8: Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit (see 2:4), said to them, “All you rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, (Notice he did not slight them)
9: If we this day be examined (Cp. Luke 23:14) of the benefit of the impotent man, by whom this one has been saved (Gr. sôzô. Cp. John 11:12);
10: Be it known to you all (see note on 1:19), and to all the people of Israel, that by the name (see 2:28) of Yashua the Messiah the Nazarene, Whom you all crucified (see 2:23), Whom Yahaveh raised from the dead, even by Him does this one stand here in your presence whole (Cp. Matt.12:13. Tit.2:8 "sound").
11: This is the Stone Which was treated with contempt (Gr. exoutheneô. Cp. Luke 18:9; 23:11) by you builders (a reference to Ps.118:22), Which is become the head of the corner (Lit. unto a head of a corner, i.e. a corner-stone. Cp. Isa.28:16) (The Holy Spirit is speaking. Think of the pyramid. The capstone is not there. He will be when He returns ).
12: Neither is there salvation in any other (= And there is not any. A double negative used for emphasis): for neither is there other (Gr. heteros = another of a different kind) name under the heaven (see Matt.6:9,10) given among men, in which we must be saved.” (Some people worry about those other nations that do not know God. Don't get overly excited or nervous, we have the entire millenneum to go through [i.e. the 1,000 year reign of Christ])
13: And beholding the boldness (= outspokenness, Gr. parrhêsia. Same word as "freely", in 2:29.) of Peter and John, and perceived (cp. John 1:5. Eph.3:18) that they were illiterate (Cp. John 7:15) and obscure men (Gr. idiôtês. Lit. private, i.e. unprofessional), they marvelled; and they recognized of them, that they had been with Yashua. (They didn't study with them, but they [Peter and John] did study with Yashua, the best seminary in the world!)
14: And beholding the man which had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say against it. (They couldn't discredit it)
15: But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council (= Sanhedrin. See note on Mark 5:22), they conferred among themselves (= towards one another) (They did this in secret. When you find types like these today - vote them out of office if they are against God),
16: Saying, “What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle has come to pass by them is manifest to all them that inhabit Jerusalem; and we are not able to deny it.
17: But in order that it spread not more unto the people, let us threaten them threats, that they speak henceforth to no man (Lit. no longer to speak to no man. A double negative, for emphasis) in this name.” (Why would a religious community snuff out good news? They are against God!)
18: And they called them, and commanded them not to speak forth at all nor teach in the name of Yashua. (This will happen to you if you teach against the traditions of men)
19: But Peter and John answered and said to them, “If it be right in the sight of Yahaveh to listen to you rather than to Yahaveh, judge you all. (Will you listen to men or God?)
20: For we cannot not speak the things which we have saw and heard.” (The truth is going to prevail)
21: But having further threatened them, they let them go, finding no futher means of punishing them, because of the people: (The people had seen the healing of the man by the gate Beautiful)
for all men glorified (see 3:13) Yahaveh for that which had taken place. (The people realized the fact of the work of can-do type people. Don't forget, done of course by the Holy Spirit through His can-do people)
22: For the man was above forty years old (#40 = probation), on whom this miracle of healing had been wrought.
C² P¹ 4:23-31. Return of the Apostles. P² 4:32–5:11. Unity.
P¹ Q 23. Report. R 24-30. Prayer. R 31-. Answer. Q -31. Testimony.
23: And having been let go, they went to their own, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. (Always use that which is necessary)
R t 24. God's power. Creation. u 25-. Word by David. v -25,26. Man's rage predicted. v 27,28. Man's rage accomplished. u 29. Word by Apostles. t 30. God's power. Healing.
24: And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to Yehovah with one accord(see 1:14), and said, “God (used of Yehovah. Gr. Despotês. Like Kurios, it denotes owner; but includes when used of God the exercise of more absolute, unlimited and despotic authority and power in heaven and on earth. It is derived from deô = to bind, and pous = the foot), You are Yahaveh (the text omit), Which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
25: Who by the mouth of Your servant David said (this quotation is from Ps.2:1,2),
‘Why did the nations (Gr. ethnos) rage, and the people meditate vain things?
