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John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 4:1-37

Arrest of Peter and John1-22. Arrest of Peter and John. Peter’s speech before the Sanhedrin. The proceedings of the Apostles displeased the authorities, (1) because they taught the people (Acts 4:2) without having received the education and ordination of rabbis (cp. Acts 4:13); (2) because they preached the Resurrection, a doctrine particularly distasteful to the Sadducees, the dominant party among the influential members of the priesthood; (3) because they feared that the people would become... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Acts 4:25

(25) Who by the mouth of thy servant David . . . .—The older MSS. present many variations of the text. It probably stood originally somewhat in this form: “Who through the Holy Ghost, by the mouth of David our father, thy servant,” and was simplified by later copyists. In the citation from Psalms 2:0 we have another lesson from the Apostles’ school of prophetic interpretation. The Psalm is not cited in the Gospels. Here what seems to us the most striking verse (Acts 4:7) of it is passed over,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Acts 4:1-37

No Other Name Acts 4:12 I wish to give reasons, deep and abiding reasons, for believing that the Apostles spoke, under the guidance of the Spirit, an eternal truth. It is by understanding the idea of salvation that we see the justice of this exclusive claim. There are four points out of many on which we will dwell just now. I. God the Father is only known through the Son. Plato recognises, but does not know God. The heart of the stoic emperor, Marcus Aurelius, is brave and resigned, but... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Acts 4:1-37

CHAPTER 4 1. Their Arrest (Acts 4:1-3 ). 2. The Result of the Testimony (Acts 4:4 ). 3. Peter and John before the Rulers and Elders (Acts 4:5-7 ). 4. Peter’s bold witness (Acts 4:8-12 ). 5. The astonished Sanhedrin and their Release (Acts 4:13-22 ). 6. With their own company (Acts 4:23-31 ). 7. The saved multitude (Acts 4:32-37 ). The enemy begins now his acts, and the first indication is given that the offer God’s mercy was making to the nation would not be accepted. The Holy Spirit... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 4:1-37

The religious leaders were greatly agitated by the public speaking of the apostles, and the Sadducees particularly, for one of their cardinal doctrines was the denial of any resurrection. They were evidently horrified at the thought that God would dare to raise Christ from amongst the dead when they did not believe in resurrection! But pre-conceived falsehood will blind a man with unreasoning prejudice. Peter and John were then imprisoned until the next day. However, their word had been most... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Acts 4:1-30

THE KINGDOM OFFER RENEWED The disciples are still in Jerusalem, and the preaching is still limited to Jewish hearers. In a sense we are still on Old Testament ground. An illustration of this is found in the previous lesson, for example, in Acts 2:38 to “repent and be baptized” was essential “for the remission of sins” and to “receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” But this is no longer so when the Gentiles are approached (Acts 10:44-48 ). The Jews who had openly rejected Jesus must openly... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Acts 4:21-37

VARIED EXPERIENCES UNITY OF LOVE (Acts 4:31-37 ) The quickening in the last lesson was associated with another outpouring of the Holy Spirit but not another “baptism,” and some who had been filled before were refilled, with results following: (1) courage in preaching (Acts 4:31 ); (2) unity of soul (Acts 4:32 ); (3) power in testimony (Acts 4:33 ); and (4) love in practical conduct (Acts 4:34-37 ). This last result has sometimes been quoted as favoring Christian communism, but it is to be... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Acts 4:1-30

Chapter 11 Prayer Almighty God, we have come to the waters of life. In times that are gone we hewed out unto ourselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that could hold no water; but now we have come to the life-stream. May we drink thereof, and be glad with exceeding joy. Thou has made for us wells in the wilderness, and springing fountains in the desert. The river of God is full of water: may we now drink of that living stream that we may never thirst again. Give unto us this water with thine own... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Acts 4:23-30

And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. (24) And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: (25) Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? (26) The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together... read more

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