Acts 4:37
What does Acts 4:37 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 4:37 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 4:37 means
Barnabas demonstrated his commitment to the community's shared life by selling a field he owned. He then brought the money he received from the sale and laid it at the apostles' feet. This action exemplified the spirit of selflessness and communal care that characterized the early church, proving that their theology of unity and love translated into tangible acts of generosity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000having a field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901having a field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Having a field, got money for it and put the money at the feet of the Apostles.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862a field being his, having sold <FI>it<Fi> , brought the money and laid <FI>it<Fi> at the feet of the apostles.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Having land, sold it and brought the price and laid it at the feet of the Apostles.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890being possessed of land, having sold [it], brought the money and laid it at the feet of the apostles.
Context
This verse concludes the chapter by detailing Barnabas's specific act of selling his field and contributing the proceeds to the common fund. It is the practical illustration of the principles of generosity outlined earlier. This final example reinforces the theme of radical generosity and sets a powerful precedent for Christian stewardship and communal responsibility, demonstrating the church's unity in action.
v.36And Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of exhortation), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,
v.37This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 5:1
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
- Matthew 19:29
And every one that hath left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life.
- Acts 4:34
For 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,
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