Acts 4 Free Bible Version
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
1 While they were talking to the people, the priests, the captain of the Temple guard, and the Sadducees came up to them.
1 As they spoke to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came to them,
2 They were angry that they were teaching the people, telling them that through Jesus there is resurrection from the dead.
2 being upset because they taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 They arrested them and placed them under guard until the following day since it was already evening.
3 They laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was now evening.
4 But many who had heard the message believed it, and the total number of believers grew to about five thousand.
4 But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
5 The next day, the rulers, elders, and religious leaders met together in Jerusalem.
5 In the morning, their rulers, elders, and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem.
6 They included the high priest Annas, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and others of the high priest's family.
6 Annas the high priest was there, with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and as many as were relatives of the high priest.
7 They brought Peter and John before them and asked, “By what power or by whose authority have you done this?”
7 When they had stood Peter and John in the middle of them, they inquired, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?”
8 Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them. “Rulers of the people, and elders:
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “You rulers of the people and elders of Israel,
9 Are we being interrogated regarding a good deed done to a man who couldn't help himself, and how he came to be healed?
9 if we are examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,
10 If so, all of you should know, and all the people of Israel, that it was in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the one you killed on a cross and whom God raised from the dead—it's because of him that this man stands before you completely healed.
10 may it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, this man stands here before you whole in him.
11 ‘He is the stone you builders rejected, but he has been made the chief cornerstone.’
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 no salvation in anyone else; there is no other name under heaven given to humanity that can possibly save us.”
12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved!”
13 When they saw Peter and John's confidence, and realized they were uneducated, ordinary men, they were very surprised. They also recognized them as Jesus' companions.
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled. They recognized that they had been with Jesus.
14 Since they could see the man who had been healed standing right there with them, they had nothing to say in response to what had happened.
14 Seeing the man who was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15 So they instructed them to wait outside the council while they discussed the matter among themselves.
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16 “What should we do with these men?” they asked. “We can't deny a significant miracle has happened through them. Everybody living here in Jerusalem knows about it.
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 to prevent it spreading among the people any further, we should threaten them never to speak to anybody in this name again.”
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 So they called them back in and ordered them never to speak or teach in the name of Jesus again.
18 They called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John responded, “Whether it's right in God's eyes to obey you rather than God—you decide.
19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves,
20 We can't help talking about what we've seen and heard!”
20 for we can’t help telling the things which we saw and heard.”
21 After making more threats they let them go. They couldn't work out how to punish them because everyone was glorifying God for what had happened.
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 who received this miracle of healing was more than forty years old.
22 For the man on whom this miracle of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
23 After the disciples had been released, they went to the other believers and told them everything the chief priests and elders had said to them.
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 what had happened, they prayed to God together: “Lord, you made heaven and earth and sea, and everything that is in 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 sky, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them;
25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through David, our forefather and your servant, saying ‘Why did the people of the other nations become so angry? Why did they plot so foolishly against me?
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 prepared for war; the rulers united together against the Lord and against his Chosen One.’
26 The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers plot together, against the Lord, and against his Christ.’
27 Now this has really happened right here in this city! Both Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the foreigners and the people of Israel, united together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed as Messiah.
27 “For truly, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed,
28 They did whatever you had already decided because you had the power and the will to do it.
28 to do whatever your hand and your counsel foreordained to happen.
29 Now Lord: look at all their threats against us! Help us your servants to speak your word really boldly.
29 Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness,
30 As you exercise your power to heal, may signs and miracles be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus!”
30 while you stretch out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus.”
31 When they had finished praying, the building they were meeting in was shaken. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke the word of God boldly.
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.
32 All the believers thought and felt the same way. None of them claimed anything they had as their own, but shared everything with each other.
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 The apostles gave their testimony regarding the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with tremendous power, and God greatly blessed them all.
33 With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all.
34 None of them needed anything because those who had lands or properties sold them.
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 They took the proceeds and presented them to the apostles to be shared with those in need.
35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need.
36 Joseph, the one the apostles called Barnabas (meaning “son of encouragement”), was a Levite, a Cypriot national.
36 Joses, who by the apostles was also called Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,
37 He sold a field that belonged to him. Then he brought the money and presented it to the apostles.
37 having a field, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
People & places in this chapter
From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.
People
Alexander
Among those gathered with the rulers, elders and scribes at Jerusalem to question Peter and John.
