ActsChapter 4

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While they were still speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees came up to them,

greatly annoyed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

They seized them and put them in custody until the next day, since it was already evening.

But many who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

The next day the rulers, the elders, and the scribes gathered in Jerusalem,

along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all who belonged to the high priest's family.

They made them stand in their midst and questioned them: "By what power or in what name did you do this?"

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers of the people and elders,

if we are being examined today about a good deed done for a crippled man and how he was healed,

then let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel: it is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.

He is the stone that you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated, ordinary men, they were amazed, and they recognized that these men had been with Jesus.

And seeing the man who had been healed standing there with them, they had nothing to say in reply.

So they ordered them to leave the council and conferred with one another,

saying, "What shall we do with these men? For it is plain to everyone living in Jerusalem that a remarkable sign has been done through them, and we cannot deny it.

But to keep it from spreading further among the people, let us warn them never again to speak to anyone in this name."

So they called them in and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

But Peter and John answered them, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you rather than to God.

For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."

After threatening them further, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people—for they were all praising God for what had happened.

For the man on whom this sign of healing had been performed was more than forty years old.

When they were released, they went to their own people and reported everything the chief priests and the elders had said to them.

When they heard it, they raised their voices to God with one accord and said: "Sovereign Lord, you made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them.

You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of our father David, your servant: 'Why did the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers gathered together against the Lord and against his Anointed.'

Indeed, in this city Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed,

to do whatever your hand and your will had predestined to take place.

And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant your servants to speak your word with all boldness,

as you stretch out your hand to heal and to bring about signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."

When they had prayed, the place where they were gathered was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.

Now the whole company of those who believed was one in heart and soul, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own; instead they shared everything they had.

With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.

For there was not a needy person among them; all who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds of what was sold,

and laid it at the apostles' feet; and it was distributed to each as anyone had need.

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas—which means son of encouragement—

sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

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Summary2

Chapter 4

Main Theme: Peter and John’s bold witness before the Council, and the first congregation’s prayer and fellowship.

Content: After healing the lame man, Peter and John are arrested by the temple leaders. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter testifies to the Council that salvation is found in Jesus’ name alone. The Council forbids them to speak in Jesus’ name, but the apostles reply that they must obey God rather than men. The congregation gathers for prayer; the place where they are meeting is shaken, and all are filled with the Spirit. Believers live in deep unity, sharing everything they own, so that no one is in need.

Key Words/Images:

The Cornerstone (v.11): Jesus is the stone rejected by the builders who has become the chief cornerstone – rejected by the leaders, yet the foundation of God’s salvation.
Salvation in Jesus’ Name (v.12): There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved – a central Christian teaching.
Boldness/παρρησία (vv.13, 29, 31): The apostles speak with courage despite threats, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
One Heart and One Soul (v.32): The deep fellowship of the congregation, where all shared everything and no one was in need.
Barnabas (vv.36–37): Introduced as "son of encouragement," an example of generosity who sold his field.

Historical context

Historical and Cultural Context for Acts 4

People

Annas and Caiaphas are mentioned as high priests in verse 6, reflecting the complex political situation. Formally, Caiaphas was the high priest (AD 18–36), but his father-in-law Annas (high priest AD 6–15) retained significant influence after the Romans removed him from office. Josephus confirms that the family of Annas dominated the high priesthood for several decades. John and Alexander, both from a priestly lineage, are otherwise unknown in historical sources. Some scholars have identified John with Jonathan, son of Annas, who later became high priest. Alexander’s Greek name indicates he likely belonged to the Hellenized Jewish elite.

Barnabas is introduced in verses 36–37 by his given name, Joseph. He was a Levite from Cyprus, indicating that he belonged to the Diaspora Judaism. The nickname "Barnabas" is explained as "son of encouragement/comfort" (υἱὸς παρακλήσεως) – παράκλησις can mean both comfort, exhortation, and encouragement. Traditionally, Levites were not permitted to own land in Israel (Numbers 18:20), but this prohibition was not strictly enforced in the Diaspora or during the late Second Temple period.

Places

The Captain of the Temple’s jurisdiction (ὁ στρατηγὸς τοῦ ἱεροῦ) covered the temple area where the arrest took place. This official was the second-highest religious authority after the high priest and was responsible for order and security within the temple precincts. He commanded the Levitical guards of the temple and had the authority to arrest anyone who disturbed the peace of the temple.

The Sanhedrin/Council (συνέδριον, verse 15) was the Jewish council that met in or near the temple area. Archaeological excavations have identified possible meeting places, including structures on the western side of the Temple Mount. The council consisted of high priests, elders, and scribes – all three groups are mentioned in verse 5.

Events and Customs

Overnight detention (verse 3) was necessary because Jewish law forbade trials after sunset. The phrase "for it was already evening" (ἦν γὰρ ἑσπέρα ἤδη) shows that Luke is familiar with this practice. The Mishnah confirms that the Sanhedrin could not judge capital cases at night, and interrogations had to wait until the next day.

Common ownership (verses 32–35) among believers has parallels in several contemporary movements. The Qumran community practiced a similar economic fellowship, where new members surrendered their property to the community. The Greco-Roman world also knew the ideal of friendship in which "all things were common" (πάντα κοινά) – an expression used by both Plato and Pythagorean philosophers.

Key Terms

Parrhesia (boldness/openness) appears several times in the chapter (verses 13, 29, 31) and is a central concept. In the Greek political context, it denoted a citizen’s right to free speech in the assembly. The council’s amazement that "uneducated and ordinary men" (ἀγράμματοί ... καὶ ἰδιῶται) spoke with such boldness reflects that this right traditionally belonged to educated citizens.

The cornerstone (κεφαλὴ γωνίας, verse 11), which Peter quotes from Psalm 118:22, was a technical architectural term. Archaeological finds of monumental stones from the temple wall in Jerusalem – some weighing over 500 tons – illustrate the importance of cornerstones in monumental architecture. The expression was used metaphorically in Jewish tradition to refer to a rejected person or thing that becomes decisive.

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