Acts Chapter 4 Verse-by-Verse Commentary
Acts 4:1 & 2
Kefa and Yochanan were still speaking to the people when the cohanim, the captain in charge of the Temple police, and the Tz'dukim came upon them, very annoyed that they were teaching the people the doctrine of resurrection from the dead and offering Yeshua as proof.
The Sadducees that are referred to here were generally the priests of the rich. They did not look for a coming day in fact they did not believe in resurrection, heaven, or hell. They believed that the soul died with the body and basically that was it. Generally speaking, when the New Testament refers to the "chief priests" they are referring to this group of people. With this in mind, it is easy to see why they would be upset about Peter and John speaking to the crowd about Jesus' resurrection. If what Peter said was true, then the Sadducees would be discredited. They would lose all of their power, money, and influence. We may think that this was just back in the history of the early church but there are many people who believe the same type of thing today.
Acts 4:3 & 4
The Temple police arrested them; and since it was already evening, they put them in custody overnight. However, many of those who heard the message trusted; the number of men alone was about five thousand.
We may find it hard to believe that you can be thrown in jail just for telling people about Yeshua but that is exactly what happened here. The same thing happens in several countries to many Christians even today. You see, this teaching about Yeshua endangered the rule of the Sadducees as well as the Pharisees. If the people believed in Jesus then the rulers were done because there was no need for a priest to be between God and man. The pattern is still the same today as what happened here. We are told that at the end of the speech to the crowd, the number of men who believed was five thousand. The same thing can happen today, if people boldly tell about Yeshua, people will be saved. The number five thousand is significant as it is equal to 50 times 100 and the number 50 speaks of freedom as in the jubilee and the number one hundred speaks of completeness. Together, they show us that those who believed received complete freedom through Yeshua Messiah.
Acts 4:5 & 6
The next day, the people's rulers, elders and Torah-teachers assembled in Yerushalayim, along with 'Anan the cohen hagadol, Kayafa, Yochanan, Alexander and the other men from the family of the cohen hagadol.
After being arrested and thrown in jail over night, now, Peter and John are brought to the temple for judgment. Now, they have to stand before people that have much to lose if the resurrection of Yeshua is true. You see, if the resurrection is true, then there is no longer any reason for the high priest. If he lost his place, the whole family would lose wealth and power.
Acts 4:7
They had the emissaries stand before them and asked, "By what power or in what name did you do this?"
Now the leaders of the temple start to ask them about who gave them the authority to heal the beggar and to talk to the crowd. We have to remember that these men were simple fishermen and this is an attempt to intimidate them. You see, Peter and John are a threat to them. The leaders did not deny the miracle as it was obvious with the healed man standing with Peter and John. We have the same opportunity as Peter and John. You see, by their actions, people start to ask them questions. This is an opportunity to share with people about Yeshua.
Acts 4:8-10
Then Kefa, filled with the Ruach HaKodesh, said to them, "Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being examined today about a good deed done for a disabled person, if you want to know how he was restored to health, then let it be known to you and to all the people of Isra'el that it is in the name of the Messiah, Yeshua from Natzeret, whom you had executed on a stake as a criminal but whom God has raised from the dead, that this man stands before you perfectly healed.
What a comeback for someone who had denied Christ three times on the day that Yeshua was crucified. Now, that same Peter is standing up and boldly proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus. He boldly states that it is only through the power of our risen Savior that the crippled man was healed. Can you imagine how easy it would have been for Peter to take credit for what happened? But, no, Peter informs them that it is through the one that they had crucified. Are you prepared to boldly proclaim the Gospel as Peter did? We are all called to be ready to do so.
Acts 4:11 & 12
"This Yeshua is the stone rejected by you builders which has become the cornerstone. There is salvation in no one else! For there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by whom we must be saved!"
In the first part of these verses, Peter is quoting from the Psalms and King David. He is reminding the crowd once again that they rejected salvation through Yeshua Messiah. The capstone he is mentioning was not like the other stones in building. It was cut better and was the stone that the others were aligned with to make the building square. Peter reminds them that no matter whether they accept it or not, Yeshua is the only way to salvation. That is as true as ever today. It is popular to say that all the "religions" need to get along and that we are all going to the same place only taking different paths. That is a lie out of the depths of hell. Just as Peter said here, there is no other name.
