The Acts of the Apostles
Acts 4
Chapter IV · Vol. IV, pp. 259–260
1 The rulers of the Jews offended with Peter's sermon, 4 (though thousands of the people were converted that heard the word), imprison him and John. 5 After, upon examination, Peter boldly avouching the lame man to be healed by the name of Jesus, and that by the same Jesus only we must be eternally saved, 13 then command him and John to preach no more in that name, adding also threatening; 23 whereupon the church fleeth to prayer. 31 And God, by moving the place where they were assembled, testified that he heard their prayer, confirming the church with the gift of the Holy Ghost, and with mutual love and charity.
1 And as they spake unto the people, athe priests, and the 1captain2 of the temple, and the Sadducees,b came upon them,
2 Beingc grieved that they taught the people, and preached dthrough Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 And they laid hands on them, and eput them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
e Mat.10.17-22; 24.9. Lu.21.12-18. Jn.16.2,3. ch.5.18; 16.23,24.
4 Howbeit gmany of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.3
5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that theirh rulers, and elders, and scribes,
h Mat.26.3,57; 27.1. Lu.3.2. Jn.11.47,49; 18.13,14. Ps.2.1,2; 3.1.
6 And Annas4 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 Annas was not at this time actually high-priest, but had filled that office eleven years, and bore the title all his life afterward. Caiaphas, his son-in-law, was now the high-priest.
7 And when they had iset them in the midst, they asked, jBy what power,5 or by what name, have ye done this?
i Mat.10.17; 24.9. ch.5.27. Mar.13.9.
j Ex.2.14. Mat.21.23. Jn.2.18. ch.7.27.
5 See note * below.
* By what power! Not meaning to ask 'by what gift of the power of God;' but 'by what satanic power have you done this? thus implying the same accusation they had framed against the Lord.—By what name! 'What spirit do you invoke, which demon-god do you call to your aid?' Thus assuming them guilty of some forbidden intercourse with evil spirits, which, if they had confessed, they might legally be put to death.—C.
8 Then Peter, kfilled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
k ver.31; ch.7.55. Mat.10.19. Lu.12.11,12. Je.8.9,18,19.
9 If we this day be examined of the lgood deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
l ch.3.7.
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name6 of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, nwhom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.Cited in WLC 121
6 Or, power or authority, ver.7; ch.3.6,16.
n ch.2.23,24; 3.13-15; 13.27-30. Mat.20.18,19; xxvi.-xxviii. Mar.xiv.-xvi. Lu.xxii.-xxiv. Jn.xviii.-xx.
11 Thiso is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.Cited in WLC 121 · HC 29
12 Neitherp is there salvation7 in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.Cited in WSC 21 · WLC 60, 72 · WCF 10.3, 10.4 · HC 2, 29
p Jn.14.6; 3.18,36. Mat.1.21. ch.10.43. Ro.3.24. 1 Ti.2.5,6. Ps.45.17.
7 Salvation originally signifies either the healing of disease or deliverance from enemies. In this example a bodily infirmity is taken as a visible and impressive emblem of sin, and healing, of spiritual salvation by Jesus Christ.—C.
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were qunlearned8 and ignorant men, they marvelled;9 andr they took knowledge1 of them, that they had been with Jesus.
q ch.2.7,12. Mat.4.18-22; 11.25. 1 Co.1.27.
8 Unlearned. Without more than the ordinary education of a Jew familiar with the Scriptures.—Ignorant. Rather, 'plebeians,' men of no rank or influence.—C.
9 The exact meaning of this verse is rather obscured by the English version. Its meaning may be stated thus:—'And seeing the boldness of Peter and John, and having had previous knowledge that they were unlettered (i.e. men not regularly instructed in the schools of rabbinical learning) and untrained (i.e. men who had not received a professional training, such as, in the opinion of Jewish rulers, would fit them for speaking and judging on matters of faith), they wondered,' &c.—P.
r Mat.10.1-4. ch.1.2,3,8,13,21; 10.39.
1 Took knowledge. Recognized them as companions of Jesus.—C.
14 Ands beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
s ver.10,16; ch.3.8-12; 19.36.
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, tthey conferred among themselves,
A.M. cir. 4037. A.D. cir. 33.
t ver.1,5,6.
16 Saying, uWhat 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.
u Jn.11.47,48; 12.18,19. ch.3.9; ver.14.
17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us vstraitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.Cited in WLC 130
v ch.5.28,40. 1 Th.2.10. Ps.2.1-3. Jn.15.18-21. Mat.10.22.
18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.Cited in WLC 113, 130
19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, xWhether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.Cited in WCF 20.2
20 Fory we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.2
y Je.20.9. Mat.10.27. Mar.16.15. ch.1.8,22; 2.32; 3.15; 10.39,41: 22.15; 5.32; 13.31. 1 Jn.1.1-3. 2 Pe.1.16.
