1The rulers of the Jews, offended with the teaching of Peter and John, imprison them. 5Being brought before the council, Peter boldly avoucheth the late cure to have been wrought in the name of Jesus, and that men can be saved by no other name. 13The council, struck with the boldness of the two apostles, after conferring together dismiss them with a threatening charge to speak no more in the name of Jesus. 23The church betaketh itself to prayer. 31The presence of the Holy Ghost is signified by the house shaking, and the apostles thereby emboldened to speak the word; 32the unity and charity of the church, who have their possessions in common.
1AND as they spake unto the people, the priests, and 1the captain of the temple, and 2the Sadducees, came upon them,
1 That is, the captain of the Roman soldiers, who kept watch in front of the temple, to prevent that no inconvenience would arise amongst the large multitude of the people coming daily unto the temple. See Mat. 27:65; Luke 22:4, 52; Acts 5:24, 26.
2 Of these see Mat. 3:7 and 22:23; Acts 23:8.
2Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached 3through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 Or, by Jesus; namely, that the same would be done by Jesus; or, that Jesus was risen from the dead, as verse 33 and Acts 2:24 and 3:15. Or, in the Name of Jesus.
3And they laid hands on them, and put them 4in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
4 Namely, of certain soldiers or other officers, without putting them in prison yet, as it seems.
4Howbeit many of them which heard 5the word 6believed; and the number of the men was about 7five thousand.
5 That is, Peter’s preaching of Christ, Acts 3:12.
6 Namely, that Jesus of Nazareth was the true Messiah and their Savior.
7 Namely, either three thousand, Acts 2:41, being reckoned therein, or beside them five thousand more.
5¶And it came to pass on the morrow, that their 8rulers, and elders, and scribes,
8 These seem to have been the leading heads of the great council called Sanhedrin, consisting not only of priests, but also of other, the most important ones of the people, especially of scribes or lawyers. See verse 15.
6And 9Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and 10John, and 11Alexander, and as many as were of 12the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together 13at Jerusalem.
9 Of this Annas, as also of Caiaphas, see Luke 3:2; John 11:49 and 18:13.
10 This was one of the five sons of Annas, otherwise also called Jonathas. See Josephus, de bello Jud. lib. 2, cap. 25.
11 Some think that this was that Alexander of whom Josephus makes mention in Antiq. lib. 20, cap. 3, because he also was of Jewish parentage; but seeing he was governor of Judea, therefore it is not likely that he was a high priest.
12 Which may be understood either of such as were descended from high priests, or, of the chief priests, that is, of the heads of the priests, who were divided into daily orders, 1 Chron. 24:1; Luke 1:5.
13 Namely, being at or being called from other places to Jerusalem.
7And when they had set 14them in the midst, they asked, Bya what power, or by what 15name, have ye done this?
14 Namely, Peter and John.
a Exod. 2:14; Mat. 21:23; Acts 7:27.
15 That is, by whose authority or command.
8Then Peter, 16filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and 17elders of Israel,
16 Namely, with a singular impulse and moving of the Holy Ghost.
17 Of these elders see the annotation on verse 5.
918If we this day be 19examined of the good deed done to the impotentb man, by what means he 20is made whole;
18 Gr. if so be.
19 Or, are brought into judgment, prosecuted, judged.
b without strength, invalid.
20 Gr. was saved.
10Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that 21by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even 22by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
21 That is, by the power and authority of Jesus, and by faith in His name, Acts 3:16.
22 Namely, Jesus Christ, or, by this, namely, the Name of Jesus Christ, Acts 3:6.
1123This is the stone which was 24set at nought of you 25builders,c which is become 26the head of the corner.
23 Namely, Jesus of Nazareth.
24 Gr. cast aside, that is, is esteemed as nothing, or rejected.
25 That is, by you, who are appointed to edify the Church with the saving doctrine of the true Messiah.
c Psalm 118:22; Isa. 28:16; Mat. 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; Rom. 9:33; 1 Peter 2:7.
26 That is, the principal Cornerstone, Whereupon the entire edifice is built. See Isa. 28:16; Rom. 9:33; 1 Peter 2:6.
12Neitherd is there salvation 27in any other: for there is 28none other name 29under heaven 30given 31among men, 32whereby we must be saved.
d Mat. 1:21; Acts 10:43; 1 Tim. 2:5.
27 That is, by none other.
28 That is, no one else, no other person.
29 That is, nowhere in all the world.
30 Namely, by God, John 3:16.
31 Gr. in men, that is, among men.
32 Gr. in whom.
13¶Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were 33unlearned and 34ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
33 Gr. illiterate; who had not studied in schools.
34 Gr. idiotai; common men are called such, who speak only their own mother tongue; who have no learning or authority in the state or in the church, 1 Cor. 14:16, 23, 24; 2 Cor. 11:6.
