Acts 4:12

KJV

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

KJV (with Strong's)

Neither {G2532}{G3756} is there {G2076} salvation {G4991} in {G1722} any {G3762} other {G243}: for {G1063} there is {G2076} none {G3777} other {G2087} name {G3686} under {G5259} heaven {G3772} given {G1325} among {G1722} men {G444}, whereby {G1722}{G3739} we {G2248} must {G1163} be saved {G4982}.

Complete Jewish Bible

There is salvation in no one else! For there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by whom we must be saved!”

Berean Standard Bible

Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

American Standard Version

And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 4:12 is a pivotal declaration by the Apostle Peter before the Jewish Sanhedrin, asserting the exclusive and indispensable role of Jesus Christ as the sole means of salvation for all humanity. Following the miraculous healing of a lame man, Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly proclaims that this healing, and indeed all spiritual deliverance, originates from the unique authority and power inherent in the "name" of Jesus, emphasizing that no other person or system offers the path to reconciliation with God and eternal life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic statement in Peter's impassioned defense before the Sanhedrin. The narrative immediately precedes this moment with Peter and John's healing of a lame man at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple, an event that caused a stir among the people and led to their arrest by temple authorities ([Acts 3:1-10](/acts/3-1-10 "Acts 3:1-10 - Healing of the Lame Man")). Peter then delivered a sermon in Solomon's Portico, attributing the miracle to the resurrected Jesus and calling the people to repentance ([Acts 3:11-26](/acts/3-11-26 "Acts 3:11-26 - Peter's Second Sermon")). The Sadducees, disturbed by their teaching on the resurrection, arrested Peter and John ([Acts 4:1-4](/acts/4-1-4 "Acts 4:1-4 - Peter and John Arrested")). When questioned by what power or name they acted ([Acts 4:7](/acts/4-7 "Acts 4:7 - Sanhedrin's Question")), Peter, "filled with the Holy Spirit," identifies Jesus of Nazareth as the source, referencing [Psalm 118:22](/psalms/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Rejected Cornerstone") in [Acts 4:11](/acts/4-11 "Acts 4:11 - Jesus, the Cornerstone"). Acts 4:12 then serves as the profound theological conclusion to his argument, directly answering the Sanhedrin's question and establishing the singular path to salvation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is first-century Jerusalem, a city deeply rooted in Jewish tradition and governed by both Roman imperial authority and the religious authority of the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin, composed of Sadducees, Pharisees, and elders, was the supreme Jewish court, responsible for interpreting and enforcing Mosaic Law. They were the same body that had condemned Jesus. In this context, Peter's declaration was revolutionary and highly provocative. Judaism, while monotheistic, did not traditionally conceive of a single "name" outside of God Himself as the exclusive means of salvation from sin and judgment. The concept of "salvation" (Greek: _sōtēría_) in the Jewish mind often encompassed physical deliverance, national preservation, and spiritual well-being, usually tied to adherence to the Law and the covenant. Peter's message, proclaiming a crucified and resurrected Messiah as the sole path to salvation, directly challenged the established religious order and their understanding of God's redemptive plan.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 4:12 powerfully articulates several foundational themes within the book of Acts and broader Christian theology. Firstly, it underscores **The Authority and Power of the Name of Jesus**. The healing of the lame man and Peter's bold proclamation are directly attributed to Jesus' name, signifying His person, authority, and redemptive work, contrasting sharply with human power or religious systems (as seen throughout [Acts 3](/acts/3 "Acts 3 - Healing and Peter's Sermon") and [Acts 4](/acts/4 "Acts 4 - Arrest and Peter's Defense")). Secondly, the verse establishes the **Exclusivity of Salvation in Christ**. This is a radical claim in a world of diverse religious beliefs, asserting that true and ultimate salvation from sin and its consequences is found uniquely in Jesus, leaving no room for alternative paths. Thirdly, it highlights the **Divine Necessity of Salvation**. The phrase "whereby we must be saved" (G1163 `deî`) indicates a divine imperative, not merely a human preference or one option among many. God has divinely ordained this singular path for humanity's redemption. This theme is further reinforced by the consistent apostolic witness to Jesus' resurrection as God's validation of His unique role, as seen in passages like [Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Him Up") and [Acts 3:15](/acts/3-15 "Acts 3:15 - Author of Life Raised").