Acts 4
1 While Peter and John were still speaking to the people, the chief priest, with the officer in charge at the Temple and the Sadducees, came up to them,
As they spoke to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came to them,
2 much annoyed because they were teaching the people, and because, through Jesus, they were preaching the resurrection from the dead.
being upset because they taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 They arrested the apostles and, as it was already evening, had them placed in custody until the next day.
They laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was now evening.
4 Many, however, of those who had heard the apostles’ message became believers in Christ, the number of the men alone amounting to about five thousand.
But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
5 The next day, a meeting of the leaders of the people, the elders, and the teachers of the Law was held in Jerusalem.
In the morning, their rulers, elders, and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem.
6 There were present Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all who were of High-Priestly rank.
Annas the high priest was there, with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and as many as were relatives of the high priest.
7 They had Peter and John brought before them, and questioned them. “By what power,” they asked, “Or in whose name have men like you done this thing?”
When they had stood Peter and John in the middle of them, they enquired, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?”
8 Then, Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said, “Leaders of the people and elders,
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “You rulers of the people and elders of Israel,
9 since we are on our trial today for a kind act done to a helpless man, and are asked in what way the man here before you has been cured,
if we are examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,
10 let me tell you all and all the people of Israel, that it is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead – it is, I say, by his name that this man stands here before you lame no longer.
may it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, this man stands here before you whole in him.
11 Jesus is ‘the stone which, scorned by you the builders, has yet become the corner stone.’
He is ‘the stone which was regarded as worthless by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.’
12 And salvation is in him alone; for there is no other name in the whole world, given to people, to which we must look for our salvation.”
There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given amongst men, by which we must be saved!”
13 When the Council saw how boldly Peter and John spoke, and found that they were uneducated men of humble station, they were surprised, and realized that they had been companions of Jesus.
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled. They recognised that they had been with Jesus.
14 But, when they looked at the man who had been healed, standing there with them, they had nothing to say.
Seeing the man who was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15 So they ordered them out of court, and then began consulting together.
But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred amongst themselves,
16 “What are we to do to these men?” they asked one another. “That a remarkable sign has been given through them is obvious to everyone living in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
saying, “What shall we do to these men? Because indeed a notable miracle has been done through them, as can be plainly seen by all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we can’t deny it.
17 But, to prevent this thing from spreading further among the people, let us warn them not to speak in this name any more to anyone whatever.”
But so that this spreads no further amongst the people, let’s threaten them, that from now on they don’t speak to anyone in this name.”
18 So they called the apostles in, and ordered them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus.
They called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John replied, “Whether it is right, in the sight of God, to listen to you rather than to him – judge for yourselves,
But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves,
20 for we cannot help speaking of what we have seen and heard.”
for we can’t help telling the things which we saw and heard.”
21 However, after further warnings, the Council set them at liberty, not seeing any safe way of punishing them, because of the people, for they were all praising God for what had occurred;
When they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for everyone glorified God for that which was done.
22 for the man who was the subject of this miraculous cure was more than forty years old.
For the man on whom this miracle of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
23 After they had been set at liberty, the apostles went to their friends and told them what the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
Being let go, they came to their own company and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
24 All who heard their story, moved by a common impulse, raised their voices to God in prayer: “Sovereign Lord, it is you who has made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything that is in them,
When they heard it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, you are God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them;
25 and who, by the lips of our ancestor, your servant David, who spoke under the influence of the Holy Spirit, have said – ‘Why did the nations rage, and the peoples form vain designs?
who by the mouth of your servant David, said, ‘Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?
26 The kings of the earth set their array, and its rulers gathered together, against the Lord and against his Christ.’
The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers plot together, against the Lord, and against his Christ.’
27 There have indeed gathered together in this city against your holy servant Jesus, whom you has consecrated the Christ, not Herod and Pontius Pilate only, but the nations and the people of Israel besides –
“For truly, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed,
28 yet only to do what you, by your power and of your own will, did long ago destine to be done.
to do whatever your hand and your counsel foreordained to happen.
29 Now, therefore, Lord, mark their threats, and enable your servants, with all fearlessness, to tell your message,
Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness,
30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and cause signs and wonders to take place through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
while you stretch out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus.”
31 When their prayer was ended, the place in which they were assembled was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to tell God’s message fearlessly.
When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
32 The whole body of those who had become believers in Christ were of one heart and mind. Not one of them claimed any of his goods as his own, but everything was held for the common use.
The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
33 The apostles continued with great power to bear their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s blessing rested on them all abundantly.
With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all.
34 Nor was there anyone in need among them, for all who were owners of land or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the sales
For neither was there amongst them any who lacked, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,
35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and then everyone received a share in proportion to his wants.
and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need.
36 A Levite of Cyprian birth, named Joseph, (who had received from the apostles the additional name of ‘Barnabas’ – which means ‘The Consoler,’)
Joses, who by the apostles was also called Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,
37 Sold a farm that belonged to him, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
having a field, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
