Acts 4
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The priests - These persons had evidenced the most implacable enmity against Christ from the beginning. The captain of the temple - See this office particularly explained in the note on Luk 22:4 (note). The Sadducees - Whose whole system was now in danger by the preaching of the resurrection of Christ; for they believed not in the immortality of the soul, nor in any future world. These made a common cause with the priests, etc., to suppress the evidence of Christ's resurrection, and silence the apostles.
Open source ↗PETER AND JOHN BEFORE THE SAMHEDRIM. (Act 4:1-13) the captain--of the Levitical guard. of the temple--annoyed at the disturbance created around it. and the Sadducees--who "say that there is no resurrection" (Act 23:8), irritated at the apostles "preaching through (rather, 'in') Jesus the resurrection from the dead"; for the resurrection of Christ, if a fact, effectually overthrew the Sadducean doctrine.
Open source ↗And as they spake unto the people,.... For though only mention is made of Peter's preaching in the preceding chapter, yet doubtless John preached as well as he; either in turn, or to a part of the people at some distance: and this shows their diligence, faithfulness, and integrity, in the ministration of the word; and it is recorded to their honour, that whilst they were about their master's business, and discharging the duty of their office, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them; by agreement, with great violence, and at unawares: the "priests" might be those who kept the watch in the temple; for "in three places the priests kept watch, in the house of the sanctuary; in the house of Abtines, in the house of Nitsots, and in the house of Moked, and the Levites in one and twenty places (p).'' And it now being eventide, they might be about to take their stands; "and the captain of the temple" might be he, whom they call, , "the man of the mountain of the house"; who was a ruler, or governor, and a president over all the wards (q); he is sometimes called , "the head of the ward" (r); and of him it is said (s), "the man of the mountain of the house goes his round through every ward, with burning torches before him; and every ward that does not stand (is not on his feet), the man of the mountain of the house, says to him, peace be to thee; and if he observes that he is asleep, he strikes him with his staff, and he has power to burn his garments.'' The Vulgate Latin and the Oriental versions read in the plural number, as in See Gill on Luk 22:4, Luk 22:52. The Sadducees were a sect among the Jews, that denied the resurrection of the dead; of their rise, name, and tenets; see Gill on Mat 3:7. (p) Misn. Middot, c. 1. sect. 1. (q) Bartenora…
Open source ↗We have here the interests of the kingdom of heaven successfully carried on, and the powers of darkness appearing against them to put a stop to them. let Christ's servants be ever so resolute, Satan's agents will be spiteful; and therefore, let Satan's agents be ever so spiteful, Christ's servants ought to be resolute. I. The apostles, Peter and John, went on in their work, and did not labour in vain. The Spirit enabled the ministers to do their part, and the people theirs. 1. The preachers faithfully deliver the doctrine of Christ: They spoke unto the people, to all that were within hearing, Act 4:1. What they said concerned them all, and they spoke it openly and publicly. They taught the people, still taught the people knowledge; taught those that as yet did not believe, for their conviction and conversion; and taught those that did believe, for their comfort and establishment. They preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. The doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, (1.) Was verified in Jesus; this they proved, that Jesus Christ had risen from the dead, as the first, the chief, that should rise from the dead, Act 26:23. They preached the resurrection of Christ as their warrant for what they did. Or, (2.) It is secured by him to all believers. The resurrection of the dead includes all the happiness of the future state. This they preached through Jesus Christ, attainable through him (Phi 3:10, Phi 3:11), and through him only. They meddled not with matters of state, but kept to their business, and preached to the people heaven as their end and Christ as their way. See Act 17:18. 2. The hearers cheerfully receive it (Act 4:4): Many of those who heard the word believed; not all - perhaps not the most, yet many, to the number of about five thousand, over and…
Open source ↗4:1-22 Persecution was a common experience of God’s people throughout the Bible. God’s servants often faced hostility and opposition (Deut 30:7; 1 Kgs 18:13; Neh 4:1-3; Jer 37–38; Matt 23:34-37; Luke 11:49-51; 1 Thes 2:14-15). Jesus himself was persecuted (Luke 4:29; John 5:16), and he told his disciples to expect the same kind of treatment (Matt 10:23; 24:9; Mark 13:9; Luke 21:12; John 16:2), but he promised that the Holy Spirit would provide strength (Acts 1:8; Luke 12:11-12; 21:15). Acts records frequent times of persecution (Acts 4:3; 5:17-41; 7:54–8:3; 9:1-2; 11:19; 12:2; 13:50; 14:19; 16:19-24), but Acts also reiterates that the Holy Spirit empowers disciples to bear witness in such circumstances (2:44; 4:8-13; 6:10; 7:55). The boldness of Peter and John before the hostile high council exemplifies facing persecution with courage and power (4:20). 4:1 Sadducees: See “The Sadducees” Profile.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… λαός (laós, G2992) — a people (in general; thus differing from G1218 (δῆμος), which denotes one's own populace) ἱερεύς (hiereús, G2409) — a priest (literally or figuratively) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… στρατηγός (stratēgós, G4755) — a general, i.e. (by implication or analogy) a (military) governor (prætor), the chief… ἱερόν (hierón, G2411) — a sacred place, i.e. the entire precincts (whereas G3485 (ναός) denotes the central… Σαδδουκαῖος (Saddoukaîos, G4523) — a Sadducæan (i.e. Tsadokian), or follower of a certain heretical Israelite ἐφίστημι (ephístēmi, G2186) — to stand upon, i.e. be present (in various applications, friendly or otherwise, usually…