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Salvation (Greek, _sōtēría'_):** G4991 - This term denotes rescue or safety, encompassing both physical deliverance and moral or spiritual well-being. In the context of Acts 4:12, while linked to the physical healing of the lame man, its primary reference is to spiritual deliverance from sin, its guilt, its power, and its eternal consequences. It signifies the comprehensive work of God in rescuing humanity from a lost state and bringing them into a right relationship with Him.
* **Name (Greek, _ónoma'_):** G3686 - More than just a label, "name" here represents the entire person, character, authority, and power of Jesus Christ. To be saved "in His name" means to be saved by who Jesus is, by His divine nature, His sinless life, His atoning death, and His victorious resurrection. It encapsulates His unique identity and redemptive work.
* **Must (Greek, _deî'_):** G1163 - This verb expresses divine necessity or obligation. It indicates that salvation through Jesus is not merely a possibility or a preferable option, but an absolute, divinely mandated requirement. It conveys that there is no other divinely appointed way for humanity to be saved, underscoring the indispensable nature of Christ's role.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Neither is there salvation in any other:"** This opening phrase immediately establishes the absolute exclusivity of the claim. It negates any alternative source for true salvation, whether it be human effort, adherence to religious law, the teachings of other prophets, or any other spiritual path. Peter asserts that outside of the specific "name" he is about to declare, there is no genuine deliverance from sin and its eternal consequences.
* **"for there is none other name under heaven given among men,"** This clause provides the reason and further specifies the exclusivity. "None other name" reiterates the singular nature of the source of salvation. The phrase "under heaven" emphasizes the universal scope of this truth, applying to all people in all places. The crucial addition "given among men" highlights that this unique path is not a human invention or discovery, but a divine revelation and gift, graciously provided by God to humanity.
* **"whereby we must be saved."** This concluding phrase underscores the absolute necessity and divine imperative of this singular means of salvation. The word "must" (Greek: _deî_) signifies that it is a binding requirement, a divinely appointed and indispensable means for humanity to achieve reconciliation with God and deliverance from spiritual death. It implies that without this specific "name," salvation is impossible.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Assertion** as its primary literary device, making a direct, unequivocal, and forceful claim about the singular path to salvation. The repeated use of negations like "neither... any other" and "none other name" creates a powerful sense of **Exclusivity** and **Emphasis**, leaving no ambiguity about the unique role of Jesus. The phrase "under heaven" functions as a **Merism** or **Hyperbole**, encompassing all of humanity and all possible religious or philosophical systems, thereby underscoring the universal applicability and singular nature of this truth. The entire statement serves as the **Climax** of Peter's defense, delivering the core theological message of the early church with bold authority and profound conviction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 4:12 stands as a cornerstone of Christian theology, affirming the absolute uniqueness and sufficiency of Jesus Christ for salvation. It articulates a truth that distinguishes Christianity from all other worldviews: salvation is not earned through human effort, adherence to law, or participation in rituals, but is a gracious gift received through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. This declaration, made before the very authorities who condemned Jesus, highlights the apostles' unwavering conviction in the resurrected Christ and their understanding that God had established Him as the sole means of redemption for all humanity. It challenges any notion of multiple paths to God, presenting Jesus as the exclusive "way, the truth, and the life." This verse underscores the radical nature of the Gospel and the profound love of God in providing such a specific and powerful solution to humanity's deepest need.