26: The kings (i.e. Gentiles) of the earth stood up, and the rulers (i.e. Jews) were gathered together (see note on 1:15) against Yehovah, and against His Messiah.’
27: For of a truth (Lit. upon truth. the text adds "in this city") against Your holy Servant (Gr. pais, as v.25) Yashua, Whom You did anoint (see note on Luke 4:18), both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles (= nations, Gr. ethnos as in v.25), and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
28: For to do whatsoever Your hand and Your counsel (cp. 2:23) determined before (Gr. proorizø. Generally translated "predestinate". See Rom.8:29,30. 1 Cor.2:7. Eph.1:5,11) to be done. (Showing God was totally in control, i.e. stipulated before these events would transpire)
29: And as to the present, Yahaveh, behold their threatenings: and give to Your bond-servants, that with all outspokenness they may speak Your Word,
30: In stretching forth Your hand for healing; and that signs (as in v.16,22) and wonders (Gr. teras. This word has regard to the effect produced on those who witnessed the mighty work. The rendering "miracle" should be confined to this word, teras) may be done by the name of Your holy Servant Yehoshua.”
31: And while they prayed, the place was shaken in which they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit,
and they spoke the Word of Yehovah with outspokennss. (the Holy Spirit was speaking thru them as on Pentecost Day, and like it will be in the end times when some are delivered up before Satan. See Mark 13:9-11)
P² S 4:32-. Unity. T 4:-32. Community of goods. S 4:33. Power and Grace. T 4:34–5:11 Community of goods.
32: And the multitude of them that believed (= of the full number of the believing ones) were of one heart (= mind) and of one soul:
and not even said one of them that any one of the things which he possessed (= his possessions. Cp. Luke 9:48 and 12:15) was his own; but they had all things common.
33: And with great power were given foth the apostles witness (= the testimony) of the resurrection of Yashua Messiah (the witnessed Life defeating Death): and great grace was upon them all.
T U¹ 4:34,35. General. U² 4:36–5:11. Particular.
34: For neither were there any among them in need: for as many as were possessors of lands (Gr. chôrion = field, or farmstead) or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35: And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and it was distributed to every man according as any one had need. (This was the establishing of the Church)
U² V¹ 4:36-37. Devotedness. V² 5:1-11. Deceit.
36: And Joses (the text reads Joseph, as in 1:23), who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (It is posible that Joseph Barnabas, or Barnabbas, is the same as Joseph Barnabbas of 1:23, and that he was reserved for a better lot by the Holy Spirit. Also known as Barney the preacher), {which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation (or exhortation. See Luke 2:25; 6:24. 1 Chron14:3),} a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus (= a Cypriote by race), (Some cyphers such as fish brought forward at this time for security)
37: Having land (Lit. a field, as in Luke 14:18), sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
V¹ W x 1,2. Ananais. y 3,4. Remonstrance. z 5-. Death. X a -5. Fear. b 6. Burial. W x 7,8. Sapphira. y 9. Remonstrance. z 10-. Death. X b -10. Burial. a 11. Fear.
1: But a certain man by name Ananias, with Sapphira his wife (names of grace and beauty attached to persons whose principles were bad. Note that Satan does this also), sold a possession,
2: And kept back part from the price, his wife also being conscious of it (i.e. they planned it), and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
3: But Peter said (Peter didn't know this, the Holy Spirit informed him), “Ananias, why has Satan filled your mind to lie to the Holy Spirit (it was his [i.e. Ananias] mouth that said it), and to keep back part of the price of the land (it might have, the land, brought in more than they thought)
4: Whiles it remained, was it not your own? and after it was sold, belonged it not in your own power? (Lit. Is it not that, remaining, it remained to you, and sold, it belonged to your right) why is it that you have conceived (= did put, implying careful deliberation, not sudden temptation) this thing in your mind? you have not lied to men, but to the Holy Spirit.” (He didn't have to say it if he didn't mean it)
5: Now (or But) Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost (= expired. Only here, v.10; 12:23. A medical word. This gives another thumb print Acts was written by Luke, a medical doctor. Gr. ekpneô. Cp. Mark 15:37):
and great fear (compare "great grace", "great power", in 4:33) came upon all them that heard these things (text omits).
