ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Acts 4

Acts 4:1 The captain of the temple was second in rank to the high priest. The Sadducees may have accepted only the Pentateuch as Scripture. They also denied the resurrection (see 23:8). They worked closely with the Romans to protect their own political and economic interests.

Acts 4:2 Most other Jews, including the Pharisees, believed in the resurrection. The Sadducees were upset with Peter’s preaching that in Jesus the general resurrection had begun.

Acts 4:3 The Jewish high court, the Sanhedrin, met in the mornings.

Acts 4:4 Since the men alone were about five thousand, the total number of Christians was probably much greater.

Acts 4:5 The Jewish high court had a majority of Sadducees and a minority of Pharisees, represented mainly by the scribes (lawyers) of the court.

Acts 4:6 Annas is named as high priest. High priests seem to have retained their title for life (see also note on John 18:24). His son-in-law Caiaphas was the official high priest at this time (serving a.d. 18–36).

Acts 4:8 filled with the Holy Spirit, said. See Luke 12:11–12.

Acts 4:10 whom you crucified. Peter accused the Sanhedrin judges of responsibility in Jesus’ death (compare 2:23; 3:15).

Acts 4:11 cornerstone. See Ps. 118:22; Isa. 28:16.

Acts 4:12 Peter’s statement that there was salvation in no other name meant the Sanhedrin had to place their faith in Jesus, the man they helped the Romans crucify. On Christ as the only way of salvation, see also Matt. 11:27; John 3:18; 14:6; 1 John 5:12.

Acts 4:13 Boldness is an important word in Acts, describing Spirit-inspired courage to speak in spite of any danger. See also 2:29; 4:29; 31; 28:31. uneducated, common. They had not gone through the advanced training of the rabbinic schools, but they were not necessarily illiterate or unintelligent. they had been with Jesus. Through knowing Jesus and spending three years with him, the disciples knew much more than the Sanhedrin.

Acts 4:18–20 charged them not to speak or teach . . . in the name of Jesus. Peter realized the impossibility of obeying this order (we cannot but speak). Believers cannot obey authorities when such authorities prohibit preaching the gospel or require Christians to disobey God’s commandments (5:29).

Acts 4:24–30 The believers prayed, quoting Ps. 2:1–2, a messianic prophecy.

Acts 4:27 Psalm 2 is interpreted in light of Jesus’ death. The “kings” and “rulers” of Acts 4:26 correspond to Herod Antipas (see note on Matt. 14:1) and Pilate (see note on Matt. 27:2). The Gentiles and peoples of Israel are those who participated in the crucifixion (Acts 2:23).

Acts 4:29 Their prayer for boldness in witness shows a determination to disobey the Sanhedrin’s command and be faithful in their witness.

Acts 4:31 God answered the believers’ prayer. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit indicates that people could be “filled” with the Holy Spirit more than once. Peter had already been “filled with the Holy Spirit” (v. 8), and all the disciples present at Pentecost had been “filled” with the Spirit as well (2:4).

Acts 4:32 everything in common. See note on 2:44.

Acts 4:34 The believers’ voluntary sharing exemplified the OT ideal of there not being a needy person among them (see Deut. 15:4–11).

Acts 4:36 Barnabas is a major character in the later chapters of Acts, particularly as Paul’s companion on his first mission. That mission began on Cyprus (13:4b–6), Barnabas’s home. The nickname son of encouragement describes his personality well (9:27; 11:25–26; 15:36–39).