Acts 4:2

Translation
King James Version
Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
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KJV (with Strong's)
Being grieved G1278 that G1223 they G846 taught G1321 the people G2992, and G2532 preached G2605 through G1722 Jesus G2424 the resurrection G386 from G1537 the dead G3498.
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Complete Jewish Bible
very annoyed that they were teaching the people the doctrine of resurrection from the dead and offering Yeshua as proof.
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Berean Standard Bible
greatly disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.
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American Standard Version
being sore troubled because they taught the people, and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
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World English Bible Messianic
being upset because they taught the people and proclaimed in Yeshua the resurrection from the dead.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
Taking it grieuously that they taught the people, and preached in Iesus Name the resurrection from the dead.
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Young's Literal Translation
being grieved because of their teaching the people, and preaching in Jesus the rising again out of the dead--
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See also
Acts 17:18John 11:47John 11:481 Thessalonians 4:131 Thessalonians 4:14Acts 13:451 Corinthians 15:12
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In the KJVVerse 27,025 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Acts 4:2 captures the immediate, hostile reaction of the Jewish religious authorities to Peter and John following the miraculous healing of a lame man and Peter's subsequent sermon in the Temple courts. This verse pinpoints the precise cause of their distress: the apostles were teaching the populace and boldly proclaiming, by the authority and power of Jesus, the foundational truth of His resurrection from the dead, a message that directly challenged the established religious order and specific theological tenets of powerful sects.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: This verse immediately follows the dramatic events of Acts 3, where Peter, empowered by the Holy Spirit, healed a man lame from birth at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple. This miracle drew a large crowd, prompting Peter to deliver a powerful sermon in Solomon's Portico, calling the people of Israel to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah. The healing and the sermon, which explicitly presented Jesus as the resurrected Lord, directly led to the confrontation described in Acts 4:1, where the priests, the captain of the Temple guard, and the Sadducees apprehended Peter and John. Thus, Acts 4:2 serves as the explicit explanation for the authorities' "grief" and subsequent arrest, setting the stage for the apostles' first formal interrogation and defense before the Sanhedrin.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The religious landscape of first-century Judaism was complex, dominated by various sects, two of the most influential being the Pharisees and the Sadducees. The Sadducees, mentioned specifically in Acts 4:1, were the aristocratic priestly class, largely controlling the Temple operations and the Sanhedrin (the supreme Jewish judicial and legislative body). Crucially, they adhered strictly to the written Torah and rejected many oral traditions, including the belief in the resurrection of the dead, angels, and spirits, as explicitly stated in Acts 23:8. Therefore, Peter and John's public proclamation of Jesus' resurrection was not merely a theological disagreement but a direct affront to the Sadducees' core doctrine and their authority as interpreters of the Law. Furthermore, teaching the people without official rabbinic ordination or Temple authorization was seen as a usurpation of the established religious hierarchy's prerogative, adding to the authorities' indignation.
  • Key Themes: Acts 4:2 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Acts. Firstly, it highlights the centrality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the foundational message of the early church. The apostles did not merely preach about Jesus' life or teachings, but specifically His triumph over death, which authenticated His divine claims and established Him as Lord and Christ, as Peter proclaimed in Acts 2:36. Secondly, it introduces the theme of persecution for the sake of the Gospel. This verse marks the beginning of overt opposition from Jewish authorities, setting a pattern that would recur throughout Acts as the church expanded, demonstrating that faithfully proclaiming Christ's message often invites hostility from those whose power or worldview is threatened. Thirdly, it underscores the boldness and unwavering conviction of the apostles, who, despite knowing the potential consequences, continued to publicly teach and preach the very truth that provoked the authorities' wrath, demonstrating the Spirit's empowerment described in Acts 1:8.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Grieved (Greek, diaponéō', G1278): This term (G1278) signifies being "toiled through" or "worried," indicating a deep sense of distress, annoyance, or even exasperation. It's not a casual displeasure but a profound irritation that suggests the authorities felt their patience was worn thin or their position deeply challenged by the apostles' actions. This word conveys their vexation at the apostles' audacity and the unsettling nature of their message.
  • Taught (Greek, didáskō', G1321): Derived from a primary verb meaning "to learn," this word (G1321) denotes the act of instructing or imparting knowledge in a broad sense. In this context, it refers to the apostles' public teaching of Christian doctrine and the implications of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. Their teaching was perceived as unauthorized and therefore a direct challenge to the established rabbinic and priestly teaching authority.
  • Resurrection (Greek, anástasis', G386): This noun (G386) literally means "a standing up again" or "a rising up." It refers specifically to a resurrection from death, whether individual or by implication, its author. For the Sadducees, who denied any resurrection, the apostles' proclamation of Jesus' physical resurrection was not just a theological disagreement but a direct contradiction of their core beliefs, seen as a dangerous and subversive doctrine.

