The Word Made Fresh
1While they were speaking to the people, the priests arrived with the captain of the guard and the Sadducees. 2They were upset because Peter and John were teaching the people, telling them that Jesus was proof of the resurrection of the dead. 3So, they arrested them and put them in confinement until the next day, since it was already evening. 4But many of the people, about five thousand or so who heard them, were convinced by their words.
5The next day the rulers, elders, and scribes came together in Jerusalem 6with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, Jonathan, and Alexander, plus others of the high-priestly family. 7They had Peter and John brought before them, and asked them, “Who gave you permission to do what you’ve been doing?”
8Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, answered, “Leaders and elders of the people, 9if we are being detained today because of a good deed that was done for a man who was sick, and are here now to answer questions about how this man has been healed, 10let it be known to you and all the people, that this man is standing before you in good health because of the name of Jesus of Nazareth whom you had crucified, but whom God has raised from the dead. 11Know that he is ‘the stone the builders rejected to become the cornerstone.’ 12There is no salvation through anyone else because there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
13When they saw how fearless Peter and John were, uneducated and ordinary men as they were, they were amazed, and recognized them as having been with Jesus. 14When they saw the lame man who had been healed standing beside them, they had nothing more to say.
15So, they put them outside while they discussed the matter among themselves. 16“What are we going to do with them?” they asked. “Everybody in Jerusalem knows they have done something miraculous. We can’t deny it. 17But we need to limit the story’s spread among the population, so let’s warn them to stop speaking in this name.” 18They summoned Peter and John and ordered them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus.
19But Peter and John replied, “Would God approve of our listening to you instead of listening to God? You be the judge! 20But we can’t refrain from speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
21They warned them again, then let them go because they could find no way of punishing them since the people were praising God for what had happened. 22The man who had been healed was more than forty years old!
23So, after Peter and John had been released, they rejoined their friends and told them what the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24When they heard the story they joined their voices together and prayed, saying, “Highest LORD who made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25you said through your servant King David,
‘Why are the unbelievers raging,
and why do they embrace every self-serving proclamation?
26Earthly kings declared their position,
and joined together against the LORD and his Anointed One.’
27“Indeed, in this very city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with foreigners and even the people of Israel, joined together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed 28to carry out whatever plan you had put in place. 29And now, LORD, look at their threats! Grant to us the courage to speak your word boldly 30while you reach out to heal and perform signs and wonders in the name of your sacred servant, Jesus.”
31When they prayed, the building in which they met was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and bravely spoke God’s word. 32All who believed were of one heart and soul. No one claimed private ownership of any possessions. They took everything they owned to be held in common. 33The apostles, filled with grace, gave their testimony about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. 34Not a single needy person could be found among them because those who owned land or houses sold them and brought the money made from what they sold 35and gave it to the disciples, who in turn gave it away to whoever needed it.
36A Levite named Joseph, who was a native of Cyprus, and had been nicknamed Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”) by the apostles, 37sold a field that he owned and brought the money to the apostles and laid it at their feet.
Commentary
1-4: Peter and John are arrested for teaching in the name of Jesus, the first act of persecution against any of the disciples. Five thousand new converts become believers.
5-12: The next day they are brought before the religious authorities and asked who gave them authority to do what they were doing. Peter is again emboldened to proclaim that Jesus, whom they crucified, had been raised and the healing of the crippled man has been done in Jesus’ name and by his power. He maintains that “there is no salvation through anyone else” (verse 12), although it is a bit difficult to determine what he means by salvation in this instance. He does not seem to be speaking of eternal life, but rather to the renewal of life the once crippled man is now enjoying.
13-22: The rulers argue over what to do, and decide that no more can be done at this point but to warn Peter and John not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus — in other words, no more healings! Peter and John refuse to keep silence, but they are released anyway after a few more threats.
23-31: Peter and John gather with “their friends,” likely a reference to the apostles (who are no longer called disciples, by the way — from now on that term will be reserved for the newly converted), who celebrate their victory over the council. They raise a prayer of thanksgiving for the rescue of Peter and John, and Luke says the place where they gathered was shaken, but we do not know whether he means that literally or metaphorically. In any case they experience once again the power of the Holy Spirit in their midst.
32-37: The movement gains momentum as converts are added who surrender everything to the cause, and they gather with a tremendous outpouring of love for one another and power from the apostles. They overcome poverty because when God’s people share unselfishly there is always enough for everyone.
Takeaway
There is always enough for everyone. The only thing that blocks our refusal to give is greed.