Peter and John Arrested
Study note
The Sadducees, who denied the resurrection, are greatly disturbed that Peter and John are teaching about resurrection through Jesus. They arrest the apostles and hold them overnight. Despite the opposition, the number of male believers grows to about five thousand.
1 While Peter and John were still talking to the crowd, the priests, the temple guard captain, and the Sadducees appeared. And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
2 These leaders were furious. Peter and John were teaching the people. They were using Jesus as proof that the dead will rise again. Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 They grabbed Peter and John and threw them in jail for the night, since it was already getting dark. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
4 Even so, many people who heard the message believed. The total number of men alone reached about five thousand. Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
Peter's Bold Defense Before the Council
Study note
The next day Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, addresses the rulers and elders of Israel. He declares that the lame man was healed by the name of Jesus Christ, whom they crucified but God raised from the dead. Peter identifies Jesus as the stone rejected by the builders that has become the cornerstone, and makes the exclusive claim that salvation is found in no one else.
5 The very next morning, the rulers, elders, and law teachers all met. And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
6 Annas the high priest was there, along with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and the rest of the high priest's family. They all met in Jerusalem. And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
7 They made Peter and John stand in front of them and demanded, "What kind of power did you use to do this? Whose name gave you the right?" And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
8 Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said, "Leaders of the people and elders of Israel," Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
9 "Are you putting us on trial today for helping a man who could not walk? Do you want to know how he was healed?" If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
10 "then here it is, and everyone in Israel should hear this too: this man is standing in front of you completely healthy because of the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. You nailed Jesus to a cross, but God brought him back to life." Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11 "Jesus is the stone that you builders threw aside. But now he has become the most important stone of all -- the cornerstone." This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
The Council's Deliberation and Warning
Study note
The council is astonished by the boldness of these uneducated men and recognizes they have been with Jesus. Unable to deny the miracle with the healed man standing before them, the council can only threaten Peter and John not to speak in Jesus' name. The apostles respond that they must obey God rather than men and cannot stop speaking about what they have witnessed.
13 The council members could see how fearless Peter and John were. They also knew these men had no formal education -- they were ordinary, working-class people. This shocked them. Then they realized that Peter and John had spent time with Jesus. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
14 And since the healed man was standing there beside them, there was nothing the council could say against them. And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15 So they ordered Peter and John to step outside while they talked things over privately. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16 "What are we going to do with these two?" they asked each other. "Everybody in Jerusalem knows about this incredible miracle. We cannot pretend it did not happen." Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
17 "But we have to keep this from spreading any further. Let us threaten them and order them never to speak to anyone using that name again." But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
18 They brought Peter and John back in and told them they were forbidden to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 Peter and John fired back, "You decide for yourselves -- does God want us to obey you instead of him?" But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
20 "We cannot stop talking about the things we have seen and heard." For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
21 The council threatened them some more but finally let them go. They could not figure out how to punish them because the whole crowd was praising God for what had happened. So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
22 After all, the man who had been miraculously healed was over forty years old. For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
The Believers' Prayer for Boldness
Study note
Upon their release, Peter and John report to the community, which responds with united prayer. They quote Psalm 2, recognizing that the opposition of Herod, Pilate, and the Jewish leaders fulfilled God's sovereign plan. Rather than praying for protection, they ask for greater boldness to speak God's word and for continued signs and wonders. The place is shaken, and they are all filled with the Holy Spirit.
23 As soon as Peter and John were let go, they went back to the other believers. They told them everything the chief priests and elders had said. And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
24 The believers heard the report. They all prayed together. "Mighty Lord, you made the sky, the earth, and the sea. You made everything in them." And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
25 "Through the Holy Spirit, you spoke these words through your servant David: 'Why did the nations get so angry? Why did people come up with useless plans?'" Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
26 "'The kings of the earth got ready for battle. The rulers joined together to fight against the Lord and against his Chosen One.'" The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
27 "And that is exactly what happened right here! Herod and Pontius Pilate teamed up with the Gentiles and the people of Israel to plot against your holy servant Jesus, the one you anointed." For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
28 "But they were only carrying out what your power and your plan had already decided would take place." For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
29 "Now, Lord, pay attention to their threats. Give us, your servants, the courage to speak your message without holding anything back." And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
30 "Show your power by healing people. Let miracles and wonders happen through the name of your holy servant Jesus." By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
31 When they finished praying, the building they were in shook! The Holy Spirit filled every one of them, and they began speaking God's message with total boldness. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
The Generosity of the Early Community
Study note
The believers are united in heart and soul, holding their possessions in common so that no one is in need. The apostles give powerful testimony to the resurrection, and great grace is upon them all. Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus, is highlighted as an example of this generosity, selling a field and laying the proceeds at the apostles' feet.
32 The whole community of believers thought and felt the same way about things. Nobody said, "This belongs to me." Instead, they shared everything. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33 The apostles kept telling everyone that the Lord Jesus had risen from the dead. They did it with great power. And God's wonderful blessing was on the whole group. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
34 Nobody among them went without what they needed. Whenever someone owned land or a house, they sold it and brought the money Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35 and placed it at the feet of the apostles. Then it was handed out to people based on what they needed. And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
36 One man was Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus. The apostles called him Barnabas. That name means "Son of Cheer." And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
37 He sold a field that belonged to him, brought the money, and placed it at the apostles' feet. Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.