Preface: The bold teaching of Jesus by the Apostles comes under official scrutiny in this chapter. Acts 4 is a continuation from the previous chapter, where Peter and John are arrested for their speaking in the Temple Courtyard in the previous chapter. In public, the Jewish council decides to simply give them a stern warning and them let them go, despite the fact that neither man indicates any remorse for speaking as they did. Peter speaks boldly before the other disciples; and the Christian movement continues. In the final verses of this chapter, the Jerusalem believers decide to hold all worldly possession in common.

Bible Summary: They were taken before the rulers. Peter and John said, "We cannot stop speaking about Jesus." The believers prayed for boldness.

The “Key” & Main Points of Chapter 4 (a chart); from Slide Player; accessed June 29, 2022.

This should be the most extensive examination of Acts 4 available, where you will be able to examine in depth every word of the original text.

Brief Overview: (taken from Light of the Word; accessed April 22, 2022).

Time and Place as per Modern Literal Version 2020:

June 30, 30AD Temple at Jerusalem.

Outline of Chapter 4:

Preface

Introduction

         vv.     1–4           Peter and John Are Arrested by the Sanhedrin and the Temple Guards

         vv.     5–7           Peter and John Are Publically Questioned

         vv.     8–12         Peter Answers, Proclaiming the Gospel

         vv.    13–17         The Jewish Council Meets Privately to Discuss the Situation

         vv.    18–22         The Jewish Council Threatens Peter and John/Peter and John Respond

         vv.    23–31         Peter’s Message to Other Believers and Their Response

         vv.    32–37         The Believers in Jerusalem Hold All Things in Common

Chapter Summary

Addendum

Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines:

         Preface               Preface

         Preface               Brief Overview

         Preface               The “Key” & Main Points of Chapter 4 (a chart)

         Preface               Quotations

         Introduction         Titles and/or Brief Descriptions of Acts 4 (by Various Commentators)

         Introduction         Brief, but insightful observations of Acts 4 (various commentators)

         Introduction         Fundamental Questions About Acts 4

         Introduction 

         Introduction         The Prequel to Acts 4

         Introduction         The Principals of Acts 4

         Introduction         The Places of Acts 4

         Introduction         By the Numbers

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Acts 4

         Introduction         Outlines and Summaries of Acts 4 (Various Commentators)

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Acts 4 from the Summarized Bible

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         The Big Picture (Acts 1–6)

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         Changes—additions and subtractions

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         v.      36              Modern-Day Cyprus and Surrounding Nations (a map)

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         Summary            A Set of Summary Doctrines and Commentary

         Summary            Why Acts 4 is in the Word of God

         Summary            What We Learn from Acts 4

         Summary            Jesus Christ in Acts 4

         Summary 

         Summary 

         Addendum          Footnote for Acts 4:1 (The Christian Community Bible)

         Addendum          The Sadducees (from Hastings’ Dictionary of the Apostolic Church)

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Acts 4:1–4

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Acts 4:5–7

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Acts 4:8–12

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Acts 4:13–17

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Acts 4:18–22

         Addendum          A Brief Exegesis of Psalm 146

         Addendum          A Brief Exegesis of Psalm 2

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Acts 4:23–28

         Addendum          The Doctrine of the Hypostatic Union by R. B. Thieme, Jr. (notebook 1)

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Acts 4:29–31

         Addendum          Footnote for Acts 4:32 (The Christian Community Bible)

         Addendum          Was the Early Church Communist? (By Jay W. Richards)

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Acts 4:32–37

         Addendum 

         Addendum          Josephus’ History of this Time Period

         Addendum          A Complete Translation of Acts 4

         Addendum 

         Addendum          Doctrinal Teachers Who Have Taught Acts 4

         Addendum          Word Cloud from the Kukis Paraphrase of Acts 4

         Addendum          Word Cloud from Exegesis of Acts 4

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An Introduction to Acts 4

I ntroduction: In Acts 3 (HTML) (PDF) (WPD), Peter heals a crippled man who is known to all at the Temple. After this healing, Peter speaks boldly in one the of Temple’s venues (the one known as Solomon’s Portico). At the beginning of Acts 4, the leadership of the Temple decides to nip this thing in the bud, so they arrest Peter and John, to be publically tried the next day.

Acts 4 begins the persecution of the Apostles and the followers of Jesus. There are two mindsets in opposition in this chapter: the religious hierarchy believe that the Temple is theirs and that they get to make all of the decisions related to the Temple. The disciples understand that there is a close relationship between Jesus and the Temple. They may not understand typology at this time, but they are following Jesus’ lead and teaching in the Temple courtyard. Who makes the call here? The disciples of Jesus or the entrenched religious class?

The first narrative at first appears to be oddly written. Although it begins in v. 1, we do not find out until v. 13 that the two disciples in the middle of this controversy are Peter and John (Peter’s name, by itself, is found in v. 8). However, the context of Acts 4 is Acts 3, where Peter and John are named specifically (Acts 3:11). So the fact that they are not named together until later in Acts 4 is not really a literary problem, but a problem with the division of the chaptres of Acts (which takes place hundreds of years after the book is written).

