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4
Peter and John arrested
1 Now as they were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came at them, 2 being upset because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.* The high priest and family were Sadducees; they did not believe in resurrection (for anybody). So they were doubly disturbed, because the Apostles were affirming that Jesus had already done it, and in consequence others would too. 3 And they laid hands on them and put them in custody until the next day, because it was already evening. 4 (However, many of those who heard the message believed; the number of the men† The word used refers exclusively to males, so with women and children the total number of believers would have been several times larger. In 2:41 above it was 3,000 ‘souls’, which presumably included everybody. The total number has probably grown 4-5 times since Pentecost. came to be about five thousand.) 5 So the next day an assembly of their rulers, both elders and scribes, occurred in Jerusalem,‡ The impression one gets is that they were called in from surrounding areas. 6 along with Annas the high priest,§ Annas was the real high priest—once installed, the office was for life. and Caiaphas, John and Alexander, and as many as were of high-priestly descent. 7 And having placed them in the middle [of the assembly] they started questioning: “By what power, or by what name did you do this?”* “This” suggests that the healed man was present, as verse 10 confirms.
Peter's defense
8 Then Peter, full of Holy Spirit,† Again, no definite article. said to them: “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:‡ Perhaps 2% of the Greek manuscripts, of objectively inferior quality, omit “of Israel” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.). 9 If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Natsorean, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead,§ Peter is being neither cautious nor conciliatory! In affirming the resurrection he goes right to the sore point. by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is ‘the stone which was despised by you, the builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Also, the salvation* The Text has the definite article; there may be many ‘salvations’ in life, but this is a very specific one. Notice that Peter makes an absolute statement: Jesus is the only way. does not exist in anyone else, because there is no other name under heaven, given among men, by which we must be saved.”
Rulers impressed
13 Now upon observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving that they were uneducated and unskilled men,† The disciples had not received a theological education nor been trained in verbal skills (of course Peter was a skilled fisherman, but that is not the point here). they marveled; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 Further, seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 So ordering them to go out from the council they began to confer among themselves, 16 saying: “What can we do to these men? Because, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.‡ They knew that Jesus was the Messiah but had repudiated Him anyway. Here again the facts are clear, but they are determined to maintain their repudiation of Jesus, and to impose their view on the people. Having committed the unpardonable sin, they were under satanic control. 17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them to no longer speak to anyone in this name.”
They are forbidden to use the name ‘Jesus’
18 So summoning them they commanded them absolutely not to speak or teach in the name of ‘Jesus’. 19 But in answer Peter and John said to them: “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves; 20 because we cannot help but speak the things we have seen and heard.”§ There are times when we must not obey those in authority; mainly when they demand that we deny God's truth and His values. 21 So threatening them some more they released them, not finding any way to punish them, because of the people, since they were all glorifying God over what had happened; 22 because the man on whom this miracle of healing had been performed was over forty years old.* He had been lame for over forty years.
The reaction of the believers
23 So upon being released they went to their own group and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 Well upon hearing it, with one mind they called out† The Text actually says ‘they lifted voice to God’ (since God is not deaf, there is no need to shout). to God and said: “O Sovereign!‡ Our ‘despot’ is a transliteration of the Greek word here. The term is stronger than ‘master’ or ‘lord’. But ‘despot’ by itself has a negative connotation to us, so we sometimes say ‘benevolent despot’, but not as a form of direct address! Hence, ‘sovereign’. You are God,§ Perhaps 2% of the Greek manuscripts, of objectively inferior quality, omit “God” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.). the Maker of sky and earth and ocean, and all that is in them; 25 You who said through the mouth of Your servant David:* Some 8% of the Greek manuscripts replace the opening clause with, “You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).
‘Why did nations snort† One can ‘snort’ in anger or in disdain, or perhaps both. There is no definite article with either ‘nations’ or ‘peoples’ (and so in verse 27). and peoples plot vain things?
26 The kings of the earth took a stand,
and the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against His Messiah.’‡ See Psalm 2:1-2.
27 Well, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with Gentiles and peoples of Israel, were gathered together§ Perhaps 10% of the Greek manuscripts add ‘in this city’ (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.). against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your counsel foreordained to happen.* They have a clear understanding that God's Plan prevailed, while not denying human responsibility. 29 As for the present, Lord, consider their threats, and grant to Your slaves to speak Your word with all boldness, 30 while You stretch out Your hand to heal and that signs and wonders may occur through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” 31 Well when they had prayed, the place where they were gathered was shaken, and they were all filled with Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God with boldness.† Their request was granted. Notice that the Holy Spirit's filling is not once for all, and is not automatic. Notice further that they did not ask for a free ride. (Again, there is no definite article with Holy Spirit.) But where did they do the speaking? Presumably out among the people.
The young Church consolidates
32 Now the multitude of those who believed was of one heart and soul; indeed not one was saying that any of his belongings was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 (Also the Apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power.‡ So how did that work? It was power in action, presumably signs and wonders (see 5:12 below), performed in the name of the resurrected Jesus—if He were rotting in a grave, what could He do?) Yes, great grace was on them all, 34 because there were not any needy among them—as many as were owners of lands or houses were selling them and bringing the proceeds of the sold items 35 and placing them at the Apostles' feet, and they were distributed to each according as anyone had need.
36 So Joses, who was named Barnabas by the Apostles (which is, being translated, ‘Son of encouragement’), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 having a field, sold it, brought the money and placed it at the Apostles' feet.§ Since many were doing it, one wonders why Luke singled out Barnabas; perhaps because he would be an important player later on.