6: And the younger men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7: And it was about the space of three hours after (= as it were an interval. Another medical word, Gr. diastêma. 3 hours = 1 watch. Be on gaurd on your watch), an his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8: And Peter answered unto her, “Tell me if you all sold the land for so much?” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” (She repeated the false price)
9: Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you all have agreed together (= were agreed together. Gr. sumphôneô, Cp. the English word "symphony") to tempt the Spirit of Yahaveh? behold, the feet of them which have buried your husband are at the door, and they shall carry you out.
10: Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost:
and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. (Never put your trust in earthly things. God is as firm today as He was here)
11: And great reverence (or love for God) came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
D² Y¹ 12-21-. Apostle's Activities. Y² -21-42. Ruler's Opposition.
Y¹ c¹ 12-. Miracles. d¹ -12. In the Temple. c² 13-16. Miracles. d² 17,18. In prison. c³ 19,20. Miracles. d³ 21-. In the Temple.
12: And by (= through. By the Holy Spirit. The apostles didn't do the healing) the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders being wrought (cp. Mark.16,17) among the people (Gr. laos, in general, thus distinguishing from one's own people);
{and they were all with one accord (see 1:14) in Solomon's porch (According to Josephus [Ant.xx.9,§7], this was a relic from Solomon's temple. See 3:11).
13: And of the rest durst no one join himself (cp. Luke 15:15) to them (the un-believers ran): but the people magnified them (cp. Luke 1:46,58).
14: And believing ones were the more added to Yahaveh, multitudes (see 2:6) both of men and women (it was not normal at the time of this writting for women to attend service. In Christianity they were).}
15: So that (this depends upon the first clause of v.12, all that intervenes being in a parenthesis) they brought forth the sick along the streets (see John 11:1. Pointing to great weakness and exaustion, the result of active disease, rather than the disease itself), and laid them upon beds and couches (or pallet, a poor man's bed. See mark 2:4), in order that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some one of them (= enveloped. See Luke 9:34).
16: There came a multitude also out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were beset (Gr. ochleô, to crowd. A medical word. Only here and Luke 6:18) by unclean spirits (= demons or evil spirit-beings): and they were healed all of them (Cp. Luke 5:15. God tests His servants. It wasn't Peter that brought it to pass, it was the Holy Spirit. This was no fluke, or circus. This was the real thing!).
17: But the high priest rose up(see v.6), and all they that were with him, {which is the sect (Gr. hairesis = a choosing, hence "heresy") of the Sadducees (Yashua was oposed by the Pharisees. Now the opponents are the Sadducees, because of their hatred of the truth of the resurrection, of which the Apostles were a witness),} and were filled with indignation (Gr. zêlos. Envy. They were schooled in their theology. They were mocking the Apostle's and calling their religion a fake),
18: And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the puplic prison (= ward. Same word as in 4:3).
19: But the angel of Yahaveh by night opened the prison doors (He didn't bring them through the walls. God will always protect), and brought them forth, and said,
20: “Go, stand and speak in the temple (= temple courts) to the people these words (Gr. rhêma, denotes a word, saying, or sentence in its outward form, as made up of words [i.e. Part of Speech]: whereas logos denotes a word or saying as the expression of thought: hence, the thing writtten or spoken, the account, &c.) of life.” (The life through resurrection so bitterly opposed by the Sadducees. Cp. 13:26)
21: And when they heard that, they entered into the temple towards daybreak (cp. Luke 24:1 John 8:2), and were teaching.
Y² e¹ -21-. Assembly. f¹ -21-23. Apostles sent for. e² 24,25. Alarm. f² 26,27-. Apostles broght. e³ -27,28. Investigation. f³ 29-32. Apostle's Answer. e4 33. Murderos Design. f4 34. Apostles excluded. e5 35-39. Wise councel. f5 40-42. Apostles released.
