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.

Peter and John Arrested

1
Kefa and Yochanan were still speaking to the people when the cohanim, the captain in charge of the Temple police, and the Tz’dukim came upon them, ​
2
very annoyed that they were teaching the people the doctrine of resurrection from the dead and offering Yeshua as proof. ​
3
The Temple police arrested them; and since it was already evening, they put them in custody overnight.
4
However, many of those who heard the message trusted; the number of men alone was about five thousand. ​

Trial Before the Sanhedrin

5
The next day, the people’s rulers, elders and Torah-teachers assembled in Yerushalayim,
6
along with ‘Anan the cohen hagadol, Kayafa, Yochanan, Alexander and the other men from the family of the cohen hagadol. ​
7
They had the emissaries stand before them and asked, “By what power or in what name did you do this?” ​
8
Then Kefa, filled with the Ruach HaKodesh, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people! ​
9
If we are being examined today about a good deed done for a disabled person, if you want to know how he was restored to health,
10
then let it be known to you and to all the people of Isra’el that it is in the name of the Messiah, Yeshua from Natzeret, whom you had executed on a stake as a criminal but whom God has raised from the dead, that this man stands before you perfectly healed. ​
11
“This Yeshua is the stone rejected by you builders which has become the cornerstone. ​
12
There is salvation in no one else! For there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by whom we must be saved!” ​

The Council’s Dilemma and Threat

13
When they saw how bold Kefa and Yochanan were, even though they were untrained ‘am-ha’aretz, they were amazed; also they recognized them as having been with Yeshua. ​
14
Moreover, since they could see the man who had been healed standing right there beside them, there was nothing they could say to discredit the healing.
15
So they told them to step away from the Sanhedrin while they discussed the matter privately.
16
“What can we do with these men?” they asked each other. “Why, anyone in Yerushalayim can see that a remarkable miracle has come about through them — we can’t possibly deny that.
17
But to prevent it from spreading any further among the people, let’s warn them not to speak any more to anyone in this name.”
18
So they called them in again and ordered them under no circumstances to speak or teach in the name of Yeshua.
19
But Kefa and Yochanan answered, “You must judge whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God. ​
20
As for us, we can’t help talking about what we have actually seen and heard.”
21
They threatened them some more but finally let them go — they couldn’t punish them because of the people, for everyone was praising God over what had happened,
22
since the man who had been miraculously healed was more than forty years old.

The Believers Pray for Boldness

23
Upon being released, they went back to their friends and reported what the head cohanim and elders had said to them. ​
24
When they heard it, they raised their voices to God with singleness of heart. “Master,” they prayed, “You made heaven, earth, the sea and everything in them. ​
25
By the Ruach HaKodesh, through the mouth of our father David, your servant, you said, ‘Why did the nations rage and the peoples devise useless plans? ​
26
The kings of the earth took their stand; and the rulers assembled together against Adonai and against his Messiah.’
27
“This has come true in this city, since Herod and Pontius Pilate, with Goyim and the peoples of Isra’el, all assembled against your holy servant Yeshua, whom you made Messiah, ​
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to do what your power and plan had already determined beforehand should happen. ​
29
“So now, Lord, take note of their threats; and enable your slaves to speak your message with boldness! ​
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Stretch out your hand to heal and to do signs and miracles through the name of your holy servant Yeshua!”
31
While they were still praying, the place where they were gathered was shaken. They were all filled with the Ruach HaKodesh, and they spoke God’s message with boldness. ​

Unity and Generosity in the Church

32
All the many believers were one in heart and soul, and no one claimed any of his possessions for himself, but everyone shared everything he had. ​
33
With great power the emissaries continued testifying to the resurrection of the Lord Yeshua, and they were all held in high regard.
34
No one among them was poor, since those who owned lands or houses sold them and turned over the proceeds
35
to the emissaries to distribute to each according to his need. ​
36
Thus Yosef, whom the emissaries called Bar-Nabba (which means “the Exhorter”), a Levi and a native of Cyprus, ​
37
sold a field which belonged to him and brought the money to the emissaries.

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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