Acts 4:13
When they saw how bold Kefa and Yochanan were, even though they were untrained 'am-ha'aretz, they were amazed; also they recognized them as having been with Yeshua.
This verse holds so much for us and our culture today. In our time, it is thought that you basically are not qualified to do anything important unless you have at least one college degree. In fact, many pastors and religious leaders are not content until they have two or three degrees where they can add letters to the end of their title. Here we see that because Peter and John were ordinary people, the religious leaders took note. Since they could not give credit to them and their learning, it says that "they took note that these men had been with Yeshua". Which do you think brings more glory to God, a bunch of college degrees or being with Yeshua? We have been given God's book to study and his Spirit to help us to understand it. Why do we think that we need more?
Acts 4:14
Moreover, since they could see the man who had been healed standing right there beside them, there was nothing they could say to discredit the healing.
After Peter had told the religious leaders all this, there was nothing that they could say because the fact remained that the crippled man had been healed. Peter and John had told them straight out that it was through the power of Yeshua's name that it had happened. The man was healed and standing there before them. As they say, case closed. There is also encouragement in this for us. At those times when those around you are persecuting you and calling you names like 'Jesus freak', do your actions leave them with nothing to say? You see, it is during the difficult times in life, that others get to see your faith and know that it is real.
Acts 4:15 & 16
So they told them to step away from the Sanhedrin while they discussed the matter privately. "What can we do with these men?" they asked each other. "Why, anyone in Yerushalayim can see that a remarkable miracle has come about through them - we can't possibly deny that.
After hearing Peter and seeing the previously crippled beggar, the religious rulers now have a problem. You see, they wanted to deny that the crippled man was healed but everyone knew that it wouldn't work. This also is a good lesson for us today. Are your actions such that it is undeniable that you are a follower of Yeshua? Are you "walking the talk"?
Acts 4:17
But to prevent it from spreading any further among the people, let's warn them not to speak any more to anyone in this name."
The religious leaders are wrapping up their meeting about what to do with Peter and John. They have already figured out that ignoring the situation or denying it happened are not going to work. Now, they simply decide to tell them not to do it (speak about Yeshua) anymore. Are we so boldly declaring the name of the Lord that the enemies of God want us to shut up or are we going about our lives not even being noticed in the struggle for men's souls?
Acts 4:18 & 19
So they called them in again and ordered them under no circumstances to speak or teach in the name of Yeshua. But Kefa and Yochanan answered, "You must judge whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God.
Now the religious leaders decide to limit the problem by telling Peter and John to quit teaching about Yeshua. Can you imagine the surprise on their faces when they received the answer to their order? We, like Peter and John, have situations where those that are in charge try to make us do something that goes against God's Word. It is well for us to remember the answer that Peter and John gave them. We have to remember what is right in God's sight and hold firm in the faith that God is control. Are you faithful through the tough times?
Acts 4:20
As for us, we can't help talking about what we have actually seen and heard."
Here Peter and John are telling the religious leaders why they cannot stop teaching about Yeshua. Does their answer describe you in your daily walk? I remember when I was first baptized and the excitement that I had. I wanted to tell the whole world what had happened to me. That is kinda what they are describing in this verse.
Acts 4:21 & 22
They threatened them some more but finally let them go - they couldn't punish them because of the people, for everyone was praising God over what had happened, since the man who had been miraculously healed was more than forty years old.
Finally, the religious leaders decide to let Peter and John go because they didn't know what to do with them. The people who had witnessed the miracle were praising God and it was impossible to deny that it happened. The question for us today is are we such bold Christians that it is impossible for those who have met us to come to any other conclusion than praising God?
Acts 4:23 & 24
Upon being released, they went back to their friends and reported what the head cohanim and elders had said to them. When they heard it, they raised their voices to God with singleness of heart. "Master," they prayed, "You made heaven, earth, the sea and everything in them.
