5 And it came to pass upon the morrow, there were gathered together of them the rulers, and elders, and scribes, to Jerusalem, 6 and Annas the chief priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the chief priest, 7 and having set them in the midst, they were inquiring, 'In what power, or in what name did ye do this?' 8 Then Peter, having been filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them: 'Rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9 if we to-day are examined concerning the good deed to the ailing man, by whom he hath been saved, 10 be it known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye did crucify, whom God did raise out of the dead, in him hath this one stood by before you whole. 11 'This is the stone that was set at nought by you—the builders, that became head of a corner; 12 and there is not salvation in any other, for there is no other name under the heaven that hath been given among men, in which it behoveth us to be saved.' 13 And beholding the openness of Peter and John, and having perceived that they are men unlettered and plebeian, they were wondering—they were taking knowledge also of them that with Jesus they had been— 14 and seeing the man standing with them who hath been healed, they had nothing to say against 'it',
15 and having commanded them to go away out of the sanhedrim, they took counsel with one another, 16 saying, 'What shall we do to these men? because that, indeed, a notable sign hath been done through them, to all those dwelling in Jerusalem 'is' manifest, and we are not able to deny 'it'; 17 but that it may spread no further toward the people, let us strictly threaten them no more to speak in this name to any man.' 18 And having called them, they charged them not to speak at all, nor to teach, in the name of Jesus, 19 and Peter and John answering unto them said, 'Whether it is righteous before God to hearken to you rather than to God, judge ye; 20 for we cannot but speak what we did see and hear.' 21 And they having further threatened 'them', let them go, finding nothing how they may punish them, because of the people, because all were glorifying God for that which hath been done, 22 for above forty years of age was the man upon whom had been done this sign of the healing.
23 And being let go, they went unto their own friends, and declared whatever the chief priests and the elders said unto them, 24 and they having heard, with one accord did lift up the voice unto God, and said, 'Lord, thou 'art' God, who didst make the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all that 'are' in them, 25 who, through the mouth of David thy servant, did say, Why did nations rage, and peoples meditate 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 gathered together of a truth against Thy holy child Jesus, whom Thou didst anoint, were both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with nations and peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever Thy hand and Thy counsel did determine before to come to pass. 29 'And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings, and grant to Thy servants with all freedom to speak Thy word, 30 in the stretching forth of Thy hand, for healing, and signs, and wonders, to come to pass through the name of Thy holy child Jesus.' 31 And they having prayed, the place was shaken in which they were gathered together, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and were speaking the word of God with freedom,
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 4:5-31
Commentary on Acts 4:5-14
(Read Acts 4:5-14)
Peter being filled with the Holy Ghost, would have all to understand, that the miracle had been wrought by the name, or power, of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, whom they had crucified; and this confirmed their testimony to his resurrection from the dead, which proved him to be the Messiah. These rulers must either be saved by that Jesus whom they had crucified, or they must perish for ever. The name of Jesus is given to men of every age and nation, as that whereby alone believers are saved from the wrath to come. But when covetousness, pride, or any corrupt passion, rules within, men shut their eyes, and close their hearts, in enmity against the light; considering all as ignorant and unlearned, who desire to know nothing in comparison with Christ crucified. And the followers of Christ should act so that all who converse with them, may take knowledge that they have been with Jesus. That makes them holy, heavenly, spiritual, and cheerful, and raises them above this world.
Commentary on Acts 4:15-22
(Read Acts 4:15-22)
All the care of the rulers is, that the doctrine of Christ spread not among the people, yet they cannot say it is false or dangerous, or of any ill tendency; and they are ashamed to own the true reason; that it testifies against their hypocrisy, wickedness, and tyranny. Those who know how to put a just value upon Christ's promises, know how to put just contempt upon the world's threatenings. The apostles look with concern on perishing souls, and know they cannot escape eternal ruin but by Jesus Christ, therefore they are faithful in warning, and showing the right way. None will enjoy peace of mind, nor act uprightly, till they have learned to guide their conduct by the fixed standard of truth, and not by the shifting opinions and fancies of men. Especially beware of a vain attempt to serve two masters, God and the world; the end will be, you can serve neither fully.
Commentary on Acts 4:23-31
(Read Acts 4:23-31)
Christ's followers do best in company, provided it is their own company. It encourages God's servants, both in doing work, and suffering work, that they serve the God who made all things, and therefore has the disposal of all events; and the Scriptures must be fulfilled. Jesus was anointed to be a Saviour, therefore it was determined he should be a sacrifice, to make atonement for sin. But sin is not the less evil for God's bringing good out of it. In threatening times, our care should not be so much that troubles may be prevented, as that we may go on with cheerfulness and courage in our work and duty. They do not pray, Lord let us go away from our work, now that it is become dangerous, but, Lord, give us thy grace to go on stedfastly in our work, and not to fear the face of man. Those who desire Divine aid and encouragement, may depend upon having them, and they ought to go forth, and go on, in the strength of the Lord God. God gave a sign of acceptance of their prayers. The place was shaken, that their faith might be established and unshaken. God gave them greater degrees of his Spirit; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, more than ever; by which they were not only encouraged, but enabled to speak the word of God with boldness. When they find the Lord God help them by his Spirit, they know they shall not be confounded, Isaiah 17.