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

1
And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, ​
2
Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. ​
3
And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
4
Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. ​

Trial Before the Sanhedrin

5
And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
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And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. ​
7
And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? ​
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Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, ​
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If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
10
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. ​
11
This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. ​
12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. ​

The Council’s Dilemma and Threat

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Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. ​
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And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
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But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
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Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
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But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
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And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
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But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. ​
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For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
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So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
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For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

The Believers Pray for Boldness

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And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. ​
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And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: ​
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Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? ​
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The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
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For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, ​
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For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. ​
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And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, ​
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By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
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And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. ​

Unity and Generosity in the Church

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And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. ​
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And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
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Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
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And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. ​
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And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, ​
37
Having land, 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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