The big picture
A man who could not walk has been healed, and Peter has spoken to the crowd about Jesus. Peter and John are apostles, chosen messengers of Jesus, the Lord they say God raised from death. Their public teaching now brings arrest. Religious leaders demand to know the source of their authority. The healed man stands with them, making denial of the event difficult. After their release, the believers respond to threats with prayer and continue their shared care for those in need.
In this chapter
- A Healing Becomes a Hearing Acts 4:1-12
Priests, the temple captain, and Sadducees, a religious group, arrest Peter and John.
- The Order They Cannot Obey Acts 4:13-22
The council sees boldness in men without formal religious schooling and recognises their connection with Jesus.
- Prayer for Boldness Under Threat Acts 4:23-31
Released, the apostles report the threats to the believers.
- Shared Goods Meet Actual Needs Acts 4:32-35
The believers share one heart and purpose.
- Barnabas Gives the Proceeds of Land Acts 4:36-37
Acts gives one donor's name: Joses, whom the apostles call Barnabas, meaning a son of encouragement.
Central truth
The apostles keep speaking about the risen Jesus under threat, and the believers ask for courage while sharing resources with those in need.
Scripture beside the summary
Acts · King James Version · 37Acts 4:1-12
A Healing Becomes a Hearing
Priests, the temple captain, and Sadducees, a religious group, arrest Peter and John. They object to teaching resurrection through Jesus. Many hearers still believe, bringing the number of men to about five thousand. Next day, senior religious leaders meet in Jerusalem, the chief Jewish city. They ask what power or name caused the cure. Filled with the Holy Ghost, God's Spirit, Peter names Jesus Christ, whom they crucified and God raised. The rejected stone has become the chief corner stone, a picture of God's reversal. Peter says salvation is found through no other name.
In everyday life
A building inspector summons a mason over a repaired wall and demands to know who approved the work. The mason points to a stone the first team threw aside. It now carries the weight at the corner. Their rejection does not settle its value; the standing wall supplies contrary evidence. Peter names Jesus as the unique source of salvation, not a useful building material.
Notice
Acts 4:10 The man stands healed before the same leaders challenged by Peter's words. The claim about Jesus is joined to a visible person in the hearing.
Acts 4:1-12
King James Version1And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
2Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
4Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
5And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
6And Annas 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.
7And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
9If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
10Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Acts 4:13-22
The Order They Cannot Obey
The council sees boldness in men without formal religious schooling and recognises their connection with Jesus. The healed man leaves no room to deny the sign. Meeting privately, the leaders decide to threaten the apostles so the message spreads no further. They forbid speech or teaching in Jesus' name. Peter and John ask whether obedience to these leaders can take priority over God. They must tell what they have seen and heard. The council threatens them again but releases them, fearing public reaction. The man healed after more than forty years has stirred praise to God.
In everyday life
A laboratory assistant is told to stop reporting a result that embarrasses the senior researchers. The tested sample remains on the bench, and everyone present has seen the same reading. She refuses to sign a statement that hides it. Rank cannot change the observation. The apostles also understand their witness as obedience to God.
Notice
Acts 4:14 The healed man's presence blocks a denial of the event. The council therefore turns from disputing what happened to controlling what can be said.
Acts 4:13-22
King James Version13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
14And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16Saying, What 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 can not deny it.
17But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
18And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
20For we can not but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
21So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
22For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
Acts 4:23-31
Prayer for Boldness Under Threat
Released, the apostles report the threats to the believers. Together they pray to God as maker of heaven, earth, and sea. They recall David, an earlier king who spoke in Scripture, describing rulers united against God and his anointed one. They see that pattern in Jesus' enemies: Herod, a local ruler, Pontius Pilate, the governor, and people from different groups. Their actions did not defeat God's purpose. The believers ask for bold speech and further healings through Jesus. The meeting place shakes, the Spirit fills them, and they speak God's word with courage.
In everyday life
A tenants' group gathers after its spokesperson receives a legal threat for reporting unsafe wiring. They read the notice aloud, name the risk, and ask their volunteer advocate to help them keep speaking clearly. Their meeting becomes preparation to continue rather than a vote for silence. The believers receive the Holy Spirit's power through prayer to God.
Notice
Acts 4:29 Their request is for boldness under the threats, not merely the removal of danger. The prayer directs their response toward continued witness.
Acts 4:23-31
King James Version23And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
24And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
25Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
26The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
27For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
28For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
29And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
30By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
31And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:32-35
Shared Goods Meet Actual Needs
The believers share one heart and purpose. They no longer treat their possessions as private resources closed to others. At the same time, the apostles testify strongly to Jesus' resurrection, and grace rests on the whole group. Owners sell land or houses and bring the money to the apostles. Distribution follows each person's need, so no one is left without provision. Their shared life makes their bond plain. Witness and gifts belong side by side. Teaching goes with care for bodies and homes.
In everyday life
A retired mechanic sells an unused garage after neighbours lose their homes in a fire. He brings the proceeds to the group arranging beds and rent, letting actual needs guide the payments. Keeping every asset for himself no longer seems the purpose of owning it. The believers' sharing grows within their common witness to Jesus' resurrection.
Notice
Acts 4:35 The money is distributed according to need. The account measures the sharing by people being provided for, not by the size of a donor's reputation.
Acts 4:32-35
King James Version32And 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.
33And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
34Neither 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,
35And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
Acts 4:36-37
Barnabas Gives the Proceeds of Land
Acts gives one donor's name: Joses, whom the apostles call Barnabas, meaning a son of encouragement. He is a Levite, from the tribe linked with temple service, and comes from Cyprus, an island. He owns a field, sells it, and brings the proceeds to the apostles. His act shows the sharing in one real case. A person with land turns its value into help entrusted to the group. The short account records the gift without adding conditions, praise from the crowd, or a promised reward.
In everyday life
A ceramic artist sells a small plot she no longer uses and brings the cheque to a community housing fund. She hands it over for the work the group has agreed to carry out. A fixed piece of property becomes practical help for neighbours. Barnabas gives within the apostolic community's shared life, not through a separate public fund.
Notice
Acts 4:37 The sale ends with money placed at the apostles' disposal. The gift becomes part of a shared provision rather than remaining under the owner's private control.
Acts 4:36-37
King James Version36And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
37Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Acts 4:1 begins with “And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,”
Where the chapter turns
Acts 4:19 forms a natural hinge: “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.”
The final note
Acts 4:37 leaves the reader with “Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words people, Jesus, name, apostles, holy, Lord help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- impotent
- Unable or without strength, here unable to walk.
- straitly
- Strictly or firmly, with no room allowed for refusal.
- consolation
- Comfort or encouragement given to someone in distress.
Music and video connected to the passage
Related media appears when its Scripture reference overlaps this study. Music and video can illuminate a theme while the biblical text remains the foundation.
