The Apostles Before the Sanhedrin
Acts 4:1-22
Acts.4.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Λαλουντων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,gen,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- προς: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- λαον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- επεστησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- ιερεις: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- στρατηγος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ιερου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- Σαδδουκαιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 4:6 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same episode: further identification of the authorities present (Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, etc.) and repetition of 'the captain of the temple' and the ruling priests.
- Acts 5:24-26 (verbal): A later scene where 'the captain of the temple and the chief priests' send officers to arrest the apostles—same combination of temple/civic authorities confronting the apostles.
- Luke 5:17 (thematic): Jesus is teaching when religious leaders (scribes and Pharisees) are present and intervene—parallel motif of Jewish leaders confronting public proclamation/healing.
- John 18:3,12 (thematic): A delegation of officers sent by the chief priests comes to seize Jesus—similar picture of temple authorities and their officers intervening against a public teacher.
- Matthew 26:47-50 (structural): The chief priests, elders and a crowd arrive to apprehend Jesus with armed men—a structural parallel of religious leadership mobilizing force to confront and arrest a perceived threat.
Alternative generated candidates
- While they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,
- While they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
Acts.4.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- διαπονουμενοι: VERB,pres,mid,ptcp,nom,pl,m
- δια: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- διδασκειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- λαον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- καταγγελλειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αναστασιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εκ: PREP
- νεκρων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 2:32 (verbal): Speaks of Jesus being raised and the apostles as witnesses—same language of proclaiming the resurrection to the people.
- Acts 3:15 (verbal): Declares that God raised 'the Author of life' from the dead—similar phrasing about Jesus' resurrection used in apostolic preaching.
- Acts 4:33 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel: summarizes that the apostles testified with great power to the resurrection of Jesus after the confrontation described in 4:1–22.
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (thematic): Sets out the core apostolic kerygma—Christ died and was raised on the third day—matching the central content the apostles proclaimed in Acts.
- Romans 1:4 (allusion): Affirms that Jesus was declared Son of God by his resurrection, a theological formulation underpinning the apostles' proclamation in Acts 4:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
- And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.
Acts.4.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- επεβαλον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- χειρας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- εθεντο: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- τηρησιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αυριον: ADV
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- γαρ: PART
- εσπερα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ηδη: ADV
Parallels
- Acts 5:18 (verbal): The council 'laid hands on the apostles and put them in the public prison'—a close verbal parallel to Acts 4:3's 'laid hands on them' and arresting the witnesses.
- Acts 5:19-21 (structural): Continues the motif of apostles being imprisoned at night and the subsequent night-time intervention (angelic release in Acts 5), paralleling Acts 4:3's emphasis on the arrest occurring 'because it was evening.'
- Acts 12:3-4 (thematic): Herod arrests Peter and puts him in prison intending to bring him before the people—another instance of leaders of the Jesus movement being seized and detained, echoing Acts 4:3's persecution theme.
- Acts 16:23-24 (thematic): Paul and Silas are beaten and thrown into prison and kept by a jailer—another episode of apostles' imprisonment that parallels the persecution and custodial detention in Acts 4:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- They laid hands on them, arrested them, and put them in custody until the next day—for it was already evening.
- But many of those who had heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
Acts.4.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- πολλοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- ακουσαντων: VERB,aor,act,part,gen,pl,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- λογον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- επιστευσαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- εγενηθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αριθμος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- ανδρων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- ως: ADV
- χιλιαδες: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- πεντε: NUM,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 2:41 (structural): Both passages report numbers added to the community immediately after apostolic proclamation (Acts 2: ~3,000; Acts 4: ~5,000), showing rapid early growth.
- Acts 5:14 (thematic): Gives the same theme of numerical growth—more and more people were being added to the Lord—continuing the trajectory described in Acts 4:4.
- Acts 11:21 (verbal): Uses very similar language ('a great number believed') to describe mass conversions resulting from the proclamation of the word.
- Romans 10:17 (thematic): States the principle that faith comes from hearing the message, which underlies Acts 4:4's note that many who 'heard the word' believed.
