HarperCollins Study Bible
Page 489
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a Gk the Nazorean
b Gk Men, Israelites
c Or child
d Gk him
e Gk brothers
f Or his Christ
g Or the Christ
h Gk brothers
i Or child
3.1–10 This healing, which follows the same general pattern as healings in the Gospels, illustrates the wonders and signs done by the apostles (2.43) and prompts another speech by Peter.
3.1 It was customary to speak of going up when going to the temple (2 Kings 19.14; 20.5; Lk 18.10). Three o’clock in the afternoon, a regular time of prayer and the hour of the afternoon sacrifice (Dan 9.21; Jdt 9.1; Josephus, Antiquities 14.65; 3.237).
3.2 Beautiful Gate, puzzling, since ancient descriptions of the temple use no such title; it is generally identified with the Nicanor Gate, a gate made of bronze (Josephus, War 5.201; Mishnah Middot 1.4; 2.3).
3.4 Looked intently. See 13.9; 14.9.
3.6 Just as Peter urged repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus (2.38), so now the name is invoked and becomes the center of controversy when Peter and John are called before the council (4.5–20).
3.11–26 Peter’s speech at the temple repeats themes of the Pentecost speech (2.14–36) concerning Jesus’ place in Israel’s history.
3.11 The people, Luke’s characteristic way of referring to Israel (see v. 9; 4.10; 5.34; 10.41; Lk 2.10, 32; 7.29). Solomon’s Portico, a colonnade on the east side of the temple enclosure.
3.12 As at Pentecost, the speech begins by addressing a misunderstanding; see 2.14–15.
3.13 God of Abraham,…Isaac,…Jacob. Luke connects God’s action in Jesus to God’s action in all of Israel’s history (see Ex 3.6, 15–16; Lk 20.37). His servant (or child) Jesus recalls the servant of Isa 52.13–53.12 (see also Acts 4.27). On Pilate’s judgment, see Lk 23.13–16.
3.14 Calling Jesus the Holy and Righteous One (see also 7.52; 22.14; Lk 23.47) underscores the moral contrast between him and the people, who preferred to have Pilate release the murderer Barabbas (Lk 23.18–19).
3.16 In the Gospels, the faith associated with healing is that of the person in need of healing (e.g., Mk 1.40–45; 10.46–52) or a bystander (Mk 5.22–43; 9.14–29). In this instance, the faith involved is that of the apostles themselves.
3.17–18 See note on 2.23.
3.20 Times of refreshing, either periods of relief during eschatological distress or the final restoration (see v. 21).
3.21 Universal restoration, not the restoration of Israel’s kingdom (cf. 1.6), but roughly the equivalent of salvation itself.
3.22–23 See Deut 18.15–20.
3.25 See Gen 22.18; 26.4.
3.26 First to you underscores the priority of Israel (see 13.46) and anticipates another stage of proclamation, that to the Gentiles; see also Rom 1.16.
Acts 4
Peter and John before the Council
1While Peter and Johna were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them, 2much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead. 3So they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4But many of those who heard the word believed; and they numbered about five thousand.
5The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, 6with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John,b and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7When they had made the prisonersc stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, 10let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,d whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. 11This Jesuse is
‘the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;
it has become the cornerstone.’f
12There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”
13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus. 14When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15So they ordered them to leave the council while they discussed the matter with one another. 16They said, “What will we do with them? For it is obvious to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable sign has been done through them; we cannot deny it. 17But to keep it from spreading further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18So they called them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; 20for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21After threatening them again, they let them go, finding no way to punish them because of the people, for all of them praised God for what had happened. 22For the man on whom this sign of healing had been performed was more than forty years old.
The Believers Pray for Boldness
23After they were released, they went to their friendsg and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and everything in them, 25it is you who said by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant:h
‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples imagine vain things?
26The kings of the earth took their stand,
and the rulers have gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.’i
27For in this city, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servantj Jesus, whom you anointed, 28to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servantsk to speak your word with all boldness, 30while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servantl Jesus.” 31When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.
The Believers Share Their Possessions
32Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. 33With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. 35They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”). 37He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
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a Gk While they
b Other ancient authorities read Jonathan
c Gk them
d Gk the Nazorean
e Gk This
f Or keystone
g Gk their own
h Or child
i Or his Christ
j Or child
k Gk slaves
l Or child
4.1–22 In contrast to the popular positive reaction to Peter’s Pentecost speech (2.37–42), the speech at the temple (3.12–26) prompts the first official resistance to Christian preaching and sets the stage for Peter’s defense (4.8–12).
4.1–2 Luke distinguishes
the people, whom Peter and John address and who receive them gladly, from their rulers, who are hostile to the gospel. The captain of the temple (see 5.24, 26; Lk 22.52) maintained order in the temple precinct and ranked just below the high priest in authority. In Acts, the Sadducees serve as foils for Christian preaching because they did not believe in the resurrection of the dead (see 23.6–10). Little information is available about this Jewish sect; sources consistently associate it with the aristocracy and temple priesthood (Josephus, Antiquities 13.297–298; 18.16–17; War 2.164–65), yet it did not have any particular authority in the area of the temple itself.
4.4 Five thousand, literally the number of males, suggesting that the number of believers was even larger. Since Luke often uses hyperbole for rhetorical impact (see, e.g., v. 16), any assessment of the accuracy of such figures is impossible.