Secondly, what appears to be the controversy is the healing of the man lame from birth. This becomes clear in v. 9, where Peter says, in so many words, “We are being questioned because this man has been healed? That’s your problem that you have with us?” That is certainly not their problem. The religious hierarchy would prefer to ignore that little incident, because it makes this arrest of Peter and John seem like the wrong thing to do (because it is the wrong thing to do).

The entrenched religious class tries to stop Peter and John from speaking, and Peter asks them incredulously, “You think we should not speak of the things which we have seen with our own eyes?”

In vv. 23–31, Peter and John rejoin the other disciples and tell them what happened. They pray for greater strength and David is quoted from Psalm 2. We also find out in the middle of this section that Herod (Antipas) and Pilate have also met together over what is happening. These men represent the highest levels of government (under Cæsar), and they are concerned about all that is going on.

At the end of this chapter (vv. 32–37), we find out that the people at the Jerusalem church continue to hold all things in common.

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Peter and John Are Arrested by the Sanhedrin and the Temple Guards

Here is how others have translated this verse:

Ancient texts:                       I will use the Westcott-Hort Greek text as the basis for my English translation. I use that test primarily because e-sword has a nice module by Rob Wolfram which has the interlinear English text, Strong’s #’s, and the Greek morphology. The e-sword tab is IWH+P. I do not use their English text for my translation. Also, throughout, I take in consideration alternate readings.

As a young Christian, I was quite interested in the alternative readings. After many decades of study, I have found that, as with the Hebrew text, disputed readings rarely have any affect on the interpretation of a text (apart from perhaps a half-dozen fairly well-known alternate readings, like the end of the book of Mark).

I will compare the Greek text to English translations of the Latin and Syriac (= Aramaic) texts, using the Douay-Rheims translation and George Lamsa’s translation from the Syriac. I often update these texts with non-substantive changes (e.g., you for thou, etc.).

In general, the Latin text is an outstanding translation from the Hebrew text into Latin and very trustworthy (I say this as a non-Catholic). Unfortunately, I do not read Latin—apart from some very obvious words—so I am dependent upon the English translation of the Latin (principally, the Douay-Rheims translation).

The Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls are irrelevant, as they preceded the writing of the New Testament by over 200 years.

Underlined words indicate differences in the text.

Ancient texts:

Westcott-Hort Text (Greek)    And a speaking of them face to face with the people, stood by them the chief priests and the officer of the Temple and the Sadducees. They were being greatly disturbed by the teaching to the people and proclaiming through the Jesus the resurrection of the ___ from dead ones. And they laid upon them the hands and they set into custody into the next day, for was the evening now.

Complete Apostles’ Bible      Now while they were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them,

being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.

And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) And as they were speaking to the people the priests and the officer of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,

Being grieved that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead:

And they laid hands upon them and put them in hold till the next day: for it was now evening.

Holy Aramaic Scriptures        And when they were speaking these words unto the Ama {the People}, there arose against them Kahne {Priests}, and Zaduqaye {Sadducees}, and Rulers of The Haykla {The Temple},

when they were angered against them that they were teaching the Ama {the People}, and were Proclaiming in Meshikha {The Anointed One} concerning The Resurrection which is from the place of the dead,

and they placed their hands upon them, and they kept them unto the next day, because, it was near unto the evening.

James Murdock’s Syriac NT And while they were speaking these words to the people, the priests and the Sadducees and the rulers of the temple rose up against them;

being angry with them, that they taught the people, and preached a resurrection from the dead by the Messiah.

And they laid hands on them, and kept them until the next day; because evening was drawing near.

Original Aramaic NT              And when they were speaking these words to the people, The Priests and The Sadducees and the Rulers of The Temple rose up against them,

As they were angered with them that they taught the people in their preaching about the resurrection from among the dead by The Messiah.

And they laid hands upon them and kept them to the next day, because evening was approaching.

Significant differences: 

English Translations:          I have included translations which I disagree with and footnotes that I do not necessarily agree with. If I believe that the author is too far from the truth, I may even address that at the footnote. However, nearly all of the correct commentary will be found following the Greek text box and the translation of each phrase.

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             And while they were talking to the people, the priests and the captain of the Temple and the Sadducees came up to them, 

Being greatly troubled because they were teaching the people and preaching Jesus as an example of the coming back from the dead. 

And they took them and put them in prison till the morning, for it was now evening.

Bible in Worldwide English     Peter and John were talking to the people. The priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them.

They were angry at Peter and John because they taught the people. They were angry because they told them that Jesus was brought back from death.

They caught them and put them in prison until the next day, because it was already evening.

Easy English                          The priests put Peter and John in prison

Peter and John were still speaking to the crowd in the yard of the temple. Then some priests, the leader of the police in the temple and some Sadducees came to them. They were angry because of the things that Peter and John were teaching the people there. They were teaching that Jesus had become alive again after his death. The Jewish leaders did not agree that dead people could become alive again. So they took hold of Peter and John. They put them in prison, because by then it was evening time. They put them in the prison until the next day.

