Acts 4:23 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them.

NIV: On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.

NASB: When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported everything that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.

CSB: After they were released, they went to their own people and reported everything the chief priests and the elders had said to them.

NLT: As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said.

KJV: And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

NKJV: And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.

Peter and John healed a lame man while at the temple for afternoon prayers. A crowd of people noticed, and Peter explained he performed the miracle through the power of Jesus of Nazareth who had risen from the dead. The Sanhedrin, both out of jealousy over the crowd's interest and out of denial of the resurrection of the dead, arrested Peter and John and questioned them the next day. They ordered the two not to preach about Jesus anymore and released them (Acts 3:1—4:22).

Peter and John return to their companions. In addition to the other apostles, Jesus' family, and the original Jesus-followers, about five thousand men plus women and children have accepted Christ and received the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:13–15; 4:4). It's likely Peter and John are with the first group, possibly at the home of John-Mark's mother Mary (Acts 12:12).

They know that the Sanhedrin has not threatened them idly. This is the same group that convinced Pilate to crucify Jesus (John 19:1–16). According to church tradition, all the apostles will face persecution, and all but John will die a martyr's death. Peter, especially, knows this is coming (John 21:18–19). They resolve to follow Jesus, anyway.

It can be disorienting to know you're obligated to reject the instruction of your leaders, whether they be civil, religious, or parental. God doesn't intend us to take that counter-cultural stand alone. He established the church as a place where we can receive guidance (Acts 2:42), encouragement (Hebrews 10:25), purpose (Galatians 5:13), and kindness (Ephesians 4:32). Following Jesus may require the end of family relationships (Matthew 10:34–36) or even the end of our lives (Matthew 10:39). Jesus made the church to be a place where we can experience His love (1 John 4:12) and, as here, find encouragement to stand firm in the face of persecution.

Acts 4:23–31 finds the Jesus-followers praying for boldness in the face of persecution. Jesus promised them they would see serious persecution (Matthew 10:16–25), but this is the first time they've experienced it directly. Peter and John already told the Sanhedrin they will follow God, not their earthly commands (Acts 4:19–20). They now return to the other Jesus-followers to let them know what's coming. The group affirms that everything that happened to Jesus was according to God's sovereign plan, and they pray that they will remain as faithful in their own trials.

Acts 4 continues the story started in Acts 3. Peter and John have healed a man born lame and preached that Jesus has risen from the dead. The Sanhedrin orders their arrest for teaching the resurrection. The Jewish officials warn Peter and John to stop speaking in Jesus' name. Peter and John refuse, but, since they have committed no crime, the Sanhedrin releases them. Peter and John return to their friends, and the Jesus-followers pray for boldness in the face of growing persecution. The church continues to grow, sharing all their possessions so that no one is in need.

Acts 4 gives the first hints of the persecution the church will face throughout its history. Peter and John attract attention when Peter heals a well-known lame beggar, and Peter uses the publicity to tell others about Christ. The Sanhedrin cannot allow the apostles to continue teaching Jesus rose from the dead. They arrest, warn, and free Peter and John, but it's just the beginning. Soon, they will arrest and beat all the apostles (Acts 5:17–42). Then a mob will stone Stephen (Acts 7:54–60). And Saul will persecute Jesus-followers in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1–3) and beyond (Acts 9:1–2). The Sanhedrin fails to realize—if you send Jesus-followers fleeing into the world, they will take Jesus' message with them.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.