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Easter Season · Fourth Sunday of Easter · Year A

Acts 2:42-47

Devoted to the Apostles’ Teaching

April 26, 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
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelJohn 10:1-10Jn 10:1-10
Epistle1 Pet. 2:19-251 Pt 2:19-25
Old TestamentActs 2:42-47
PsalterPs. 23Ps 23

Overview & Insights

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship.” (Acts 2:42)

This is the first of three summaries in which Luke pauses the narrative to describe the community as a whole (cf. 4:32-35; 5:12-16), a device that gives Acts its rhythm of event and portrait. Four marks are named in v. 42, the apostles’ teaching, koinonia, the breaking of bread and the prayers, and the definite articles suggest settled practice rather than spontaneity. The description of goods held in common and sold as need arose has two backgrounds, the Hellenistic ideal of friendship in which friends hold all things in common, and the Deuteronomic promise that there will be no poor among you (Deuteronomy 15:4). Luke’s picture is also double in its setting, daily attendance in the temple alongside meals in private houses, so the movement has not yet stepped outside Israel’s worship. The closing note of growth rounds off the whole Pentecost narrative.

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Commentary

Commentary on Acts 2:42-47 Working Preacher (Luther Seminary)

Lutheran reading of the earliest church's shared life as a glimpse, not a blueprint.

Acts 2:42-47 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching commentary on this exact pericope.

Prologue and the Preparation for the Church's Mission Agape Bible Study

Catholic lesson covering the chapter, including the summary of communal life in verses 42-47.

Acts 2 Commentary Precept Austin

Evangelical verse-by-verse commentary on the chapter, including this closing summary.

Acts 2 Commentary: The Holy Spirit Is Poured Out Enduring Word

Enduring Word's chapter commentary covering the community-of-goods summary.

Background & Word Study

Book of Acts Summary BibleProject

Overview video for the New Testament narrative this reading belongs to (Acts is Greek New Testament, not Hebrew scripture).

Acts 2 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek interlinear text for word study of the earliest church's common life.

The Church Fathers

Catena on Acts 2 catenabible.com

Patristic comments on the chapter, including its closing summary of communal life.

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