Devine Scripture

Acts 4:1

What does Acts 4:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 4:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 4:1 means

As Peter and John continued to speak to the people in the temple area, they were confronted by a formidable group of religious authorities: the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and members of the Sadducean party. This immediate opposition arose not merely from the crowd's commotion, but from the content of the apostles' message. The presence of the captain of the temple, a Roman appointment, indicates the seriousness with which the authorities viewed the disturbance caused by the apostles' preaching and the miracle.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And as they spake unto the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And as they spake unto the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And as they are speaking unto the people, there came to them the priests, and the magistrate of the temple, and the Sadducees--

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And as they were speaking to the people the priests and the officer of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,

Context

This verse immediately follows the dramatic healing of the lame man and Peter's powerful sermon in Acts 3, setting the stage for the first direct confrontation between the burgeoning church and the established religious powers. It introduces the antagonists who will drive the plot of the chapter, moving the narrative from public preaching to official interrogation. This shift is crucial for understanding the escalating tension and the apostles' subsequent defense of the gospel.

v.1This passage

v.2being sore troubled because they taught the people, and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 5:26

    Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them, but without violence; for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.

  • Matthew 27:20

    Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

  • Acts 23:6

    But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees: touching the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

  • Luke 22:4

    And he went away, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might deliver him unto them.

  • Acts 6:7

    And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

  • Matthew 3:7

    But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

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