Acts4

Peter and John are arrested for preaching Jesus' resurrection and healing a lame man, but many believe, increasing the number of disciples. Before the Sanhedrin, Peter boldly declares that the healing and salvation are only through Jesus Christ. Despite threats, the apostles refuse to stop speaking of what they have seen and heard, and the community of believers responds with prayer for boldness and by sharing their possessions.

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Peter and John Arrested

And as they spake unto the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,

being sore troubled because they taught the people, and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

And they laid hands on them, and put them in ward unto the morrow: for it was now eventide.

But many of them that heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

Trial Before the Sanhedrin

And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem;

and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest.

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

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders,

if we this day are examined concerning a good deed done to an impotent man, by what means this man is made whole;

be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even in him doth this man stand here before you whole.

He is the stone which was set at nought of you the builders, which was made the head of the corner.

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.

The Council’s Dilemma and Threat

Now when they beheld the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

And seeing the man that was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been wrought through them, is manifest to all that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.

But that it spread no further among the people, let us threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

And they called them, and charged them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than unto God, judge ye:

for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard.

And they, when they had further threatened them, let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people; for all men glorified God for that which was done.

For the man was more than forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was wrought.

The Believers Pray for Boldness

And being let go, they came to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said unto them.

And they, when they heard it, lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, O Lord, thou that didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is:

who by the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David thy servant, didst say, Why did the Gentiles rage, And the peoples imagine vain things?

The kings of the earth set themselves in array, And the rulers were gathered together, Against the Lord, and against his Anointed:

for of a truth in this city against thy holy Servant Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered together,

to do whatsoever thy hand and thy council foreordained to come to pass.

And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness,

while thou stretchest forth thy hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of thy holy Servant Jesus.

And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Unity and Generosity in the Church

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul: and not oneof themsaid that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

And with great power gave the apostles their witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

For neither was there among them any that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

and laid them at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto each, according as any one had need.

And Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of exhortation), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,

having a field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Study Notes for Acts 4

Verse 1

The opposition included the temple police (captain of the temple) and the Sadducees, the aristocratic Jewish party who denied the resurrection of the dead.

Verse 2

The Sadducees were politically powerful but doctrinally conservative, rejecting the belief in resurrection. The apostles' message directly challenged this core tenet.

Verse 4

Despite the arrest, the gospel advanced rapidly. The number 'about five thousand' refers specifically to men, indicating substantial growth in the early church.

Verse 6

Annas (former High Priest) and Caiaphas (current High Priest) were central figures in Jesus’ trial. Their presence underscores the gravity of the challenge posed by the apostles.

Verse 7

The Sanhedrin demanded to know the source of the apostles' power (authority), implicitly accusing them of acting outside established Jewish religious law.

Verse 8

Peter's immediate filling with the Holy Spirit fulfills Jesus' promise (Luke 12:11-12) that his disciples would be given the words to speak when brought before authorities.

Verse 10

Peter turns the legal interrogation into a bold accusation against his interrogators, proclaiming that the power source is Jesus, whom the council crucified but God raised.

Verse 11

This is a quotation from Psalm 118:22, a key Messianic prophecy. Peter applies the image of the rejected stone becoming the foundational cornerstone directly to Jesus.

Verse 12

This crucial theological statement emphasizes the exclusivity of salvation through Jesus Christ. Redemption is found only in the name (authority and person) of the resurrected Lord.

Verse 13

The council recognized that Peter and John were not formally trained rabbis (“unlearned”). Their undeniable boldness and wisdom were attributed to their personal association with Jesus.

Verse 19

Peter and John articulate the foundational principle of civil disobedience based on conscience: obedience to God supersedes obedience to human authority when the two conflict.

Verse 23

Returning to “their own company” (the fellowship of believers) highlights the importance of the Christian community for mutual support and spiritual strength during persecution.

Verse 24

The corporate prayer begins not with a request, but with radical praise, acknowledging God's sovereignty as Creator (Sovereign Master) before presenting their petition.

Verse 25

The believers quote Psalm 2, applying the ancient prophetic opposition to God's anointed (Christ) directly to the current situation facing the church.

Verse 27

The apostles identify the recent crucifixion narrative as the fulfillment of prophecy, naming the specific parties involved: Herod, Pilate, Gentiles, and the people of Israel.

Verse 28

This verse emphasizes divine sovereignty: even the wicked actions of Jesus' opponents were ultimately contained within God's predetermined plan and counsel.

Verse 29

Significantly, the believers do not pray for freedom from persecution, but for continued boldness (parrhesia) in speaking the word despite the threats.

Verse 31

God answered their prayer immediately and physically. The shaking of the place symbolized God's presence, resulting in a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit and renewed courage for ministry.

Verse 32

The description “one heart and one soul” emphasizes the profound spiritual cohesion and unity of the early church, which manifested in economic sharing.

Verse 35

This communal sharing was voluntary and managed by the apostles, ensuring that resources were distributed according to need, preventing poverty within the community.

Verse 36

Barnabas (meaning “Son of Consolation” or “Encouragement”) is introduced here as a model of sacrificial generosity, leading to his later prominence as a key missionary leader.

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Acts4

Peter and John Arrested

Trial Before the Sanhedrin

The Council’s Dilemma and Threat

The Believers Pray for Boldness

Unity and Generosity in the Church

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