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  While Peter and John were speaking to the people, some Jewish leaders came up to them. There were some priests, the captain of the soldiers that guarded the Temple, and some Sadducees. They were upset because of what Peter and John were teaching the people. By telling people about Jesus, the apostles were teaching that people will rise from death. The Jewish leaders arrested Peter and John and put them in jail. It was already night, so they kept them in jail until the next day.

God’s Word™                         Some priests, the officer in charge of the temple guards, and some Sadducees approached Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. These religious authorities were greatly annoyed. Peter and John were teaching the people and spreading the message that the dead will come back to life through Jesus. So the temple guards arrested them. Since it was already evening, they put Peter and John in jail until the next day.

Good News Bible (TEV)         Peter and John were still speaking to the people when some priests, the officer in charge of the Temple guards, and some Sadducees arrived. They were annoyed because the two apostles were teaching the people that Jesus had risen from death, which proved that the dead will rise to life. So they arrested them and put them in jail until the next day, since it was already late.

J. B. Phillips                           The first clash with Jewish authorities

While they were still talking to the people the priests, the captain of the Temple guard and the Sadducees moved towards them, thoroughly incensed that they should be teaching the people and should assure them that the resurrection of the dead had been proved through the rising of Jesus. So they arrested them and, since it was now evening, kept them in custody until the next day.

The Message                         Nothing to Hide

While Peter and John were addressing the people, the priests, the chief of the Temple police, and some Sadducees came up, indignant that these upstart apostles were instructing the people and proclaiming that the resurrection from the dead had taken place in Jesus. They arrested them and threw them in jail until morning, for by now it was late in the evening.

NIRV                                      Peter and John Are Taken to the Sanhedrin

Peter and John were speaking to the people. The priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees came up to the apostles. They were very upset by what the apostles were teaching the people. The apostles were saying that people can be raised from the dead. They said this can happen because Jesus rose from the dead. So the temple authorities arrested Peter and John. It was already evening, so they put them in prison until the next day.

New Life Version                    Peter and John Are Put in Prison

The religious leaders and the leader of the house of God and some of the religious group who believe no one will be raised from the dead came to Peter and John while they were talking to the people. They were angry because Peter and John had been teaching the people and preaching that Jesus had been raised from the dead. So they took them and put them in prison until the next day because it was evening.

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Casual English Bible              ACTS 4

PETER GOES ON TRIAL

ARRESTED BY A SECURITY GUARD

While Peter and John were talking to the crowd, a group of Jewish leaders interrupted them: some priests, Sadducees, [1] and the Temple’s top security guard. [2] The Jewish leaders were royally ticked because the disciples were teaching that people would rise from the dead if they had faith in Jesus. So the leaders had security arrest the two and lock them up until the next day, since it was already evening.

¹4:1Sadducees “were Jews who taught there was no such thing as a resurrection” (Luke 20:27).

²4:1The security guard was not a Roman soldier. The top security guard, sometimes identified as the captain of the Temple police, was a member of the high priest’s family—a Levite. He and his men kept the peace at the sprawling Temple complex that dominated the cityscape.

Contemporary English V.       The apostles were still talking to the people, when some priests, the captain of the temple guard, and some Sadducees arrived. These men were angry because the apostles were teaching the people that the dead would be raised from death, just as Jesus had been raised from death. It was already late in the afternoon, and they arrested Peter and John and put them in jail for the night.

Goodspeed New Testament  As they were talking in this way to the people, the high priests, the commander of the Temple, and the Sadducees came up to them, greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and declaring that in the case of Jesus there had been a resurrection from the dead. They arrested them, and as it was already evening, they shut them up until next morning.

The Living Bible                     While they were talking to the people, the chief priests, the captain of the Temple police, and some of the Sadducees [who were members of a Jewish religious sect that denied the resurrection of the dead.] came over to them, very disturbed that Peter and John were claiming that Jesus had risen from the dead. They arrested them and since it was already evening, jailed them overnight.

New Berkeley Version           .

New Living Translation           Peter and John before the Council

While Peter and John were speaking to the people, they were confronted by the priests, the captain of the Temple guard, and some of the Sadducees. These leaders were very disturbed that Peter and John were teaching the people that through Jesus there is a resurrection of the dead. They arrested them and, since it was already evening, put them in jail until morning.

The Passion Translation        The teaching and preaching of Peter and John angered the priests, the captain of the temple police, and representatives of the Jewish sect of the Sadducees. They were furious that the people were being taught that in Jesus there is a resurrection from the dead. So while Peter and John were still speaking, the Jewish authorities came to the temple courts to oppose them.  They had them arrested, and since it was already evening they kept them in custody until the next day.

