Acts 4:9
in Acts 4If we are being examined today about a kind service to a man who was lame, to determine how he was healed,
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
if we this day are examined concerning a good deed done to an impotent man, by what means this man is made whole;
KJV
If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
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This verse in Acts 4
Commentary
10 notes on this verseThis site's exposition
filled with the Holy Spirit
on Acts 4:8-10
Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, speaks before rulers, as Jesus promised the disciples in Luke 12:11 to 12. He answers directly that the man stands healed by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they crucified and God raised.
This site's exposition
a kind service to a man
Barnes notes that Peter assumes the healing cannot be denied and names it an act of kindness. Matthew Henry observes that good men have often suffered for doing well. The court is examining a benefit.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
"Ye rulers of the people," etc. Observe his wisdom: he does not say outright, "In the Name of Jesus we did it," but how? "In His Name this man"-He does not say, "was made whole by us;" but-"doth stand here before you whole." And again, "If we be examined concerning the good deed done to the impotent man." He hits them hard, that they are always making a crime of such acts, finding fault with works of beneficence done to men: and he reminds them of their former doings, that they run to do murder, and not only so, but make a crime of doing good deeds.
Observe what they say: "And by what name have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them." And now, I pray you, call to mind Christ's saying; "When they deliver you up unto the synagogues, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall speak; for it is the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." So that it was a mighty Power they enjoyed. What then says Peter? "Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel." Mark the Christian wisdom of the man; how full of confidence it is: he utters not a word of insult, but says with respect, "Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, if we be this day called to account of the good deed done to the impotent man." He takes them in hand right valiantly; by the opening of his speech he exposes them, and reminds them of the former things: that it is for a work of beneficence they are calling them to account. As if he had said, "In all fairness we ought to have been crowned for this deed, and proclaimed benefactors; but since we are even put upon our trial for a good deed done to an impotent man," not a rich man, not powerful, not noble-and yet who would feel envy in a case like this? It is a most forcible way of putting the case; and he shows that they are piercing their own selves.
The Medieval Church1 voice
"Leaders of the people and elders of Israel." Notice what philosophy. Where necessity demands, Peter reproaches them very strongly. Thus, he called them by honorable names; but when he came to the matter itself, he no longer retreats from the fitting rebuke, indirectly reminding them …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
Let those be ashamed who bring us into trouble for it." Note, It is no new thing for good men to suffer ill for doing well. Bene agere et male pati vere Christianum est--To do well and to suffer punishment is the Christian's lot. [2.] He transfers all the praise and glory of this good deed to Jesus Christ.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — odd-straight-quotes
If we this day be examined of the good deed,....
3 more voices on this verse
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
the captain--of the Levitical guard. of the temple--annoyed at the disturbance created around it. and the Sadducees--who "say that there is no resurrection" (Ac 23:8), irritated at the apostles "preaching through (rather, 'in') Jesus the resurrection from the dead"; for the resurrection of Christ, if a fact, effectually overthrew the Sadducean doctrine.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — starts-lowercase
The good deed done - Επι ευεργεσιᾳ, The benefit he has received in being restored to perfect soundness.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
If we this day - If as is the fact; or since we are thus examined. Examined - Questioned; if the purpose is to institute an inquiry into this case, or since it is the purpose to institute such an inquiry. The good deed - The act of benevolence; the benefit conferred on an infirm man. He assumes that it was undeniable that the deed had been done. To the impotent man - To this man who was infirm or lame. The man was then present, Act 4:10, Act 4:
The words behind it
12 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| εἰ | ei | if | G1487 → | 508 times |
| ἡμεῖς | hemeis | we ourselves | G3165 → | 1936 times |
| σήμερον | semeron | this day | G4594 → | 41 times |
| ἀνακρινόμεθα | anakrinometha | are being examined | G350 → | 16 times |
| ἐπὶ | epi | as to | G1909 → | 883 times |
| εὐεργεσίᾳ | euergesia | a good work | G2108 → | |
| ἀνθρώπου | anthropou | [to the] man | G444 → | 549 times |
| ἀσθενοῦς, | asthenous | ailing, | G772 → | 26 times |
| ἐν | en | by | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| τίνι | tini | what [means] | G5101 → | 563 times |
| οὗτος | houtos | he | G3778 → | 1381 times |
| σέσωται, | sesotai | has been healed, | G4982 → | 105 times |
εἰif
eiG1487 →508 times
ἡμεῖςwe ourselves
hemeisG3165 →1936 times
σήμερονthis day
semeronG4594 →41 times
ἀνακρινόμεθαare being examined
anakrinomethaG350 →16 times
ἐπὶas to
epiG1909 →883 times
εὐεργεσίᾳa good work
euergesiaG2108 →
ἀνθρώπου[to the] man
anthropouG444 →549 times
ἀσθενοῦς,ailing,
asthenousG772 →26 times
ἐνby
enG1722 →2738 times
τίνιwhat [means]
tiniG5101 →563 times
οὗτοςhe
houtosG3778 →1381 times
σέσωται,has been healed,
sesotaiG4982 →105 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
1 Peter 4:14If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
it leads to
- 1 Peter 3:14
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”
- Luke 6:22
Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man.
- Matthew 5:11
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
- 1 Peter 3:16
keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.
- James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
- 1 Peter 3:14
Through
Acts 3:7Taking him by the right hand, Peter helped him up, and at once the man’s feet and ankles were made strong.
it leads to
- Mark 1:31
So He went to her, took her by the hand, and helped her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them.
- Mark 9:27
But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up.
- Acts 9:41
Peter took her by the hand and helped her up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her to them alive.
- Mark 1:31
Where this verse is studied
On this page
About Acts
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles; John Chrysostom, Homily on Acts 10; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Acts.