Acts 4:2-12 · Bible study
Acts 4:2-12 Commentary: Power, Name, and Exclusive Salvation
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why did the Sadducees arrest Peter and John? This study examines the healing, the name of Jesus, and the exclusive claim of salvation in Acts 4:2-12.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The apostles are arrested for proclaiming resurrection in Jesus, but Peter boldly testifies that the healed man stands whole in the name of Jesus, whom God raised, and that salvation is in no one else.
- Key words: διαπονέω (distressed/indignant), καταγγέλλω (proclaim), δύναμις (power), ὄνομα (name), σωτηρία (salvation).
- Main debate: The meaning of “salvation” in v.12, physical healing from the cure or spiritual eternal salvation, or both? Commentators like Barnes note it can mean deliverance from any harm, while Vincent points to the article “the salvation” indicating Messianic deliverance.
- Theological theme: The exclusive authority of Jesus Christ as the risen Lord, the only source of salvation, and the fulfilment of Scripture as the rejected cornerstone.
- Best use: An evangelistic text emphasizing the uniqueness of Christ; also a model of Spirit-empowered witness in the face of persecution.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
2greatly disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.
3They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in custody until the next day.
4But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.
5The next day the rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem,
6along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and many others from the high priest’s family.
7They had Peter and John brought in and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people!
9If we are being examined today about a kind service to a man who was lame, to determine how he was healed,
10then let this be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.
11This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’
12Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
WEB World English Bible 2000
2being upset because they taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3They laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was now evening.
4But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
5In the morning, their rulers, elders, and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem.
6Annas the high priest was there, with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and as many as were relatives of the high priest.
7When they had stood Peter and John in the middle of them, they inquired, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?”
8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “You rulers of the people and elders of Israel,
9if we are examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,
10may it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, this man stands here before you whole in him.
11He is ‘the stone which was regarded as worthless by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.’
12There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved!”
KJV King James Version 1769
2Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
4Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
5And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
6And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
7And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
9If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
10Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
2being sore troubled because they taught the people, and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3And they laid hands on them, and put them in ward unto the morrow: for it was now eventide.
4But many of them that heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
5And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem;
6and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest.
7And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, By what power, or in what name, have ye done this?
8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders,
9if we this day are examined concerning a good deed done to an impotent man, by what means this man is made whole;
10be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even in him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11He is the stone which was set at nought of you the builders, which was made the head of the corner.
12And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
2being grieved because of their teaching the people, and preaching in Jesus the rising again out of the dead--
3and they laid hands upon them, and did put them in custody unto the morrow, for it was evening already;
4and many of those hearing the word did believe, and the number of the men became, as it were, five thousand.
5And it came to pass upon the morrow, there were gathered together of them the rulers, and elders, and scribes, to Jerusalem,
6and Annas the chief priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the chief priest,
7and having set them in the midst, they were inquiring, `In what power, or in what name did ye do this?'
8Then Peter, having been filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them: `Rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
9if we to-day are examined concerning the good deed to the ailing man, by whom he hath been saved,
10be it known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye did crucify, whom God did raise out of the dead, in him hath this one stood by before you whole.
11`This is the stone that was set at nought by you--the builders, that became head of a corner;
12and there is not salvation in any other, for there is no other name under the heaven that hath been given among men, in which it behoveth us to be saved.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
2being distressed on account of their teaching the people and preaching by Jesus the resurrection from among [the] dead;
3and they laid hands on them, and put them in ward till the morrow; for it was already evening.
4But many of those who had heard the word believed; and the number of the men had become [about] five thousand.
5And it came to pass on the morrow that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together at Jerusalem,
6and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of [the] high priestly family;
7and having placed them in the midst they inquired, In what power or in what name have ye done this?
8Then Peter, filled with [the] Holy Spirit, said to them, Rulers of the people and elders [of Israel],
9if we this day are called upon to answer as to the good deed [done] to the infirm man, how he has been healed,
10be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazaraean, whom ye have crucified, whom God has raised from among [the] dead, by him this [man] stands here before you sound [in body].
11He is the stone which has been set at nought by you the builders, which is become the corner stone.
12And salvation is in none other, for neither is there another name under heaven which is given among men by which we must be saved.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
2Being grieved that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead:
3And they laid hands upon them and put them in hold till the next day: for it was now evening.