Plain English Version             Soldiers grabbed Peter and John

Peter and John were still talking to the people there, then some Jewish boss men came to them. Those bosses were the men that look after the Jewish ceremonies, and the boss over the soldiers that looked after God’s ceremony house, and some men called Sadducees, that didn’t believe that anyone will ever come alive again. They all came to Peter and John. They heard Peter and John teaching the people and saying that God will make people alive, just like he made Jesus alive. And those boss men were really angry, so they grabbed Peter and John. Those boss men wanted to take them to court, but it was already late in the afternoon, so the soldiers locked up Peter and John in jail, to wait until the next day.

Radiant New Testament        Peter and John Are Arrested

While Peter and John were still speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees came up to them. The Sadducees were a group that didn’t believe people could be raised from the dead, so they were very upset that the apostles were teaching that Jesus had risen from the dead. The temple leaders arrested Peter and John, and because it was already evening, they put them in prison until the next day.

UnfoldingWord Simplified T.  Meanwhile, there were some priests in the temple courtyard. There was also the officer in charge of the temple guard, and some members of the Sadducee group. All these men came to Peter and John while the two of them were speaking to the people. These men were very angry because the two apostles were teaching the people about Jesus. What they were telling them was that God caused Jesus to become alive again after he had been killed. So these men arrested Peter and John and put them in jail. The Jewish council had to wait until the next day to question Peter and John, because it was already evening.

Williams’ New Testament      While they were talking to the people, the high priests, the military commander of the temple, and the Sadducees came down upon them, because they were very much disturbed over their continuing to teach the people and to declare in the case of Jesus the resurrection from the dead. So they arrested them and put them into prison until next morning, for it was already evening.

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          Well, as Peter and John were talking to the people, the Chief Priests, the Temple captains, and the SadDucees came up to them, and were very annoyed by the fact that [Peter and John] were teaching the people and telling them how Jesus had been resurrected from the dead... So they had them arrested and held until the next day (since it was already evening).

Beck’s American Translation .

Breakthrough Version            As they spoke to the group, the priests, the captain of the temple grounds, and the Sadducees stood over them being thoroughly anguished because of the fact for them to be teaching the group and to be announcing in Jesus, the return back to life from the dead. And they put their hands on them and put them in a holding cell for the next day. You see, it was already evening.

Common English Bible           Peter and John questioned

While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees confronted them. They were incensed that the apostles were teaching the people and announcing that the resurrection of the dead was happening because of Jesus. They seized Peter and John and put them in prison until the next day. (It was already evening.)

A. Campbell's Living Oracles And while they were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees, came upon them; being grieved that they taught the people, and announced, through Jesus, the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and committed them into custody to the next day; for it was now evening.

New Advent (Knox) Bible       Before they had finished speaking to the crowd, they were interrupted by the chief priests, the temple superintendent, and the Sadducees. These, indignant at their teaching the multitude and proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, laid hands on them, and put them in prison (for it was already evening) until the next day.

NT for Everyone                     Resurrection Plus the Name of Jesus Equals Trouble

As they were speaking to the people, along came the priests, the chief of the Temple police, and the Sadducees. They were thoroughly annoyed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming that ‘the resurrection of the dead’ had begun to happen in Jesus. They seized them and put them under guard until the next day, since it was already evening.

20^th Century New Testament While Peter and John were still speaking to the people, the Chief Priest, with the Officer in charge at the Temple and the Sadducees, came up to them, Much annoyed because they were teaching the people, and because, through Jesus, they were preaching the resurrection from the dead. They arrested the Apostles and, as it was already evening, had them placed in custody till the next day.

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

Christian Standard Bible        Peter and John Arrested

While they were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple police, and the Sadducees confronted them, because they were annoyed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. So they seized them and took them into custody until the next day since it was already evening.

Conservapedia Translation    While they were talking to the people, the priests, the skeptics, and the temple captain came to them. They were upset that they were teaching the people and preaching Jesus' doctrine that the dead would be resurrected. It was evening, and they seized them and imprisoned them until the following day.

Sadducees were an inherently skeptical group, rejecting Pharisee beliefs such as resurrection of the dead, which is of key importance.

Ferrar-Fenton Bible                The Apostles Arrested.

But while they were speaking to the people, the priests, and the commander of the temple, and the Sadducees, made their appearance; being very indignant because they were teaching the people, and announcing in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. They accordingly arrested them, and took them into custody until the following morning; for it was now evening.

Free Bible Version                 While they were talking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees came up to them. They were angry that they were teaching the people, telling them that through Jesus there is resurrection from the dead. They arrested them and placed them under guard until the following day since it was already evening.

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           As they spoke unto the people, the Priests and the ruler of the temple, and the Saduces came upon them taking it grievously that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from death. And they laid hands on them and put them in hold until the next day: for it was now even tide.

International Standard V        Peter and John are Tried before the Jewish Council

While they were speaking to the people, the priests, the commander of the Temple guards, and the Sadducees came to them. They were greatly disturbed that Peter and John [Lit. they] were teaching the people and announcing that Jesus had been resurrected [Lit. that in the case of Jesus there had been a resurrection] from the dead. So they arrested them and placed them in custody until the next day, since it was already evening.

