Acts 4

1 Rulers of the Jews put Peter and John in prison, 5 about which the whole Council assemble, 7 by which they are examined concerning the curing of the cripple. 8 Peter testifieth that the same was done in the name of Jesus, 11 and that he is the stone rejected of the builders, 12 but that there is salvation in none other. 13 The Council though being convinced of this miracle, yet notwithstanding forbids them to preach in the name of Jesus, 19 which they declare that they cannot leave off, 21 are afterwards dismissed with hard threatnings, 23 relating to theirs what was done to them, 24 who pray unto God for protection, boldness and blessing upon the preaching of the word, 31 and God answers them with and Earth-quake. 32 The concord and love of the faithfull, who sold their goods for the sustentation of the needy. 36 which Barnabas also did.

1. And while they spake unto the people, there came unto them the Priests, & the Captain of the Temple, [That is, the Governour of the Romane Souldiers, who kept watch before the Temple, to take heed that no inconvenience should arise amongst the great multitude of the people coming daily unto the Temple, See Matthew 27:65. Luke 22:4, 52. Acts 5:24, 26.] and the Sadduces: [of these se Matthew 3:7.and 22. 23. Acts 23:8.]

2. Being greatly discontented, because they taught the people, and published Jesus, [Or by or through Jesus, namely, that the same should be done by Jesus: or that Jesus was risen from the dead, as v. 33.and Acts 2:24.and 3. 15. Or in the name of Jesus] the resurrection from the dead.

3. And laid hands on them, and put them in custody, [Namely of certain Souldiers or other officers, without putting them in prison yet, as it seemeth] until the next day. Fir it was now Evening.

4. And many of those that had heard the word, [That is, Peters preaching of Christ, Acts 3:12.] believed, [namely, that Jesus of Nazareth was the true Messias and their Saviour] and the number of the men was about five thousand. [namely, either the three thousand, Acts 2:41.being reckoned therein, or beside them five thousand more.]

5. And it came to pass the next day, that their Rulers, [These seem to have been the principall heads of the great Council called Sanhedrim, consisting not only of Priests, but also of other principall of the people, especially of Scribes or Laywers. See ver. 15.] and Elders and Scribes gathered together at Jerusalem, [namely, being or being called from other places to Jerusalem.]

6. , And Annas the high Priest, [Or this Annas as also of Caiaphas. See Luke 3:2. John 11:49 and 18. 13.] and Caiaphas and John, [This was one of the five sons of Annas, otherwise called also Jonathas. See Joseph.de bell .Jud.lib. 2. Cap.25.] and Alexander of whom Josephus makes mention, Antiq.lib.20.cap.3.because he also was of Jewish parentage: but seeing he was Governour of Judea, therefore it is not likely that he was high Priest] and as many as were of the Family of the high Priset: [which may be understood either of such as were descended from high Priests, or of the chief Priests, that is, of the heads, who were divided into daily orders, 1 Chronicles 24:1. Luke 1:5.]

7. And when they had set them in the midst , [Namely, Peter and John] they asked, by what power, or by what name [that is, by whose authority or command] have ye done this?

8. Then said Peter, being filled with the Holy Ghost, [Namely, with a singular impulse and moving of the holy Ghost] unto them, ye Rulers of the people, and ye elders of Israel [of these Elders see the annotation onv. 5.]

9. Seeing. [Gr.it so be, or if] we are legally examined [or are brought into judgement, sued or judged] concerning the good deed (done) to an in firm man, whereby he i, become whole : [Gr.was saved.]

10. Be it knowable to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, [That is, by the power and authority of Jesus, and by faith in his name, Acts 3:16.] whom ye have crucified, from whom God hath raised from the dead, by him (I say) [namely, Jesus Christ, or by this, to wit, name of Jesus Christ, Acts 3:6.] this (man) standeth here before you whole.

11. This is the stone [Namely, Jesus of Nazareth] which was despised [Gr.set at nought, i.e.esteemed as nought, or rejected] by you the builders, [that is, by you are appointed to edifie the Church with the saving doctrine of the true Messias] which is become an head of the corner. [that is, the principal corner-stone, whereupon the whole edifice is built, See Isa, 28. 16. Rom. 9.v. 33. 1 Pet. 2. 6.]

12. And salvation is in none other, [That is, by none other] for there is also under heaven [that is, no where in all the world] no other name [that is, no man else, no other person] which ais given, [namely, by , God, John 3:16.] amongst men, [Gr.in men] by which we must be saved. [Gr.in which.]

13. Now they seeing the boldness of Peter and John, and perceiving that they were unlearned , [Gr.illiterate who had not stayed in the schools] and simple men? [Gr.idiotai. So common men are called who speak only their own mother tongue, who have no learning or authority in the Commonwealth Church, 1 Cor. 14.v. 16. 23, 24.and 2 Cor. 11. 6.] marvelled, and knew them that they had been with Jesus.

14. And seeing the man stand by them, [Namely, on on his feet upright, which before he had not been able to do.] who was cured, they had nothing to say against it.