* [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life")
* [1 John 5:11-12](/1_john/5-11-12 "1 John 5:11-12 - Eternal Life in the Son")
* [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Exaltation of Christ's Name")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 4:12 calls believers to a profound reflection on the nature of God's salvation and the person of Jesus Christ. In a world increasingly advocating for religious pluralism and multiple paths to truth, this verse stands as a powerful, counter-cultural declaration. It compels us to understand the gravity of sin and the radical, singular solution God has provided in His Son. For those who believe, it fosters deep gratitude for the exclusive grace found in Christ and ignites a passion to share this life-giving truth with compassion and conviction. It reminds us that our hope is not in human systems or philosophies, but in the divine act of redemption accomplished through Jesus. This verse also challenges us to examine our own lives: are we truly resting in Christ alone for our salvation, or are we subtly adding human efforts, good works, or other dependencies to our faith? It is a call to unwavering conviction in the uniqueness of Christ and a compassionate urgency in proclaiming His name to a world in need of salvation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the exclusivity of salvation in Jesus Christ impact my understanding of God's character and His plan for humanity?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to look for salvation or security outside of Jesus' name, either consciously or unconsciously?**
* **How can I communicate the exclusive truth of Acts 4:12 with both unwavering conviction and genuine compassion to those who hold different beliefs?**
* **What does "must be saved" imply about the human condition and the urgency of the Gospel message?**

### FAQ
**Why is salvation only through Jesus Christ?**

Answer: Salvation is exclusively through Jesus Christ because He is the unique God-man, the only one capable of bridging the infinite gap between a holy God and sinful humanity. As the Son of God, He perfectly fulfilled God's righteous requirements, and as a sinless human, He offered Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice for sin on the cross. No other person, prophet, or religious system has the divine authority, sinless nature, or redemptive power to atone for sin and reconcile humanity to God. Jesus Himself declared, "[I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life")." His resurrection from the dead further validates His claims and His unique position as the only Savior.

**Does "under heaven given among men" mean salvation is only for certain people or groups?**

Answer: No, quite the opposite. The phrase "under heaven given among men" emphasizes the *universality* of the offer of salvation through Jesus Christ, not its restriction. It means that of all the possible "names" or sources of hope that exist anywhere in the world, among all humanity, only one has been divinely "given" or appointed by God for salvation. It underscores that this truth applies to everyone, everywhere, regardless of their background, culture, or previous beliefs. It is a declaration that the one true path to salvation is available to all who would believe, as God desires "[all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth](/1_timothy/2-4 "1 Timothy 2:4 - God's Desire for All to Be Saved")."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 4:12 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and finished work of Jesus of Nazareth. Peter's bold declaration is not merely an assertion of Christian dogma, but a direct consequence of the Old Testament's prophetic trajectory pointing to a singular deliverer. Jesus is the ultimate "name" because He embodies the very nature and redemptive purpose of God. He is the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice on the cross atones for sin, fulfilling the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant ([Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without Shedding of Blood")). His resurrection from the dead decisively demonstrates His victory over sin and death, validating His divine identity and authority as the "[Lord of all](/acts/10-36 "Acts 10:36 - Jesus is Lord of All")" and the "[Author of life](/acts/3-15 "Acts 3:15 - Jesus, Author of Life")". The "salvation" Peter speaks of is holistic: it encompasses forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, deliverance from eternal judgment, and the promise of eternal life, all made possible solely through faith in Jesus. He is the "cornerstone" rejected by humanity but chosen by God ([1 Peter 2:7](/1_peter/2-7 "1 Peter 2:7 - The Rejected Cornerstone")), the one upon whom all true salvation is built. Therefore, the "must be saved" of Acts 4:12 is a divine imperative rooted in God's perfect plan to redeem humanity exclusively through His Son, Jesus Christ, who alone is "[the mediator between God and men](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - One Mediator")".

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

1 Corinthians 3:11

¶ For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

John 3:36

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

1 Timothy 2:5

For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

1 Timothy 2:6

Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

1 John 5:11

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

1 John 5:12

He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.