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The priests put Peter and John in prison

4 Peter and John were still speaking to the crowd in the yard of the temple. Then some priests, the leader of the police in the temple and some Sadducees came to them. ² They were angry because of the things that Peter and John were teaching the people there. They were teaching that Jesus had become alive again after his death. The Jewish leaders did not agree that dead people could become alive again. ³ So they took hold of Peter and John. They put them in prison, because by then it was evening time. They put them in the prison until the next day. ⁴ But many of the people who had heard Peter's message believed what he said. There were now about 5,000 men who believed in Jesus.

The Jewish leaders ask Peter and John questions

⁵ The next day, the Jewish rulers and other important Jews met together in Jerusalem. The teachers of God's Law met together with them. ⁶ They met with Annas who was the most important priest. Caiaphas, John and Alexander were also there. Other men from the family of the most important priest were with them too. ⁷ The Jewish leaders made Peter and John stand in front of them. They began to ask them questions. They said, ‘How did you cause that man's legs to become strong? Who gave you the power and the authority to do it?’

⁸ Then Peter became full with the Holy Spirit and he said to them, ‘All you men are rulers of the people and important Jews. ⁹ Today you are asking us questions about the good thing that we did for this man. Before that, he could not walk. You are asking us how we caused his legs to become strong. ¹⁰ Now I need to tell you and all the people of Israel what is true. Then you will know how this happened. This man is standing here in front of you and he is well. His legs are strong because of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and his authority. You fixed Jesus to a cross so that he died. But after that, God caused him to become alive again. ¹¹ The Bible says this about him: ^{[ a ]}

“The builders refused to use a certain stone. They thought that it had no value.
But now that stone has become the most important stone at the corner of the building.” ’

¹² Then Peter said, ‘Only Jesus can save people. There has never been another person in the world that could do this. God has not given any other man the authority to save us.’

¹³ The Jewish leaders saw that Peter and John were not afraid of them. They also knew that they were not special people. They had not been to any school. ^{[ b ]} So the leaders were very surprised about how Peter and John spoke. They understood that Peter and John had been friends with Jesus.

¹⁴ The man who was now well stood in front of the Jewish leaders. They could see that his legs had become strong again. So they could not say anything against Peter and John. ¹⁵ They told Peter and John to go out of the room where the leaders were meeting. Then they talked together to decide what they should do. ¹⁶ ‘What should we do with these men?’ they said. ‘Everyone who lives in Jerusalem knows about this miracle. They know that Peter and John did a great thing for that man. So we cannot say that they did not do it. ¹⁷ But we do not want any more people to know what has happened. So we must say to these men, “You must stop using the name of Jesus. You must stop teaching people about him.” ’ ^{[ c ]}

¹⁸ Then the Jewish leaders told Peter and John to come back into the room. They said to them, ‘You must not use the authority of Jesus to teach people any more. You must not speak about him.’ ¹⁹ Then Peter and John replied to the leaders, ‘What do you think God wants us to do? Should we obey you? Or should we obey God? You decide! ²⁰ We know what is right. We must continue to speak about these things. We must tell people about the things that we have seen and heard.’

²¹ The Jewish leaders were angry. They told Peter and John that they must obey them. Then they let Peter and John go free. All the people there were praising God because of the miracle. So the leaders could not decide how to punish Peter and John. ²² The man who became well because of this miracle was more than 40 years old.

The group of believers pray to God

²³ After the Jewish leaders let them go free, Peter and John went back to the group of believers. They told them what the leaders of the priests and the important Jews had said. ²⁴ The believers listened to what Peter and John told them. Then they all prayed together. They said to God, ‘You are the Lord who rules over everything. You made the sky, the earth and the sea. You also made everything that is in them. ²⁵ Our ancestor, King David, was your servant. You sent your Holy Spirit to him so that he spoke your message. You said through him, ^{[ d ]}

“People of other nations were very angry.
They made plans to do useless things.
Why did they do that?
²⁶ The kings and rulers of the world met together.
They decided to fight against the Lord God
and against his Messiah.”