- Luke 9:14 (allusion): Luke (same author as Acts) earlier records the feeding of the five thousand; the recurrence of the figure 'five thousand' in Acts 4:4 may function as a narrative or numerical echo within Luke–Acts.
Alternative generated candidates
- But many of those who had heard the message believed, and the number of men came to about five thousand.
- On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes were assembled in Jerusalem,
Acts.4.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- επι: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αυριον: ADV
- συναχθηναι: VERB,aor,pass,inf
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αρχοντας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- πρεσβυτερους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- γραμματεις: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- Ιερουσαλημ: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Mark 14:53 (verbal): Lists the same official groups—chief priests, elders, and scribes—gathering to question Jesus, paralleling Acts' depiction of Jewish authorities assembled.
- Luke 22:66 (structural): Describes the elders of the people assembling by day to question Jesus, a similar narrative structure of the Jewish leadership convening.
- Acts 5:27–28 (structural): After the apostles are brought in, they stand before 'the council' (Sanhedrin); continues Acts' theme of leaders, elders, and scribes convening to judge the early Christian witnesses.
- Acts 6:12 (verbal): Describes opponents stirring up 'the people and the elders and the scribes' against Stephen—uses the same categories of Jewish authorities and similar language of an assembled, accusatory council.
Alternative generated candidates
- On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem,
- and Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.
Acts.4.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- Αννας: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αρχιερευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Καιαφας: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Ιωαννης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Αλεξανδρος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- οσοι: PRON,nom,pl,m
- ησαν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- εκ: PREP
- γενους: NOUN,gen,sg,neut
- αρχιερατικου: ADJ,gen,sg,neut
Parallels
- John 18:13 (verbal): Mentions Annas (Annas the high priest) by name—same high‑priestly figure appearing in NT trials and councils.
- John 18:24 (verbal): Reports that Annas sent Jesus bound to Caiaphas the high priest—connects the two named priests and their judicial role.
- John 11:49-50 (thematic): Caiaphas, as high priest, advocates Jesus' death for the good of the nation—illustrates the high‑priestly opposition linked to the family named in Acts 4:6.
- Acts 5:17 (thematic): The high priest and the party of the Sadducees take action against the apostles—continuation of conflict involving the high‑priestly leadership referenced in Acts 4:6.
- Mark 14:53 (structural): Jesus is brought before the chief priests, the elders and the whole council (including Caiaphas)—parallels the assembly of high‑priestly authorities named in Acts 4:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.
- And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, "By what power, or by what name, have you done this?"
Acts.4.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- στησαντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- μεσω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- επυνθανοντο·Εν: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,pl
- ποια: PRON,dat,sg,f
- δυναμει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- ποιω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- ονοματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- εποιησατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
Parallels
- Acts 3:6 (verbal): The healing immediately prior to the arrest is performed “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” — the same ‘name’/power the rulers question in Acts 4:7.
- Acts 3:12-16 (thematic): Peter’s explanation of the miracle attributes the power to Jesus and God, directly answering the sort of challenge about source of power posed in 4:7.
- Matthew 21:23 (verbal): Jesus is confronted with the question “By what authority…?” (cf. Mark 11:28; Luke 20:2) — a parallel form of interrogation about source of authority/power.
- Acts 4:18 (structural): The council’s subsequent command forbidding the apostles to speak or teach ‘in the name of Jesus’ shows the practical consequence of the tribunal’s challenge about the name/power in 4:7.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when they had set them in the midst they inquired, 'By what power or by what name have you done this?'
- Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:
Acts.4.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- τοτε: ADV
- Πετρος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- πλησθεις: VERB,aor,pass,part,nom,m,sg
- πνευματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- αγιου: ADJ,gen,sg,n
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- προς: PREP
- αυτους·Αρχοντες: PRON,acc,pl,3 + NOUN,nom,pl,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- λαου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- πρεσβυτεροι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 2:4 (verbal): Same verbal formula 'filled with the Holy Spirit' at Pentecost; Peter (and the apostles) are filled and immediately speak boldly—direct linguistic and functional parallel.