Riverside New Testament      WHILE they were speaking to the people, the priests and the commandant of the Temple and the Sadducees came upon them, being offended because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in the case of Jesus the resurrection from the dead. They laid hands on them and placed them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.

UnfoldingWord Literal Text    As Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came up to them. They were deeply troubled because Peter and John were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. So they laid hands on them and put them in custody until the next day, since it was already evening.

Urim-Thummim Version         And as they spoke to the people, the priests, and the captain of the Temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, being offended that they taught the people and declared through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they seized them and put them in prison until the next day: for it was now nightfall.

Weymouth New Testament    While they were saying this to the people, the Priests, the Commander of the Temple Guard, and the Sadducees came upon them, highly incensed at their teaching the people and proclaiming in the case of Jesus the Resurrection from among the dead. They arrested the two Apostles and lodged them in custody till the next day; for it was already evening.

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)     Peter and John are arrested

• While Peter and John were still speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming that resurrection from the dead had been proved in the case of Jesus. Since it was already evening, they arrested them and put them in custody until the following day.

23:6; Lk 20:27

The footnote associated with v. 1 is placed in the Addendum.

The Heritage Bible                          And as they were speaking to the people, the priests, and the commander of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them,

Being distressed because of their teaching the people, and preaching in Jesus the resurrection out of the dead.

And they threw hands on them, and placed them to be guarded until the next day because it was now evening.

New American Bible (2011)   While they were still speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees* confronted them, disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.^a They laid hands on them and put them in custody until the next day, since it was already evening.

* [4:1] The priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees: the priests performed the temple liturgy; the temple guard was composed of Levites, whose captain ranked next after the high priest. The Sadducees, a party within Judaism at this time, rejected those doctrines, including bodily resurrection, which they believed alien to the ancient Mosaic religion. The Sadducees were drawn from priestly families and from the lay aristocracy.

a. [4:2] 23:6–8; 24:21.

New Catholic Bible                 First Phase of the Trial: A Warning.^[a] While they were still speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard,^[b] and the Sadducees came over to them, greatly annoyed that they were teaching and proclaiming to the people the resurrection of the dead through Jesus. Therefore, they arrested them and placed them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.

[a] The religious authorities understand very well the main points of Peter’s discourse: Jesus has been raised; therefore, he has entered the sphere of God. Christians are not healers possessed of some secret or magical art; they act and teach with an authority that does not belong to a group of people. They do it in the name of Jesus Christ. When the Jewish authorities ask Peter and John why they are still preaching in the name of Jesus even though they have been told not to do so anymore, Peter and John answer, “You be the judges about whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God. We cannot possibly refrain from speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Concerning the name of Jesus, Peter says, “There is no salvation in anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to men by which we can be saved.” This is a call to salvation. To act in the name of Jesus, or to invoke him, means that every action of God is done through Jesus. God’s role in the last times announced by Joel (3:5) is fulfilled through Jesus alone. If the Jewish authorities accept the fact that the movement of the History of Salvation lies in this new initiative of Jesus, they would signal the failure of their mandate and their institutions. As it is, they seek to escape embarrassment by cutting short the interrogation. But they cannot withstand the assurance of the apostles.

[b] Captain of the temple guard: a priest who oversaw the activities of the police within the temple. Sadducees: a religious sect of the Jews that insisted upon human free will but denied immortality, the resurrection, and the existence of angels.

New Jerusalem Bible             While they were still talking to the people the priests came up to them, accompanied by the captain of the Temple and the Sadducees. They were extremely annoyed at their teaching the people the resurrection from the dead by proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus. They arrested them, and, as it was already late, they kept them in prison till the next day.

Revised English Bible–1989   They were still addressing the people when the chief priests, together with the controller of the temple and the Sadducees, broke in on them, annoyed because they were proclaiming the resurrection from the dead by teaching the people about Jesus. They were arrested and, as it was already evening, put in prison for the night.

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           Kefa and Yochanan were still speaking to the people when the cohanim, the captain in charge of the Temple police, and the Tz’dukim came upon them, very annoyed that they were teaching the people the doctrine of resurrection from the dead and offering Yeshua as proof. The Temple police arrested them; and since it was already evening, they put them in custody overnight.

Hebraic Roots Bible               And as they were speaking to the people, the priests, and the sanctuary leaders and the Sadducees stood near them, while they were being furious at them, because they taught the people concerning the resurrection by the Messiah, that is from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them into custody until the morrow, for it was already evening.

Holy New Covenant Trans.    While Peter and John were speaking to the people, some men came to them. There were some Jewish priests, the officer of the temple police, and some Sadducees. They were upset because the two delegates were teaching the people. Peter and John were preaching that people can rise from death through the power of Jesus. They arrested Peter and John and put them in jail. It was already evening so they kept Peter and John in jail until the next day.