²⁷ Lord God, it has now happened like that. Herod and Pontius Pilate have met together here in Jerusalem. They met with Israelite people and with people of other nations. Together they made plans to kill your holy servant, Jesus. He is the one that you chose to be your Messiah. ²⁸ But you are powerful. These men did only what you said would happen. You had already decided on these events. ²⁹ Lord God, you know that the Jewish leaders want to punish Peter and John. We are your servants. Please help us not to be afraid. Help us to speak your message to people without fear. ³⁰ Show people that you are strong. Cause sick people to become well. Do other powerful things to show that you are God. It is the authority of your holy servant Jesus that will make these things happen.’

³¹ The believers finished praying. The house where they were meeting together shook. God filled them all with his Holy Spirit. That made them very brave and they spoke God's message clearly to people.

The believers help each other

³² All the believers agreed completely with each other about how they should live. They wanted to help each other. Nobody kept anything only for themselves. They let the other believers use it. ³³ The apostles continued to teach about the Lord Jesus. They spoke with great power. They told people, ‘After Jesus died, God caused him to live again. We saw that happen.’ God was very kind to all the believers and he helped them in many ways. ³⁴ Everyone had as much as they needed. Some believers had land or houses, which belonged to them. They sold those things and then they took the money to the apostles. ³⁵ Then the apostles gave the money to any of the believers who needed it.

³⁶ One of the believers was called Joseph. He was from the family of Levi. He was from the island called Cyprus. The apostles called him Barnabas because he liked to help people. ³⁷ Joseph sold a field that belonged to him. He took the money from this and he gave it to the apostles. He wanted them to use the money to help other believers. ^{[ e ]}

Footnotes

4:11 We can read this in Psalms 118:22 . The prophet was saying that the Messiah would be like a special stone that makes a building strong. When the Jewish leaders refused Jesus, they were like the builders.
4:13 The teachers of God's Law went to special schools. At these schools, they learned how to teach the people about God. Peter and John had never been to one of these schools. But they knew how to teach the people about God.
4:17 The people in Jerusalem knew that Peter and John had done a good thing for the man. The Jewish leaders had asked Pilate to kill Jesus for them. Now the leaders were afraid that more people would believe in Jesus. Then those people might fight against them.
4:25 See Psalms 2:1-3 .
4:37 The family of Levi were servants in the temple, where they worked for the priests. We can read about them in Numbers 3:5-13 .

The Apostles and the Jewish High Council

4 While Peter and John were speaking to the people, some Jewish leaders came up to them. There were some priests, the captain of the soldiers that guarded the Temple, and some Sadducees. ² They were upset because of what Peter and John were teaching the people. By telling people about Jesus, the apostles were teaching that people will rise from death. ³ The Jewish leaders arrested Peter and John and put them in jail. It was already night, so they kept them in jail until the next day. ⁴ But many of the people who heard the apostles believed what they said. There were now about 5000 men in the group of believers.

⁵ The next day the Jewish rulers, the older Jewish leaders, and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. ⁶ Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander were there. Everyone from the high priest’s family was there. ⁷ They made Peter and John stand before all the people. They asked them over and over, “How did you make this crippled man well? What power did you use? By whose authority did you do this?”

⁸ Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, “Rulers of the people and you older leaders, ⁹ are you questioning us today about what we did to help this crippled man? Are you asking us what made him well? ¹⁰ We want all of you and all the people of Israel to know that this man was made well by the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth. You nailed Jesus to a cross, but God raised him from death. This man was crippled, but he is now well. He is able to stand here before you because of the power of Jesus! ¹¹ Jesus is

‘the stone ^{[ a ]} that you builders thought was not important.
But this stone has become the cornerstone.’ ^{( A )}

¹² Jesus is the only one who can save people. His name is the only power in the world that has been given to save anyone. We must be saved through him!”

¹³ The Jewish leaders understood that Peter and John had no special training or education. But they also saw that they were not afraid to speak. So the leaders were amazed. They also realized that Peter and John had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ They saw the crippled man standing there beside the apostles. They saw that he was healed, so they could say nothing against the apostles.

¹⁵ The Jewish leaders told them to leave the council meeting. Then the leaders talked to each other about what they should do. ¹⁶ They said, “What shall we do with these men? Everyone in Jerusalem knows about the miracle they did as a sign from God. It’s too obvious. We can’t say it didn’t happen. ¹⁷ But we must make them afraid to talk to anyone again using that name. ^{[ b ]} Then this problem will not spread among the people.”

