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.

1And as they spake vnto the people, the Priests and the captaine of the Temple, and the Sadduces came vpon them,

2Being grieued that they taught the people, and preached through Iesus the resurrection from the dead.

3And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold vnto the next day: for it was now euentide.

4Howbeit, many of them which heard the word, beleeued, and the number of the men was about fiue thousand.

5 And it came to passe on the morow, that their rulers, and Elders, and Scribes,

6And Annas the high Priest, and Caiphas, and Iohn, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kinred of the high Priest, were gathered together at Hierusalem.

7And when they had set them in the middest, they asked, By what power, or by what name haue ye done this?

8Then Peter filled with the holy Ghost, said vnto them, Ye rulers of the people, and Elders of Israel,

9If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what meanes he is made whole,

10Be it knowen vnto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the Name of Iesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whome God raised from the dead, euen by him, doeth this man stand here before you, whole.

11This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12Neither is there saluation in any other: for there is none other name vnder heauen giuen among men whereby we must be saued.

13 Now when they sawe the boldnesse of Peter and Iohn, and perceiued that they were vnlearned and ignorant men, they marueiled, and they tooke knowledge of them, that they had bene with Iesus.

14And beholding the man which was healed, standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

15But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the Council, they conferred among themselues,

16Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath bene done by them, is manifest to all them that dwell in Hierusalem, and we cannot denie it.

17But that it spread no farther among the people, let vs straitly threaten them, that they speake henceforth to no man in this Name.

18And they called them, and commanded them, not to speake at all, nor teach in the Name of Iesus.

19But Peter and Iohn answered, and said vnto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God, to hearken vnto you more then vnto God, iudge ye.

20For wee cannot but speake the things which we haue seene and heard.

21So when they had further threatned them, they let them goe, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

22For the man was aboue fourtie yeeres olde, on whome this miracle of healing was shewed.

23 And being let goe, they went to their owne company, and reported all that the chiefe Priests and Elders had said vnto them.

24And when they heard that, they lift vp their voyce to God with one accord, & said, Lord, thou art God which hast made heauen and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is,

25Who by the mouth of thy seruant Dauid hast saide, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vaine things?

26The Kings of the earth stood vp, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, & against his Christ.

27For of a trueth against thy holy child Iesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were gathered together,

28For to doe whatsoeuer thy hand and thy counsell determined before to be done.

29And now Lord, behold their threatnings, and graunt vnto thy seruants, that with all boldnesse they may speake thy word,

30By stretching foorth thine hand to heale: and that signes and wonders may be done by the Name of thy holy child Iesus.

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 boldnesse.

32And the multitude of them that beleeued, were of one heart, and of one soule: Neither said any of them, that ought of the things which he possessed, was his owne, but they had all things common.

33And with great power gaue the Apostles witnesse of the resurrection of the Lord Iesus, and great grace was vpon them all.

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 solde,

35And laide them downe at the Apostles feete: And distribution was made vnto euery man according as hee had neede.

36And Ioses, who by the Apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, The sonne of consolation) a Leuite, and of the Countrey of Cyprus,

37Hauing land, sold it, and brought the money, & laid it at the Apostles feet.

 

