American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Acts 4
1
And as they spoke to the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came on them,
Reference
2
Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
Reference
3
And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold to the next day: for it was now eventide.
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 5:18
4
However, many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
Reference
Word
Acts 2:41
5
And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 4:8
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.
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People
7
And when they had set them in the middle, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have you done this?
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8
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said to them, You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
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9
If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the weak man, by what means he is made whole;
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10
Be it known to you all, 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, even by him does this man stand here before you whole.
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11
This is the stone which was set at nothing of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Reference
12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Reference
Parallel theme
John 14:6
1 Corinthians 3:11
John 3:36
Luke 24:47
Revelation 20:15
Hebrews 12:25
Psalm 45:17
Colossians 1:23
Salvation
Matthew 1:21
Hebrews 2:3
13
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Corinthians 1:27
John 7:15
References Jesus
Matthew 11:25
References Peter
Matthew 26:73
14
And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 19:36
15
But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 5:22
16
Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle has been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
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17
But that it spread no further among the people, let us straightly threaten them, that they speak from now on to no man in this name.
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18
And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
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19
But Peter and John answered and said to them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, judge you.
Reference
Judgment
1 Corinthians 10:15
John 7:24
Parallel theme
1 Kings 22:14
References God
Acts 5:29
Exodus 1:17
1 Timothy 2:3
Daniel 3:18
Matthew 22:21
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.
Reference
23
And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.
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24
And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, you are God, which have made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
Reference
Creation
Exodus 20:11
Jeremiah 32:17
Nehemiah 9:6
2 Kings 19:15
Isaiah 51:12
References Lord
Jeremiah 20:13
25
Who by the mouth of your servant David have said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
Reference
References David
Acts 1:16
26
The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
Reference
Kingdom
Psalm 2:2
Revelation 17:17
Parallel theme
Daniel 9:24
Acts 10:38
Hebrews 1:9
References Lord
Luke 4:18
27
For of a truth against your holy child Jesus, whom you have anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
Reference
29
And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant to your servants, that with all boldness they may speak your word,
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 4:13
Acts 19:8
Acts 4:21
References Lord
2 Timothy 4:17
Acts 28:31
Acts 9:27
Word
Acts 14:3
Acts 4:31
Philippians 1:14
Acts 13:46
30
By stretching forth your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of your holy child Jesus.
Reference
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 spoke the word of God with boldness.
Reference
Holy
Acts 2:4
Parallel theme
Isaiah 65:24
Acts 2:2
John 14:12
John 15:16
Prayer
Matthew 21:22
References God
James 1:5
Word
Acts 4:29
John 15:7
Philippians 1:14
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.
Reference
33
And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was on them all.
Reference
Grace
John 1:16
Parallel theme
1 Thessalonians 1:5
References Jesus
Acts 4:30
Luke 2:52
References Lord
Acts 2:47
Mark 16:20
Resurrection
Acts 1:22
Witness
Acts 1:8
Hebrews 2:4
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,
Reference
35
And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made to every man according as he had need.
Reference
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,
Reference
37
Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 19:29
Summary of Acts 4
Acts 4 describes the first major confrontation between the apostles and Jerusalem's religious authorities, while also showing how the early Christian community responds to persecution through courage, prayer, unity, and generosity.
The chapter begins while Peter and John are still speaking to the people after the healing of the man who had been unable to walk.
The priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees approach them because they are disturbed by the apostles' teaching about Jesus and especially their proclamation of the resurrection from the dead.
The authorities arrest Peter and John and keep them in custody overnight.
However, the arrest does not stop the message from spreading.
Many people who have heard the apostles believe, and the number of men in the Christian community reaches approximately five thousand.
The following day, Peter and John are brought before the religious leadership of Jerusalem, including Annas and Caiaphas and members of the high-priestly family.
The leaders ask the apostles by what power or in whose name they healed the disabled man.
Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, responds boldly.
He explains that the man was healed through the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the same Jesus whom the authorities had crucified but whom God had raised from the dead.
Peter makes the central point of his defense very clear: the miracle is not about the apostles' personal ability but about the authority of the risen Jesus.
He then declares that Jesus is the stone rejected by the builders that has become the cornerstone and states that salvation is found in no one else.
The religious leaders are amazed by Peter and John's confidence because they recognize them as ordinary men without formal religious education, yet they cannot deny the evidence standing before them: the healed man is physically present.
The authorities therefore order Peter and John to stop speaking or teaching in Jesus' name.
Peter and John refuse to obey.
They explain that they cannot stop speaking about what they have personally seen and heard, establishing one of the most important principles in Acts: when human authority directly conflicts with God's command, the apostles must obey God.
The leaders threaten them again but eventually release them because the people are praising God for the miracle and because the healed man is more than forty years old, making the transformation particularly difficult to dispute.
After their release, Peter and John return to the other believers and report everything that happened.
The community responds not with panic or a request that God eliminate their enemies but with united prayer.
They acknowledge God as the Creator and Sovereign Lord and interpret the opposition against Jesus through Scripture, particularly the words of Psalm 2.
They recognize that Herod, Pontius Pilate, Gentiles, and the people of Israel had opposed Jesus, yet they also believe that these events occurred within God's larger purpose.
Most importantly, the believers do not pray primarily for protection from persecution.
They ask God to give them boldness to continue speaking His word.
They also ask Him to continue performing signs and wonders through Jesus' name.
After they pray, the place where they are gathered is shaken, they are filled with the Holy Spirit, and they continue speaking God's word with courage.