¹⁸ So the Jewish leaders called Peter and John in again. They told the apostles not to say anything or to teach anything in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered them, “What do you think is right? What would God want? Should we obey you or God? ²⁰ We cannot be quiet. We must tell people about what we have seen and heard.”

^21-22 The Jewish leaders could not find a way to punish the apostles, because all the people were praising God for what had been done. This miracle was a sign from God. The man who was healed was more than 40 years old. So the Jewish leaders warned the apostles again and let them go free.

Peter and John Return to the Believers

²³ Peter and John left the meeting of Jewish leaders and went to their own group. They told the group everything that the leading priests and the older Jewish leaders had said to them. ²⁴ When the believers heard this, they all prayed to God with one purpose. They said, “Master, you are the one who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and everything in the world. ²⁵ Our ancestor David was your servant. With the help of the Holy Spirit he wrote these words:

‘Why are the nations shouting?
Why are the people planning such useless things?

²⁶ ‘The kings of the earth prepare themselves to fight,
and the rulers all come together against the Lord and against his Messiah.’ ^{( B )}

²⁷ That’s what actually happened when Herod, Pontius Pilate, the other nations, and the people of Israel all came together against Jesus here in Jerusalem. He is your holy Servant, the one you made to be the Messiah. ²⁸ These people who came together against Jesus made your plan happen. It was done because of your power and your will. ²⁹ And now, Lord, listen to what they are saying. They are trying to make us afraid. We are your servants. Help us to say what you want us to say without fear. ³⁰ Help us to be brave by showing us your power. Make sick people well. Cause miraculous signs and wonders to happen by the authority ^{[ c ]} of Jesus, your holy servant.”

³¹ After the believers prayed, the place where they were meeting shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they continued to speak God’s message without fear.

The Believers Share

³² The whole group of believers was united in their thinking and in what they wanted. None of them said that the things they had were their own. Instead, they shared everything. ³³ With great power the apostles were making it known to everyone that the Lord Jesus was raised from death. And God blessed all the believers very much. ³⁴ None of them could say they needed anything. Everyone who owned fields or houses sold them. They brought the money they got ³⁵ and gave it to the apostles. Then everyone was given whatever they needed.

³⁶ One of the believers was named Joseph. The apostles called him Barnabas, a name that means “one who encourages others.” He was a Levite born in Cyprus. ³⁷ Joseph sold a field he owned. He brought the money and gave it to the apostles.

Footnotes

Acts 4:11 stone A picture or symbol meaning Jesus.
Acts 4:17 that name That is, Jesus’ name. The Jewish leaders avoided saying his name. See Lk. 15:2.
Acts 4:30 authority Literally, “name.”

4 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.

⁵ And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

⁶ 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?

⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

⁹ 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.

¹³ 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.

¹⁴ And beholding the man which 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? 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.

¹⁷ But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

¹⁸ And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

¹⁹ 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.

²⁰ For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

²¹ 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.

²² For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

²³ And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

²⁴ 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:

²⁵ Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

²⁶ The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

²⁷ 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,

²⁸ For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

²⁹ And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

³⁰ By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

³¹ 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.

³² 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.

³³ And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

³⁴ 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,

³⁵ And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

³⁶ 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.

Peter and John Arrested

4 As they were speaking to the people, the priests and ^{( A )} the captain of the temple guard and ^{( B )} the Sadducees ^{( C )} came up to them, ² being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming ^{[ a ]} ^{( D )} in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. ³ And they laid hands on them and ^{( E )} put them in prison until the next day, for it was already evening. ⁴ But many of those who had heard the ^{[ b ]} message believed; and ^{( F )} the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

⁵ On the next day, their ^{( G )} rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; ⁶ and ^{( H )} Annas the high priest was there , and ^{( I )} Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent. ⁷ When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?” ⁸ Then Peter, ^{[ c ]} ^{( J )} filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “ ^{[ d ]} ^{( K )} Rulers and elders of the people, ⁹ if we are ^{[ e ]} on trial today for ^{( L )} a benefit done to a sick man, as to ^{[ f ]} how this man has been made well, ¹⁰ let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that ^{[ g ]} ^{( M )} by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom ^{( N )} God raised from the dead— ^{[ h ]} by ^{[ i ]} this name this man stands here before you in good health. ¹¹ ^{[ j ]} ^{( O )} He is the ^{( P )} stone which was ^{( Q )} rejected by you, the builders , but which became the chief cornerstone . ¹² And there is salvation in ^{( R )} no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.”

