Bible Study Acts 4: 1-37

 

Commentary of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles

By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins

Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible

Bible Study Acts 4: 1-37

Text:

Peter and John Arrested

4 Now as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, 2 being greatly agitated because they were teaching the people and proclaiming [a]in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the [b]message believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

5 Now it happened that on the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; 6 and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent. 7 And when they had placed them in their midst, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?” 8 Then Peter, [c]filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “[d]Rulers and elders of the people, 9 if we are [e]being examined today for a good deed done to a sick man, [f]as to how this man has been [g]saved from his sickness, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that [h]by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—[i]by [j]this name this man stands here before you in good health. 11 [k]He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

Peter and John Threatened and Released

13 Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and comprehended that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were marveling, and began to recognize them [l]as having been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. 15 But when they had ordered them to leave the [m]Sanhedrin, they began to confer with one another, 16 saying, “What should we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy [n]sign has happened through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But lest it spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name.” 18 And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all [o]in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to hear you rather than God, you be the judge; 20 for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened; 22 for the man was more than forty years old on whom this sign of healing had occurred.

23 So when they were released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Master, it is You who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said,

‘Why did the [p]Gentiles rage,
And the peoples devise vain things?

26 

The kings of the earth [q]took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His [r]Christ.’

27 For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy [s]Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the [t]Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur. 29 And [u]now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your slaves may speak Your word with all confidence, 30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and [v]signs and wonders happen through the name of Your holy [w]Servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed earnestly, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with confidence.

Distribution Among Needy Believers

32 And the [x]congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and not one was saying that any of his possessions was his own, but, for them, everything was common. 33 And with great power the apostles were bearing witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the [y]proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.

36 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of [z]Encouragement), 37 and who owned a field, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Verse by verse commentary: 

Verse 1: “Now as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them,”

The priests were serving their weekly allotted time in temple service. They would have heard Peter’s message and were most likely alarmed that it was opposing the Jewish faith. They would have reported to the captain of the temple guard, who in turn notified the Sadducees.

Verse 2: “being greatly agitated because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.”

The Sadducees were upset because Peter was talking about the resurrection. The Sadducees did not believe in any resurrections and certainly not the one Peter was preaching about. 

Verse 3: “And they laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening.”

Since it was evening, the temple gates were closed. Therefore, any official action would have to wait until the next day.

Verse 4: “But many of those who had heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.”

Notwithstanding the persecution, the church grew from 3000 on Pentecost to 5000 in a very short period of time. Only the men were counted because at that time, men and women were separated when they worshipped. The women would have been in the Court of Women. 

Verse 5: “Now it happened that on the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem;”

The Sanhedrin was the Jewish religious council and was composed of the high priest and his family, the Sadducees and the Pharisees. 

Verse 6: “and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent.”

The people referenced were like an executive committee, the leaders of the leaders. Caiaphas was the high priest and Annas, his father-in-law, was a former high priest. The designation was generally for life. Much like today, a person is called by a title even after he or she leaves office, i.e. the President is still called President after his term has ended. John may have been Annas’ son. There is no record of who Alexander was. 

Verse 7: “And when they had placed them in their midst, they began to inquire, ‘By what power, or in what name, have you done this?’”

There is recurring emphasis on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ or the name of the Lord (stressing the Person and work of the Lord). To the Hebraic worldview, the name of a person reflects his character, destiny or Divine purpose for his life. They will receive the answer in verse 10.

Verse 8: “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people,”

“Filled” literally means “having just been filled.” Peter was empowered by the Holy Spirit to preach the truth of the gospel to a hostile audience. He speaks directly to them (rulers and elders). There is no mistake or subterfuge. Peter is not afraid. That is one result of being Spirit-filled. 

Verse 9: “if we are being examined today for a good deed done to a sick man, as to how this man has been saved from his sickness,”

“Being examined” means “being on trial.” Peter is framing the issue in the most positive way possible. “Am I on trial for doing a good deed to a sick man?” Peter is putting the Sanhedrin directly on trial by preaching the gospel to the same people who caused the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Verse 10: “let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health.”

Here is the answer to the question asked in verse 7. Peter makes three points: (1) it was the power of the Name that healed the man; (2) The Sanhedrin were responsible for the crucifixion of Christ; and (3) God has raised Christ from the dead. There is a living power in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 11: “He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone.”

