Acts 4

1 And while they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came upon them, [a] 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and announcing in Jesus the resurrection from the dead; [b] 3 and they laid hands on them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who heard the word trusted, and the number of the men became about five thousand.

5 And it happened on the next day that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem — 6 and Annas the chief priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and as many as were of the chief-priestly family — [c] 7 and standing them in the middle they were inquiring, “By what power, or in what name, did you do this?”

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders: 9 if we are being examined today over a good deed done to a sick man — by what this man has been made well — 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead — by him this man stands before you sound.

11 This is the stone treated as nothing by you, the builders, which became the cornerstone. [d] 12 And there is rescue in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved.” [e] †

13 And seeing the boldness of Peter and John, and grasping that they were unlettered and ordinary men, they were marveling; and they recognized them, that they had been with Jesus. [f] 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say against it.

15 But when they had ordered them to go outside the council, they were conferring with one another, [g] 16 saying, “What are we to do with these men? For that a notable sign has happened through them is plain to everyone living in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it may spread no further among the people, let us threaten them, to speak no longer on this name to anyone at all.” 18 And calling them, they charged them not to speak out at all, nor to teach, on the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves; 20 for we cannot help speaking of what we saw and heard.” 21 But they threatened them further and released them, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, since they were all giving glory to God over what had happened; 22 for the man on whom this sign of healing had happened was more than forty years old.

23 And when they were released they went to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, with one mind they raised their voice to God and said, “Master, you are the one who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, [h] 25 who through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David, your servant, said: [i]

27 For in truth there were gathered together in this city, against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the nations and the peoples of Israel, [k] 28 to do whatever your hand and your purpose had decided beforehand to happen.

29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, [l] 30 while you stretch out your hand for healing, and signs and wonders happen through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had made their plea, the place in which they were gathered was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they were speaking the word of God with boldness.

32 And the multitude of those who had trusted were one heart and soul, and not one of them said that anything belonging to him was his own, but everything was common to them. [m] † 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was upon them all. 34 For there was not a poor person among them; for as many as were owners of fields or houses sold them and were bringing the prices of the things sold [n] 35 and laying them at the feet of the apostles; and it was handed out to each according as anyone had need.

36 And Joseph, who was surnamed Barnabas by the apostles — which is translated “son of comfort” — a Levite, a Cypriot by descent, [o] 37 having a field, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the feet of the apostles.