Acts 4 Study Notes
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4:1-3 The religious authorities confronted and ultimately arrested Peter and John for proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. The Sadducees in particular were provoked by this, for they did not believe in resurrection because they did not think it was taught in the Pentateuch, the only portion of the Hebrew Bible they acknowledged as authoritative (Mt 22:23). The apostles were held in custody overnight because Sanhedrin trials were not conducted at night. Rome had granted the Sanhedrin legal authority over the temple area since disputes arising there were religious in nature rather than civic.
parrēsia
| Greek pronunciation | [pahr ray SEE ah] |
| CSB translation | boldness |
| Uses in Acts | 5 |
| Uses in the NT | 31 |
| Focus passage | Acts 4:13,29,31 |
The Greek noun parrÄ“sia means boldness, openness, or confidence and thus signifies the freedom to speak openly. Since such freedom of speech often provokes opposition, parrÄ“sia indicated fearlessness in speaking one’s mind. The word was normally used in a positive sense, but a negative usage such as bluntness or shamelessness also occurs in ancient Greek literature.
All ten occurrences of parrēsia in the Gospels refer to speaking openly or plainly, either by Jesus or about Jesus (Mk 8:32; Jn 7:4,13,26; 10:24; 11:14,54; 16:25,29; 18:20). The uses of the term in Acts refer to three instances of boldness on the part of the apostles in proclaiming the gospel (2:29; 4:13,29,31; 28:31), something Paul referred to in his letters (2Co 3:12; Eph 6:19; Php 1:20).
4:4 Repeated attempts to suppress the Christian message only caused it to spread more quickly. On Pentecost morning the believers in Jerusalem only numbered 120 (1:15). In response to Peter’s sermon that day, another three thousand were added (2:41). Now, with the healing of the lame man, Peter’s sermon, and the arrest of the apostles, the church grew to about five thousand.
4:5-7 The parties listed in vv. 5-6 represent all the most powerful players in the Jewish religious establishment. They made Peter and John stand before them, two men against all the powers of Israel. Ironic, therefore, that they asked the apostles by what power they had performed the miracle and preached the gospel. It was clear that the apostles, who shirked the traditional powers, considered themselves answerable to and empowered by a different authority. On Annas and Caiaphas, see the notes on Mt 26:3; Lk 3:2-3; Jn 18:13.
4:8 Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, a necessary prelude to his successful confrontation with the Jewish religious establishment.
4:9-10 Peter again emphasized to a Jewish audience that Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom the nation had crucified, was raised from the dead by God. This same Jesus is the power by which the lame man was made healthy.
4:11 Peter again identified Jesus with OT testimony by citing Ps 118:22. Though Jesus was a stone rejected by the Jewish leaders, God made him the cornerstone (foundation) of the church.
4:12 Peter concluded by making clear the uncompromising claim of Christianity: There is salvation in no one else besides Jesus. This message rings throughout the NT. Jesus himself said, “No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn 14:6).
4:13-15 The word for boldness also refers to freedom of speech and could relate to articulateness. The Jews could only trace such a characteristic to Jesus.
4:16-18 Remarkably, the Sanhedrin admitted that an obvious sign had been done through them (the apostles), and yet rather than repent and believe, they focused on damage control among the people. They sought to halt the spread of Christianity at all costs, so they ordered the apostles not to speak or teach any more about Jesus. It seems they wished to guard their status as religious authorities even at the expense of obvious truth.
4:19-20 Peter and John’s reference to what they had seen and heard included their experiences with Jesus plus what they had witnessed since the founding of the church at Pentecost. All told, they had been eyewitnesses to many of God’s revelatory acts.
4:21-23 The fact that the man was over forty years old seemed to the Jews to rule out the likelihood of healing.
4:24-28 When Peter and John told the members of their fellowship what had happened, they all recognized this persecution as fulfillment of Ps 2:1-2. Gentiles and the people of Israel had united in opposition to God’s holy servant Jesus and his followers. Then and now, believers take comfort in knowing that Jesus’s sufferings (as well as their own) are not by chance, but are predestined by God. This is another place in Scripture where divine sovereignty and human responsibility are simultaneously affirmed (see also 2:23).
4:29 The early Christians recognized that just as Jesus had been promised trouble, they too would encounter persecution for proclaiming him as the Messiah. They asked God for the power to speak with all boldness, even if punishment should follow.
4:30 Besides boldness in testifying, the early Christians expected to receive power from God to perform healing, and signs and wonders through the name of . . . Jesus.
4:31 Their prayer was answered immediately.
4:32-35 As long as there was complete unanimity of purpose and intention among them, the early Christians shared their possessions freely, such that there was not a needy person among them. They were able to do this not because of their own strength, but because great grace was on all of them. Therefore the generosity was above all a work of God. Yet trouble was coming (5:1-11).
4:36-37 Joseph (aka Barnabas) led by example, selling his field and donating all the proceeds to the church. Such charitable acts inspired others to do good but also incited some to seek acclaim.