Acts 4:34
What does Acts 4:34 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 4:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 4:34 means
The radical generosity within the early Christian community ensured that no one among them experienced material lack. The passage explains that those who owned lands or houses willingly sold them as needed. This act was not compulsory, but a voluntary expression of love and communal responsibility, ensuring that the needs of every member were met through the sacrificial giving of others.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For neither was there among them any that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For neither was there among them any that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And no one among them was in need; for everyone who had land or houses, exchanging them for money, took the price of them,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for there was not any one among them who did lack, for as many as were possessors of fields, or houses, selling <FI>them<Fi> , were bringing the prices of the thing sold,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For neither was there any one needy among them. For as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the price of the things they sold,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For neither was there any one in want among them; for as many as were owners of lands or houses, selling them, brought the price of what was sold
Context
This verse provides further detail regarding the practical outworking of the community's shared possessions, specifically addressing the elimination of poverty. It expands on the previous verse's general statement about 'all things common,' detailing the mechanism by which needs were met. This explanation sets the scene for the specific example of Barnabas's generosity that follows, illustrating the principle in action.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 2:45
and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need.
- Luke 12:33
Sell that which ye have, and give alms; make for yourselves purses which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief draweth near, neither moth destroyeth.
- Matthew 19:21
Jesus said unto him, If thou wouldest be perfect, go, sell that which thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
- Luke 22:35
And he said unto them, When I sent you forth without purse, and wallet, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, Nothing.
- Luke 16:9
And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends by means of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when it shall fail, they may receive you into the eternal tabernacles.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:12
that ye may walk becomingly toward them that are without, and may have need of nothing.
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