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*4:2 The high priest and family were Sadducees; they did not believe in resurrection (for anybody). So they were doubly disturbed, because the Apostles were affirming that Jesus had already done it, and in consequence others would too.

†4:4 The word used refers exclusively to males, so with women and children the total number of believers would have been several times larger. In 2:41 above it was 3,000 ‘souls’, which presumably included everybody. The total number has probably grown 4-5 times since Pentecost.

‡4:5 The impression one gets is that they were called in from surrounding areas.

§4:6 Annas was the real high priest—once installed, the office was for life.

*4:7 “This” suggests that the healed man was present, as verse 10 confirms.

†4:8 Again, no definite article.

‡4:8 Perhaps 2% of the Greek manuscripts, of objectively inferior quality, omit “of Israel” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).

§4:10 Peter is being neither cautious nor conciliatory! In affirming the resurrection he goes right to the sore point.

*4:12 The Text has the definite article; there may be many ‘salvations’ in life, but this is a very specific one. Notice that Peter makes an absolute statement: Jesus is the only way.

†4:13 The disciples had not received a theological education nor been trained in verbal skills (of course Peter was a skilled fisherman, but that is not the point here).

‡4:16 They knew that Jesus was the Messiah but had repudiated Him anyway. Here again the facts are clear, but they are determined to maintain their repudiation of Jesus, and to impose their view on the people. Having committed the unpardonable sin, they were under satanic control.

§4:20 There are times when we must not obey those in authority; mainly when they demand that we deny God's truth and His values.

*4:22 He had been lame for over forty years.

†4:24 The Text actually says ‘they lifted voice to God’ (since God is not deaf, there is no need to shout).

‡4:24 Our ‘despot’ is a transliteration of the Greek word here. The term is stronger than ‘master’ or ‘lord’. But ‘despot’ by itself has a negative connotation to us, so we sometimes say ‘benevolent despot’, but not as a form of direct address! Hence, ‘sovereign’.

§4:24 Perhaps 2% of the Greek manuscripts, of objectively inferior quality, omit “God” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).

*4:25 Some 8% of the Greek manuscripts replace the opening clause with, “You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).

†4:25 One can ‘snort’ in anger or in disdain, or perhaps both. There is no definite article with either ‘nations’ or ‘peoples’ (and so in verse 27).

‡4:26 See Psalm 2:1-2.

§4:27 Perhaps 10% of the Greek manuscripts add ‘in this city’ (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).

*4:28 They have a clear understanding that God's Plan prevailed, while not denying human responsibility.

†4:31 Their request was granted. Notice that the Holy Spirit's filling is not once for all, and is not automatic. Notice further that they did not ask for a free ride. (Again, there is no definite article with Holy Spirit.) But where did they do the speaking? Presumably out among the people.

‡4:33 So how did that work? It was power in action, presumably signs and wonders (see 5:12 below), performed in the name of the resurrected Jesus—if He were rotting in a grave, what could He do?

§4:37 Since many were doing it, one wonders why Luke singled out Barnabas; perhaps because he would be an important player later on.

© 2016 Wilbur N. Pickering, ThM, PhD