Acts 4 8

Acts 4:8 kjv

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

Acts 4:8 nkjv

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:

Acts 4:8 niv

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people!

Acts 4:8 esv

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders,

Acts 4:8 nlt

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers and elders of our people,

Acts 4 verses

Acts 4 8 Meaning

Acts 4:8 describes a pivotal moment where Peter, facing the religious authorities in Jerusalem, speaks not out of his own wisdom or fear, but by the direct empowering of the Holy Spirit. This filling enabled him to address the powerful Sanhedrin with boldness and divine insight, setting the stage for his authoritative proclamation concerning Jesus Christ and the healed man.

Acts 4 8 Context

This verse is situated immediately after Peter and John's arrest by the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:1-3) following the miraculous healing of a lame man at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple (Acts 3:1-10) and Peter's subsequent sermon (Acts 3:11-26). The Sadducees, who did not believe in resurrection, were particularly disturbed by the apostles' teaching that Jesus had risen from the dead. The Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish judicial and religious council, had convened to interrogate Peter and John about the authority by which they performed these acts. Acts 4:7 shows the direct question posed to them: "By what power or what name did you do this?" Peter's response, beginning in verse 8, is his divinely enabled answer to this challenging query from the very council that condemned Jesus.

Acts 4 8 Word analysis

• Then (Tote): An adverb of time, signaling an immediate and significant progression in the narrative. It emphasizes that what follows is a direct consequence of the Sanhedrin's interrogation.
• Peter (Petros): The fisherman disciple, who once denied Jesus out of fear (Mk 14:66-72), now stands transformed. His presence signifies the fulfillment of Christ's promise to build His church (Mt 16:18) and equip His witnesses (Acts 1:8).
• filled (plēstheis): A key term derived from the Greek verb πίμπλημι (pimplemi), here in the aorist passive participle. It denotes a completed action with ongoing results. This is not Peter merely having a lot of the Spirit, but being supernaturally controlled or empowered by the Spirit. It emphasizes divine agency, not human effort, as the source of his upcoming words and boldness. It's a re-filling, showing continuous dependence.
• with the Holy Spirit (Pneumatos Hagiou): The source of Peter's empowerment. This refers to the third person of the Trinity, God Himself, working in and through Peter. It signifies the direct operation of God, validating Peter's words as divine truth. This fulfills the promises of Jesus concerning the Comforter (Jn 14:26, 16:13) and preparation for trials (Lk 12:11-12).
• said (eipen): A straightforward verb for speaking, but in this context, it takes on profound weight because the speaker is Spirit-filled. It indicates a verbal declaration.
• to them (pros autous): Directs Peter's speech specifically to the Sanhedrin—the high priest, elders, scribes, and others of high lineage. This underscores the confrontation with powerful authorities.
• "Rulers" (Archontes): From Greek ἄρχων (archon), meaning a principal person, a magistrate, a ruler, a chief. It refers to the chief priests and members of the ruling council, indicating their official positions of authority within the Jewish leadership. Peter formally acknowledges their status.
• and (kai): A simple conjunction, connecting two groups within the Sanhedrin.
• "elders" (presbyteroi): From Greek πρεσβύτερος (presbyteros), referring to older, respected men, usually those who held positions of honor or authority, particularly within the Jewish ruling body. Together with "rulers," this full address acknowledges the entire legal and religious assembly of the Sanhedrin before whom Peter and John stood accused.
• of the people! (tou laou): Connects the rulers and elders to the entire Jewish nation, over whom they exercised jurisdiction and spiritual guidance. Peter addresses them in their capacity as representatives and leaders of Israel.

Acts 4 8 Bonus section

The transformation of Peter, specifically from denying Jesus repeatedly (Mk 14:66-72) to boldly proclaiming Him before the powerful Sanhedrin (Acts 4:8-12), is one of the most compelling testimonies to the Holy Spirit's power. It underscores the spiritual rebirth and empowerment available to every believer, moving them from timidity to zealous witness. This specific event marks a significant moment of reversal: the "uneducated and untrained men" (Acts 4:13) now speak with authority that astounds their sophisticated interrogators, demonstrating that God's power is perfected in weakness (2 Cor 12:9). The irony is palpable: those who held judicial authority over Jesus are now subjected to a divine indictment from His followers, empowered by the very Spirit whom they largely rejected.

Acts 4 8 Commentary

Acts 4:8 is a powerful declaration of God's active presence and empowering grace in His followers. It presents Peter, a once fearful man, now infused with divine courage and wisdom through the Holy Spirit. This is not merely a psychological boost but a supernatural anointing enabling him to confront the very religious elite who condemned Jesus. The address "Rulers and elders of the people!" is respectful of their titles yet subtly challenging, setting the stage for Peter to declare an authority higher than their own. The entire scene exemplifies the core Christian truth: that God uses seemingly ordinary people, when filled with His Spirit, to perform extraordinary tasks and to proclaim His truth with unparalleled boldness. This divine filling removes human limitations, replacing fear with unwavering conviction, and human rhetoric with divine proclamation.