Acts 4 Geneva Bible (1599)
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
Notes on this text (1)
- Original 16th-century spelling.
1 And as they spake vnto the people, the Priestes and the Captaine of the Temple, and the Sadduces came vpon them,
1 As they spoke to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came to them,
2 Taking it grieuously that they taught the people, and preached in Iesus Name the resurrection from the dead.
2 being upset because they taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 And they layde handes on them, and put them in holde, vntill the next day: for it was now euentide.
3 They laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was now evening.
4 Howbeit, many of them which heard the word, beleeued, and the number of the men was about fiue thousand.
4 But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
5 And it came to passe on the morow, that their rulers, and Elders, and Scribes, were gathered together at Hierusalem,
5 In the morning, their rulers, elders, and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem.
6 And Annas the chiefe Priest, and Caiaphas, and Iohn, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the hie Priestes.
6 Annas the high priest was there, with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and as many as were relatives of the high priest.
7 And whe they had set them before them, they asked, By what power, or in what Name haue ye 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 Then Peter ful of the holy Ghost, said vnto them, Ye rulers of the people, and Elders of Israel,
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “You rulers of the people and elders of Israel,
9 For as much as we this day are examined of the good deede done to the impotent man, to wit, by what meanes he is made whole,
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 knowen vnto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye haue crucified, whome God raised againe from the dead, euen by him doth this man stand here before you, whole.
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 This is the stone cast aside of you builders which is become the head of the corner.
11 He is ‘the stone which was regarded as worthless by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.’
12 Neither is there saluation in any other: for among men there is giuen none other Name vnder heauen, whereby we must be saued.
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 Now when they sawe the boldnes of Peter and Iohn, and vnderstoode that they were vnlearned men and without knowledge, they marueiled, and knew them, that they had bin with Iesus:
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 And beholding also the man which was healed standing with them, they had nothing to say against it.
14 Seeing the man who was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15 Then they commanded them to goe aside out of the Council, and conferred among themselues,
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16 Saying, What shall we doe to these men? for surely a manifest signe is done by them, and it is openly knowen to all them that dwell in Hierusalem: and we cannot denie 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 that it be noysed no farther among the people, let vs threaten and charge them, that they speake hencefoorth to no man in this Name.
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, and commanded them, that in no wise they should speake or teach in the Name of Iesus.
18 They called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and Iohn answered vnto them, and said, Whether it be right in the sight of God, to obey you rather then God, iudge ye.
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 For we cannot but speake the things which we haue seene and heard.
20 for we can’t help telling the things which we saw and heard.”
21 So they threatened them, and let them goe, and found nothing how to punish them, because of the people: for all men praised God for that which was done.
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 was aboue fourtie yeeres olde, on whome this miracle of healing was shewed.
22 For the man on whom this miracle of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
23 Then assoone as they were let goe, they came to their fellowes, and shewed all that the hie Priestes and Elders had said vnto 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 And when they heard it, they lift vp their voyces to God with one accord, and said, O Lord, thou art the God which hast made the heaue, and the earth, the sea, and all things that are 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 Which by the mouth of thy seruant Dauid hast saide, Why did the Gentiles rage, and the people imagine vaine things?
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 assembled, and the rulers came together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
26 The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers plot together, against the Lord, and against his Christ.’
27 For doutlesse, against thine holy Sonne Iesus, whome thou haddest anoynted, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel gathered themselues together,
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 To doe whatsoeuer thine hand, and thy counsell had determined before to be done.
28 to do whatever your hand and your counsel foreordained to happen.
29 And nowe, O Lord, beholde their threatnings, and graunt vnto thy seruants with all boldnesse to speake thy word,
29 Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness,
30 So that thou stretch forth thine hand, that healing, and signes, and wonders may be done by the Name of thine holy Sonne Iesus.
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 And when as 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 boldely.
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 And the multitude of them that beleeued, were of one heart, and of one soule: neither any of them said, that any thing of that which he possessed, was his owne, but they had all thinges common.
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 And with great power gaue the Apostles witnes of the resurrection of the Lord Iesus: and great grace was vpon 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 Neither was there any among them, that lacked: for as many as were possessours of landes or houses, solde them, and brought the price of the things that were solde,
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 layde it downe at the Apostles feete, and it was distributed vnto euery man, according as he had neede.
35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need.
36 Also Ioses which was called of the Apostles, Barnabas (that is by interpretation the sonne of consolation) being a Leuite, and of the countrey of Cyprus,
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 Where as he had land, solde it, and brought the money, and laid it downe at the Apostles feete.
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)