4But many of them who had heard the word believed: and the number of the men was made five thousand.
5And it came to pass on the morrow, that their princes and ancients and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem.
6And Annas the high priest and Caiphas and John and Alexander: and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest.
7And setting them in the midst, they asked: By what power or by what name, have you done this?
8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said to them: Ye princes of the people and ancients, hear.
9If we this day are examined concerning the good deed done to the infirm man, by what means he hath been made whole:
10Be it known to you all and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God hath raised from the dead, even by him, this man standeth here before you, whole.
11This is the stone which was rejected by you the builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Acts 4:2
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
The main point commentators agree on is that the Jewish authorities, especially the Sadducees, were disturbed because the apostles were teaching the resurrection of the dead through the name of Jesus. Vincent notes that the Sadducees denied both resurrection and a future state, so any such teaching threatened their doctrine. Barnes adds that their grief was not simple sorrow but a mix of indignation and anger. The healing of the crippled man (Acts 3) became a public demonstration that God had raised Jesus, which the council could not deny (Acts 4:14-16). Peter’s defense connects the physical healing to the full salvation available only in Jesus Christ. All traditions agree that this passage is a foundational testimony to the exclusive role of Jesus in salvation.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Exclusive Salvation as Only Spiritual: Focus on σωτηρία in v.12 as eternal rescue, emphasized by the article (Vincent) and the contrast with bodily healing in v.9-10.
- Exclusive Salvation as Including Both Physical and Spiritual: The same word (σέσωται) is used for healing in v.9, and Peter moves from the specific healing to the general salvation as a 'beautiful gradation' (Wesley, Calvin).
What is clear: Jesus of Nazareth, whom the leaders crucified and God raised, is the sole agent of salvation, whether for body or soul.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Why the authorities were 'greatly disturbed' | The Sadducees denied resurrection, so the apostles' teaching threatened their core doctrine. | Some emphasize political fear of Roman intervention, while others focus on theological pride and loss of authority. |
| Meaning of 'salvation' in v.12 | Salvation fundamentally refers to rescue by Christ; the healing of the man is a sign of that greater rescue. | Catholic and Orthodox traditions often see the physical healing as a sacrament of spiritual salvation. Evangelical Protestants focus on eternal salvation from sin. Some interpret 'saved' (σέσωται) in v.9 as physically healed, and v.12 as the comprehensive rescue Christ brings. |
| The 'stone which was set at nought' (v.11) | This is Jesus Christ, rejected by the Jewish leaders but exalted by God as the cornerstone of God's people. | Some traditions apply this more directly to Israel's national rejection and restoration; others see it as a permanent warning against rejecting Christ. |
| The number 5,000 (v.4) | A large number of men believed, indicating the powerful advance of the gospel despite persecution. | Clarke estimates it includes previous conversions (120 + 3000 + 1880). Others see it as the total at that time. The phrase 'came to be' (ἐγενήθη) suggests growth from earlier numbers. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Acts 4:2-12 takes place in Jerusalem shortly after Pentecost, within a context of intense religious and political tension. The Sadducees were the aristocratic party controlling the temple and cooperating with Roman rule. They denied the resurrection of the dead (Acts 23:8), so the apostles' proclamation of resurrection through Jesus directly opposed their core theology. The captain of the temple and the priests were responsible for order in the temple courts; the healing and teaching had drawn a crowd of about five thousand men (v.4), a potential disturbance. The Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish council, included the high-priestly family (Annas, Caiaphas, John, Alexander). Annas had previously been high priest and was Caiaphas's father-in-law. The council's question, 'By what power or what name have you done this?', reflects a concern about unauthorized authority. In Jewish law, teaching or performing acts in a name not recognized by the religious leaders could be seen as blasphemy or false prophecy. Peter's answer connects the healing directly to the crucified and risen Jesus, thereby declaring that the council's own rejection of Christ was the central error. The quote from Psalm 118:22 about the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone was already used by Jesus (Matthew 21:42) and here becomes the key scriptural argument that the leaders' rejection fulfilled God's plan.
Textual Notes
Reception History
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Source of Opposition: The Sadducees' core doctrine was challenged by the resurrection proclaimed in Jesus. When our comfortable beliefs are confronted by the power of the gospel, opposition often rises from within religious circles.
