Acts 4:31

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 4:23-31

We hear no more at present of the chief priests, what they did when they had dismissed Peter and John, but are to attend those two witnesses. And here we have, I. Their return to their brethren, the apostles and ministers, and perhaps some private Christians (Acts 4:23): Being let go, they went to their own company, who perhaps at this time were met together in pain for them, and praying for them; as Acts 12:12. As soon as ever they were at liberty, they went to their old friends, and returned... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 4:23-31

4:23-31 When they had been released, they came to their own people and they told them all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they had heard the story, with one accord, they lifted up their voice to God and said, "O Sovereign Lord, thou who hast made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, thou who didst say, through the Holy Spirit by the mouth of David, our father, thy servant, 'Why did the nations rage and the people set their thoughts on empty... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 4:31

And when they had prayed ,.... Either while they were praying, or as soon as they had done; for sometimes, as here, prayer is immediately heard, and an answer is returned, whilst the saints are speaking, or as soon as prayer is ended: the place was shaken where they were assembled together ; which, whether it was a private house, or the temple, is not certain: the latter seems more probable, because their number was so great, that no private house could hold them; and since this was the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 4:31

The place was shaken - This earthquake was an evidence of the presence of God, and a most direct answer to their prayer, as far as that prayer concerned themselves. The earthquake proclaimed the stretched-out arm of God, and showed them that resistance against his counsels and determinations must come to nought. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost - And, in consequence of this, they spake the word of God with boldness; a pointed answer to a second part of their request, Acts... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 4:31

Verse 31 31.And when they had prayed. Luke declareth now that God did not only hear this prayer, but did also testify the same by a visible sign from heaven. For the shaking of the place should, of itself, have done them small good; but it tendeth to another end, that the faithful may know that God is present with them. Finally, it is nothing else but a token of the presence of God. But the fruit followeth, for they are all filled with the Holy Ghost, and endowed with greater boldness. We ought... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:1-31

The first persecution. On observing the phenomena attending the introduction and spread of Christianity in the world, one which arrests our attention is the persecution which at different times its disciples have met with from the world. The Lord Jesus himself, "the Author and Perfecter of our faith," was rejected of men and crucified. And when, after his glorious resurrection, the apostles preached the faith, and verified the truth of what they preached by such signal miracles as that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:23-31

The joy of faith confirmed. The Church, on hearing of the recent events, break out into expressions of joy. As usual on such occasions, the voice of ancient sacred song becomes their voice. I. OUR HELP IS IN THE CREATOR . Man's need and weakness lead him now to shun and now to seek almighty power. There are awful moments when the soul's sin seems to have called the lightning and the thunder from the sky, to have awoke the threat of the earthquake, the storm, and the sea.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:23-31

The grateful, emboldened, and prayerful Church, and the Spirit's witness. With all the naturalness of simplest truth, we are told how the apostles, in their new character of discharged prisoners, run away at once to their brethren of the Church. And we are in this passage taught how— I. THE CHURCH SHOULD BE A HOME OF TENDEREST , MOST FAITHFUL SYMPATHIES , AND OF HOLY SOCIAL INTERCOURSE . NOW it is too often the place of suspicion, distrust, unhappy... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:23-31

Praise for safety and prayer for power "From the court-room the apostles retired to the Church. Christian confessors win their victories in the face of day; but the strength by which such victories are won is only to be got where Jesus got his, in secret. Remember Luther's broken cries as he lay on his chamber floor at early morning on the 18th day of April, 1521 (D'Aubigne, 'History of the Reformation' bk. 7. Acts 8:1-40 .). In every crisis of strain and peril through which our lives... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:23-37

The resource of the devout, etc. Released from the restraint of law, the apostles returned to "their own company," and there they related what they had passed through. We may be sure that the whole of that community of brethren entered, with deep and strong sympathy, into the feelings of their two leaders; they all felt that a very critical hour had come to that new cause which they represented. Under these circumstances they bethought themselves of— I. THE RESOURCE OF THE ... read more

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