After their release, Peter and John went back to the people. Upon hearing what happened, the people lifted up their voices in prayer. Is that the first thing that we do? They begin their prayer by saying that God has made everything. Since God made everything, he is in control. There is comfort just in knowing that.
Acts 4:25 & 26
By the Ruach HaKodesh, through the mouth of our father David, your servant, you said, 'Why did the nations rage and the peoples devise useless plans? The kings of the earth took their stand; and the rulers assembled together against ADONAI and against his Messiah.'
The friends of Peter and John continue their prayer here. They quote David and Psalm 2. In this Psalm, David is asking God why the authorities plot in vain against the chosen of God. That is probably a question that we, as believers, ask ourselves today. Does it seem to you that sometimes those around you are ganging up on you to beat you down because of your faith? When those times occur, hold tight to the fact that God is in control.
Acts 4:27-30
"This has come true in this city, since Herod and Pontius Pilate, with Goyim and the peoples of Isra'el, all assembled against your holy servant Yeshua, whom you made Messiah, to do what your power and plan had already determined beforehand should happen. "So now, Lord, take note of their threats; and enable your slaves to speak your message with boldness! Stretch out your hand to heal and to do signs and miracles through the name of your holy servant Yeshua!"
The people are still praying after the return of Peter and John from the religious authorities. In the first line of this passage, we see that it was the fault of all people that Yeshua was crucified. (Notice it says the Gentiles as well as the people of Israel.) It goes on to say that the crucifixion of Jesus was God's decision and his will. The group goes on to pray for Peter and John and asks for God to give them boldness as well as to use his power for signs. When faced with persecution, do you turn to God and ask for boldness to speak and God's power to be demonstrated? That, my friends, is where the victory comes from.
Acts 4:31
While they were still praying, the place where they were gathered was shaken. They were all filled with the Ruach HaKodesh, and they spoke God's message with boldness.
Does this describe your prayer time? Probably not but it could. You see prayer brings us into close contact with God. When that truly happens, things are shaken up and changed. Do you have the Spirit? If not, do you know how to get it? If so, are you speaking the gospel boldly?
Acts 4:32
All the many believers were one in heart and soul, and no one claimed any of his possessions for himself, but everyone shared everything he had.
This is such a powerful contrast to our culture of living for self. It is hard to get two or three people to agree on anything today but here we are told that the group of believers were one in heart and mind. Through our own efforts this is probably impossible but with the Holy Spirit we can all be focused on God and be in agreement. The last part of this scripture seems to contradict the "American dream" mentality that we have today. We live for our own gains but we are told that is not how it was with the early church.
Acts 4:33
With great power the emissaries continued testifying to the resurrection of the Lord Yeshua, and they were all held in high regard.
The apostles continued to tell people about the risen Savior. You notice they did not argue about a bunch of tiny issues, they simply told people that Yeshua was alive and because of that we can be saved. The last part of the verse is interesting because it says that "much grace was upon them all". The simple definitionof grace is unmerited favor. This tells us that, as they spoke of the resurrection and followed Yeshua, they were granted favor. That promise is ours today as well.
Acts 4:34 & 35
No one among them was poor, since those who owned lands or houses sold them and turned over the proceeds to the emissaries to distribute to each according to his need.
Does this sound like the church of today? Probably not but that is how it should be. You see, the people then loved Yeshua more than a car, fancy house, or large fancy church building. The church in the USA has given the responsibility of taking care of the poor over to the government. Imagine the impact the church would have if it acted in this way.
Acts 4:36 & 37
Thus Yosef, whom the emissaries called Bar-Nabba (which means "the Exhorter"), a Levi and a native of Cyprus, sold a field which belonged to him and brought the money to the emissaries.
Now, we are given an example of the principle of sacrificial giving. Joseph sold his field and gave the money to the apostles. That is sacrificial giving because he was not only giving the land but it also meant that he was giving away the crops from that land. Imagine what the church and the world would look like if we, as Christians, would follow this example. We also see a change in leadership as Joseph was a Levite and was to receive offerings from the people under the Law of Moses is giving this offering to the apostles.