Verse Breakdown

  • "Being grieved that they taught the people,": The initial clause reveals the emotional state of the religious leaders – profound grief, annoyance, or distress. Their primary grievance was the apostles' act of "teaching the people." This was problematic on two fronts: first, the content of their teaching (about Jesus); and second, the act of teaching itself, as it usurped the authority of the established religious leadership, who considered themselves the sole legitimate instructors of the populace in matters of faith and law. The apostles' public instruction was an unauthorized intrusion into their domain.
  • "and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.": This second clause specifies the core content of the apostles' teaching that caused such distress. They were not merely teaching general moral principles but were "preaching" (proclaiming, promulgating) a specific, central truth: "the resurrection from the dead." The phrase "through Jesus" (G1722 en + G2424 Iēsoûs) is critical. It implies that Jesus is not just the subject of the resurrection but also the means, the power, and the very source through whom this resurrection occurred and through whom it is preached. For the Sadducees, this was an intolerable theological affront, as they denied any resurrection, let alone one accomplished by a crucified man whom the apostles claimed was the Messiah.

Literary Devices

The verse employs Antithesis by sharply contrasting the actions of the apostles (teaching and preaching) with the reaction of the authorities (being grieved). This highlights the inherent conflict between the nascent Christian message and the established religious order. The dual verbs "taught" and "preached" also create a sense of Emphasis, underscoring the consistent and pervasive nature of the apostles' proclamation. This repetition stresses that their message was not a one-off statement but an ongoing, public ministry. Furthermore, the verse serves as Foreshadowing, setting the stage for the escalating persecution that the early church would face throughout the book of Acts, specifically because of its unwavering proclamation of Jesus' resurrection.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Acts 4:2 powerfully underscores the essential, non-negotiable nature of Jesus' resurrection for Christian faith. The authorities' "grief" was not merely over a minor doctrinal point but over the very heart of the apostles' message, which validated Jesus' claims, confirmed His victory over sin and death, and offered the promise of eternal life to all who believe. This confrontation reveals that the resurrection is not just a historical event but a theological cornerstone that challenges human wisdom and religious systems that deny God's power. The apostles understood that without the resurrection, their message would be empty, and their hope vain, making its proclamation paramount despite the opposition.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Acts 4:2 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that the core truths of the Gospel, particularly the resurrection of Jesus, can be profoundly unsettling to those who do not believe or whose established systems of power and thought are challenged by divine revelation. Just as the apostles faced opposition for proclaiming a resurrected Christ, so too may believers today encounter resistance when sharing the transformative power of the Gospel. This verse calls us to an unwavering commitment to the truth, even when it is unpopular or provokes hostility. It encourages us to understand the resurrection not merely as a historical fact but as the living reality that empowers our faith, validates our hope, and provides the foundation for our witness. Our boldness in proclaiming this truth is a testament to our conviction in the power of God over death itself.

Questions for Reflection

  • What core truths of the Gospel might be "grieving" or unsettling to people in our contemporary culture, and why?
  • How does understanding the Sadducees' specific objection to the resurrection inform our own appreciation for this foundational doctrine?
  • In what ways might we be tempted to compromise or soften the message of the resurrection to avoid opposition, and how can we resist this temptation?
  • How does the apostles' example of "teaching the people" and "preaching through Jesus the resurrection" inspire our own methods of evangelism and discipleship?

FAQ

Why were the religious leaders "grieved" by the apostles' teaching?

Answer: The religious leaders, particularly the Sadducees, were "grieved" for two primary reasons. First, the apostles were teaching the people without their authorization, which was seen as a direct challenge to their established authority and a usurpation of their role as the official interpreters and instructors of the Law. Second, and more significantly, the content of the apostles' message—the resurrection of Jesus from the dead—directly contradicted the Sadducees' core theological belief, as they denied the resurrection of the dead (see Acts 23:8). This message was not just a theological disagreement but a direct threat to their worldview and influence.

What was the significance of preaching "through Jesus" the resurrection?

