1And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, (1Ch 9:11; Ne 11:11; Mt 22:23; Lu 22:4; Lu 22:52; Ac 5:24; Ac 5:26)2greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. (Ac 3:15; Ac 17:18)3And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. (Lu 21:12)4But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. (Ac 2:41)5On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem,6with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. (Mt 26:3; Lu 3:2; Joh 18:13; Joh 18:24)7And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” (Mt 21:23; Ac 4:10)8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, (Mt 10:20)9if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, (Ac 3:7)10let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. (Ac 2:24; Ac 3:6)11This Jesus[1] is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.[2] (Ps 118:22; Mr 9:12; Lu 23:11)12And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men[3] by which we must be saved.” (Lu 24:47; Joh 4:22; Joh 20:31; Ac 10:43; Ac 13:26; Ac 28:28; Ga 1:7; 1Ti 2:5; Heb 2:3; Jud 1:3)13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. (Joh 7:15)14But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. (Lu 21:15; Ac 3:11)15But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another,16saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. (Joh 11:47; Joh 12:19; Ac 3:9; Ac 4:21)17But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” (Ac 5:28; Ac 5:40)18So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.19But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, (Ac 5:29)20for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” (Am 3:8; Joh 15:27; Ac 22:15; 1Co 9:16; 1Jo 1:1; 1Jo 1:3)21And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. (Mt 21:26; Mt 21:46; Mr 11:32; Lu 20:6; Lu 20:19; Lu 22:2; Ac 3:7; Ac 5:13; Ac 5:26)22For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
The Believers Pray for Boldness
23When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them.24And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, (Ex 20:11; 2Ch 2:12; Ne 9:6; Ps 102:25; Ps 124:8; Ps 134:3; Ps 146:6; Ac 1:14)25who through the mouth of our father David, your servant,[4] said by the Holy Spirit, “‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? (Ps 2:1)26The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’[5]— (Da 9:24; Lu 4:18; Ac 4:5; Ac 10:38; Heb 1:9; Re 11:15)27for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, (Mt 20:19; Mt 26:3; Mt 27:2; Lu 23:7; Ac 4:26; Ac 4:30)28to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. (Isa 46:10; Ac 2:23)29And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, (2Ki 19:16; Ac 4:13; Ac 4:31; Ac 9:27; Ac 9:29; Ac 13:46; Ac 14:3; Ac 18:26; Ac 19:8; Ac 28:31; Eph 6:19)30while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (Ps 138:7; Pr 31:20; Isa 1:25; Zep 1:4; Mt 7:22; Mr 9:39; Mr 16:17; Ac 3:6; Ac 4:27)31And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. (Ps 77:18; Ac 2:2; Ac 2:4; Ac 16:26; Php 1:14)
They Had Everything in Common
32Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. (2Ch 30:12; Eze 11:19; Ac 2:44; Php 1:27)33And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. (Ac 1:8; Ac 1:22; Ac 11:23)34There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold (Ac 2:45; 2Co 8:14)35and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. (Ac 4:37; Ac 5:2; Ac 6:1)36Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, (Mr 3:17)37sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. (Ac 4:35)
Acts 4
New International Version
Peter and John before the Sanhedrin
1The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people.2They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.3They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.4But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.5The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem.6Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family.7They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: ‘By what power or what name did you do this?’8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: ‘Rulers and elders of the people!9If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed,10then know this, you and all the people of Israel: it is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.11Jesus is ‘ “the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.” (Ps 118:22)12Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.’13When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realised that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.14But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.15So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together.16‘What are we going to do with these men?’ they asked. ‘Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it.17But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.’18Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.19But Peter and John replied, ‘Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!20As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.’21After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.22For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.