- Acts 4:31 (thematic): The community is 'filled with the Holy Spirit' and then 'spoke the word of God with boldness,' linking Spirit-empowerment to bold proclamation as in Acts 4:8.
- Acts 13:9 (verbal): Saul (Paul) is described as 'filled with the Holy Spirit' immediately before confronting opponents—another instance where Spirit-filling precedes bold, authoritative speech or action.
- Luke 4:1 (thematic): Jesus is 'full of the Spirit' and is led to carry out his mission; thematically parallels the role of the Spirit in empowering mission and speaking with authority.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, 'Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:
- if we are examined today on a good deed done to a man who was lame, by what means he has been healed,
Acts.4.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- ημεις: PRON,nom,pl,1
- σημερον: ADV
- ανακρινομεθα: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,1,pl
- επι: PREP
- ευεργεσια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ανθρωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ασθενους: ADJ,gen,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τινι: PRON,dat,sg,neut
- ουτος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- σεσωσται: VERB,perf,pass,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Acts 3:12-16 (verbal): Immediate narrative parallel: Peter there explains the same healing, explicitly attributing the man's cure to Jesus of Nazareth—same speech tradition and claim about the source of the miracle.
- Acts 4:7 (verbal): Direct procedural parallel in the same scene: the council asks, 'By what power or by what name have you done this?'—the very interrogation alluded to in Acts 4:9.
- Acts 4:10-12 (structural): Immediate continuation and answer to the question raised in v.9: Peter declares the man was healed by the name of Jesus Christ, linking the miracle to Christological proclamation and theological defense.
- John 9:24-25 (thematic): When the formerly blind man is questioned about who healed him, he insists he does not know except that Jesus made him see—parallel theme of interrogations about the source of a miraculous cure and confession of Jesus' role.
- Luke 20:2-4 (allusion): The religious leaders ask Jesus by what authority he acts—a parallel instance of Jewish authorities challenging the source of an agent's power and demanding an account of authority behind extraordinary acts.
Alternative generated candidates
- if we are examined today about a good deed done to a crippled man—how he was healed—let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, this man stands before you well.'
- let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead—by him this man stands before you well.
Acts.4.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- γνωστον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- εστω: VERB,pres,act,imp,3,sg
- πασιν: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- και: CONJ
- παντι: PRON,dat,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- λαω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- Ισραηλ: NOUN,voc,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ονοματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Ναζωραιου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ον: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- εσταυρωσατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- ον: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ηγειρεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- εκ: PREP
- νεκρων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- τουτω: DEM,dat,sg,m
- ουτος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- παρεστηκεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,sg
- ενωπιον: PREP
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- υγιης: ADJ,nom,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 3:13-15 (verbal): Same immediate speech context: identifies Jesus as 'of Nazareth,' accuses the audience of killing him, and affirms that God raised him—used earlier in Peter's address at Solomon's Colonnade.
- Acts 2:22-24 (verbal): Peter's Pentecost sermon likewise charges the people with handing Jesus over to be crucified and insists that God raised him—same conviction and forensic wording about crucifixion and resurrection.
- Acts 5:30-31 (verbal): A later apostolic address uses nearly identical language: God raised Jesus, whom the leaders had killed, and exalted him—reiterating the link between crucifixion, resurrection, and exaltation.
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (thematic): A summary of the apostolic proclamation: Christ died for sins and was raised on the third day—captures the core gospel claim asserted in Acts 4:10 (death and resurrection as basis for ministry and healing).
Alternative generated candidates
- 'This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you the builders; it has become the cornerstone.
- This Jesus is 'the stone that was rejected by you the builders, which has become the cornerstone.'
Acts.4.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ουτος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- λιθος: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εξουθενηθεις: VERB,aor,pass,ptc,nom,sg,m
- υφ᾽υμων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,2
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- οικοδομων: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- γενομενος: VERB,aor,mid,ptc,nom,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- κεφαλην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- γωνιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Psalm 118:22 (LXX/Ps. 117:22 MT) (quotation): Acts 4:11 directly quotes this psalm—'The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone'—which is the source saying applied to Jesus.
