‏ Acts 4

Peter and John Imprisoned

This section shows how the message of Jesus kept spreading, even when people tried to stop it. The apostles were brave and faithful, but those against them were determined too. God’s plan continued, even as Satan’s agents tried to resist it. When believers are bold, they must expect opposition, but also trust in God’s strength.

v. 1: Peter and John continued their work, teaching the people in public. They spoke clearly about Jesus and what he had done. Their message was for everyone, both those who already believed and those who did not. They focused on the resurrection of Jesus, proving he had risen from the dead (Acts 26:23 ^a) and teaching that through Jesus all believers could have eternal life (Philippians 3:10-11; Acts 17:18 ^b). They preached about heaven as the goal and Jesus as the only way.

v. 2: The religious leaders—priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees—were very upset. They did not like that the apostles were teaching the people so boldly and that the people were listening. The Sadducees especially hated the teaching about resurrection, because they did not believe in life after death. The priests were jealous for their power, and all were angry that Jesus was being preached as the one who brings resurrection. They were sad to see the gospel spreading, even though this was something that should have brought them joy (Psalm 112:10 ^c).

v. 3: The leaders arrested Peter and John and put them in jail until the next day, because it was evening. God allowed this to prepare the apostles for more challenges ahead. At this stage, they were only imprisoned, but later they would face even harder trials.

v. 4: Even though Peter and John were arrested, many people who heard their message believed in Jesus. The number of believers grew to about five thousand, not counting the three thousand from before. This shows that God’s word is powerful and can grow even during times of trouble. Difficult days for the church often bring new growth and strength.

Peter and John Examined before the Sanhedrin

After Peter and John healed the lame man and preached about Jesus, the Jewish leaders arrested them. Now the council—the Sanhedrin—calls them to account for their actions. This section describes how Peter and John are put on trial by the religious leaders, what questions they are asked, and how they answer with boldness, giving all the glory to Jesus Christ. The story shows how the apostles stood firm in their faith, even when facing powerful opposition, and how God gave them courage and wisdom.

v. 5–6: The next day, the rulers, elders, and teachers of the law gathered in Jerusalem as a court. Important leaders were present, including Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and others from the high priest’s family. These were the same men who had been against Jesus. They wanted to judge Peter and John for what they had done and taught.

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v. 7: The leaders put Peter and John in the middle of the group and questioned them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” They wanted to know who gave them the authority to heal the man and to preach. They hoped to catch them saying something wrong.

v. 8–10: Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them boldly. He told the leaders that if they were being called to account for an act of kindness shown to a crippled man, then they should know it was done in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth—the very man they had crucified but whom God raised from the dead. Peter made it clear that Jesus is the one who gave power for the healing, and that all glory belongs to him.

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v. 11: Peter then quoted Scripture (The stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone Psalm 118:22 ^d). He reminded them that Jesus, whom they rejected, is now the most important foundation of God’s work.

v. 12: Peter declared that salvation is found in no one else but Jesus. There is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12 ^e). He showed clearly that only through Jesus can anyone be saved.

v. 13–14: The leaders were amazed at the courage of Peter and John, especially since they were ordinary men without special training. They realized that these men had been with Jesus. When they saw the healed man standing with them, the leaders had nothing to say against them.

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The Resolution of Peter and John

This passage tells us what happened after Peter and John were put on trial before the Jewish council. The leaders had to decide what to do with them. God allowed Peter and John to come through this trial with courage. This was only the beginning of their challenges—greater tests would come later (Jeremiah 12:5 ^f).

v. 15: The council ordered Peter and John to leave the room so they could discuss the situation in private. The leaders did not want the apostles to hear their arguments, but their plans are still recorded for us. This reminds us that the enemies of Christ often make their plans in secret, but nothing is hidden from God.

v. 16: The leaders talked together and asked, What shall we do to these men? They realized that a clear miracle had happened, and everyone in Jerusalem knew it. If the leaders had accepted the truth, they would have welcomed Peter and John and believed their message. But because they refused, they were troubled and didn't know what to do. When people fight against the truth, it becomes a heavy burden for them (Psalms 2:2; Romans 1:18 ^g; Zechariah 12:3 ^h).

v. 17–18: The council decided they could not punish Peter and John, even though they wanted to, because the people supported them. The miracle was obvious, and everyone was praising God for it. If the council punished the apostles, the people would turn against them. So instead, the leaders commanded Peter and John not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus anymore. They threatened them strongly, but they had no real reason to forbid the preaching of Jesus. Their main concern was to stop the message from spreading further, even though God wanted it to go everywhere (Acts 4:17-18; Psalms 2:2 ⁱ).