Answer: The phrase "preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead" (KJV) or "proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead" (ESV) is highly significant. It means that Jesus is not merely the subject of the resurrection (i.e., He was resurrected), but He is also the means, source, and power by which the resurrection occurred and by which it is proclaimed. The apostles understood and taught that Jesus Himself is "the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25). Their message was not just about a past event, but about a living Lord who conquered death and through whom all future resurrection hope is realized.

How does this verse relate to the Sadducees' beliefs?

Answer: This verse directly highlights the theological conflict between the early Christian message and the Sadducees' beliefs. The Sadducees were a powerful Jewish sect that, unlike the Pharisees, did not believe in the resurrection of the dead, angels, or spirits, as explicitly stated in Acts 23:8. Therefore, the apostles' central proclamation that Jesus, a man they had crucified, had been raised from the dead was a direct, irrefutable challenge to the Sadducees' fundamental doctrine. This made the resurrection the primary point of contention and the reason for their severe "grief" and subsequent action against Peter and John.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Acts 4:2, though describing the initial opposition to the apostles, profoundly points to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The "resurrection from the dead" preached "through Jesus" is the very cornerstone of the Gospel, validating Jesus' identity as the Son of God and the Messiah. His resurrection, prophesied in the Old Testament (e.g., Psalm 16:10), is the decisive victory over sin and death, fulfilling God's promise of new life. It is because Jesus Himself is "the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25) that the apostles had such a powerful message to proclaim. His triumph over the grave is the guarantee of our own future resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20-22) and the source of the Holy Spirit's power that enabled the apostles to preach with such boldness (Acts 2:32-33). Thus, the "grief" of the authorities was ultimately a reaction to the undeniable, life-transforming power of the risen Christ, who continues to be proclaimed and to bring salvation to all who believe (Romans 10:9).

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Commentary on Acts 4 verses 1–4

I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points

We have here the interests of the kingdom of heaven successfully carried on, and the powers of darkness appearing against them to put a stop to them. let Christ's servants be ever so resolute, Satan's agents will be spiteful; and therefore, let Satan's agents be ever so spiteful, Christ's servants ought to be resolute.

I. The apostles, Peter and John, went on in their work, and did not labour in vain. The Spirit enabled the ministers to do their part, and the people theirs.

1.The preachers faithfully deliver the doctrine of Christ: They spoke unto the people, to all that were within hearing, Act 4:1. What they said concerned them all, and they spoke it openly and publicly. They taught the people, still taught the people knowledge; taught those that as yet did not believe, for their conviction and conversion; and taught those that did believe, for their comfort and establishment. They preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. The doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, (1.) Was verified in Jesus; this they proved, that Jesus Christ had risen from the dead, as the first, the chief, that should rise from the dead, Act 26:23. They preached the resurrection of Christ as their warrant for what they did. Or, (2.) It is secured by him to all believers. The resurrection of the dead includes all the happiness of the future state. This they preached through Jesus Christ, attainable through him (Phi 3:10, Phi 3:11), and through him only. They meddled not with matters of state, but kept to their business, and preached to the people heaven as their end and Christ as their way. See Act 17:18.

2.The hearers cheerfully receive it (Act 4:4): Many of those who heard the word believed; not all - perhaps not the most, yet many, to the number of about five thousand, over and above the three thousand we read of before. See how the gospel got ground, and it was the effect of the pouring out of the Spirit. Though the preachers were persecuted, the word prevailed; for sometimes the church's suffering days have been her growing days: the days of her infancy were so.

