Acts

The Acts of the Apostles, chapter 4, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 4 New English Translation

The Arrest and Trial of Peter and John

   1 While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests and the commander of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, 2 angry because they were teaching the people and announcing in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 So they seized them and put them in jail until the next day (for it was already evening). 4 But many of those who had listened to the message believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
   5 On the next day, their rulers, elders, and experts in the law came together in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and others who were members of the high priest's family. 7 After making Peter and John stand in their midst, they began to inquire, "By what power or by what name did you do this?" 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, replied, "Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today for a good deed done to a sick man - by what means this man was healed - 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, this man stands before you healthy. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, that has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved."
   13 When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and discovered that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized these men had been with Jesus. 14 And because they saw the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say against this. 15 But when they had ordered them to go outside the council, they began to confer with one another, 16 saying, "What should we do with these men? For it is plain to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable miraculous sign has come about through them, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to keep this matter from spreading any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name." 18 And they called them in and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, "Whether it is right before God to obey you rather than God, you decide, 20 for it is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard." 21 After threatening them further, they released them, for they could not find how to punish them on account of the people, because they were all praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man, on whom this miraculous sign of healing had been performed, was over forty years old.

The Followers of Jesus Pray for Boldness

   23 When they were released, Peter and John went to their fellow believers and reported everything the high priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices to God with one mind and said, "Master of all, you who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything that is in them, 25 who said by the Holy Spirit through your servant David our forefather, 'Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot foolish things?
   26 The kings of the earth stood together, and the rulers assembled together, against the LORD and against his Christ.'
   27 "For indeed both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together in this city against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, 28 to do as much as your power and your plan had decided beforehand would happen. 29 And now, LORD, pay attention to their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your message with great courage, 30 while you extend your hand to heal, and to bring about miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 31 When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God courageously.

Conditions Among the Early Believers

   32 The group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one said that any of his possessions was his own, but everything was held in common. 33 With great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the LORD Jesus, and great grace was on them all. 34 For there was no one needy among them, because those who were owners of land or houses were selling them and bringing the proceeds from the sales 35 and placing them at the apostles' feet. The proceeds were distributed to each, as anyone had need. 36 So Joseph, a Levite who was a native of Cyprus, called by the apostles Barnabas (which is translated "son of encouragement"), 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and placed it at the apostles' feet.

King James Version

   1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
   2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
   3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
   4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
   5 ¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
   6 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 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
   8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
   9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
   10 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 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 none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
   13 ¶ 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 beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
   15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
   16 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 that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
   18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
   19 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 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
   21 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 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
   23 ¶ And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
   24 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 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 stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
   27 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 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
   29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
   30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
   31 ¶ 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.
   32 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 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
   34 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 laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
   36 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 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.