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',
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 4:5-14
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.