Open source ↗διαπονέω (diaponéō, G1278) — to toil through, i.e. (passively) be worried διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… διδάσκω (didáskō, G1321) — to teach (in the same broad application) λαός (laós, G2992) — a people (in general; thus differing from G1218 (δῆμος), which denotes one's own populace) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… καταγγέλλω (katangéllō, G2605) — to proclaim, promulgate ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites ἀνάστασις (anástasis, G386) — a standing up again, i.e. (literally) a resurrection from death (individual, genitive… ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) νεκρός (nekrós, G3498) — dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐπιβάλλω (epibállō, G1911) — to throw upon (literal or figurative, transitive or reflexive; usually with more or less… χείρ (cheír, G5495) — the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by Hebraism) a means or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… τίθημι (títhēmi, G5087) — to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… τήρησις (tḗrēsis, G5084) — a watching, i.e. (figuratively) observance, or (concretely) a prison αὔριον (aúrion, G839) — properly, fresh, i.e. (adverb with ellipsis of G2250 (ἡμέρα)) to-morrow γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) ἤδη (ḗdē, G2235) — even now ἑσπέρα (hespéra, G2073)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,… ἀκούω (akoúō, G191) — to hear (in various senses) λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… πιστεύω (pisteúō, G4100) — to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἀριθμός (arithmós, G706) — a number (as reckoned up) ἀνήρ (anḗr, G435) — a man (properly as an individual male) γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ὡσεί (hōseí, G5616) — as if πέντε (pénte, G4002) — "five" χιλιάς (chiliás, G5505) — one thousand ("chiliad")
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… αὔριον (aúrion, G839) — properly, fresh, i.e. (adverb with ellipsis of G2250 (ἡμέρα)) to-morrow αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἄρχων (árchōn, G758) — a first (in rank or power) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πρεσβύτερος (presbýteros, G4245) — older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member… γραμματεύς (grammateús, G1122)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… Ἄννας (Ánnas, G452) — Annas (i.e. G367 (Ἀνανίας)), an Israelite ἀρχιερεύς (archiereús, G749) — the high-priest (literally, of the Jews, typically, Christ); by extension a chief priest Καϊάφας (Kaïáphas, G2533) — the dell; Caiaphas (i.e. Cajepha), an Israelite Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs, G2491) — Joannes (i.e. Jochanan), the name of four Israelites Ἀλέξανδρος (Aléxandros, G223) — man-defender; Alexander, the name of three Israelites and one other man ὅσος (hósos, G3745) — as (much, great, long, etc.) as ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) γένος (génos, G1085) — "kin" (abstract or concrete, literal or figurative, individual or collective) ἀρχιερατικός (archieratikós, G748) — high-priestly συνάγω (synágō, G4863) — to lead together, i.e. collect or convene; specially, to entertain (hospitably) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… Ἱερουσαλήμ (Hierousalḗm, G2419) — Hierusalem (i.e. Jerushalem), the capitol of Palestine
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἵστημι (hístēmi, G2476) — to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. μέσος (mésos, G3319) — middle (as an adjective or (neuter) noun) πυνθάνομαι (pynthánomai, G4441) — to question, i.e. ascertain by inquiry (as a matter of information merely; and thus… ποῖος (poîos, G4169) — individualizing interrogative (of character) what sort of, or (of number) which one δύναμις (dýnamis, G1411) — force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a… ἤ (ḗ, G2228) — disjunctive, or; comparative, than ὄνομα (ónoma, G3686) — a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character) ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) ὑμεῖς (hymeîs, G5210) — you (as subjective of verb) τοῦτο (toûto, G5124) — that thing
Open source ↗τότε (tóte, G5119) — the when, i.e. at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution) Πέτρος (Pétros, G4074) — a (piece of) rock (larger than G3037 (λίθος)); as a name, Petrus, an apostle πλήθω (plḗthō, G4130) — to "fill" (literally or figuratively (imbue, influence, supply)); specially, to fulfil… ἅγιος (hágios, G40) — sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated) πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἄρχων (árchōn, G758) — a first (in rank or power) λαός (laós, G2992) — a people (in general; thus differing from G1218 (δῆμος), which denotes one's own populace) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πρεσβύτερος (presbýteros, G4245) — older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member… Ἰσραήλ (Israḗl, G2474) — Israel (i.e. Jisrael), the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants (literally or…