- Matthew 21:42 (quotation): Jesus cites the same psalmic wording about the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone in his teaching about the kingdom, applying it to himself.
- Mark 12:10-11 (verbal): Parallel account to Matthew where Jesus quotes the rejected stone/ corner‑stone language; verbal parallel in the synoptic tradition.
- 1 Peter 2:7-8 (allusion): Peter echoes the rejected/precious stone motif (stone of stumbling and rock of offense), applying the imagery to Christ and the response of people.
- Ephesians 2:20 (thematic): Uses cornerstone/foundation imagery—'built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone'—thematic development of Acts' corner‑stone motif.
Alternative generated candidates
- And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.'
- And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Acts.4.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- αλλω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- ουδενι: PRON,dat,sg,n
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- σωτηρια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ουδε: CONJ,neg
- γαρ: PART
- ονομα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ετερον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- υπο: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ουρανον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- δεδομενον: VERB,perf,pass,part,nom,sg,n
- εν: PREP
- ανθρωποις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- ω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- δει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- σωθηναι: VERB,aor,pass,inf
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
Parallels
- Isaiah 43:11 (allusion): Declares Yahweh alone as Savior — Acts 4:12 echoes this exclusivist language but applies the role of sole Savior to Jesus.
- Isaiah 45:21-22 (allusion): Affirms there is no other god and calls people to turn to the one true God for salvation; parallels Peter’s claim that salvation is found in no one else but the name given (Christ).
- John 14:6 (thematic): Jesus’ statement that he is 'the way, the truth, and the life' (no one comes to the Father except through me) parallels Acts’ insistence on the exclusive necessity of Jesus’ name for salvation.
- 1 Timothy 2:5 (thematic): Affirms the uniqueness of Christ’s mediatorial role ('one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus'), reflecting Acts’ emphasis on salvation being found in Christ alone.
- Romans 10:13 (verbal): 'For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved' echoes Acts’ linkage of salvation with the (unique) name given under heaven through which people must be saved.
Alternative generated candidates
- When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were uneducated, ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as having been with Jesus.
- Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished, and they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
Acts.4.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Θεωρουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Πετρου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- παρρησιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- Ιωαννου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- καταλαβομενοι: VERB,pres,mp,part,nom,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- ανθρωποι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- αγραμματοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- ιδιωται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εθαυμαζον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- επεγινωσκον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- τε: CONJ
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- συν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ησαν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Acts 4:8 (structural): Immediately prior, Peter (filled with the Holy Spirit) speaks with boldness—connects the council's observation of their 'boldness' with Spirit-enabled speech.
- Acts 4:31 (structural): After prayer the believers are filled with the Spirit and 'spoke the word of God with boldness,' echoing the link here between being with Jesus/Spirit and courageous proclamation.
- Acts 3:11 (verbal): The crowd's astonishment at the healing and their gathering around Peter and John parallels the amazement noted by the council in 4:13.
- John 7:15 (verbal): People marvel that Jesus 'has learned letters' despite no formal training—parallel to the council calling Peter and John 'unlearned and ordinary' while acknowledging their power.
- 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (thematic): Paul emphasizes preaching 'not with wise and persuasive words' but with Spirit-power so faith rests on God’s power—thematically echoes the contrast between lack of human eloquence and effective, Spirit-derived boldness in Acts 4:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing in opposition.
- And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing in opposition.
Acts.4.14 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- τε: CONJ
- ανθρωπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- βλεποντες: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
- συν: PREP
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- εστωτα: PART,perf,act,masc,acc,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- τεθεραπευμενον: VERB,perf,pass,part,acc,sg,m
- ουδεν: PRON,acc,sg,n
- ειχον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- αντειπειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- Acts 3:10 (verbal): The crowd sees the same healed man standing and is filled with wonder — a near verbal parallel in the narrative reaction to the miracle.
- Acts 4:13 (structural): Immediate context: the rulers note the apostles’ boldness and the presence of the healed man; together these verses explain why the authorities had nothing to say.