During this time of the early church, it was important to show the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies in the Lord Jesus Christ. The first century church was composed mostly of Jews so the Old Testament prophecies would have been very important to their receiving the gospel. This is a quote from Psalm 118: 22.

Verse 12: “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

Just as it was the power of the Name that brought healing to the lame man in chapter 3, it is the power of the same Name that brings spiritual healing to the world. There is only one path to salvation and that is through the blood redemption provided by Christ. There is not a Jewish way of salvation except through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is not a separate gentile way of salvation except through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is only one way.

Verse 13: “Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and comprehended that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were marveling, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.”

In the eyes of the Sanhedrin, the Lord Jesus Christ had no formal education, yet His wisdom and knowledge was unparalleled. Now, the Sanhedrin view Christ’s followers as uneducated and ordinary. These verses fulfill Christ’s promise that when the disciples needed assistance in what to say, the Holy Spirit would provide them the words to speak. Spending time with our Lord is the best preparation for evangelism. 

Verse 14: “And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply.”

The Sanhedrin saw that the miracle was real. The apostles provided their explanation: The miracles were the work of the resurrected Christ. The miracle closed their mouths. They had no counter to what they heard. 

Verse 15: “But when they had ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, they began to confer with one another,”

Some people when faced with the Truth go a different direction. They couldn’t respond so their answer was to order the apostles out of the room. The Sanhedrin were the Jewish national ruling body and supreme court. It had 71 members, including the High-Priest. 

Verse 16: “saying, “What should we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy sign has happened through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.”

It would be unwise to punish the two apostles when they had committed no crime and had performed a miracle that many in the city had witnessed. However, the Sanhedrin believed it had to stop the preaching of the resurrection and the incriminating truth that its members had executed the Messiah.

Verse 17: “But lest it spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name.”

The Sanhedrin’s answer was to rely on their power as the ruling body and order the Apostles to speak no more about the Name. May we comprehend the power of the Name that has been provided for all true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 18: “And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.”

Oh, how the Sanhedrin hated the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ! They hated talk of His resurrection since they didn’t believe in that either. The Sanhedrin’s decision to impose a ban on the apostles was to warn them and to provide a legal basis for further action should such be needed. When faced with this ban, their response was never in doubt; they would continue to speak the Truth about what they had seen and heard. The early believers knew where their loyalties were and would refuse to comply with such a demonic request. When people oppose the Truth of the gospel, they in effect, become an arm for Satan and his evil demons. The early church knew that and refused to compromise.

Verse 19: “But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to hear you rather than God, you be the judge;”

The duty of worship to our Lord and our testimony of faith takes precedence  over the rights of the state. A Christian’s conscience places the gospel above the rights of the Sanhedrin. The state is an instrument ordained by God to maintain peace and order and not interfere with the evangelism of the lost and the work of the church. 

Verse 20: “for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

These men were Spirit-filled believers and they could not do anything less than preach the gospel. The Apostle Paul spoke of not being filled with wine, but being filled with the Spirit. Much like a drunk can’t stop talking, those Spirit-filled must proclaim the gospel. They can’t stop talking. The Spirit compelled them to preach the gospel.

Verse 21: “And when they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened;”

The Sanhedrin were desperate to maintain the status quo. They wanted no talk of resurrections and no miracles as a result of the Messiah who had been raised from the dead. The enemy likes to threaten believers. Remember he is just a roaring lion, not a biting one. The verse also reminds us of the importance of living lives of holiness. The unsaved will see your walk on the “highway of holiness.”

Verse 22: “for the man was more than forty years old on whom this sign of healing had occurred.”

You would have thought that the Sanhedrin would have been softened by the healing of a man who had struggled for more than forty years. They were not. Their hearts were as hard as nails. The term I use for religious people who are zealous but know not Christ is “unsaved religionists.”

Verse 23: “So when they were released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.”

The “chief priests” were a small group within the Sanhedrin composed of former High-Priests and members of influential priestly families. This was a victory for the early church. The Apostles had been persecuted and threatened, but they stood strong and did not compromise the Truth. A good testimony follows a strong stand for the Lord.

Verse 24: “And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Master, it is You who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them,”

“Lifted their voices to God” was the result of their having been with the Lord Jesus Christ and following His example and the training they had received from Him. I actually prefer the English Stand Version’s translation of “O Master” as “Sovereign Lord.” “Sovereign Lord” refers to God as the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. This term is used to convey the total creative power and control of the Lord over all His physical creation and over the affairs of humanity.

