FocusSalvation in Jesus' name
Connection to the wholeThe healing and preaching lead to arrest, and Peter identifies Jesus as the source of the man's restoration and the only name given for salvation.
interpretation Acts 4:1
KJVAnd as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
Read it in context
Peter and John Arrested and Released
Start reading at Acts 4:1 (Acts 4:1 to Acts 4:37).
The passage describes the arrest of Peter and John, their trial before the Sanhedrin, their bold witness, their release, and the subsequent prayer and communal life of the early church.
- 4:1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
- 4:2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
- 4:3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
- 4:4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
- 4:5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
- 4:6 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.
- 4:7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
- 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
- 4:9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
- 4:10 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.
- 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
- 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
- 4:13 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.
- 4:14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
- 4:15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
- 4:16 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.
- 4:17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
- 4:18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
- 4:19 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.
- 4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
- 4:21 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.
- 4:22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
- 4:23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
- 4:24 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:
- 4:25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
- 4:26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
- 4:27 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,
- 4:28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
- 4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
- 4:30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
- 4:31 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.
- 4:32 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.
- 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
- 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,
- 4:35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
- 4:36 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,
- 4:37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Luke, the physician and companion of Paul, is the traditional author of Acts and the Gospel of Luke. Biblical references: Acts 1:1; Luke 1:3; Colossians 4:14. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Acts 4:1–4:37): Priests, the temple captain, Sadducees, and the council question Peter and John; afterward the believers pray together and share their possessions. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Theophilus, the same named recipient as Luke's Gospel, with the account also serving the wider Christian readership. Biblical references: Acts 1:1; Luke 1:3. stated in the text
What
- What is the main event or theme? The main event is the arrest of Peter and John by Jewish religious authorities, specifically the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, because they were teaching the people and preaching the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
- What is God revealing? God is revealing the immediate and strong opposition that the early Christian message, particularly the resurrection of Jesus, faced from established religious powers in Jerusalem. He also reveals the specific theological conflict with the Sadducees who denied the resurrection.
- What is the literary style? The literary style of Acts is narrative history.
When
- When was it written? The book of Acts was written between approximately A.D. 62 and 64. book background
- When does the event take place? The event takes place around A.D. 30, specifically in the evening ('eventide') following Peter's sermon and the healing of the lame man. stated in the text
Where
- Where did it happen? The event occurred in Jerusalem, likely near the temple courts where Peter and John had been speaking to the people. stated in the text
- Where was the author located? The author, Luke, was traditionally located in Rome when he wrote the book of Acts. traditionally held
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Peter and John Arrested and Released (Acts 4:1 to Acts 4:37). Start reading at Acts 4:1. The passage describes the arrest of Peter and John, their trial before the Sanhedrin, their bold witness, their release, and the subsequent prayer and communal life of the early church.
How
- How does it fit the broader context? This verse marks the beginning of direct persecution against the apostles by the Jewish religious establishment. It follows the healing of the lame man (Acts 3:1-10) and Peter's subsequent sermon (Acts 3:11-26), setting the stage for the apostles' defense before the Sanhedrin and demonstrating the immediate conflict between the nascent church and the existing religious authorities. interpretation
- How does it point to Christ? The opposition faced by Peter and John for preaching Jesus' resurrection directly mirrors the opposition Jesus Himself encountered from the religious leaders during His earthly ministry. The Sadducees' grievance over the teaching of resurrection highlights a core truth of Christ's identity and mission, which was a stumbling block to many, just as it was for Jesus' own ministry. interpretation
- How do I apply it today? This passage reminds believers that proclaiming the truth of Jesus Christ, especially His resurrection, may lead to opposition or persecution from those who reject the message. It encourages faithfulness and boldness in sharing the gospel, even when facing resistance from established powers or popular opinion. interpretation
Cited: Acts 4:1, Acts 4:2, Acts 4:3, Acts 4:6, Acts 3:1-10, Acts 3:11-26
Who wrote it, and how we know
Luke
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens by referring to the author's former treatise to Theophilus, tying it to Luke, and shifts into first-person plural in the travel accounts.
Acts 1:1Acts 16:10
Early traditionEarly testimony names Luke.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text.
Related passages
- the priests Acts 4:6 Acts 6:7,12 Matt 26:3-4 Matt 27:1-2,20,41 John 15:20 John 18:3
- the captain Acts 5:24,26 2 Chr 23:4-9 Luke 22:4
- the Sadducees Acts 23:6-9 Matt 16:12 Matt 22:16,23-24
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Time covered by Acts
About 30 years
- AD 30 or 33Approximate beginning · Acts 1
The risen Jesus instructs His apostles
Acts begins after Jesus’ resurrection and describes His ascension. - About AD 62Approximate ending · Acts 28
Paul teaches while confined in Rome
The account closes with Paul receiving visitors and teaching during two full years in his rented lodging.
The narrative moves from Jerusalem to Rome over roughly three decades. Chapters do not represent equal amounts of time.
View historical notes and sources
Using a beginning in AD 30 or 33 and an ending around AD 62 gives approximately 29–32 years. These are reconstructed dates for the events, not a date for the writing of Acts. The book does not explicitly total its elapsed years.
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Acts 4
Acts addresses Theophilus as a continuation of the earlier account and follows the witnesses empowered by the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:8 supplies an important geographical frame: Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth.
Threatened but released
Acts 4:13–22FocusObedience to God
Connection to the wholeThe authorities recognize the public evidence yet command silence; the apostles insist on speaking what they have seen and heard.
interpretation The church prays
Acts 4:23–31FocusBoldness amid opposition
Connection to the wholeThe believers interpret the threats through Scripture and ask for boldness, receiving renewed filling and continuing their witness.
interpretation Shared possessions and testimony
Acts 4:32–37FocusUnity and provision
Connection to the wholeThe community's common care accompanies the apostles' witness and introduces the contrasting account of Ananias and Sapphira in chapter 5.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Acts
Acts addresses Theophilus as a continuation of the earlier account and follows the witnesses empowered by the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:8 supplies an important geographical frame: Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth.
The promised power and the Jerusalem church
Acts 1:1–2:47FocusWitness begins
Connection to the wholeJesus' promise, the coming of the Holy Ghost, Peter's preaching, and the hearers' response establish the beginning of the church's witness.
interpretation FocusBoldness, order, and rejection
Connection to the wholePublic testimony and growth are accompanied by internal needs and increasing opposition, culminating in Stephen's death.
interpretation The witness moves outward
Acts 8:1–12:25FocusSamaria, Saul, and Gentile hearers
Connection to the wholePersecution scatters believers; new fields open, Saul is called, and the reception of Gentiles becomes a matter publicly explained to the church.
interpretation Mission and the Gentile question
Acts 13:1–15:35FocusChurches established and the council
Connection to the wholeThe first missionary journey and the Jerusalem deliberation address the place of Gentile believers without making circumcision the entrance requirement.
interpretation Further journeys and growing churches
Acts 15:36–21:16FocusStrengthening and expanding witness
Connection to the wholePaul and his companions travel through new regions and revisit churches, moving toward the journey to Jerusalem despite coming danger.
interpretation Arrest, hearings, and Rome
Acts 21:17–28:31FocusTestimony through imprisonment
Connection to the wholePaul's custody becomes a setting for witness before authorities and brings him to Rome, where the account closes with continued proclamation.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.