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v. 19–20: Peter and John answered with courage. They said, Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. They explained that they could not stop speaking about what they had seen and heard. God had commanded them to preach, and they had to obey God rather than people. Their own experience with Jesus and the change he had brought in their lives gave them confidence. They felt a duty to tell others the truth for the sake of their souls (Job 32:18,20; Jeremiah 20:9 ^j; 2 Corinthians 5:11,14 ^k).

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v. 21–22: The council threatened Peter and John again but finally let them go. They were afraid to punish them because all the people were praising God for the miracle. The man who was healed had been lame for more than forty years, so the miracle was even more remarkable and well known. The power of God was clear, and even though the authorities tried to stop the apostles, they could not stop the truth (Acts 3:2; John 9:21 ^l).

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The Apostles Return and Pray for Boldness

After Peter and John were released from being questioned by the Jewish leaders, they went back to the other believers. Together, the early church responded to opposition by turning to God in prayer. They recognized that the threats from the authorities were not just against them, but against God’s message. Instead of asking for safety, they prayed for courage and for God’s power to keep working through them. This shows the unity and faith of the first Christians, who trusted God to guide and strengthen them no matter what happened.

v. 23: Peter and John, after being set free, returned to their fellow believers. They told them everything the chief priests and elders had said about forbidding them to speak in Jesus’ name (Acts 4:23 ^m). The church was united in both their struggles and their prayers.

v. 24: When the other believers heard the report, they lifted their voices together to God in prayer. They praised God as the Creator of heaven, earth, and the sea, and everything in them. They recognized God’s power and sovereignty over all things, which gave them confidence to pray for help (Acts 4:24 ⁿ).

v. 25–26: In their prayer, they quoted Psalm 2, remembering how the Bible had foretold that rulers and nations would oppose God and his chosen one, the Messiah. They saw the threats against them as part of this prophecy, and they trusted that God was in control even when people tried to stop his work (Acts 4:25–26 ^o).

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v. 27–28: The believers acknowledged that Herod, Pontius Pilate, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel had all united against Jesus in Jerusalem. But they understood that all of this happened according to God’s plan and purpose. Nothing could happen unless God allowed it (Acts 4:27–28 ^p).

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v. 29: Instead of asking God to remove the danger, they asked for boldness to keep speaking God’s word. They wanted courage to continue sharing the gospel, even though it meant facing threats from the authorities .

v. 30: They also asked God to continue showing his power by healing people and doing miraculous signs and wonders through the name of Jesus. They wanted God’s work to continue, so that everyone would know the truth about Jesus .

v. 31: After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. They spoke the word of God boldly. This was a sign that God had heard their prayer and was empowering them to keep doing his work without fear (Acts 4:31 ^q).

The Prosperity of the Church; The Liberality of the Disciples

This passage gives us a beautiful picture of the early church. The believers were united, generous, and full of God’s grace. Their love for each other and their faith in Jesus made them stand out. The church was growing, and the Spirit of God was working powerfully among them.

v. 32: The believers were many, but they were united in heart and soul. There was no division or fighting among them. Even though they came from different backgrounds, they loved each other deeply. They did not hold tightly to their possessions, but were ready to share with anyone in need. This unity was the result of Jesus’ command to love one another (John 13:34 ^r), and his prayer that his followers would be one.

v. 33: The apostles continued to preach boldly about the resurrection of Jesus. God gave them great power to witness, and he confirmed their message with miracles. The resurrection was the center of their teaching, and it brought hope and comfort to all who believed.

v. 34–35: God’s grace was on all the believers. No one among them was in need, because those who owned land or houses sold them and brought the money to the apostles. The apostles made sure the money was given to anyone who needed help. This showed that the church cared for both the spiritual and physical needs of its members (2 Corinthians 8:14-15 ^s).

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v. 36–37: One man, Barnabas, is mentioned as an example of this generosity. His real name was Joses, and he was a Levite from Cyprus. The apostles called him Barnabas, which means “son of encouragement” or “son of consolation.” He sold a field he owned and gave the money to the apostles to help the poor. Barnabas later became an important leader in the church and a partner of Paul (Acts 11:22-24; Acts 13:2 ^t).