- John 9:30-33 (thematic): The healed man’s presence and testimony render the opponents unable to refute the miracle — like the silence of the rulers in Acts 4:14.
- Mark 2:11-12 (thematic): After the paralytic is healed and stands up, witnesses are amazed and glorify God; the visible, undeniable result of healing elicits awe and removes rebuttal.
Alternative generated candidates
- But after commanding them to step outside the council, they conferred with one another,
- But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
Acts.4.15 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- κελευσαντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- εξω: ADV
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- συνεδριου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- απελθειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- συνεβαλλον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- προς: PREP
- αλληλους: PRON,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 4:5 (structural): Immediate context: the council had just brought Peter and John before them (v.5); v.15 records the council ordering them out and then conferring among themselves—same trial scene and narrative move.
- Acts 5:33-40 (structural): Another Sanhedrin episode where the leaders 'took counsel' about how to deal with the apostles; they debate (including Gamaliel's speech) and then decide on a course of action—parallels in procedure, deliberation language, and outcome for the apostles.
- Matthew 26:3-4 (thematic): The chief priests and elders 'consulted together' how to arrest and kill Jesus. The scene parallels Acts 4:15 thematically: Jewish leaders withdrawing to deliberate and decide on measures against perceived threats.
- Mark 14:55-64 (thematic): The council seeks witnesses against Jesus, then deliberates and ultimately condemns him. Similar council proceedings and private consultation ('conferred among themselves') before pronouncing a decision.
Alternative generated candidates
- saying, 'What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is manifest to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
- saying, "What shall we do to these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
Acts.4.16 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- λεγοντες·Τι: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
- ποιησωμεν: VERB,aor,act,subj,1,pl
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- ανθρωποις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- τουτοις: DEM,dat,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- μεν: PART
- γαρ: PART
- γνωστον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- σημειον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- γεγονεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,sg
- δι᾽αυτων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,3
- πασιν: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- κατοικουσιν: PART,pres,act,dat,pl,m
- Ιερουσαλημ: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- φανερον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- ου: PART,neg
- δυναμεθα: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,1,pl
- αρνεισθαι·: VERB,pres,mid/pass,inf
Parallels
- John 11:47-48 (verbal): The Jewish leaders ask 'What shall we do?' because the man 'does many miracles'—closely parallels the council's dilemma in Acts 4:16 about an evident public sign they cannot deny.
- Acts 5:12 (thematic): Describes how 'many signs and wonders' were done through the apostles and were publicly known—parallels Acts 4:16's emphasis on a manifest, undeniable sign performed in Jerusalem.
- Acts 3:11-12 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel: the healing that provoked public astonishment and prompted Peter's address—Acts 4:16 is the council's response to that same public miracle.
- Matthew 12:24-26 (thematic): The religious leaders' disputing over Jesus' miracles (charging demonic power, debating how to respond) echoes the council's struggle in Acts 4:16 to explain or oppose an overwhelming public sign.
- Acts 4:13 (verbal): Direct contextual parallel in the same scene: the council notes the boldness and apparent lack of learning of Peter and John yet recognizes the reality of the miracle—connects immediately to verse 16's admission that the sign cannot be denied.
Alternative generated candidates
- But in order that it spread no further among the people, let us warn them sternly not to speak to anyone in this name.'
- But so that it may not spread further among the people, let us warn them not to speak to anyone in this name."
Acts.4.17 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- αλλ᾽ινα: CONJ
- μη: PART
- επι: PREP
- πλειον: ADV,comp
- διανεμηθη: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- λαον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- απειλησωμεθα: VERB,aor,mid,subj,1,pl
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- μηκετι: ADV
- λαλειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- επι: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ονοματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- τουτω: DEM,dat,sg,m
- μηδενι: PRON,dat,sg,n
- ανθρωπων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 4:18 (verbal): Immediate parallel and continuation: the rulers formally command the apostles not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus (same prohibition as v.17).
- Acts 5:28-29 (verbal): The council repeats the same charge—'we strictly charged you not to teach in this name'—and the apostles refuse, echoing the conflict over prohibition of preaching Jesus' name.