- The Strategy of the Spirit: Peter, once afraid of a servant girl, now stands before the highest council filled with the Holy Spirit (v.8). The same Spirit who equipped him equips every believer for witness.
- The Scope of Salvation: From one healed man to the entire world, Peter declares that salvation is found in no one else. The name of Jesus is not one option among many.
Five-point outline
- Arrest and custody (v.2-3), the gospel's advance often provokes opposition.
- Multiplication despite pressure (v.4), the word spreads even when preachers are bound.
- The council assembles (v.5-7), human power tries to question divine authority.
- Peter’s testimony (v.8-12), the Holy Spirit turns the accused into the accuser.
- The exclusive claim (v.12), no other name, no other source of rescue.
Illustration hooks
- Think of a time you were questioned about your faith at work or school. That question, 'by what authority?', is the same one the council asked. Peter shows us how to answer without fear.
- The healed man stands beside Peter and John (v.14). A changed life is the most stubborn evidence of the gospel’s power. Congregations can reflect on visible transformations among them.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does the Bible really teach that Jesus is the only way to God? This passage (v.12) is the clearest answer in Acts.
- Why do some religious people oppose the gospel? The Sadducees had a theological system that the resurrection threatened.
- How can I be more bold in sharing my faith? Peter’s filling with the Holy Spirit (v.8) was not a one-time event; it can happen again for any believer.
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows how the early church faced immediate pressure from the highest religious authorities. Yet their response was not retreat but a clearer proclamation of Jesus’ name. As you read Acts 4:2-12 together, notice how human power and divine power collide.
Discussion questions
- What specifically upset the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees (v.2)? Why would the doctrine of the resurrection be especially threatening to them?
- How does the growth of the church (v.4) contrast with the arrest of the apostles? What does this teach us about the spread of the gospel under opposition?
- The council asked: “By what power or what name have you done this?” (v.7). What assumptions were behind their question?
- Peter addresses the council respectfully but directly (v.8-10). How does he use the healed man as evidence for his claim? Why is a changed life such a powerful argument?
- Read verse 11 aloud. Why does Peter quote Psalm 118:22? How does this claim that the rejected builder becomes the cornerstone challenge the leaders’ own role?
- Verse 12 says there is salvation in no other name. Does this refer only to physical healing or to eternal rescue? How does the context (both the healing and the resurrection) shape your answer?
- In your own life, where do you need to trust that the name of Jesus carries more power than any human authority or fear?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Nehemiah 2:10 | When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly, because a man had come to seek the welfare of the children of Israel. |
| John 11:47 | The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, “What are we doing? For this man does many signs. |
| John 11:48 | If we leave him alone like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” |
| Acts 3:15 | and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, to which we are witnesses. |
| Acts 5:17 | But the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy |
| Acts 10:40 | God raised him up the third day and gave him to be revealed, |
| Acts 10:43 | All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.” |
| Acts 13:45 | But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
5 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke argues that when the Sanhedrin asked Peter by what power or name he healed the lame man, they suspected the apostles were using magic. Their question was not about teaching authority but about which spirit they invoked, seeking grounds to execute them as false prophets under Jewish law.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes emphasizes that the priests and Sadducees were not grieved by genuine sorrow but by a mix of indignation and anger. Their real offense was that unlearned men, without their authorization, presumed to teach the people, undermining their own authority and doctrine.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin marvels that a single sermon produced such plentiful fruit, and that the faithful were not terrified by the present danger. He sees this as a clearer demonstration of Christ being alive than if He had offered His body to be handled. Calvin also clarifies that the number five thousand refers to the whole church, not just new converts.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill emphasizes that the apostles' boldness came from being freshly filled with the Holy Spirit. He notes that the Sadducees were especially distressed because Peter and John preached the resurrection as proven by Jesus' own rising and as something he would accomplish for believers. Gill stresses Peter's exclusive claim: salvation belongs to no other name under heaven.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes that the priests were grieved because the resurrection proved Jesus was just and implicated them in His death. He also highlights a deliberate progression in Peter’s speech, moving from the cripple’s physical healing to the far greater spiritual salvation available only through Christ’s name.