Cited in the guide: Acts 4:6
Barnabas
A Levite from Cyprus named Joseph and nicknamed Barnabas, 'son of encouragement,' who sold a field for the church, brought Saul to the apostles, and traveled with him as a…
Cited in the guide: Acts 4:36; Acts 9:27; Acts 11:22
Cross references (37)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Luke 22:4; Acts 6:12; Acts 23:6–9; Acts 5:26; Acts 5:24
- 2 Acts 17:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14; Acts 24:14–15; 1 Corinthians 15:12–20; Acts 3:15
- 3 Acts 5:18; Acts 16:19–24; Matthew 10:16–17; Acts 12:1–3; Luke 22:52
- 4 Acts 2:41; 2 Timothy 2:9–10; 2 Corinthians 2:14–17; Philippians 1:12–18; Acts 28:24
- 5 Acts 4:8; Luke 22:66; Isaiah 1:10; Luke 23:13; Acts 6:12
- 6 Luke 3:2; Matthew 26:3; John 18:24; John 18:13–14; John 11:49
- 7 Matthew 21:23; Mark 11:28; Acts 5:40; Exodus 2:14; John 2:18
- 8 Luke 12:11–12; Matthew 10:19–20; Luke 21:14–15; Acts 2:4; Acts 7:55
- 9 1 Peter 3:15–17; Acts 3:7; John 10:32; John 7:23; 1 Peter 4:14
- 10 Acts 3:6; Acts 5:29–32; Acts 2:36; Acts 10:40–42; Matthew 27:63–66
- 11 Psalm 118:22–23; Isaiah 28:16; Mark 12:10–12; Matthew 21:42–45; 1 Peter 2:6–8
- 12 John 14:6; 1 Corinthians 3:11; John 3:36; 1 Timothy 2:5–6; 1 John 5:11–12
- 13 1 Corinthians 1:27; John 7:15; Matthew 11:25; Acts 2:7–12; Matthew 26:73
- 14 Acts 19:36; Acts 3:8–12; Acts 4:16; Acts 4:10; Acts 4:21
- 15 Matthew 5:22; Acts 26:30–32; Acts 5:34–42
- 16 Acts 6:10; John 12:18; Luke 21:15; Luke 6:10–11; Daniel 8:8
- 17 Acts 5:28; Romans 15:18–22; 1 Thessalonians 2:15–16; Acts 5:24; 1 Thessalonians 1:8
- 18 Acts 5:40; Luke 24:46–48; Acts 5:20; Acts 1:8
- 19 Acts 5:29; Exodus 1:17; 1 Corinthians 10:15; 1 Timothy 2:3; 1 Kings 22:14
- 20 Jeremiah 20:9; Acts 22:15; 1 Corinthians 9:16–17; 1 John 1:1–3; Ezekiel 3:11
- 21 Acts 5:26; Luke 22:2; Matthew 9:8; Matthew 21:46; Luke 20:6
- 22 Acts 9:33; John 5:5; Acts 3:2; Matthew 9:20; John 9:1
- 23 2 Corinthians 6:14–17; Psalm 42:4; Psalm 119:63; Acts 12:11–12; Psalm 16:3
- 24 Exodus 20:11; Jeremiah 32:17; Nehemiah 9:6; 2 Kings 19:15; Jeremiah 10:10–12
- 25 Psalm 2:1–6; Acts 1:16; Acts 2:30
- 26 Psalm 2:2; Revelation 17:12–14; Daniel 9:24; Psalm 83:2–8; Acts 10:38
- 27 Matthew 27:2; Acts 4:30; Luke 9:22; Matthew 20:18–19; John 1:11
- 28 Acts 2:23; Isaiah 46:10; Genesis 50:20; Matthew 26:24; Isaiah 53:10
- 29 Acts 4:13; Philippians 1:14; Acts 14:3; Acts 28:31; Acts 4:31
- 30 Acts 3:6; Acts 4:27; Acts 2:22; Acts 9:40–42; Acts 5:12
- 31 Matthew 21:22; Acts 2:4; Acts 2:2; Isaiah 65:24; Acts 16:25–26
- 32 1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:2–6; 1 Peter 3:8; John 17:21–23; Philippians 2:1–2
- 33 John 1:16; Acts 1:22; Mark 16:20; Acts 1:8; Acts 4:30
- 34 Acts 2:45; Luke 12:33; Luke 16:9; Deuteronomy 2:7; Psalm 34:9–10
- 35 Acts 5:2; Acts 2:45; 2 Corinthians 8:20–21; Acts 4:37; Acts 3:6
- 36 Galatians 2:9; Galatians 2:13; Galatians 2:1; Acts 15:39; Acts 11:30
- 37 Matthew 19:29; Acts 5:1–2; Acts 4:34–35
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
Ere yet they had time to take breath after their first trials, straightway they enter into others. And observe how the events are disposed. First, they were all mocked together; this was no small trial: secondly, they enter into dangers.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 11 (1889)
… that the promise which God made to the fathers had been fulfilled by Jesus; not certainly proclaiming another god, but the Son of God, who also was made man, and suffered; thus leading Israel into knowledge, and through Jesus preaching the resurrection of the dead, and showing, that whatever the prophets had proclaimed as to the suffering of Christ, these …
… forgiving those sins which are divided against themselves, and by inhabiting those who are cleansed, that it may be with them, as it is written in the Acts of the Apostles, "The multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul." And this gift of forgiveness none resists, but he who has the hardness of an …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 6 (1888)
For so, "the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul," and yet were they divided into many bodies; their unanimity however made the many one.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
And thus, as they captured in the spiritual net of their doctrine five thousand believers at once, so they confuted the misguided rulers of the people and chief priests, and that, not through their own wisdom, for they were unlearned and ignorant men, but through the mighty power of the Holy Ghost; for it is written, Then Peter filled …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)