II. The chief priests and their party now made head against them, and did what they could to crush them; their hands were tied awhile, but their hearts were not in the least changed. Now here observe, 1. Who they were that appeared against the apostles. They were the priests; you may be sure, in the first place, they were always sworn enemies to Christ and his gospel; they were as jealous for their priesthood as Caesar for his monarchy, and would not bear one they thought their rival now, when he was preached as a priest, as much as when he himself preached as a prophet. With them was joined the captain of the temple, who, it is supposed, was a Roman officer, governor of the garrison placed in the tower of Antonia, for the guard of the temple: so that still here were both Jews and Gentiles confederate against Christ. The Sadducees also, who denied the being of spirits and the future state, were zealous against them. "One would wonder" (saith Mr. Baxter) "what should make such brutists as the Sadducees were to be such furious silencers and persecutors. If there is no life to come, what harm can other men's hopes of it do them? But in depraved souls all faculties are vitiated. A blind man has a malignant heart and a cruel hand, to this day." 2. How they stood affected to the apostles' preaching: They were grieved that they taught the people, Act 4:2. It grieved them, both that the gospel doctrine was preached (was so preached, so publicly, so boldly,), and that the people were so ready to hear it. They thought, when they had put Christ to such an ignominious death, his disciples would ever after be ashamed and afraid to own him, and the people would have invincible prejudices against his doctrine; and now it vexed them to see themselves disappointed, and that his gospel got ground, instead of losing it. The wicked shall see it, and be grieved, Psa 112:10. They were grieved at that which they should have rejoiced in, at that which angels rejoice in. Miserable is their case to whom the glory of Christ's kingdom is a grief; for, since the glory of that kingdom is everlasting, it follows of course that their grief will be everlasting too. It grieved them that the apostles preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. The Sadducees were grieved that the resurrection from the dead was preached; for they opposed that doctrine, and could not bear to hear of a future state, to hear it so well attested. The chief priests were grieved that they preached the resurrection of the dead through Jesus, that he should have the honour of it; and, though they professed to believe the resurrection of the dead against the Sadducees, yet they would rather give up that important article than have it preached and proved to be through Jesus. 3. How far they proceeded against the apostles (Act 4:3): They laid hands on them (that is, their servants and officers did at their command), and put them in hold, committed them to the custody of the proper officer until the next day; they could not examine them now, for it was even-tide, and yet would defer it no longer than till next day. See how God trains up his servants for sufferings by degrees, and by less trials prepares them for greater; now they resist unto bonds only, but afterwards to blood.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–4. Public domain.
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IrenaeusAD 202
Against Heresies Book III
Peter, together with John, preached to them this plain message of glad tidings, that the promise which God made to the fathers had been fulfilled by Jesus; not certainly proclaiming another god, but the Son of God, who also was made man, and suffered; thus leading Israel into knowledge, and through Jesus preaching the resurrection of the dead,
CyprianAD 258
Epistle LXVII
Which very thing, too, we observe to come from divine authority, that the priest should be chosen in the presence of the people under the eyes of all, and should be approved worthy and suitable by public judgment and testimony; as in the book of Numbers the Lord commanded Moses, saying, "Take Aaron thy brother, and Eleazar his son, and place them in the mount, in the presence of all the assembly, and strip Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son; and let Aaron die there, and be added to his people." God commands a priest to be appointed in the presence of all the assembly; that is, He instructs and shows that the ordination of priests ought not to be solemnized except with the knowledge of the people standing near, that in the presence of the people either the crimes of the wicked may be disclosed, or the merits of the good may be declared, and the ordination, which shall have been examined by the suffrage and judgment of all, may be just and legitimate. And this is subsequently observed, according to divine instruction, in the Acts of the Apostles, when Peter speaks to the people of ordaining an apostle in the place of Judas. "Peter," it says, "stood up in the midst of the disciples, and the multitude were in one place." Neither do we observe that this was regarded by the apostles only in the ordinations of bishops and priests, but also in those of deacons, of which matter itself also it is written in their Acts: "And they twelve called together," it says, "the whole congregation of the disciples, and said to them; " which was done so diligently and carefully, with the calling together of the whole of the people, surely for this reason, that no unworthy person might creep into the ministry of the altar, or to the office of a priest. For that unworthy persons are sometimes ordained, not according to the will of God, but according to human presumption, and that those things which do not come of a legitimate and righteous ordination are displeasing to God, God Himself manifests by Hosea the prophet, saying, "They have set up for themselves a king, but not by me."
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily on Acts 10
"Being grieved that they taught the people." Not merely because they taught, but because they declared, not alone that Christ Himself was risen from the dead, but moreover, that we through Him do rise again. "Because they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection of the dead." So mighty was His Resurrection, that to others also He is the cause of a resurrection.
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily on Acts 10
So then at first they did all for the sake of man's opinion or glory: but now another motive was added: that they should not be thought guilty of murder, as they said subsequently, "Do ye wish to bring this man's blood on us?" O the folly! Persuaded that He was risen, and having received this proof of it, they expected that He Whom death could not hold, could be cast into the shade by their machinations! What can match the folly of this! Such is the nature of wickedness: it has no eyes for anything, but on all occasions it is thrown into perturbation. Finding themselves overborne, they felt like persons who have been outwitted: as is the case with people who have been forestalled and made a sport of in some matter.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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