The second half of the chapter focuses on the life of the growing Christian community.
The believers are described as being one in heart and soul, and they willingly share their possessions so that no one among them is left in serious need.
Those who own property sell it when necessary and bring the proceeds to the apostles, who distribute the resources according to individual needs.
The emphasis is on voluntary generosity and practical care rather than personal accumulation.
Luke then introduces Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus whose name means “son of encouragement.”
Barnabas sells a field and gives the money to the apostles, providing a concrete example of the generosity that characterized the community.
The central message of Acts 4 is that the resurrection of Jesus gives His followers courage to proclaim the Gospel even when powerful authorities oppose them, while the Holy Spirit strengthens the church to respond to persecution with prayer, boldness, unity, and generosity.
The chapter also establishes an important contrast between the authority of human leaders and the authority of God.
The religious authorities have political and religious influence, but they cannot stop the apostles because Peter and John understand themselves to be witnesses commissioned by Jesus.
Their confidence does not come from education, social status, or political power.
It comes from the Holy Spirit and from their firsthand experience of the risen Christ.
Acts 4 also demonstrates that persecution can actually contribute to the growth and spiritual strength of the Christian community.
The apostles are threatened, but the church responds by praying for greater courage.
They face opposition, but the Gospel continues spreading.
They are commanded to remain silent, but they continue speaking.
And as the movement grows, the believers increasingly demonstrate their faith through practical generosity toward one another.
Acts 4 therefore presents a powerful picture of the early church as a community that is bold in witness, dependent on prayer, empowered by the Holy Spirit, united in purpose, and committed to caring for people in need.
The chapter begins while Peter and John are still speaking to the people after the healing of the man who had been unable to walk.
The priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees approach them because they are disturbed by the apostles' teaching about Jesus and especially their proclamation of the resurrection from the dead.
The authorities arrest Peter and John and keep them in custody overnight.
However, the arrest does not stop the message from spreading.
Many people who have heard the apostles believe, and the number of men in the Christian community reaches approximately five thousand.
The following day, Peter and John are brought before the religious leadership of Jerusalem, including Annas and Caiaphas and members of the high-priestly family.
The leaders ask the apostles by what power or in whose name they healed the disabled man.
Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, responds boldly.
He explains that the man was healed through the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the same Jesus whom the authorities had crucified but whom God had raised from the dead.
Peter makes the central point of his defense very clear: the miracle is not about the apostles' personal ability but about the authority of the risen Jesus.
He then declares that Jesus is the stone rejected by the builders that has become the cornerstone and states that salvation is found in no one else.
The religious leaders are amazed by Peter and John's confidence because they recognize them as ordinary men without formal religious education, yet they cannot deny the evidence standing before them: the healed man is physically present.
The authorities therefore order Peter and John to stop speaking or teaching in Jesus' name.
Peter and John refuse to obey.
They explain that they cannot stop speaking about what they have personally seen and heard, establishing one of the most important principles in Acts: when human authority directly conflicts with God's command, the apostles must obey God.
The leaders threaten them again but eventually release them because the people are praising God for the miracle and because the healed man is more than forty years old, making the transformation particularly difficult to dispute.
After their release, Peter and John return to the other believers and report everything that happened.
The community responds not with panic or a request that God eliminate their enemies but with united prayer.
They acknowledge God as the Creator and Sovereign Lord and interpret the opposition against Jesus through Scripture, particularly the words of Psalm 2.
They recognize that Herod, Pontius Pilate, Gentiles, and the people of Israel had opposed Jesus, yet they also believe that these events occurred within God's larger purpose.
Most importantly, the believers do not pray primarily for protection from persecution.
They ask God to give them boldness to continue speaking His word.
They also ask Him to continue performing signs and wonders through Jesus' name.
After they pray, the place where they are gathered is shaken, they are filled with the Holy Spirit, and they continue speaking God's word with courage.
The second half of the chapter focuses on the life of the growing Christian community.
The believers are described as being one in heart and soul, and they willingly share their possessions so that no one among them is left in serious need.
Those who own property sell it when necessary and bring the proceeds to the apostles, who distribute the resources according to individual needs.
The emphasis is on voluntary generosity and practical care rather than personal accumulation.
Luke then introduces Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus whose name means “son of encouragement.”
Barnabas sells a field and gives the money to the apostles, providing a concrete example of the generosity that characterized the community.
The central message of Acts 4 is that the resurrection of Jesus gives His followers courage to proclaim the Gospel even when powerful authorities oppose them, while the Holy Spirit strengthens the church to respond to persecution with prayer, boldness, unity, and generosity.
The chapter also establishes an important contrast between the authority of human leaders and the authority of God.
The religious authorities have political and religious influence, but they cannot stop the apostles because Peter and John understand themselves to be witnesses commissioned by Jesus.
Their confidence does not come from education, social status, or political power.
It comes from the Holy Spirit and from their firsthand experience of the risen Christ.
Acts 4 also demonstrates that persecution can actually contribute to the growth and spiritual strength of the Christian community.
The apostles are threatened, but the church responds by praying for greater courage.
They face opposition, but the Gospel continues spreading.
They are commanded to remain silent, but they continue speaking.
And as the movement grows, the believers increasingly demonstrate their faith through practical generosity toward one another.
Acts 4 therefore presents a powerful picture of the early church as a community that is bold in witness, dependent on prayer, empowered by the Holy Spirit, united in purpose, and committed to caring for people in need.