Open source ↗εἰ (ei, G1487) — if, whether, that, etc. ἡμεῖς (hēmeîs, G2249) — we (only used when emphatic) σήμερον (sḗmeron, G4594) — on the (i.e. this) day (or night current or just passed); generally, now (i.e. at… ἀνακρίνω (anakrínō, G350) — properly, to scrutinize, i.e. (by implication) investigate, interrogate, determine ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… εὐεργεσία (euergesía, G2108) — beneficence (genitive case or specially) ἀσθενής (asthenḗs, G772) — strengthless (in various applications, literal, figurative and moral) ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) οὗτος (hoûtos, G3778) — the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated) σώζω (sṓzō, G4982) — to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗ἔστω (éstō, G2077) — be thou; also , third person of the same; let them be γνωστός (gnōstós, G1110) — well-known ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… λαός (laós, G2992) — a people (in general; thus differing from G1218 (δῆμος), which denotes one's own populace) Ἰσραήλ (Israḗl, G2474) — Israel (i.e. Jisrael), the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants (literally or… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ὄνομα (ónoma, G3686) — a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character) Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus Ναζωραῖος (Nazōraîos, G3480) — a Nazoræan, i.e. inhabitant of Nazareth; by extension, a Christian ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Open source ↗οὗτος (hoûtos, G3778) — the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated) ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are λίθος (líthos, G3037) — a stone (literally or figuratively) ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) ἐξουθενέω (exouthenéō, G1848) ὑπό (hypó, G5259) — under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or… ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you οἰκοδομέω (oikodoméō, G3618) — to be a house-builder, i.e. construct or (figuratively) confirm γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… κεφαλή (kephalḗ, G2776) — the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… γωνία (gōnía, G1137) — an angle
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are σωτηρία (sōtēría, G4991) — rescue or safety (physically or morally) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. οὐδείς (oudeís, G3762) — not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing ἄλλος (állos, G243) — "else," i.e. different (in many applications) γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… οὔτε (oúte, G3777) — not too, i.e. neither or nor; by analogy, not even ἕτερος (héteros, G2087) — (an-, the) other or different ὄνομα (ónoma, G3686) — a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character) ὑπό (hypó, G5259) — under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or… οὐρανός (ouranós, G3772) — the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power,… δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. θεωρέω (theōréō, G2334) — to be a spectator of, i.e. discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively… παῤῥησία (parrhēsía, G3954) — all out-spokenness, i.e. frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication, assurance Πέτρος (Pétros, G4074) — a (piece of) rock (larger than G3037 (λίθος)); as a name, Petrus, an apostle καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs, G2491) — Joannes (i.e. Jochanan), the name of four Israelites καταλαμβάνω (katalambánō, G2638) — to take eagerly, i.e. seize, possess, etc. (literally or figuratively) ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because εἰσί (eisí, G1526) — they are ἀγράμματος (agrámmatos, G62) — unlettered, i.e. illiterate ἰδιώτης (idiṓtēs, G2399) — a private person, i.e. (by implication) an ignoramus (compare "idiot") ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being θαυμάζω (thaumázō, G2296) — to wonder; by implication, to admire τέ (té, G5037) — both or also (properly, as correlation of G2532 (καί))
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. βλέπω (blépō, G991) — to look at (literally or figuratively) ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being θεραπεύω (therapeúō, G2323) — to wait upon menially, i.e. (figuratively) to adore (God), or (specially) to relieve (of… ἵστημι (hístēmi, G2476) — to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or… σύν (sýn, G4862) — with or together (but much closer than G3326 (μετά) or G3844 (παρά)), i.e. by… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… ἀντέπω (antépō, G471) — to refute or deny οὐδείς (oudeís, G3762) — not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
And Judas went to discuss with the chief priests and temple officers how he might betray Jesus to them.
So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin,
At that point, the captain went with the officers and brought the apostles—but not by force, for fear the people would stone them.
When the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this account, they were perplexed as to what was happening.
But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death.
They sent their disciples to Him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and that You teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You seek favor from no one, because You pay no attention to external appearance.
Then they understood that He was not telling them to beware of the leaven used in bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
In the same way, the chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him, saying,
along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and many others from the high priest’s family.