*Acts 4:5-22
The Sanhedrin questions Peter and John about healing a lame man, but is unable to punish them due to public support.
- Trial Before the Sanhedrin:
- The next day, the rulers, elders, and teachers of the law assemble in Jerusalem to question Peter and John.
- Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and other members of the high priest’s family are present.
- They begin the interrogation by asking Peter and John by what power or name they had healed the lame man.
- Peter’s Defense:
- Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, addresses the council, acknowledging that they are being questioned about a good deed done to a crippled man.
- He boldly declares that the man stands healed before them by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they crucified but whom God raised from the dead.
- Peter cites scripture, quoting Psalm 118:22, to show that Jesus is the “stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.”
- He concludes by asserting that salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
- Council’s Dilemma:
- The members of the Sanhedrin are astonished by the courage of Peter and John, recognizing them as ordinary men with no special training.
- Noting that they had been with Jesus, the council is faced with the undeniable fact of the man’s healing as he stands before them.
- Unable to deny the miracle, they order Peter and John to withdraw from the council so they can discuss what to do.
- They decide to warn the apostles not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus in an attempt to prevent the spread of their message.
- Peter and John’s Response:
- Peter and John reply that it is impossible for them to stop speaking about what they have seen and heard, essentially refusing to comply with the council’s command.
- The Sanhedrin, finding no basis for punishing them and fearing public backlash because the people were all praising God for the healing, decide to let them go.
- The passage concludes by noting that the man who was healed was over forty years old, emphasizing the significance of this miraculous sign.
Acts 4:5-22 teaches us to stand firm in our faith, even when we face opposition. Peter and John were told to stop talking about Jesus, but they boldly said they couldn’t stay silent about what they had seen and heard. This reminds us that following Jesus isn’t always easy, but we can trust God to give us courage. We can apply this by not being afraid to share our faith, even when others don’t agree with us. Instead of worrying about what people think, we should focus on honoring God and speaking the truth with love and confidence.
Acts 4:5-22 (WEB)
4:5 In the morning, their rulers, elders, and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and as many as were relatives of the high priest. 7 When they had stood Peter and John in the middle of them, they inquired, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?”8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “You rulers of the people and elders of Israel, 9 if we are examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 may it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, this man stands here before you whole in him. 11 He is ‘the stone which was regarded as worthless by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.’ 12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved!”13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled. They recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 Seeing the man who was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? Because indeed a notable miracle has been done through them, as can be plainly seen by all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we can’t deny it. 17 But so that this spreads no further among the people, let’s threaten them, that from now on they don’t speak to anyone in this name.” 18 They called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves, 20 for we can’t help telling the things which we saw and heard.”21 When they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for everyone glorified God for that which was done. 22 For the man on whom this miracle of healing was performed was more than forty years old.