Acts 4:31

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 4:23-31

The church’s reaction 4:23-31 read more

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 4:31

It is not clear whether we should understand the shaking of the place where the disciples had assembled literally or metaphorically (cf. Exodus 19:18; 1 Kings 19:11-12; Isaiah 6:4; Acts 16:26). In either case those assembled received assurance from this phenomenon that God was among them and would grant their petition."This was one of the signs which indicated a theophany in the Old Testament (Exodus 19:18; Isaiah 6:4), and it would have been regarded as indicating a divine response to prayer."... read more

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 4:31

(31) The place was shaken. . . .—The impression on the senses was so far a renewal of the wonder of the Day of Pentecost, but in this instance without the sign of the tongues of fire, which were the symbols of a gift imparted once for all, and, perhaps also, without the special marvel of the utterance of the tongues. The disciples felt the power of the Spirit, the evidence of sense confirming that of inward, spiritual consciousness, and it came in the form for which they had made a special... 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

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Acts 4:31

4:31 {11} And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.(11) God witnesses to his Church by a visible sign that it is he that will establish it, by shaking the powers both of heaven and of earth. 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 4:21-37

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 4:31-37

Chapter 12 Prayer Almighty God, we have heard that power belongeth unto thee, and we are afraid: we have also heard that mercy belongeth unto thee, and we are no longer under the bondage of fear. We come to thy mercy in Christ Jesus, and we have no dread, but an inspiring and indestructible joy. We are all prodigals. We come today from a far country, and we bring back nothing with us but hunger, and shame, and nakedness, and self-reproach. God be merciful unto us, sinners. Thy Church was built... read more

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