Acts 4:2-12 Meaning: Why the Resurrection Caused a Riot
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!”
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.
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.
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.'
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.
Meaning in one sentence
Peter and John were arrested for preaching Jesus' resurrection. Discover why the Sadducees were disturbed and what Peter boldly declared before the council.
Context
The healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate drew a crowd, and Peter and John preached about Jesus. The Sadducees, who denied any resurrection, were deeply upset. They arrested the apostles and held them overnight. But many believed, the number of men reached about five thousand. The next morning, the full Sanhedrin gathered, including Annas and Caiaphas. They demanded to know by what power or name the healing happened. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered boldly: the man was healed by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they crucified but God raised from the dead. He quoted Psalm 118, calling Jesus the cornerstone the builders rejected, and declared that salvation is found in no one else.
Key Words
Two Greek words stand out in this passage. The first is diaponoumenoi, translated 'being grieved' or 'distressed.' It means to be thoroughly pained, vexed through and through. The Sadducees were not mildly annoyed; the apostles' message hit them at a deep level because it challenged their core belief that there is no resurrection. The second key word is anastasis, 'resurrection.' This is what they could not accept. But for Peter, the resurrection is the heart of the gospel. Finally, Peter uses sōtēria, 'salvation,' with the definite article, 'the salvation.' This points to the long-awaited Messianic deliverance, not just a temporary fix. The same man who was healed physically is now offered eternal salvation through the risen Jesus. These words show that the apostles were not just debating theology; they were proclaiming a living reality that changes everything.
How Christians Read This Verse
Commentators from many traditions have highlighted different angles. Reformed writers like Calvin note that Peter, once so fearful, now speaks boldly, clearly the work of the Holy Spirit. Methodist scholar Adam Clarke emphasizes Peter's courage in confronting the men who crucified Jesus. Anglican commentators point to the use of Psalm 118 to show how the Old Testament points to Christ. Catholic tradition sees here the foundation of the Church's mission to proclaim salvation through Christ alone. Evangelical voices stress the exclusivity of Jesus' name. Across traditions, there is agreement: the apostles' witness was empowered by the Holy Spirit and centered on the resurrection, and the claim that Jesus is the only way to salvation is a core Christian confession.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think 'salvation' in verse 12 refers only to physical healing, because the context is the lame man being made whole. In fact, Peter uses the same Greek verb for both the healing and the broader salvation. He moves from the specific miracle to the universal truth: Jesus is the only source of rescue from sin and death, not just from sickness.
Living This Out
This week, you may face a moment when speaking about Jesus feels risky, at work, with family, or among friends who don't share your faith. Remember Peter, standing before the most powerful men in Israel, not with a prepared speech but with the Holy Spirit giving him words. You don't need to have all the answers. You just need to be willing to say what Jesus has done. Trust that the same Spirit who filled Peter will give you what to say. That is not a promise of safety, but it is a promise of presence.
Main takeaway: Jesus Christ alone holds the power to save, and no other name can bring us to God.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Peter and John helped a man who couldn't walk. The leaders were angry because they talked about Jesus. But God helped Peter be brave and tell everyone that Jesus is the only one who can save us.
For ages 9, 12
The leaders were upset because Peter and John said Jesus had risen from the dead. The Sadducees didn't believe anyone could come back to life. But Peter wasn't scared. He told them straight: Jesus, the same one they had killed, is now alive and has the power to heal and save. When you trust in Jesus, you have the most powerful name in the universe on your side.
Questions People Ask
Why were the Sadducees so upset about the apostles teaching the resurrection?
The Sadducees denied the resurrection entirely. Hearing the apostles preach that Jesus had risen from the dead threatened their religious authority and core beliefs. It also stirred the people, which the leaders feared would bring Roman attention.
What does it mean that there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved?
This is an exclusive claim about Jesus Christ. It means that salvation from sin and eternal death is found only through him. No other religious figure, philosophy, or human effort can bring someone into a right relationship with God.
Who were Annas and Caiaphas, and why were they involved?
Annas had been high priest and still held great influence. Caiaphas was his son-in-law and the current high priest. Both had played key roles in the trial and condemnation of Jesus, so they had a personal stake in suppressing the apostles' message.
Was Peter's boldness his own or did it come from the Holy Spirit?
The text says Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit at that moment. His courage and clear words were a gift from God, not merely human bravery. This fulfills Jesus' promise that the Spirit would give his followers what to say in times of persecution.
Does 'salvation' in this passage mean physical healing or eternal salvation?
The Greek word can mean both. Peter uses it first for the man's physical healing, then expands it to the complete salvation that Jesus offers. He deliberately moves from the visible miracle to the deeper spiritual truth that Jesus saves both body and soul.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study