4.6 Annas, high priest in 6–15 CE, well before the time of this story, probably included because of his prominence. Caiaphas, son-in-law to Annas and high priest in 18–36/7 CE; John, Alexander, otherwise unknown.
4.8 Filled with the Holy Spirit recalls Lk 12.11–12; Peter speaks not his own words but those given him by the Spirit.
4.10 Again Luke contrasts the responses to Jesus: the leaders crucified him, but God raised him from the dead (see 2.36).
4.11 See Ps 118.22 and its use in Lk 20.17; Mt 21.42; 1 Pet 2.7.
4.12 Salvation, both the physical healing of the lame man and salvation from judgment or from the service of false gods (see 13.26;16.17).
4.13 Luke understands boldness, or forthright speech, to be a hallmark of the apostles (see vv. 29–31;18.26; 28.31).
4.16 All who live in Jerusalem, exaggeration to dramatize the authorities’ dilemma.
4.19–20 For comparable assertions about the necessity of obedience to God, see Plato, Apology 29D; 2 Macc 7.2; 4 Macc 5.16–38; Josephus, Antiquities 17.158–59.
4.22 The subject’s age underscores the significance of the healing.
4.23–31 The community responds with prayer to persecution and the release of Peter and John.
4.24 Sovereign Lord. See 3 Macc 2.2; Lk 2.29 (translated “Master”); Rev 6.10. Who made…everything in them. See 14.15; 17.24; see also Ex 20.11; Ps 146.6; Isa 37.16.
4.25b–26 Ps 2.1–2. Connecting the psalm both to Jesus’ death (v. 27) and to the persecution of the church (v. 29) allows Luke to assert that both events serve God’s plan.
4.27 Cf. Lk 23.6–16, where Herod and Pilate seek to release Jesus. Perhaps they are included here as counterparts to the psalm’s kings and rulers (v. 26).
4.29 Servants, here those enslaved, a different Greek word (doulos) than in vv. 25, 27, 30 (pais).
4.31 That the place itself was shaken signals God’s presence (Ex 19.18; 2 Esd 6.14–15, 29; Josephus, Antiquities 4.51). All filled with the Holy Spirit. See 2.4. Boldness. See v. 13; 9.27–28; 13.46; 28.31.
4.32–37 This second summary of the common life of believers (cf. 2.42–47) emphasizes the sharing of property in a way consistent with the Hellenistic ideal of friendship.
4.34 See Deut 15.4.
4.35 That money from donated property is placed at the apostles’ feet (see also v. 37; 5.2) suggests their authority over community life.
4.36 Whether Barnabas actually means “son of encouragement” is doubtful, but Barnabas’s major role in Acts is encouraging the work of Paul (see, e.g., 9.27; 11.22–30).
4.37 This incident concretely illustrates the community’s sharing of property and contrasts with the story that follows.
Acts 5
Ananias and Sapphira
1But a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property; 2with his wife’s knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3“Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? 4While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, were not the proceeds at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to usa but to God!” 5Now when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard of it. 6The young men came and wrapped up his body,b then carried him out and buried him.
7After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you and your husband sold the land for such and such a price.” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.” 9Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10Immediately she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came in they found her dead, so they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11And great fear seized the whole church and all who heard of these things.
The Apostles Heal Many
12Now many signs and wonders were done among the people through the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. 13None of the rest dared to join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14Yet more than ever believers were added to the Lord, great numbers of both men and women, 15so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mats, in order that Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he came by. 16A great number of people would also gather from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all cured.
The Apostles Are Persecuted
17Then the high priest took action; he and all who were with him (that is, the sect of the Sadducees), being filled with jealousy, 18arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, brought them out, and said, 20“Go, stand in the temple and tell the people the whole message about this life.” 21When they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and went on with their teaching.
When the high priest and those with him arrived, they called together the council and the whole body of the elders of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22But when the temple police went there, they did not find them in the prison; so they returned and reported, 23“We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were perplexed about them, wondering what might be going on. 25Then someone arrived and announced, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” 26Then the captain went with the temple police and brought them, but without violence, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
27When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, 28saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,c yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.” 29But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.d 30The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a short time. 35Then he said to them, “Fellow Israelites,e consider carefully what you propose to do to these men. 36For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him; but he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and disappeared. 37After him Judas the Galilean rose up at the time of the census and got people to follow him; he also perished, and all who followed him were sc
attered. 38So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; 39but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!”
They were convinced by him, 40and when they had called in the apostles, they had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. 42And every day in the temple and at homef they did not cease to teach and proclaim Jesus as the Messiah.g
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a Gk to men
b Meaning of Gk uncertain
c Other ancient authorities read Did we not give you strict orders not to teach in this name?
d Gk than men
e Gk Men, Israelites
f Or from house to house
g Or the Christ
5.1–11 The story of the otherwise unknown Ananias and Sapphira underscores the importance of the community and especially of Peter, but the real focus here is on the lie to God involved in their actions; see Josh 7.
5.3 As with the betrayal of Jesus by Judas (Lk 22.3, 31), this event occurs at Satan’s instigation; nevertheless, Ananias and Sapphira are held responsible for their actions.
5.5 He…died. Following immediately on Peter’s pronouncement that Ananias lied to God, this death enacts God’s judgment.