Easter Season · Fourth Sunday of Easter · Year B
Acts 4:5-12
Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin
April 18, 2027
Overview & Insights
“There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven... by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
It would appear that John as well as Peter spoke to the crowd—the Greek has simply, “as they were speaking”—and that they were still speaking when the authorities intervened, though they had evidently said enough for an effective presentation of the gospel (cf. v. 4). The captain of temple guard , that is, “the chief officer” (cf. 5:24, 26; RSV Neh. 11:11; Jer. 20:1; 2 Macc. 3:3; Josephus, Antiquities 20.125–133; War 6.288–309), was not only a priest, but second only in dignity to the high priest himself. To him belonged the general supervision of the temple worship and personnel. Under him were other officers (cf. Luke 22:4, 52), each in charge of a corps of temple police and charged with the responsibility of patrolling the temple, guarding its gates and its treasures.
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Commentary
Commentary on Acts 4:5-12 Working Preacher
Reads Peter before the Sanhedrin declaring salvation in no other name than the risen Jesus.
Acts 4 Commentary: Peter and John Face the Sanhedrin Enduring Word · David Guzik
Verse-by-verse account of the apostles' boldness and the rejected stone become cornerstone.
Acts 4:5 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators on the hearing before the rulers and Peter's Spirit-filled defense.
Acts 4 Commentary Precept Austin
A collated verse-by-verse study with word notes on the name, the cornerstone, and salvation.
Acts 4:5-12 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed commentary on Peter before the council, Spirit-given boldness under pressure, and no other name for salvation.
Background & Word Study
Acts 4:5 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek word-by-word view of the trial scene and the exclusive claim about the saving name.
Book of Acts Summary: Overview Video (Part 1) BibleProject
Animated overview of Acts chapters 1 to 12, setting the Jerusalem conflict in its narrative arc.
Acts Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary introduction to Acts, its themes, and structure for background on the apostolic witness.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What do Peter and John say to the Sanhedrin?
Arrested for preaching the resurrection, Peter, filled with the Spirit, declares that the lame man was healed by the name of Jesus, the rejected stone that has become the cornerstone.
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