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Lent · The Fourth Sunday in Lent (Laetare)

Acts 2:41-47

Peter Addresses the Crowd

March 15, 2026

The Distribution of Alms and the Death of Ananias, Masaccio
The Distribution of Alms and the Death of Ananias, Masaccio, c. 1425–1427Brancacci Chapel, Florence
In the Brancacci chapel. Peter hands out money to a woman with a child on one side while Ananias lies dead on the ground on the other, in the same picture.They would sell their possessions and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. The reading describes the sharing; Masaccio also painted what happened to the man who lied about it.MasaccioDead at twenty-six, having in a few years given Florentine painting perspective, weight and shadow, and set the terms for the next century.Brancacci Chapel, FlorenceA small chapel that generations of Florentine painters, Michelangelo included, came to copy as their training.Brancacci Chapel, Florence
Historic One-Year Lectionary
GospelJohn 6:1-15Jn 6:1-15
EpistleGal. 4:21-31Gal 4:21-31Alt. EpistleActs 2:41-47
Old TestamentExod. 16:2-21Ex 16:2-21Alt. OTIsa. 49:8-13Is 49:8-13
PsalterPs. 132:8-18Ps 132:8-18

Overview & Insights

“They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (Acts 2:42)

Though not the first speech in Acts (cf. 1:16–22), this is the first to proclaim the Christ event, that is, it is the first instance of the kerygma . It touches on the ministry and death of Jesus, but its chief concern is to show that Jesus is the Messiah, and to this end it lays greatest emphasis on his resurrection and ascension.

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Take it further: Acts 2:41-47

Commentary

Commentary on Acts 2:42-47 Working Preacher

An exegetical commentary on the early church's fellowship and devotion.

Acts 2 Commentary Enduring Word

A verse by verse evangelical commentary on Pentecost and the young church's life.

Commentary on Acts 2 by Matthew HenryCommentary on Acts 2 by Mt Henry Blue Letter Bible

A classic Puritan-era commentary on the church devoted to breaking bread and prayer.

Background & Word Study

Acts 2:41 Commentaries BibleHub

Parallel classic commentaries and Greek word study on the passage.

Acts 2 BibleStudyTools

Full chapter text with linked classic commentary for quick reference.

The Church Fathers

Acts 2:42 Catena Bible

Patristic comments keyed to this verse on devotion to the apostles' teaching.

Art & Music

Art in the Christian Tradition Vanderbilt

A curated image index for this reading across the history of Christian art.

Study Hub

Acts 2, The Pulpit Commentary StudyLight

A homiletical outline commentary useful for sermon preparation.

Questions preachers ask

What was the first Christian community like?

The baptized held all things in common, broke bread with glad hearts, praised God, and the Lord added daily to their number.

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