Peter and John before the Council

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 . 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply .

15 But when they had ordered them to leave the Council , they began to confer with one another , 16 saying , " What shall we do with these men ? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem , and we cannot e deny it. 17 "But so that it will not spread any further e among the people , let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name ." 18 And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus . 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, " Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God , you be the judge ; 20 for we cannot e stop speaking about what we have seen and heard ." 21 When they had threatened them further , they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people , because they were all glorifying God for what had happened ; 22 for the man was more than forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed .

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 4:1-22

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.

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.