Verse 25: “who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said,

‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
And the peoples devise vain things?”

This is a succinct summary of verbal inspiration. The Scripture writers spoke and wrote under the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit. This was not God dictating word for word but rather the Spirit moved upon the people knowing how to direct them to write what God was Sovereignly intending.

Verse 26: “The kings of the earth took their stand,

And the rulers were gathered together

Against the Lord and against His Christ.’

Powerful kings can collaborate with each other and make a stand against the power and authority of God, but He will laugh at them (Psalms 2: 1-4). David and the Apostles understood the Sovereignty of God. They could trust Him to protect and provide for them. No matter how strong the earthly powers are, they are no match for the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

Verse 27: “For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,”

These believers understood that both Jews and Gentiles were responsible for the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ. These were Herod Antipas, who was the son of Herod the Great and tetrarch (i.e., subordinate ruler under the Romans) of Galilee and Perea and Pontius Pilate, who was the Roman governor of Palestine from a.d. 26–36. The chief priests and elders convinced the people to reject the Lord Jesus Christ and ask for Barabbas.to be released from custody.

Verse 28: “to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur.”

The Apostles knew that God’s plan was to offer His Son as a sin substitute for those God the Father chose before the foundation of the world. Nothing could stop His plan. This is a clear affirmation that nothing, not even the wrongful murder of God’s Son, happens apart from God’s Sovereign will and control. The certainty of God’s plan for the world is established by His Sovereign “plan” and ensured by His Almighty “hand.” 

Verse 29: “And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your slaves may speak Your word with all confidence,”

Notice what they didn’t pray for: deliverance from the persecution, health and wealth and prosperity, or that the threats stop. No, they prayed that they might be able to speak the Word of God with confidence. How could they feel this way? Simple, they were slaves (doulos) not servants. A slave holds not back from their master and these men were 100% sold out for God. They didn’t file lawsuits to enforce their rights. They wanted holy boldness and they received it!

Verse 30: “while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders happen through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”

Notice it is the power of the “Name” of the Lord Jesus Christ that brings the healings, signs and wonders. “Wonders” refers to the amazement people experience when witnessing natural law being interrupted, i.e. miracles. A “sign” points to the power of God behind the miracles—marvels are valueless unless they direct people to God. The miracles are to authenticate God’s slaves as the messengers of God’s truth. 

Verse 31: “And when they had prayed earnestly, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with confidence.”

As on Pentecost, a physical phenomenon demonstrated the presence of the Holy Spirit. From this verse we see that being with the Holy Spirit is not a time event. We are to live our lives consistently seeking to be filled again and again with the Holy Spirit. There can be doubt that many of those in attendance here were present and were filled with the Spirit at Pentecost. One of the results of being filled with the Spirit is to confidently speak the Word of God. 

Verse 32: “And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and not one was saying that any of his possessions was his own, but, for them, everything was common.”

Since the believers were “of one heart,” they were conscious of the needs of others and consequently they desired to help meet the needs of their spiritual family. They would be willing to sell their land and give the money to the Apostles for those needs. This Christian giving was voluntary, and not compulsory.

Verse 33: “And with great power the apostles were bearing witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.”

The Apostle’s message was the resurrection. They lived their lives in a way that was a credit to the gospel and not bring shame on the message of the resurrection. They had Holy Spirit power on them, but know for certain that it is the Lord that saves men and women, not a man. They received  grace for witnessing and living.

Verse 34: “For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales.”

The church doesn’t need the government to take care of its own. If the church today followed the practices of that first church, how might different things be. People would not see the government as their source, but rather see the Lord Jesus Christ as the only true Source. The method was to give the money to the apostles who would distribute it. 

Verse 35: “and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.”

An important role, but not the main role (preaching the gospel), is to look after the temporal needs of those in the assembly. People of the assembly should not have to go to the government for assistance. They should go to the family of God.

Verse 36: “Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement),”

In this verse, Luke introduces Barnabas as a role model from among those who donated proceeds from the sale of their property. Barnabas was a member of the priestly tribe of the Levites. He would become a companion of Paul and a major figure later in the book of Acts.

Verse 37: “and who owned a field, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

As “son of encouragement” (previous verse), Barnabas presented a good example of a Christian who gave to the needs of others.