AP

Jerusalem to Rome: A Journey Through Acts

Bible Studies on the Acts of the Apostles

Acts 4:1-31

Peter and John Challenged by the Sanhedrin (verses 1-22)

Verses 1-4: The reaction to the miracle was very prompt: the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees arrived while Peter was still speaking. These people thought they had done away with Jesus and all that he stood and died for! They hurried to restrain the apostles. The Sadducees did not even believe in any resurrection! (Matthew 22:23, Mark 12:18, Luke 20:27). No wonder they were “greatly disturbed” when they heard that “the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.”

There was probably also an element of jealousy among the priests and Sadducees; as was the case with Jesus, Peter and John attracted a great crowd who listened intently. The priests and Sadducees did not have such an easy rapport with those who were called ‘the common people.’ “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law” (Matthew 7:28-29). Peter also taught with authority; the authority given to him by Jesus himself.

Peter and John were put in jail overnight; there was not enough time left to call the Sanhedrin together to deal with them. Note that even from this short address by Peter the number of men (they were not counting the women and children!) grew from 3000 on the day of Pentecost to 5000 after the miracle and Peter’s speech [the Greek in v. 4 is specifically ‘men,’ not ‘human beings’ generally. In Acts 2:41 it says 3000 ‘souls’].

Verses 5-7: The interrogation by ‘the rulers, elders and teachers of the law’ began the next morning. Annas was the senior ex-high priest. Caiaphas, his son-in-law, was the reigning high priest. It is clear that this was an elite company. The main question was posed: “By what power or what name did you do this?” The “you” in the Greek comes at the end of the question for emphasis. It implies scorn: “people like you” i.e., not learned teachers of the law, but simple Galileans.

Verses 8-12: Peter, “filled with the Holy Spirit” begins his answer. The verb denotes a special moment of inspiration, whereas the adjective “full” denotes the abiding character of a Spirit-filled person (as said of Stephen in 6:5). In Luke 21:12-15 Jesus foretold such an occasion of inspiration. Note the “If” of v. 9. Peter is challenging the notion that they are being brought to court for an act of kindness, which would be absurd. But he knows what they are after, so he tells them: “It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you completely healed.” Peter could not be more direct. Apparently, the healed man had been brought in as a witness. The “He” in v. 11 refers to Jesus, of course, not the man. Peter quotes from Psalm 118 “The stone [Jesus] you builders [priests and rulers] rejected [crucified], has become the capstone [been raised by God].” He concludes by expressing a strong statement about the all-sufficiency of Christ to save, and the exclusion of any other power. Further rejection of Jesus as Messiah would involve the destruction of the nation, as well as themselves.

Verses 13-17: What could they say to that? They were astonished that these uneducated men could argue so strongly. Besides, the healed man was standing with them as evidence of the miracle. They could not deny it. They did not even attempt to discount the resurrection. The body of Jesus had vanished so completely that all the authority at their command could not produce it. They asked them to leave the chamber so they could confer. What to do? They decided to threaten them not to speak in the name of Christ.

Verses 18-22: When Peter and John were called in again, they were forbidden to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. Peter and John had an answer for that: “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” The rulers were powerless to do anything except to let them go, because the “people were praising God for what had happened.” If they had punished or imprisoned them, there would have been further uproar in Jerusalem. They threatened them again and let them go. The entire episode exposed their powerlessness.

The Believers’ Prayer (verses 23-31)

Verse 23: Peter and John straightaway reported everything to their fellow believers (verses 16-17 were probably related to them later by some of the priests who were converted, see Acts 6:7).

Verses 24-30: Note what is acknowledged in the prayer: (1) God is the sovereign Creator of heaven and earth, (2) The Holy Spirit inspired David when he wrote Psalm 2, (3) Jesus was anointed by God, (4) the people acted out what was foreordained. Verses 29-30 express the actual petition: they pray for boldness to continue preaching the Word of God and they ask for more “signs and wonders” to be done in Jesus’ name.

Then follows another Pentecostal experience: a shaking and a filling of the Spirit, just as happened before Peter started to speak to the Sanhedrin. They were encouraged to speak the Word boldly. This is a reaffirmation of Acts 2 – the young church is on the right track.

Questions:

What does this passage say to Christians who – even in Western countries – are now facing persecution, prosecution, and discrimination?

If we were hauled up in court, could we confess Christ with charity and boldness?

What does the prayer teach us, and how does it compare with the Lord’s Prayer in the gospel?

– Alida Sewell