2 This was a noble answer. It shows that the Holy Spirit had not descended upon them in vain. It proves that Christ's promise was now fulfilled as recorded in Mar.13.11. Their conduct before the rulers at this time contrasts nobly with that which they exhibited when their Master was seized in Gethsemane.—P.
21 So when they had further zthreatened them, they alet them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, bbecause of the people: for all men glorified God for cthat which was done.
23 And being let go, they went eto their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
24 And when they heard gthat, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, hthou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:Cited in WSC 8 · HC 26
g Ps.103.1,2; 107.1,2, &c.
25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, iWhy did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?Cited in WSC 8
26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.Cited in WSC 8
27 For of a truth against thy jholy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, kboth Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,Cited in WSC 8 · WLC 6 · WCF 3.1, 5.4
28 Forl to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined3 before to be done.Cited in WSC 8 · WLC 6 · WCF 3.1, 5.4
l Mat.26.24,53. Lu.22.22; 24.25-27,41. ch.2.23; 3.18; 13.27-29. Pr.21.30. Is.46.10; 53.10.
3 See note on ch.2.23. It is the counsel and purpose of God to save sinners—Jesus Christ comes to fulfil that purpose, saying, 'Lo, I come to do thy will.' That will must needs be fulfilled by the death of the Redeemer, He.9.16, and God 'determines' two things in his 'counsel,' and fulfils them by his 'hand:' first, to give up his Son to die for sinners; secondly, to give up sinners to their own will, so that, while rebels to his law, they shall yet most assuredly accomplish his work.—C.
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with nall boldness they may speak thy word,Cited in WLC 191
n ver.13,31; ch.9.27; 13.46; 14.3; 19.8; 26.26; 28.31. Ep.6.19,20. Eze.2.6. Is.58.1. 2 Th.3.1.
30 Byo stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.4Cited in WLC 191
o ch.2.22,43; 3.6-12,16; 5.12,15; 9.34,40; 19.12.
4 The humility of the apostles was equal to their boldness. They acknowledged that the strength they were enabled to exhibit was not their own. It was divine. They prayed for more, not merely that they might be kept firm; but that by their firmness, and by the miracles which they, as instruments of God, might perform, the kingdom of Christ might be extended and souls saved.—P.
31 Andp when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and qthey spake the word of God with boldness.
32 Andr 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.5
33 Ands with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and tgreat grace was upon them all.
s Ro.15.19. Mat.7.29. 1 Th.1.5. 1 Co.2.4. ch.1.8,22; 2.22; 5.29. Lu.11.48,49.
t Jn.1.16. Lu.2.52. ch.2.4,47. 1 Co.15.10.
34 Neitheru 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,
35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
36 And vJoses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite,6 and of the country of Cyprus,
6 A Levite could legally inherit no land, Nu.18.20; but he might have purchased, for a fixed period, in any of the tribes—might have received it as a gift or legacy from a relative,—or it might have been situated in Cyprus, where he might buy or sell on whatever terms the local laws permitted.—C.
Notes
Reflections.—Men who heartily hate one another, often cordially unite in opposition to Christ, his gospel, and his servants. But it is delightful when fierce persecution animates to a prudent zeal for Christ's honour, and when he balances it by the conversion of multitudes of hardened sinners. For if ministers preach Christ faithfully and successfully, they must expect trouble for it. Rich, full, and free is that salvation for sinful men which is in him alone. It is necessary always to believe and receive it, and in our stations to exhibit and declare it. Excellent is the cause of the gospel; and nothing but absurd rage and overbearing violence can ever oppose it. But in the most violent opposition Jesus can inspire his most cowardly servants with wisdom and courage to make an open and bold confession of himself and his truths; and by them he can confound their most potent and learned opposers, and even convince their consciences of the inconceivable advantage of fellowship with him. Easily he restrains the wrath of men, and makes the remainder of it to praise him. And it is manifest that, however despised by men in authority, he is the head and Lord of his church. In every case it is much better to obey God than men. He is the almighty JEHOVAH, the Maker and Governor of all things. He rules the world in the interests of righteousness. All events are a fulfilment of his inspired oracles, and expression of his laws. In every time of need let us therefore address him by solemn prayer. Often he hears and answers in mercy while his people are yet speaking. And if he be with us, we need neither fear nor anxiously care who is against us. He knows every plot and every threatening of our enemies; and his presence and blessing are sufficient to encourage our perseverance in much tribulation. Heavenly is the delight and comfort that his Spirit can produce in our hearts. Yea, he can even make us rejoice in persecution for his sake. And glorious is the church when ministers are remarkably faithful and useful, and Christians so knit together as to be ready to give all they have for the relief of their indigent brethren.