But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together (= the Sanhedren, the supreme national court), and all the senate (= assembly of elders) of the sons of Israel
and sent to the prison (= place of bonds) to have them brought.
22: But when the officers came(= attendants, the Temple guards), and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told (same as "reported, 4:23),
23: Saying, “The prison indeed found we locked with all safety, and the guards standing outside (the text omits) before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.” (the Holy Spirit had put a slumber on them)
24: Now when the high priest and (the text omits) the captain (= officers of the Levitical Temple guards. Cp. Jer.20:1) of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were doubting of them what this might come to be. (How were they going to shut them up?)
25: Then came some one (or a certain person) and told them, saying, “Behold, the men whom you all put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.” (The teaching of Christianity went from outside to inside)
26: Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence (Lit. not with violence, i.e. please come with us): for they feared the people, in order that they should have been stoned. (Why? the Apostles had done nothing but good)
27: And when they had brought them, they set them in the council:
and the high priest asked them,
28: Saying, “Did not we straitly command (Lit. command with a command, a Hebraism) you that you all should not teach in this name? (see 2:38) and, behold, you all have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine ("you're trying to make us look guilty"), and intend to bring the blood (cp. their own invocation in Matt.27:25) of this Man upon us.” (EMPHATIC)
29: Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, “It is necessary to obey the Holy Spirit rather than men. (everything comes to pass as God declares. Why would you want to listen to man?)
30: The Holy Spirit of our fathers raised up Yashua (no ifs, ands or buts), whom you all laid hands on having hanged on a tree.
31: This One (it is emphatic, and so placed first in the sentence) the Holy Spirit exalted at (or to) His right hand to be a Prince (= Leader: One Who stands at the Head of Beginning of a list, or rank) and a Saviour (see Luke 1:47, where it is the God Who is the Saviour of me), for to give repentance to Israel (= a real change of mind and attitude toward sin itself, and the cause of it [not merely the consequences of it], which affects the whole life and not merely a single act. It has been defined as a change in our principle of action from what is by nature the exact opposite), and forgiveness of sins. (To everyone who asks and believes)
32: And we are witnesses (see John 1:7) of these words (as in v.20); and so is also the Holy Spirit, Whom God gave to them that obey Him.”
33: When they having heard that, they were cut to the heart (Gr. diapriomai), and were consulting to slay them (see 2:23).
34: Then rose up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel (the grandson of the famous Hillel. He was Saul's instructor [22:3], and is said to have died about 52 A.D.), a doctor of the law (= a teacher of God's Word. See Luke 5:17), honoured by all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space (Lit. make...outside, i.e. put out of court);
35: And said to them, “Men, Israelites (see 1:1), take heed to yourselves what you all about to to do upon (or in the case of) these men.
36: For before these days rose up Theudas, saying that he was somebody (Super-preacher, fake. The name is not uncommon in the Talmud. Form of Judas, but not the one who betrayed Yashua); to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves (cp. v.13): who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered (Gr. dialuô, a medical word), and brought (Lit. came to be) to nothng.
37: After this one rose up Judas of Galilee (His revolt is recorded by Josephus, Ant.xviii.1.§ 1) in the days of the taxing, and caused to revolt (or apostatize) much people after him: he also perished (Gr. apollumi. Used of the doom of the sinner. One of the strongest words in the Greek language to express final and irretrivable destruction); and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
38: And now I say to you, Stand away from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be out of men, it will be overthrown (Gr. kataluô):
39: But if it be of the Holy Spirit, you all are not able to overthrow it; lest haply you all be found even God-fighters.” (Gr. Theomachos)(It [i.e. the Word of God] is proved right by those who study)
40: And to him they agreed (as in v.36): and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them (cp. Deut.25:1-3. Mark 13:9), they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Yashua, and let them go (see 4:21. How long do you think this will work?).
41: They indeed therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be dishonoured (or counted unworthy) for His name (makes you stronger in Him).
42: And daily in the temple, and at home (see 2:26), they ceased not to teach and preach (Gr. euangelizô = to announce a joyful message) Yashua (Jesus) as the Messiah (Christ) (i.e. the name of, v.41. They never stopped, even to this day).
