Acts 4
English Standard Version
Peter and John Before the Council
4 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and (A)the captain of the temple and (B)the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming (C)in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and (D)put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and (E)the number of the men came to about five thousand.
5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with (F)Annas the high priest and (G)Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, (H)“By what power or (I)by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, (J)filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today (K)concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that (L)by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, (M)whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 (N)This Jesus[a] is the stone that was (O)rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.[b] 12 And there is (P)salvation (Q)in no one else, for (R)there is no other (S)name under heaven given among men[c] by which we must be saved.”
13 (T)Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed (U)standing beside them, (V)they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, (W)“What shall we do with these men? For that (X)a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them (Y)to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, (Z)“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for (AA)we cannot but speak of what (AB)we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, (AC)because of the people, for all were praising God (AD)for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
The Believers Pray for Boldness
23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices (AE)together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, (AF)who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant,[d] said by the Holy Spirit,
(AG)“‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and (AH)the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his (AI)Anointed’[e]—
27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your (AJ)holy servant Jesus, (AK)whom you anointed, both (AL)Herod and (AM)Pontius Pilate, along (AN)with the Gentiles and (AO)the peoples of Israel, 28 (AP)to do whatever your hand and (AQ)your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, (AR)look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all (AS)boldness, 30 while (AT)you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed (AU)through the name of your (AV)holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, (AW)the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and (AX)they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and (AY)continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
They Had Everything in Common
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of (AZ)one heart and (BA)soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but (BB)they had everything in common. 33 And with great (BC)power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and (BD)great grace was upon them all. 34 (BE)There was not a needy person among them, for (BF)as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and (BG)laid it at the apostles' feet, and (BH)it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means (BI)son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and (BJ)laid it at the apostles' feet.
Acts 4
New King James Version
Peter and John Arrested
4 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the (A)Sadducees came upon them, 2 being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
Addressing the Sanhedrin
5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, 6 as well as (B)Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, (C)“By what power or by what name have you done this?”
8 (D)Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, (E)that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, (F)whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the (G)‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 (H)Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
The Name of Jesus Forbidden
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, (I)and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed (J)standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, (K)“What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a [a]notable miracle has been done through them is (L)evident[b] to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”
18 (M)So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, (N)“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 (O)For we cannot but speak the things which (P)we have seen and heard.” 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, (Q)because of the people, since they all (R)glorified God for (S)what had been done. 22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.
Prayer for Boldness(T)
23 And being let go, (U)they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, (V)You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who [c]by the mouth of Your servant David have said:
(W)‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His Christ.’
27 “For (X)truly against (Y)Your holy Servant Jesus, (Z)whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 (AA)to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants (AB)that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, (AC)and that signs and wonders may be done (AD)through the name of (AE)Your holy Servant Jesus.”
31 And when they had prayed, (AF)the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, (AG)and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Sharing in All Things
32 Now the multitude of those who believed (AH)were of one heart and one soul; (AI)neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with (AJ)great power the apostles gave (AK)witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And (AL)great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; (AM)for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 (AN)and laid them at the apostles’ feet; (AO)and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
36 And [d]Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of [e]Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 (AP)having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
