Acts 4 23

Acts 4:23 kjv

And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

Acts 4:23 nkjv

And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.

Acts 4:23 niv

On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.

Acts 4:23 esv

When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them.

Acts 4:23 nlt

As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said.

Acts 4 verses

Acts 4 23 Meaning

Acts 4:23 describes the immediate action taken by Peter and John after their release from the Sanhedrin. Having been threatened and warned by the Jewish authorities not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus, they did not retreat or go into hiding. Instead, they immediately returned to their community, "their own people," and faithfully reported all the events and threats they had endured from the chief priests and elders. This act signifies their commitment to transparency within the believing community and their immediate recourse to fellowship and collective response in the face of external opposition.

Acts 4 23 Context

Acts chapter 4 opens with Peter and John addressing the crowd after healing the lame man at the Beautiful Gate, proclaiming Jesus' resurrection and salvation through His name. This bold proclamation led to their arrest by the temple guard, the priests, and the Sadducees, who were greatly annoyed that the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming the resurrection from the dead (Acts 4:1-3). The following day, Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin—the supreme Jewish religious and judicial council—which included Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and others of high priestly family (Acts 4:5-6).

In a remarkable display of Spirit-filled boldness, Peter declared that the lame man was healed by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they had crucified but God had raised from the dead, emphasizing that salvation is found in no one else (Acts 4:7-12). The Sanhedrin, recognizing Peter and John as uneducated and ordinary men, were astonished by their confidence and realized they had been with Jesus. Unable to deny the evident miracle, they decided to strictly warn the apostles not to speak or teach in Jesus' name again. However, Peter and John resolutely declared that they must obey God rather than men (Acts 4:13-20). Finding no grounds to punish them due to the public's widespread praise for the miracle, the Sanhedrin released them, confirming the threats against them (Acts 4:21-22). Verse 23 thus marks their immediate, natural reaction of returning to their spiritual family to share their experiences and seek solidarity and divine strength.

Acts 4 23 Word analysis

• And (δὲ, de): A conjunction that smoothly links Peter and John's release (Acts 4:22) with their subsequent actions, indicating continuity rather than abruptness. It highlights that their next step was immediate and deliberate.
• being let go (ἀπολυθέντες, apolythentes): The aorist passive participle of apolyō. It signifies their release from legal custody by an external agent (the Sanhedrin). It suggests a cessation of immediate restraint, enabling their freedom of movement, and sets the stage for their response, which is one of action, not hesitation. The passive voice underlines that the Sanhedrin's decision to release them was in spite of their opposition, possibly influenced by God's providence or the inability to justly condemn them given the miracle.
• they went (ἀπῆλθον, apēlthon): The aorist indicative of aperchomai. It indicates a direct and purposeful movement away from the place of interrogation. There's no implication of wandering or seeking random shelter; their destination was clear. This active response shows their commitment to their mission and community, not withdrawal.
• to their own (πρὸς τοὺς ἰδίους, pros tousidious): The Greek phrase refers to "their own people," signifying their closest associates or family, which in this context specifically refers to the community of believers in Jerusalem (cf. Acts 2:44, 2:46). This highlights the strong bonds of fellowship and unity within the early Christian community. In a time of persecution, believers naturally sought refuge and solidarity within their spiritual family, sharing burdens and finding strength. It denotes a shared identity and common purpose in Christ.
• and reported (ἀπήγγειλαν, apēngeilan): The aorist indicative of apaggellō. This means they "announced fully" or "reported in detail," not merely casual conversation. This implies a thorough, accurate, and potentially official account of what transpired, laying out all facts for the community's awareness. This act fosters transparency and unity in decision-making within the early church, as future responses often involved the whole assembly.
• all (πάντα, panta): Emphasizes the completeness of the report. Nothing was held back concerning the threats, the specific words used, or the attitude of the authorities. This ensures the community has a full picture for informed prayer and response.
• that (ὅσα, hosa): A conjunction here implying "whatever" or "all things which," further underscoring the comprehensive nature of their report.
• the chief priests (οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς, hoi archiereis): The leading priests, forming part of the highest religious authority. They were primarily Sadducees and key figures in the crucifixion of Jesus, signifying a continuity of opposition from the religious establishment.
• and elders (καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι, kai hoi presbyteroi): Respected, influential members of the community, usually associated with the Pharisees, also part of the Sanhedrin. Their inclusion signifies the broad representation of Jewish authority that opposed Peter and John.
• had said (εἰρήκεσαν, eirēkesan): The pluperfect indicative of legō (to speak/say). This tense denotes an action completed in the past that had continuing implications for Peter and John up to their reporting. It refers specifically to the threats and commands of the Sanhedrin not to preach in the name of Jesus.
• to them (πρὸς αὐτούς, pros autous): Specifically identifying Peter and John as the recipients of the Sanhedrin's commands and threats, emphasizing their direct encounter with opposition.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "And being let go, they went to their own": This phrase highlights the immediate and natural instinct of the apostles. Upon gaining freedom, their first move wasn't escape or isolation, but seeking out their spiritual family. It underscores the communal nature of early Christianity; trials were shared, and strength was found in unity, not individual resilience alone. This movement embodies the essence of fellowship and mutual support as foundational to navigating external pressures.
• "and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them": This action signifies the transparent and accountable nature of leadership within the early church. The apostles did not withhold information or attempt to face the persecution on their own. By reporting "all" (complete disclosure) to "their own" (the assembled community), they enabled collective understanding, shared burden, and, most importantly, communal prayer and strategic discernment (as seen in the immediate aftermath of this verse). This reflects the importance of shared experiences in fostering spiritual growth and solidarity against adversity.