The Scriptures 2009              And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the Set-apart Place, and the Sadducees, came upon them, being annoyed because they taught the people and announced the resurrection from the dead in יהושע.  And they arrested them, and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening.

Tree of Life Version                As Peter and John were speaking to the people, the kohanim and the captain of the Temple and the Sadducees came up to them. They were indignant because Peter and John were teaching the people and announcing in Yeshua the resurrection of the dead. So they grabbed them and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening.

Weird English, Olde English, Anachronistic English Translations:

Accurate New Testament       ...speaking but them to the people stand [to] them The Priests and The Captain [of] the temple and The Sadducees Worrying because of the+ to teach them the people and to announce in the jesus the standing (up) the [one] from [men] dead and [They] lay [on] them the hands and [They] place {them} to guard to the [one] tomorrow was for Evening already...

Awful Scroll Bible                   Moreover, they speaking, with regards to the people, the priests and the army-commander of the temple, and the Sadducees stood-before them,

thoroughly-distressing, because they are to teach the people, and to herald-along-down by-within Jesus, the rising-up out of the dead.

And they put- their hands -upon them, and themselves placed them in a ward for tomorrow, for it was assuredly-then evening.

Concordant Literal Version    Now at their speaking to the people, the priests and the officer of the sanctuary and the Sadducees stand by them,

being exasperated because of their teaching the people and announcing in Jesus the resurrection from among the dead.

And they laid hands on them, and they were placed in custody for the morrow, for it was already dusk."

exeGeses companion Bible   THE FIRST PERSECUTION

And as they speak to the people,

the priests and the strategos of the priestal precinct

and the Sadoqiym stand by them,

grieved - because they doctrinate the people

and evangelize that the resurrection from the dead

is in Yah Shua:

and they lay hands on them

and put them in guard to the morrow

- already being evening.

Orthodox Jewish Bible           Now while they were speaking to the people, the kohanim and the Sar Tzeva HaHeikhal, and the Tzedukim (Sadducees), approached them,

Being greatly annoyed, because they were teaching HaAm and preaching in Yehoshua the Techiyas HaMesim.

And they took them with their hands, and put them in the beis hasohar until the next day, for it was already erev.

Rotherham’s Emphasized B.                    § 6. The Arrest of Peter and John.

Chapter 4.

But ||as they were speakingʹ unto the people|| the High-priests^d and the Captain of the temple and the Sadduceesˎ came upon them. being tired out because of their teaching the peopleˎ and announcing |in Jesus| the resurrection from among the dead; and they thrust on them their handsˎ and put them in custody for the morrow, for it was evening |already|.

^d Or (WH): “the priests.”

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                Peter and John Arrested

And while Peter and John were talking to the people, the priests and the captain [who was in charge of the temple area and] of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, being extremely disturbed and thoroughly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in [the case of] Jesus the resurrection of the dead. So they arrested them and put them in jail until the next day, because it was evening.

An Understandable Version   As they were speaking to the [crowd of] people, the [Jewish] priests, the captain of the Temple [guard] and the Sadducees [i.e., a sect of the Jewish religion] approached them and were greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that Jesus had been raised from the dead. So, these [Jewish] leaders arrested Peter and John and put them in jail until the next day because it was [already] evening.

The Expanded Bible              Peter and John at the Council

While Peter and John were speaking to the people, they were approached by priests, the captain of the soldiers that guarded the Temple, and Sadducees [^C Jewish religious party with most influence in the Jewish high court (Sanhedrin) and among the Temple leadership]. They were ·upset [annoyed; disturbed] because the two apostles were teaching the people and were ·preaching [proclaiming] ·that people will rise from the dead through the power of Jesus [^L the resurrection of the dead in Jesus; C Sadducees did not believe in the afterlife]. They ·grabbed [seized; arrested] Peter and John and put them in ·jail [custody]. Since it was already ·night [evening], they kept them in jail until the next day.

Jonathan Mitchell NT             Now during their continued speaking to the people, the chief (or: ranking) priests, the officer of the Temple guard (= the Controller of the Temple), and the Sadducees stood near them, in opposition, and at last took a stand upon [the scene],

being progressively annoyed, exasperated, vexed through and through, and in a thoroughly worthless and knavish attitude because of their continuing to teach the people, and to be bringing down the announcement and be fully proclaiming in [the case of] Jesus (or: in union with Jesus; in the sphere [or: authority] of Jesus) the resurrection from out of the midst of dead folks.

And so they thrust [their] hands on them and they were placed into custody (in ward) overnight, since it was already evening.

Syndein/Thieme                     {The Church is tested}

And as they {Peter and John} kept on speaking to the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them . . . being indignant/upset that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

And, they seized them violently, and put them in prison until the next day for it was now eventide.

Translation for Translators     Jewish leaders arrested Peter and John, but many people became believers.