Threat and Release

¹³ Now as they observed the ^{( S )} confidence of ^{( T )} Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and ^{( U )} began to recognize them ^{[ k ]} as having been with Jesus. ¹⁴ And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. ¹⁵ But when they had ordered them to leave the ^{[ l ]} ^{( V )} Council, they began to confer with one another, ¹⁶ saying, “ ^{( W )} What are we to do with these men? For the fact that a ^{( X )} noteworthy ^{[ m ]} miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let’s warn them not to speak any longer to any person ^{( Y )} in this name.” ¹⁸ And when they had summoned them, they ^{( Z )} commanded them not to speak or teach at all ^{[ n ]} in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But ^{( AA )} Peter and John answered and said to them, “ ^{( AB )} Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, make your own judgment; ²⁰ for ^{( AC )} we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” ²¹ When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) ^{( AD )} on account of the people, because they were all ^{( AE )} glorifying God for what had happened; ²² for the man on whom this ^{[ o ]} miracle of healing had been performed was more than forty years old.

²³ When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported everything that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴ And when they heard this , they raised their voices to God with one mind and said, “ ^{[ p ]} Lord, it is You who ^{( AF )} made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything that is in them , ²⁵ who ^{( AG )} by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said,

‘ ^{( AH )} Why were the ^{[ q ]} nations insolent ,
And the peoples plotting in vain ?
²⁶ ^{( AI )} The kings of the earth ^{[ r ]} took their stand ,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His ^{[ s ]} ^{( AJ )} Christ .’

²⁷ For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy ^{[ t ]} ^{( AK )} servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both ^{( AL )} Herod and ^{( AM )} Pontius Pilate, along with ^{( AN )} the ^{[ u ]} Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, ²⁸ to do whatever Your hand and ^{( AO )} purpose predestined to occur. ²⁹ And ^{[ v ]} now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant it to Your bond-servants to ^{( AP )} speak Your word with all ^{( AQ )} confidence, ³⁰ while You extend Your hand to heal, and ^{[ w ]} ^{( AR )} signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy ^{[ x ]} ^{( AS )} servant Jesus.” ³¹ And when they had prayed, the ^{( AT )} place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all ^{( AU )} filled with the Holy Spirit and began to ^{( AV )} speak the word of God with ^{( AW )} boldness.

Sharing among Believers

³² And the ^{[ y ]} congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them ^{[ z ]} claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but ^{( AX )} all things were common property to them. ³³ And ^{( AY )} with great power the apostles were giving ^{( AZ )} testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. ³⁴ For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses ^{( BA )} would sell them and bring the ^{[ aa ]} proceeds of the sales ³⁵ and ^{( BB )} lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be ^{( BC )} distributed to each to the extent that any had need.

³⁶ Now Joseph, a Levite of ^{( BD )} Cyprian birth, who was also called ^{( BE )} Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of ^{[ ab ]} ^{( BF )} Encouragement), ³⁷ ^{[ ac ]} owned a tract of land. So he sold it, and brought the money and ^{( BG )} laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Footnotes

Acts 4:2 Or in the case of
Acts 4:4 Lit word
Acts 4:8 Or having just been filled
Acts 4:8 Lit Rulers of the people and elders
Acts 4:9 Lit answering
Acts 4:9 Or by what ; or by whom
Acts 4:10 Or in
Acts 4:10 Or in
Acts 4:10 Or Him
Acts 4:11 Lit This One
Acts 4:13 Lit that they had been
Acts 4:15 Or Sanhedrin
Acts 4:16 Or sign
Acts 4:18 Or on the basis of
Acts 4:22 Or sign
Acts 4:24 Or Master
Acts 4:25 Or Gentiles
Acts 4:26 Or approached
Acts 4:26 I.e., Messiah
Acts 4:27 Or Son
Acts 4:27 Or nations
Acts 4:29 Or as for the present situation
Acts 4:30 I.e., confirming miracles
Acts 4:30 Or Son
Acts 4:32 Or community ; lit multitude
Acts 4:32 Lit was saying
Acts 4:34 Lit the prices of the things being sold
Acts 4:36 Or Exhortation ; or Consolation
Acts 4:37 Lit a tract...belonging to him, he sold...

Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin

4 The priests and the captain of the temple guard ^{( A )} and the Sadducees ^{( B )} came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. ² They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. ^{( C )} ³ They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail ^{( D )} until the next day. ⁴ But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew ^{( E )} to about five thousand.

⁵ The next day the rulers, ^{( F )} the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. ⁶ Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, ^{( G )} John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. ⁷ They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, ^{( H )} said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! ^{( I )} ⁹ If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame ^{( J )} and are being asked how he was healed, ¹⁰ then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, ^{( K )} whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, ^{( L )} that this man stands before you healed. ¹¹ Jesus is

“‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’ ^{[ a ]} ^{( M )}

¹² Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” ^{( N )}

¹³ When they saw the courage of Peter and John ^{( O )} and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, ^{( P )} they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. ^{( Q )} ¹⁴ But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. ¹⁵ So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin ^{( R )} and then conferred together. ¹⁶ “What are we going to do with these men?” ^{( S )} they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, ^{( T )} and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

¹⁸ Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. ^{( U )} ¹⁹ But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? ^{( V )} You be the judges! ²⁰ As for us, we cannot help speaking ^{( W )} about what we have seen and heard.” ^{( X )}

²¹ After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people ^{( Y )} were praising God ^{( Z )} for what had happened. ²² For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

The Believers Pray

²³ On 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. ²⁴ When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. ^{( AA )} “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. ^{( AB )} ²⁵ You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: ^{( AC )}

“‘Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
²⁶ The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord
and against his anointed one. ^{[ b ]} ’ ^{[ c ]} ^{( AD )}

²⁷ Indeed Herod ^{( AE )} and Pontius Pilate ^{( AF )} met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, ^{( AG )} whom you anointed. ²⁸ They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. ^{( AH )} ²⁹ Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. ^{( AI )} ³⁰ Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders ^{( AJ )} through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” ^{( AK )}

³¹ After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. ^{( AL )} And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit ^{( AM )} and spoke the word of God ^{( AN )} boldly. ^{( AO )}

The Believers Share Their Possessions

³² All 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. ^{( AP )} ³³ With great power the apostles continued to testify ^{( AQ )} to the resurrection ^{( AR )} of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace ^{( AS )} was so powerfully at work in them all ³⁴ that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, ^{( AT )} brought the money from the sales ³⁵ and put it at the apostles’ feet, ^{( AU )} and it was distributed to anyone who had need. ^{( AV )}

³⁶ Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas ^{( AW )} (which means “son of encouragement”), ³⁷ sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. ^{( AX )}

Footnotes

Acts 4:11 Psalm 118:22
Acts 4:26 That is, Messiah or Christ
Acts 4:26 Psalm 2:1,2

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Table of Contents

The priests put Peter and John in prison

The Jewish leaders ask Peter and John questions

The group of believers pray to God

The believers help each other

Footnotes

The Apostles and the Jewish High Council

Peter and John Return to the Believers

The Believers Share

Footnotes

Cross references

Peter and John Arrested

Threat and Release

Sharing among Believers

Footnotes

Cross references

Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin

The Believers Pray

The Believers Share Their Possessions

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BibleStudyIt Acts 4

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The priests put Peter and John in prison

The Jewish leaders ask Peter and John questions

The group of believers pray to God

The believers help each other

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The Apostles and the Jewish High Council

Peter and John Return to the Believers

The Believers Share

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Peter and John Arrested

Threat and Release

Sharing among Believers

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Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin

The Believers Pray

The Believers Share Their Possessions

Footnotes

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Acts 4's Chapter Tabs
Scroll past these tabs to continue or click on one of them to navigate out of this webpage.