41 As they were speaking to the people , the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, 2 being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead . 3 And they laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day , for it was already evening . 4 But many of those who had heard the message believed ; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand .
5 On the next day , their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem ; 6 and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander , and all who were of high-priestly descent . 7 When they had placed them in the center , they began to inquire , "By what power , or in what name , have you done this ?" 8 Then Peter , filled with the Holy Spirit , said to them, " Rulers and elders of the people , 9 if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man , as to how this man has been made well , 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel , that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene , whom you crucified , whom God raised from the dead -by this name this man stands here before you in good health . 11 " He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS , but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone. 12 "And there is salvation in no e one else ; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved ." 13 Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men , they were amazed , and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 4:1-13
Commentary on Acts 4:1-4
(Read Acts 4:1-4)
The apostles preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. It includes all the happiness of the future state; this they preached through Jesus Christ, to be had through him only. Miserable is their case, to whom the glory of Christ's kingdom is a grief; for since the glory of that kingdom is everlasting, their grief will be everlasting also. The harmless and useful servants of Christ, like the apostles, have often been troubled for their work of faith and labour of love, when wicked men have escaped. And to this day instances are not wanting, in which reading the Scriptures, social prayer, and religious conversation meet with frowns and checks. But if we obey the precepts of Christ, he will support us.
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.