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
As they spoke to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came to them, ​
2
being upset because they taught the people and proclaimed in Yeshua the resurrection from the dead. ​
3
They laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was now evening.
4
But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. ​

Trial Before the Sanhedrin

5
In the morning, their rulers, elders, and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem.
6
Annas the high priest was there, with Caiaphas, Yochanan, Alexander, and as many as were relatives of the high priest. ​
7
When they had stood them in the middle of them, they inquired, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?” ​
8
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, ​
9
if we are examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,
10
be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Yeshua the Messiah of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, in him does this man stand here before you whole. ​
11
He is ‘the stone which was regarded as worthless by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.’ ​
12
There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved!” ​

The Council’s Dilemma and Threat

13
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and Yochanan, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled. They recognized that they had been with Yeshua. ​
14
Seeing the man who was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15
But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16
saying, “What shall we do to these men? Because indeed a notable miracle has been done through them, as can be plainly seen by all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we can’t deny it.
17
But so that this spreads no further among the people, let’s threaten them, that from now on they don’t speak to anyone in this name.”
18
They called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Yeshua.
19
But Peter and Yochanan answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves, ​
20
for we can’t help telling the things which we saw and heard.”
21
When they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for everyone glorified God for that which was done.
22
For the man on whom this miracle of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

The Believers Pray for Boldness

23
Being let go, they came to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ​
24
When they heard it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, “O Lord, you are God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them; ​
25
who by the mouth of your servant, David, said, ‘Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? ​
26
The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take council together, against the Lord, and against his Messiah.’
27
“For truly, in this city against your holy servant, Yeshua, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together ​
28
to do whatever your hand and your council foreordained to happen. ​
29
Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, ​
30
while you stretch out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Yeshua.”
31
When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. ​

Unity and Generosity in the Church

32
The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. ​
33
With great power, the emissaries gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Yeshua. Great grace was on them all.
34
For neither was there among them any who lacked, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,
35
and laid them at the emissaries’ feet, and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need. ​
36
Yosi, who by the emissaries was also called Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race, ​
37
having a field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the emissaries’ 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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