15. And having commanded them to go forth, [Gr.to go away: which must not be understood that they were wholly discharged that they might go their way might go their way, but that they were led out of the Council] out of the Council, they reasoned one with another,

16. Saying, what shall we do to these men? For that a notable sign is done by them, [Namely, the miraculous curing of this cripple] is manifest to all that dwell at Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

17. But that it be not spread more and more among the people, let us sharply threaten them, [Gr.with threatening threaten Hebr.] that they speak no more to any man in this name. [or of this name, i.e. of this Jesus.]

18. And when they had called them, they said unto them, [That is, commanded them] that they should not at all speak nor teach in the name of Jesus. [namely, neither preach of him, nor call him him, nor work miracles in his name.]

19. But Peter and John answering, said unto them judge ye, if it be right before God, [That is, before the face of God, in Gods presence, who knows and judgeth all things] to hear you more then God.

20. For we cannot forbear to speak that which we have seen and heard, Namely, seeing we are called of God thereunto, to testifie that which we have heard and seen of Jesus Christ.]

21. But they threatened them yet more, and let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, [Namely, under any pretext or shew of justice] because of the people , [that us, for fear that the people should make an uproar against them] for they all glorified God for that which was done.

22. For the man was more then fourty years old, [And consequently a credible and known man: and who was also harder to be cured, having been a cripple so many years] on whom this sign of healing was done.

23. And they being set free, came unto their own, [Namely, unto the other Apostles, v. 29,,30, 31.] and declared all that the chief Preists, and the Elders had said unto them.

24. And when these heard (that) they lift up unanimously (their) voice unto God, and said, Lord, [Gr.Despota, which name is principally described to God the Father, as the word Krrios to the Son Jesus Christ. See Luke 2:29. 2 Pet. 2.1. Jud.v. 4.] thou art the God, who was hast made the heaven and the Earth, and the Sea, and all things which are in the same.

25. Who by the mouth of thy servant David, [Or of thy child, see v. 27.] hath said, why do the Heathen rage? [Gr.neigh, as metteld horses when they go to battle] and )why) have the people thought vain things?

26. The Kings of the Earth are risen up (together,) and the Rulers are gathered together against the Lord and against his anointed.

27. For in truth, [That is, publickly and visibly] there were gathered together against thy holy child Jesus [or servant, minister, See Acts 3:13, 26. See also Matthew 8:6.compared with Luke 7:2.and here v. 25.] whom thou hast anointed, [namely with the Holy Ghost, for the supream Priest, Prophet and King of the Church] both Herod and Pontius Pilate; with the Gentiles and the people of Israel: [although the Israelites were but one people; yet nevertheless they are called peoples in the plural number, because they were divided into twelve tribes, Genesis 28:3.and 48. 4.]

28. To do all, [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 issue of the business, which so fel out like as God had concluded in his counsel] that thy hand, [that is, thy self according to thy power and wise ordering] and thy counsel had before determined, [or before disposed, ordained, concluded, See Acts 2:23.] that should come to pass.

29. And now (therefore) Lord, look on their threatening, [Namely, from heaven, from whence thou governest all things] and give thy servants, [namely, the Apostles, Ephes. 6. 19.] to speak thy word with all boldness.

30. Therein that thou stretch forth thy hand, [That is, thy power] for healing, [namely, miraculous] and that signs and wonders may be done, through the name of thy holy child Jesus. [see v. 27.]

31. And when they had prayed, [Namely, the Apostles by whom this prayer was made] the place in which they were gathered together was moved. [the Greek word properly signifies to be moved up and down like the waves of the Sea. By this miracle God shewed that their prayer was heard] and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost: [See v.8.to preach the Gospel boldly in the midst of persecution] and spake the word of God with boldness.

32. And of the multitude of those that believed there was one heart and (one) soul; [That is, very great unity, aswell in doctrine and opinion, as in minds and inclinations one towards one towards another in love and peace] and no man said that ought of that which he had was his own; [See hereof, Acts 2:44.and 5.4.] but all things were common to them.

33. And the Apostles with great power, [Namely, to move the hearts of men, Romans 1:16.] gave testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and there was great grace, [that is, favour and acceptation with the people, who esteemed much of them as of holy and ungodly persons] upon them all.

34. For neither was there any man amongst them that had lack. For as many as were possessours of Lands or Houses, they sold them, and brought the price of the sold (good) and laid (it) at the feet of the Apostles. [Namely, to be distributed by them to the poor according to every ones need, v. 35.]

35. And it was distributed to every one, according as each had need.

36. And Joses [Otherwise, Joseph] by the Apostles sirnamed Barnabas (which is being interpreted a son of consolation) [or of exhortation, by reason of the singular gifts which he had, to comfort and exhort men out of Gods word. See Acts 11.v. 22, 23, 24.] a Levite, [or a Levite by birth, generation or descent of Cyprus] by birth of Cyprus. [Jews were scattered into all quarters of the world, 1 Pet. 1. 1.and also into this Island, whereof see Acts 11:19.and chap.13. 4.and 15. 39.and 21. 3.and 27. 4.]

37. He having a field sold (it) and brought the money, [Namely that he had made of the field he had sold] and laid it at the Apostles feet.