Acts 4:1-4

Meanwhile, in the temple courtyard, there were some priests, the officer who was in charge of the temple police, and also some [SYN] Sadducee sect members. These men came to Peter and John while the two of them were speaking to the people. These men were very angry, because the two apostles were teaching the people about Jesus. What they were telling the people was that because ◂God caused Jesus to become alive again/God raised Jesus from the dead►, God would cause other people who had died to become alive again. So those officials seized Peter and John. Then they put them in jail. They had to wait until the next day to question Peter and John, because it was already evening and it was contrary to their Jewish law to question people at night.

The Voice                               The conversation continued for a few hours there in Solomon’s porch. Suddenly, the head of the temple police and some members of the Sadducean party interrupted Peter and John. They were annoyed because Peter and John were enthusiastically teaching that in Jesus, resurrection of the dead is possible—an idea the Sadducees completely rejected. So they arrested Peter, John, and the man who was healed and kept them in jail overnight.

Bible Translations with a Lot of Footnotes:

Lexham Bible                         Peter and John Arrested

And while [*Here “while ” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“were speaking”)] they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees approached them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them and put them [*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation] in custody until the next day, because it was already evening.

NET Bible®                             The Arrest and Trial of Peter and John

While Peter and John¹ were speaking to the people, the priests and the commander² of the temple guard³ and the Sadducees⁴ came up⁵ to them, angry⁶ because they were teaching the people and announcing⁷ in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. So⁸ they seized⁹ them and put them in jail¹⁰ until the next day (for it was already evening).

^1tn Grk “While they”; the referents (Peter and John) have been specified in the translation for clarity.

^2tn Or “captain.”

^3tn Grk “the official of the temple,” a title for the commander of the Jewish soldiers guarding the temple (thus the translation, “the commander of the temple guard”). See L&N 37.91.

^sn The commander of the temple guard was the title of the officer commanding the Jewish soldiers responsible for guarding and keeping order in the temple courts in Jerusalem.

^4sn The Sadducees controlled the official political structures of Judaism at this time, being the majority members of the Sanhedrin. They were known as extremely strict on law and order issues (Josephus, J. W. 2.8.2 [2.119], 2.8.14 [2.164-166]; Ant. 13.5.9 [13.171-173], 13.10.6 [13.293-298], 18.1.2 [18.11], 18.1.4 [18.16-17], 20.9.1 [20.199]; Life 2 [10-11]). See also Matt 3:7; 16:1-12; 22:23-34; Mark 12:18-27; Luke 20:27-38; Acts 5:17; 23:6-8.

^5tn Or “approached.” This verb often denotes a sudden appearing (BDAG 418 s.v. ἐφίστημι 1).

^6tn Or “greatly annoyed,” “provoked.”

^7tn Or “proclaiming.”

^8tn Grk “And” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the logical sequence of events.

^9tn Or “they arrested”; Grk “they laid hands on.”

^10tn Or “prison,” “custody.”

The Spoken English NT         Peter and John are Arrested and Brought in Front of the High Council
Now, as they were speaking to the people, the priests^a and the Temple Guard and the Sadducees^b came up to them. They were all upset-because Peter and John were teaching the people, and because they were proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from among the dead. They grabbed Peter and John and threw them in prison until the next day-because it was already evening.

^a.Some mss have, “chief priests.”

^b.Prn. sadd-yoo-seez.

Wilbur Pickering’s New T.     Peter and John arrested
Now as they were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came at them, being upset because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.¹ And they laid hands on them and put them in custody until the next day, because it was already evening.

(1) The high priest and family were Sadducees; they did not believe in resurrection (for anybody). So they were doubly disturbed, because the Apostles were affirming that Jesus had already done it, and in consequence others would too.

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

A Faithful Version                  Now as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, Being dismayed because they were teaching the people, and preaching through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.  And they arrested them and put them in the hold until the morning; for it was already evening.

Benjamin Brodie’s trans.       Now while they [both Peter and John] were speaking face-to-face to the people [a distinctive OT covenant term for Israel], the priests and captain of the temple police and Sadducees approached and were ready to attack them,

Being greatly disturbed [annoyed, indignant] because they themselves were teaching the people and were proclaiming in the case of Jesus the resurrection out from the dead ones.

Consequently, they laid hands upon [seized] them and placed them in custody [jail, detention] until the next day, for it was already evening.

Charles Thomson NT             Now while they were speaking to the people; the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, displeased at their teaching the people and promulgating by Jesus the resurrection from the dead, came on them, and laid hands on them, and put them in prison till the next day. For it was now evening.

Context Group Version          And as they spoke to the people, the priests and the magistrate of the temple and the Sadducees came on them, being very troubled because they taught the people, and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in prison to the next day: for it was now evening.

Far Above All Translation       But while they were speaking to the people, the priests and the head guard of the temple and the Sadducees confronted them, and were exasperated at them teaching the people, and proclaiming the resurrection of the dead in Jesus, and they laid hands on them and had them put in custody until the following day, for it was already evening.

