Acts 4

Acts 4

The big picture

Acts 4 opens in verse 1 with “And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 19 with “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God…”, and closes in verse 37 with “Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” Repeated or prominent terms include people, Jesus, name, apostles, holy. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.

Scripture beside the summary

Acts · King James Version · 37

Acts 4:1-8

1–8: As they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the…

Acts 4:1–8 opens with “And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the…” and reaches “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Acts 4 develops its own movement around people, Jesus, name, apostles, holy, with particular weight carried by people, elders, high.

Context that brings the passage to life

This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.

“And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,” Naming Sadducees keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

Acts 4:1-8

King James Version

1And 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,

Acts 4:9-16

9–16: If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by…

Acts 4:9–16 opens with “If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made…” and reaches “Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Acts 4 develops its own movement around people, Jesus, name, apostles, holy, with particular weight carried by Jesus, name, whole.

Context that brings the passage to life

This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.

“If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;” The line’s distinctive content terms include deed, examined, good. Its relationship to verses 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.” The line’s distinctive content terms include become, builders, corner. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.

Acts 4:9-16

King James Version

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.

13Now 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.

Acts 4:17-24

17–24: That it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten…

Acts 4:17–24 opens with “But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak…” and reaches “And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Acts 4 develops its own movement around people, Jesus, name, apostles, holy, with particular weight carried by further, name, people.

Context that brings the passage to life

“But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than…” Naming John keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

Acts 4:17-24

King James Version

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.

23And 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:

Acts 4:25-32

25–32: Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen…

Acts 4:25–32 opens with “Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people…” and reaches “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Acts 4 develops its own movement around people, Jesus, name, apostles, holy, with particular weight carried by holy, boldness, child.

Context that brings the passage to life

This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.

“Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

Acts 4:25-32

King James Version

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.

32And 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.

Acts 4:33-37

33–37: With great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the…

Acts 4:33–37 opens with “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great…” and reaches “Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Acts 4 develops its own movement around people, Jesus, name, apostles, holy, with particular weight carried by apostles, sold, feet.

Context that brings the passage to life

“And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them…” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

Acts 4:33-37

King James Version

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.

36And 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

37verses in this reading
5major movements
9verses with speech
3questions in the KJV text

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.

What opportunity exists before the murder?

Cain receives a warning and a call to resist sin in verse 7. Anger is not treated as an irresistible excuse.

What do the two speeches about vengeance reveal?

God limits retaliation against Cain; Lamech celebrates escalation.

KJV words made clear

behold
look, or pay close attention
unto
to
thou
you
thy
your
hath
has

Text first

Where readers differ

The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.

The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.

Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.