- Acts 5:40-42 (thematic): Shows the outcome of such prohibitions: apostles are punished and ordered not to speak, yet they continue to preach and spread the teaching, highlighting the futility of the ban.
- Jeremiah 20:9 (thematic): A prophetic analogue: Jeremiah says if he vows not to speak in YHWH's name he cannot refrain—parallels the motif of authorities forbidding speech about God/His messenger while the speaker is compelled to proclaim.
- John 11:48 (thematic): The Jewish leaders argue they must stop Jesus because if people believe, 'the Romans will come'—shares the same motive as Acts 4:17: suppress speech to prevent the spread of belief.
Alternative generated candidates
- So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
- So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
Acts.4.18 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- καλεσαντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- παρηγγειλαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- καθολου: ADV
- μη: PART
- φθεγγεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- μηδε: CONJ
- διδασκειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- επι: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ονοματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 4:19-20 (structural): Immediate sequel: Peter and John refuse the council's order not to speak, declaring they must obey God and continue proclaiming Jesus.
- Acts 5:28-29 (thematic): Similar official prohibition—Sanhedrin ordered the apostles to stop teaching in Jesus' name; apostles reply that they must obey God rather than human authorities.
- Acts 5:40-42 (thematic): After punishment the apostles nonetheless rejoice and continue teaching and preaching Jesus as Lord—parallels the refusal to be silenced.
- Matthew 10:18-20 (thematic): Jesus predicts disciples will be brought before authorities and warned not to premeditate words because the Spirit will speak through them—background for apostles' boldness despite prohibitions.
- Jeremiah 20:9 (allusion): Prophetic parallel: though Jeremiah resolves not to speak, God's word is like a burning fire in his heart compelling him to proclaim—echoes being unable or unwilling to remain silent about God's message.
Alternative generated candidates
- But Peter and John answered them, 'Whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge;
- But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,
Acts.4.19 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- Πετρος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Ιωαννης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- αποκριθεντες: PART,aor,pass,nom,pl,m
- ειπον: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- προς: PREP
- αυτους·Ει: PRON,acc,pl,m
- δικαιον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ενωπιον: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- ακουειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- μαλλον: ADV
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- κρινατε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
Parallels
- Acts 5:29 (quotation): Peter and the apostles explicitly restate the same principle in stronger form: “We must obey God rather than men,” a near verbal parallel and the later resolution of the same conflict.
- Daniel 3:16-18 (thematic): Shadrach, Meshach and Abed‑nego refuse the king’s command to worship an image, declaring they will obey God even if punished—an earlier Jewish exemplum of choosing divine over human authority.
- Daniel 6:10-11 (thematic): Daniel continues to pray despite a royal decree forbidding it; like Peter and John, he prioritizes obedience to God over compliance with human law.
- Matthew 10:28-31 (thematic): Jesus urges disciples not to fear those who can kill the body but to fear God, teaching the same ethic of ultimate allegiance to God rather than human opposition.
- Romans 13:1-2 (structural): Paul’s command to submit to governing authorities presents the complementary/contrasting Pauline perspective on human authority, highlighting the tension between obedience to civil powers and allegiance to God exemplified in Acts 4:19.
Alternative generated candidates
- for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.'
- for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard."
Acts.4.20 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ου: PART,neg
- δυναμεθα: VERB,pres,mid,ind,1,pl
- γαρ: PART
- ημεις: PRON,nom,pl,1
- α: PRON,nom,sg,n
- ειδαμεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- και: CONJ
- ηκουσαμεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- μη: PART
- λαλειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- 1 John 1:3 (verbal): Uses nearly identical wording — 'that which we have seen and heard we declare unto you' — a direct echo of eyewitness proclamation of what was experienced.
- Luke 24:48 (thematic): Jesus commissions the disciples as witnesses ('ye are witnesses of these things'), linking the mandate to speak with having seen and heard the events.
- Acts 1:8 (structural): The promise to be Christ's witnesses 'in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea...' provides the broader programmatic context and motivation for refusing to be silent about what was seen and heard.