14And beholding the man which was healed 35standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
35 Namely, on his feet, upright, which before he had not been able to do.
15But when they had commanded them 36to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
36 Gr. to go away; which must not be understood that they were entirely discharged that they might go their way, but that they were led out of the council.
16Saying, Whate shall we do to these men? for that indeed 37a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
e John 11:47.
37 Namely, the miraculous healing of this crippled person.
17But that it spread no further among the people, let us 38straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man 39in this name.
38 Gr. with threatening threaten, Hebraism.
39 Or, of this name, that is, of this Jesus.
18And they called them, and 40commanded them not to speak 41at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
40 Or, said unto them.
41 Namely, neither preach of Him, nor call upon Him, nor work miracles in His name.
19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right 42in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judgef ye.
42 That is, before the face of God, in God’s presence, Who knows and judges all things.
f Acts 5:29.
20For we 43cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
43 Namely, seeing we are called of God thereunto, to testify that which we have heard and seen of Jesus Christ.
21So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing 44how they might punish them, 45becauseg of the people: for all men glorified God for thath which was done.
44 Namely, under any pretext or show of justice.
45 That is, for fear that the people would make an uproar against them.
g Acts 5:26.
h Acts 3:7, 8.
22For the man was 46above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
46 And consequently a credible and known man; and who was also more difficult to be healed, having been a crippled person so many years.
23¶And being let go, they wenti47to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
i Acts 12:12.
47 Namely, unto the other apostles, verses 29, 30, 31.
24And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, 48Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
48 Gr. Despota. Which name is principally ascribed to God the Father, as the word Kyrios to the Son Jesus Christ. See Luke 2:29; 2 Peter 2:1; Jude verse 4.
25Who by the mouth of 49thy servant David hast said, Whyj did the heathen 50rage, and the people imagine vain things?
49 Or, of Thy child, see verse 27.
j Psalm 2:1.
50 Gr. neigh, as courageous horses when they go to battle.
26The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
27Fork of 51a truth against thy holy 52child Jesus, whom thou hast 53anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and 54the people of Israel, were gathered together,
k Mat. 26:3; Mark 14:1; Luke 22:2; John 11:47.
51 That is, publicly and recognizably.
52 Or, Servant, Minister. See Acts 3:13, 26. See also Mat. 8:6, compared with Luke 7:2, and here in verse 25.
53 Namely, with the Holy Ghost, for the supreme Priest, Prophet and King of the Church.
54 Although the Israelites were but one people, yet nevertheless they are called peoples, in the plural number, because they were divided into twelve tribes; Gen. 28:3 and 48:4.
2855For to do whatsoever thy 56hand and thy counsel determined 57before to be done.
55 This must be understood not in respect of their intention, as if they had intended to execute the counsel of God, but in respect of the result of the business, which so turned out, like as God had concluded in His counsel.
56 That is, Thyself, according to Thy power and wise arrangement.
57 Or, before disposed, ordained, concluded. See Acts 2:23.
29And now, Lord, 58behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy 59servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
58 Namely, from heaven, from where Thou governest all things.
59 Namely, the apostles, Eph. 6:19.
30Byl stretching forth 60thine hand 61to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy 62child Jesus.
l Mark 16:17.
60 That is, Thy power.
61 Namely, miraculous.
62 See verse 27.
31¶And when 63they had prayed, the place 64was shakenm where they were assembled together; and they were all 65filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
63 Namely, the apostles, by whom this prayer was made.
64 The Greek word properly signifies to be moved up and down like the waves of the sea. By this miracle God showed that their prayer was heard.
m Acts 16:26.
65 See verse 8, that is, to preach the Gospel boldly in the midst of persecution.
32And the multitude of them that believed were of 66onen heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was 67his own; but they had all things common.
66 That is, very great unity, in doctrine and opinion, as well as in minds and inclination one towards another in love and peace.
n Acts 2:44; 1 Peter 3:8.
67 See hereof in Acts 2:44 and 5:4.
33And with great 68power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great 69grace was upon them all.
68 Namely, to move the hearts of men, Rom. 1:16.
69 That is, favor and acceptation with the people, who esteemed much of them as of holy and godly persons.
34Neither 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,
35And laid them down 70at the apostles' feet: and distributiono was made unto every man according as he had need.
70 Namely, to be distributed by them to the poor according to everyone’s need, verse 35.
o Isa. 58:7.
36And 71Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son 72of consolation,) 73a Levite, and of the country of 74Cyprus,
71 Other, Joseph.
72 Or, of exhortation; by reason of the singular gifts which he had, to comfort and exhort men out of God’s Word. See Acts 11:22, 23, 24.
73 Or, a Levite by birth, generation or descent of Cyprus.
74 The Jews were scattered into all quarters of the world, 1 Peter 1:1, and also into this island, whereof see Acts 11:19; 13:4; 15:39; 21:3; 27:4.
37Having land, sold it, and brought 75the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
75 Namely, that he had made of the land he had sold.