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,

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

2 much annoyed because they were teaching the people, and because, through Jesus, they were preaching the resurrection from the dead.

greatly disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.

3 They arrested the apostles and, as it was already evening, had them placed in custody until the next day.

They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in custody until the next day.

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 who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to 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.

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

6 There were present Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all who were of High-Priestly rank.

along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and many others from the high priest’s family.

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?”

They had Peter and John brought in and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do 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, “Rulers and elders of the people!

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 being examined today about a kind service to a man who was lame, to determine how he was 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.

then let this 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 but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.

11 Jesus is ‘the stone which, scorned by you the builders, has yet become the corner stone.’

This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’

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.”

Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to 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.

When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men 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.

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

15 So they ordered them out of court, and then began consulting together.

So they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin and then conferred together.

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.

“What shall we do with these men?” they asked. “It is clear to everyone living in Jerusalem that a remarkable miracle has occurred through them, and we cannot 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 to keep this message from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them not to 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.

Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all 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 replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God.

20 for we cannot help speaking of what we have seen and heard.”

For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen 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;

After further threats they let them go. They could not find a way to punish them, because all the people were glorifying God for what had happened.

22 for the man who was the subject of this miraculous cure was more than forty years old.

For the man who was miraculously healed was over 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.

On their release, Peter and John returned to their own people and reported everything that the chief priests and 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 the believers heard this, they lifted up their voices to God with one accord. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “You made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything 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?

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

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 their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against His Anointed One.’

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 –

In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel 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.

They carried out what Your hand and will had decided beforehand would happen.

29 Now, therefore, Lord, mark their threats, and enable your servants, with all fearlessness, to tell your message,

And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete 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.”

as You stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders 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.

After they had prayed, their meeting place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

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 believers was one in heart and soul. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they owned.

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 continued to give their testimony about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And abundant grace was upon 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

There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales,

35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and then everyone received a share in proportion to his wants.

and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he 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,’)

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (meaning Son of Encouragement),

37 Sold a farm that belonged to him, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

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