Acts 4:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem,

NIV: The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem.

NASB: On the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem;

CSB: The next day, their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem

NLT: The next day the council of all the rulers and elders and teachers of religious law met in Jerusalem.

KJV: And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

NKJV: And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes,

"Ruler" is a general term but Acts 4:23 identifies at least some of them as chief priests. "Elder" is from the Greek root word presbyteros from which we get our English terms Presbyterian and presbyter. In Jewish life, elders were leaders among the people, although that leadership could take different forms. Many were laymen who oversaw daily life and judged the disputes of the people. The Old Testament mentions the elders who judged by the gates of cities several times (Deuteronomy 25:7; Joshua 20:4; Ruth 4:11).

"Teacher of the law" is another name for a scribe. Scribes were teaching lawyers and could be of any Jewish sect. Some were Pharisees and added extra regulations to the Mosaic law. Some were Sadducees and taught that the resurrection of the dead was impossible.

Together with the priests, the elders and scribes made up the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin, in Jerusalem, was the supreme Jewish court that presided over religious matters of any Jew, whether in Judea or beyond (Acts 8:1–3).

So it is that the Sanhedrin demands Peter and John explain themselves: why are they claiming the power they used to heal a lame man came from Jesus of Nazareth? The Sanhedrin believe Jesus is dead. Those who witnessed the miracle are amazed that the man can walk, and Peter and John haven't broken any laws. So the Sanhedrin lets them go with a warning to stop teaching about Jesus (Acts 4:16–22). Later, the Sanhedrin will arrest and flog all the apostles. The reason given is that the apostles continued to preach in Jesus' name after the council ordered them not to (Acts 5:27–28). The real reason is jealousy (Acts 5:17–18).

Acts 4:5–12 covers Peter and John's defense before the Sanhedrin—the ruling Jewish council. The priests and other Sadducees have arrested Peter and John because after they healed a lame man, they taught a crowd that Jesus rose from the dead (Acts 3). The Sadducees don't believe resurrection is possible and really don't want to hear that a dissident they had killed has come back to life. They ask how Peter got the power to heal the man. Peter tells them, not only is Jesus alive, He's the Messiah of the Jews and the only path to salvation.

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.