1 While they were still speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees confronted them, 2 disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They laid hands on them and put them in custody until the next day, since it was already evening. 4 But many of those who heard the word came to believe and (the) number of men grew to (about) five thousand. 5 On the next day, their leaders, elders, and scribes were assembled in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly class. 7 They brought them into their presence and questioned them, "By what power or by what name have you done this?" 8 Then Peter, filled with the holy Spirit, answered them, "Leaders of the people and elders: 9 If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a cripple, namely, by what means he was saved, 10 then all of you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarean whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed. 11 He is 'the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.' 12 There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved." 13 Observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men, they were amazed, and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus. 14 Then when they saw the man who had been cured standing there with them, they could say nothing in reply. 15 So they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, and conferred with one another, saying, 16 "What are we to do with these men? Everyone living in Jerusalem knows that a remarkable sign was done through them, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it may not be spread any further among the people, let us give them a stern warning never again to speak to anyone in this name." 18 So they called them back and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 Peter and John, however, said to them in reply, "Whether it is right in the sight of God for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges. 20 It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard." 21 After threatening them further, they released them, finding no way to punish them, on account of the people who were all praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing had been done was over forty years old. 23 After their release they went back to their own people and reported what the chief priests and elders had told them. 24 And when they heard it, they raised their voices to God with one accord and said, "Sovereign Lord, maker of heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them, 25 you said by the holy Spirit through the mouth of our father David, your servant: 'Why did the Gentiles rage and the peoples entertain folly? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand and the princes gathered together against the Lord and against his anointed.' 27 Indeed they gathered in this city against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed, Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do what your hand and (your) will had long ago planned to take place. 29 And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and enable your servants to speak your word with all boldness, 30 as you stretch forth (your) hand to heal, and signs and wonders are done through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 31 As they prayed, the place where they were gathered shook, and they were all filled with the holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. 32 The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. 34 There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, 35 and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need. 36 Thus Joseph, also named by the apostles Barnabas (which is translated "son of encouragement"), a Levite, a Cypriot by birth, 37 sold a piece of property that he owned, then brought the money and put it at the feet of the apostles.

v1-3. Peter and John had gone to pray about 3:00 P.M. (v1), stopped to heal a man, a crowd gathered (v11), and Peter used the occasion to preach a sermon. This was interrupted by Jewish leaders a few minutes or hours later (eventide v3, anytime after 3 PM). This was the beginning of the first persecution of the church. We might notice the sore spot, they were preaching, v2, Christ’s resurrection from dead. Modernists today are still claiming Christ’s bones will be found in an Oriental tomb.
v4. They  broke up the service, but they couldn’t keep people from being saved. The apostles were bound, but the Word of God was not bound, 2 Tim. 2:9. Total men now 5000. Did this include women and children?
v5-7. Full gathering of “big wheels”. The Sanhedrin was the Jewish supreme court and administrative body consisting of 71 members including the high priest, and was mostly Sadducees.
v7. Implication, “Do you plead guilty or innocent of supporting this insurrectionist, Jesus Christ, whom the law had condemned and was therefore crucified?”
v8. A very courteous recognition by Peter.
v9. Politely noted the “good deed” to the cripple as causing the question.
v10. Then bold, clear cut, uncompromising answer to the charges. No defense! The crucified and risen Christ had done it.
v11-12. Peter quoted from Psalm 118:22, the stone which the builders rejected, to point out their rejection of Christ, their only hope.
v13. “Unlearned”, not stupid. Preachers without Degrees. Contrast Paul-Gamaliel.
v15. On the spot, the council went into secret executive session. Luke may have heard of the proceedings from some one like Nicodemus.
v16-18. They couldn’t deny what all Jerusalem knew, so they tried to muzzle.
v19,20. Proper citizenship recognizes authority of state, Rom. 13:1-7,  but if outright conflict between state and God, we must obey God, we must continue to witness for Christ.  (This was an issue in the American Revolution.)
v23-31. They didn’t return and gripe and complain about being persecuted. They just reported what had happened and started praising God. They recognized the persecution which was prophesied by David in Ps. 2. They further prayed for more boldness to preach, a prayer we might well pray - but not unless we mean it. Neither does this mean carrying a chip on our shoulder. They also prayed to be able to perform miracles, signs and wonders in the name of Jesus, which was proper in this transitional stage of the Church. We too have seen miraculous answers to prayer by God’s mercies, but not in the context of needing a sign to confirm the gospel.
v32. Compare v24, ( also 2:1; 1:14; 2:46, 5:12) where they are with one accord.
v32-37. Continuation of voluntary common pool, not Communism. They probably expected Christ to return in their life time. (illus. of my Christian friend who thought Christ would return in the ‘80s and mortgaged everything so “The unsaved won’t get it all after the rapture.” He lost his land.)  Noteworthy that Barnabas, a Levite was among the number. Levites did not have an inheritance in Israel but were not prohibited from owning property, Deut. 18:8. Jeremiah bought land, Jer. 32:6-15. Also, Barnabas, being from Cyprus, may have owned land there.