The believers pray
23On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.24When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. ‘Sovereign Lord,’ they said, ‘you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.25You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: ‘ “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?26The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.[1]” (Ps 2:1; Ps 2:2)27Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.28They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.29Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.30Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’31After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
The believers share their possessions
32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No-one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all34that there was no needy person among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales35and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.36Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’),37sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 4
King James Version
1And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,2Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.3And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.4Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.5And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,6And 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.7And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,9If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;10Be 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.11This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.13Now 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.14And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.15But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,16Saying, 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.17But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.18And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.19But 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.20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.21So 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.22For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.23And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.24And 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:25Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?26The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.27For 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,28For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.29And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,30By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.31And 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.32And 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.33And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.34Neither 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,35And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.36And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,37Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Acts 4
New International Reader’s Version
Peter and John are taken to the Sanhedrin
1Peter and John were speaking to the people. The priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees came up to the apostles.2They were very upset by what the apostles were teaching the people. The apostles were saying that people can be raised from the dead. They said this can happen because Jesus rose from the dead.3So the temple authorities arrested Peter and John. It was already evening, so they put them in prison until the next day.4But many who heard the message believed. The number of men who believed grew to about 5,000.5The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem.6Annas, the high priest, was there. So were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and other people in the high priest’s family.7They had Peter and John brought to them. They wanted to question them. ‘By what power did you do this?’ they asked. ‘And through whose name?’8Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit. He said to them, ‘Rulers and elders of the people!9Are you asking us to explain our actions today? Do you want to know why we were kind to a man who couldn’t walk? Are you asking how he was healed?10Then listen to this, you and all the people of Israel! You nailed Jesus Christ of Nazareth to the cross. But God raised him from the dead. It is through Jesus’ name that this man stands healed in front of you.11Scripture says that Jesus is ‘ “the stone you builders did not accept. But it has become the most important stone of all.” (Ps 118:22)12You can’t be saved by believing in anyone else. God has given people no other name under heaven that will save them.’13The leaders saw how bold Peter and John were. They also realised that Peter and John were ordinary men with no training. This surprised the leaders. They realised that these men had been with Jesus.14The leaders could see the man who had been healed. He was standing there with them. So there was nothing they could say.15They ordered Peter and John to leave the Sanhedrin. Then they talked things over.16‘What can we do with these men?’ they asked. ‘Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed an unusual miracle. We can’t say it didn’t happen.17We have to stop this thing. It must not spread any further among the people. We have to warn these men. They must never speak to anyone in Jesus’ name again.’18Once again the leaders called in Peter and John. They commanded them not to speak or teach at all in Jesus’ name.19But Peter and John replied, ‘Which is right from God’s point of view? Should we listen to you? Or should we listen to God? You be the judges!20There’s nothing else we can do. We have to speak about the things we’ve seen and heard.’21The leaders warned them again. Then they let them go. They couldn’t decide how to punish Peter and John. They knew that all the people were praising God for what had happened.22The man who had been healed by the miracle was over 40 years old.
The believers pray
23Peter and John were allowed to leave. They went back to their own people. They reported everything the chief priests and the elders had said to them.24The believers heard this. Then they raised their voices together in prayer to God. ‘Lord and King,’ they said, ‘you made the heavens, the earth and the sea. You made everything in them.25Long ago you spoke by the Holy Spirit. You spoke through the mouth of our father David, who served you. You said, ‘ “Why are the nations angry? Why do the people make useless plans?26The kings of the earth rise up. The rulers of the earth gather together against the Lord and against his anointed king.” (Ps 2:1; Ps 2:2)27In fact, Herod and Pontius Pilate met with the Gentiles in this city. They also met with the people of Israel. All of them made plans against your holy servant Jesus. He is the one you anointed.28They did what your power and purpose had already decided should happen.29Now, Lord, consider the bad things they say they are going to do. Help us to be very bold when we speak your word.30Stretch out your hand to heal. Do signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’31After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. They were bold when they spoke God’s word.
The believers share what they own
32All the believers were agreed in heart and mind. They didn’t claim that anything they had was their own. Instead, they shared everything they owned.33With great power the apostles continued their teaching. They were telling people that the Lord Jesus had risen from the dead. And God’s grace was working powerfully in all of them.34So there were no needy people among them. From time to time, those who owned land or houses sold them. They brought the money from the sales.35They put it down at the apostles’ feet. It was then given out to anyone who needed it.36Joseph was a Levite from Cyprus. The apostles called him Barnabas. The name Barnabas means Son of Help.37Barnabas sold a field he owned. He brought the money from the sale. He put it down at the apostles’ feet.