- Mark 5:19 (thematic): Jesus tells the healed man to 'go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done,' paralleling the obligation to report personal experience of divine action.
- Psalm 107:2 (allusion): 'Let the redeemed of the Lord say so' expresses the ancient cultic and communal precedent for those who have experienced God's saving acts to declare them aloud, background to the apostles' insistence on speaking.
Alternative generated candidates
- After further threatening them, they released them, finding no way to punish them, because of the people—for all glorified God because of what had been done.
- And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for all were praising God for what had been done.
Acts.4.21 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- προσαπειλησαμενοι: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- απελυσαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- μηδεν: PRON,acc,sg,n
- ευρισκοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πως: ADV
- κολασωνται: VERB,pres,act,subj,3,pl
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- δια: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- λαον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εδοξαζον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- θεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- επι: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- γεγονοτι·: VERB,perf,mid,part,dat,sg,n
Parallels
- Acts 4:17-20 (structural): Immediate context: the council warned Peter and John not to speak, but could not find a way to punish them; Peter and John insist on obeying God rather than men.
- Acts 5:34-42 (thematic): A later scene where the council (influenced by Gamaliel) spares the apostles from destruction; authorities debate how to deal with the apostles and ultimately release or restrain them rather than execute, paralleling the decision in Acts 4:21.
- John 12:10-11 (thematic): The chief priests plot to kill Lazarus because many people believed on Jesus through him—an instance where popular reaction shapes the leaders' response, as in Acts 4:21.
- Acts 2:46-47 (verbal): Early Christian witness led to public praise: 'praising God and having favor with all the people,' echoing Acts 4:21's note that 'all glorified God' for what had happened.
- Matthew 27:24-25 (thematic): Pilate's yielding to the crowd at Jesus' trial demonstrates the power of popular opinion over authorities, a dynamic reflected in the council's reluctance to punish Peter and John in Acts 4:21.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the man on whom this sign of healing had been performed was more than forty years old.
- For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
Acts.4.22 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ετων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- γαρ: PART
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- πλειονων: ADJ,gen,pl,n
- τεσσερακοντα: NUM,acc,pl
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ανθρωπος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εφ᾽ον: PREP+REL,acc,sg,m
- γεγονει: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- σημειον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- ιασεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 3:2-10 (quotation): The original narrative of the healing at the Temple gate (the man who was lame), describing the miracle that Acts 4:22 summarizes (his being healed and walking).
- Acts 3:16 (verbal): Peter attributes the man's healing to faith in Jesus' name—same healed man is the theological focus of Peter's defense in Acts 4.22–4.10.
- Acts 4:9-10 (structural): Peter's courtroom speech immediately following 4:22 cites the healed man as the concrete proof of Jesus' power and counters the Jewish leaders' charge; directly connected to the detail that the man was over forty.
- John 5:5-9 (thematic): Another Gospel account of a long-term invalid (38 years) healed in a public, contested setting; thematically parallels Acts' motif of miraculous restoration of someone crippled for decades as evidence of divine power.
Alternative generated candidates
- So they let them go; and they continued to preach the gospel, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
While they were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees came upon them,
disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
They arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed; and the number of men came to about five thousand.
On the next day their rulers, elders, and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem,
with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.
When they had set them in the midst, they inquired, 'By what power or by what name have you done this?'
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, 'Rulers of the people and elders of Israel,
'if we are examined today about a good deed done to a cripple, how he was healed,
'let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth—whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man stands before you healed.
'This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you the builders, which has become the cornerstone.'
'And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.'
When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished and recognized them as companions of Jesus. And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say against it. But when they had commanded them to depart outside the council, they conferred among themselves,
saying, 'What shall we do to these men? For that a notable sign has been done through them is plain to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
'But in order that it spread no further among the people, let us strictly charge them to speak no more to anyone in this name.'
They called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, 'Whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,
'for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.'
When they had further threatened them, they released them, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for all were praising God for what had happened.
For the man on whom this sign of healing had been performed was over forty years old.