Acts 4 23 Bonus section

This verse implicitly emphasizes several key aspects of early Christian communal life:

• Resilience of Fellowship: The immediate instinct of Peter and John to return to "their own" demonstrates that Christian fellowship was a source of strength, comfort, and resolve, not just a social gathering. It highlights the protective and empowering nature of being united in Christ.
• Spirit-led Instincts: This act of seeking community and sharing the burden was not a random decision but an embodiment of the Spirit-filled unity described earlier in Acts (e.g., Acts 2:44). It's an organic expression of the new life in Christ that binds believers together.
• Anticipation of Collective Action: Their comprehensive report was not just for emotional processing but laid the groundwork for the powerful, collective prayer that follows, demonstrating the early church's understanding that corporate challenges required a corporate spiritual response. This laid the foundation for unity in subsequent acts of witness and ministry.
• No Retreat: Despite explicit threats from powerful religious authorities, their actions reveal an absolute refusal to retreat from their mission. Returning to their community to report solidified their resolve, which quickly turned into corporate prayer for more boldness (Acts 4:29-31), exemplifying the believers' determination to obey God even in the face of human prohibition.

Acts 4 23 Commentary

Acts 4:23 is a pivotal verse that transitions from Peter and John's personal ordeal before the Sanhedrin to the corporate response of the early church. Upon their release, their natural inclination was not to retreat or disperse in fear, but to re-join their spiritual family. This reflects a deep-seated truth about the early Christian community: it was a place of belonging, safety, and shared purpose. "Their own" was not just a group of friends, but a spiritual family forged by common faith in Jesus Christ, where burdens were shared and divine strength sought collectively.

The act of "reporting all" speaks volumes about the transparent and unified nature of the nascent church. Leaders did not operate in isolation but shared their challenges and experiences with the entire body. This transparency was crucial, as it allowed the community to bear the burden together through informed prayer and discernment, rather than placing it solely on the apostles. The detail and honesty of their account allowed the community to understand the real threats against them. This communal sharing prepared them for collective prayer and action, showing that the challenges to one member affected the whole body (1 Cor 12:26).

This verse sets the stage for the powerful prayer of the early church that immediately follows (Acts 4:24-30), which is a remarkable display of faith and courage in the face of escalating persecution. It shows that in times of trouble, the church's first response is not strategizing politically or fearing human authority, but turning together to God, confident in His sovereignty and power. It illustrates a key principle for believers: when facing opposition or intimidation for one's faith, the Christian community is the God-given haven for support, prayer, and renewed resolve to obey God rather than men. This unified posture of prayer in the face of threats resulted in further boldness and empowerment by the Holy Spirit.