ὀνίνημι); a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character):--called, (+ sur-)name(-d).
    
11. Strong's Number: G4160
    There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ποιέω
    Transliteration: poiéō
    Pronunciation: poy-eh'-o
    Description: apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct):--abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Compare πράσσω.
    
12. Strong's Number: G5210
    There are 228 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὑμεῖς
    Transliteration: hymeîs
    Pronunciation: hoo-mice'
    Description: irregular plural of σύ; you (as subjective of verb):--ye (yourselves), you.
    
13. Strong's Number: G5124
    There are 303 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: τοῦτο
    Transliteration: toûto
    Pronunciation: too'-to
    Description: neuter singular nominative or accusative case of οὗτος; that thing:--here (-unto), it, partly, self(-same), so, that (intent), the same, there(-fore, -unto), this, thus, where(-fore).