Modern Literal Version 2020  Now while speaking to the people, the priests and the magistrate of the temple and the Sadducees stood by them, being pained, because they teach the people and proclaim the resurrection of the dead in Jesus. And they put hands upon them and they themselves placed them in jail to the next-day; for* it was already dusk.

New European Version          Jewish opposition to the preaching of the Gospel

And as they spoke to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came upon them, being greatly annoyed because they taught the people, and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and jailed them until the next day; for it was now evening.

New Matthew Bible                As they spoke to the people, the priests and the chief warden of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, taking it grievously that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from death. And they laid hands on them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was now evening.

The gist of this passage:     Peter and John had been teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Temple courtyard. The officials of the Temple took them and placed them in jail.

1-3

Translation: While [Peter] was speaking directly to the people,...

There is no actual new chapter here. This chapter picks up where Acts 3 left off. In Acts 3, Peter healed a lifelong cripple in the Temple courtyard, and people are quite amazed by this. They give Peter a hearing, and that takes place in Acts 3:11–26.

Most of the time, the sermons which we read are much longer than what we read. How long would it take to simply read vv. 11–26? Less than five minutes? We may reasonably assume that Peter spoke for a longer time. We do not know even John also stood up and taught about Jesus, as I don’t believe that we have an actual sermon by John recorded anywhere.

None of the other disciples are named in Acts 3, so this appears to be Peter and John alone in the Temple courtyard along with a large crowd who gathered to hear them (as a result of the healing in chapter 3).

I inserted Peter’s name into this verse, as we are simply continuing Acts 3.

Translation: ...the chief priests, the officer of Temple [guard] and the Sadducees stood [by].

To understand what is involved here, there are two sets of people who appear to have their own claim to the Temple. The disciples of Jesus saw the Temple as the place where Jesus taught when He was in Jerusalem. They see themselves as the natural heirs to the Temple and Temple functions. As far as the disciples are concerned, they believed that they can walk into the Temple courtyard and simply start teaching. And, just as Jesus did, they drew a crowd.

At the same time, the religious hierarchy believed that they held claim to the Temple. They had been given charge of the Temple, according to the Law of Moses. In point of fact, they had changed a number of things, due to their traditions; but they had always had charge of the Temple. Therefore, in their minds, what they said ought to be defacto law.

Now, the Temple itself is actually irrelevant in the Church Age, but God had not yet weighed in, in order to explain that. At this point in time, it is unlikely that anyone truly appreciated that the Temple was representative of Jesus Christ in His hypostatic union.

For the few week before the crucifixion, Jesus came into the Temple courtyard and taught. He probably had several hundred disciples who would come to listen to Him. He was left undisturbed while teaching because He did have such a following, and the religious class feared the people.

At first, the crucifixion appeared to solve this problem. The disciples of Jesus began to sneak out of town; their lives were lived on the down low (this changed as the Lord’s disciples began to interact with Jesus in His resurrected body).

Now, after the resurrection and ascension, the disciples of Jesus were emboldened. They had no worries. They came and began to teach in the Temple courtyard as if it were their own (well, it is). But the religious class saw things differently. They came as a group. They were going to make their move.

Three groups of officials joined together to shut Peter’s sermon down. There are the chief priests. There was no such thing as the chief priests in the Law of Moses. There was the High Priest, and then there were other priests. Apparently, those lined up to assume power as High Priest were now being called the chief priests. There was the head of the Temple security detachment. He went along with them, being ready to call upon those under him if necessary. Then there are the Sadducees. They formed a large religious/political sect. They only recognized the books of Moses as being Scripture. They did not believe in the resurrection; and they did not believe in angels.

There is no such thing as the Sadducees in the Old Testament. It is like the Baptists or the Episcopalians—there is no such defined group in the New Testament. Two of the primary groups that we find in the gospels (and in Acts) are the Sadducees and the Pharisees. Although they were united against the Lord and against the Apostles, these were primarily diametrically opposed factions of Jews. There is additional material on the Sadducees in the Addendum.

Acts 4:1 While [Peter] was speaking directly to the people, the chief priests, the officer of Temple [guard] and the Sadducees stood [by]. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

Peter is continuing his sermon from Acts 3, but he is cut short by this imposing group of men.

Translation: [These men] were greatly disturbed by [Peter, who was] teaching the people...

They did not like what Peter was teaching to the people. It made them upset. As far as they were concerned, they were partially in charge of the Temple (the pharisees would have been a part of this ruling group). As far as they are concerned, regardless of the rumors, Jesus is dead and buried in their minds (the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection). Few things could be more disturbing that Peter speaking to this very large group of people about the resurrection of Jesus.

Translation: ...and proclaiming, by means of Jesus, the resurrection of [Jesus] from the dead.

Peter, and the others, by the power that they had in Jesus, they proclaimed that the Lord was risen. The disciples were all in Christ, even though they did not know what that meant, theologically speaking.

Acts 4:2 [These men] were greatly disturbed by [Peter, who was] teaching the people and proclaiming, by means of Jesus, the resurrection of [Jesus] from the dead. (Kukis mostly literal translation)