Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of Acts
Chapter 4: No Other Name
The miracle in Jesus' name brings the apostles before the very council that condemned Jesus. Ordered to explain by what power or name they had healed, Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, gives an answer that still rings: salvation is in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Threatened and forbidden to speak, the apostles pray, not for safety but for boldness, and the place is shaken and they are filled afresh. Acts 4 magnifies the name of Jesus and the Spirit-given boldness of His church.
About This Commentary
This is a verse-by-verse study of Acts chapter 4. For each section you will find the KJV text, word studies that sharpen the meaning, plain explanation, and a Gospel Focus. The healed man leads to arrest, testimony, and a fresh filling of the Spirit. Every Scripture quotation is from the King James Version.
Setting the Stage
Before the Council
The healing and preaching in Jesus' name disturb the temple rulers, who arrest Peter and John and haul them before the Sanhedrin, the same council that had condemned Jesus.
No Other Name
Filled with the Spirit, Peter declares the man was healed in the name of Jesus, and that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
They Had Been with Jesus
The council marvels at the boldness of unschooled men and recognizes that they had been with Jesus, yet forbids them to speak in His name.
The Name and the Spirit
The church proclaims the only saving name and, threatened, prays not for safety but for boldness, and is filled again with the Holy Spirit.
Salvation in No Other (Acts 4:12)
Peter's answer to the council becomes one of the boldest gospel declarations in Scripture.
No Other Name Under Heaven
"And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, And 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. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be 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. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
Greek Study
Peter proclaims the exclusivity of Christ in words the Apostolic church holds dear: "neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Soteria (salvation) is found in one place only -- the name (onoma) of Jesus. There is not a name beside His; He is not one saviour among many but the only name in which God saves. This is why the church baptizes in that name (2:38) and heals in that name (3:6): the name of Jesus is the sole revealed name of the saving God.
Explanation
Arrested for preaching the resurrection, Peter and John are asked, "By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?" -- and Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, answers boldly that it was "by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead." He applies Psalm 118 to Jesus: "the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner." Then comes the great exclusive claim -- salvation in no other name. The rulers who thought they had disposed of Jesus now face His name conquering in the mouths of unlearned fishermen, and can say nothing against the man standing healed before them.
Gospel Focus
Standing before the highest court in Israel, Peter does not soften the message: "there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Salvation is found in one name, the name of Jesus. This is why the apostles preached, healed, and baptized in that name, because it is the saving name of God. In a world that insists all paths lead to God, this verse stands immovable: there is one Savior and one saving name. This is not narrowness but truth, and it is also mercy, for God has given a name by which we may be saved. The same name in which the lame man was healed is the name in which sinners are forgiven and made whole. To call on the name of Jesus is to call on the only name under heaven that saves.
They Had Been with Jesus (Acts 4:13)
The council cannot deny the transformation in these ordinary men.
Uneducated and Untrained Men
"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed. And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus."
Greek Study
The council marvels at the apostles' parrhesia -- "boldness," literally free and open speech, the fearless frankness that holds nothing back. And they trace its source: "they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." The boldness of "unlearned and ignorant men" is not native confidence but the mark of those the risen Christ has transformed by His Spirit. Parrhesia becomes a keyword of Acts -- the church repeatedly prays for it and receives it (v. 29-31). Spirit-filled believers speak the name of Jesus without fear before the very powers that killed Him.
Explanation
Unable to deny the miracle or intimidate the apostles, the council can only threaten them -- and Peter and John answer that they cannot but speak the things they have seen and heard, choosing to obey God rather than men. Released, they do not go into hiding but return to the church and pray -- not for safety but for boldness to speak, and for God to stretch out His hand in the name of "his holy child Jesus." The infant church meets opposition with prayer and asks for more courage, not less exposure. Their confidence is not in circumstances but in the sovereign God who made heaven and earth.
Gospel Focus
Peter and John were "uneducated and untrained men," ordinary fishermen with no rabbinic schooling, yet they spoke with a boldness that astonished the council. What was the secret? "They realized that they had been with Jesus." Their power was not credentials or eloquence but the mark of time spent with the Lord and the filling of His Spirit. This is deeply encouraging: God uses ordinary people who have been with Jesus. The world may not recognize our qualifications, but it cannot deny the difference Christ makes. The most important preparation for serving God is not education, valuable as that is, but time in His presence, so that others "take note" that we have been with Jesus. May our lives carry that unmistakable mark.
A Prayer for Boldness (Acts 4:31)
Threatened and forbidden to speak, the church responds not with fear but with prayer.
They Spoke the Word with Boldness
"And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet."
Greek Study
In answer to their prayer, "the place was shaken... and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness." The verb eplesthesan (filled) is the same used at Pentecost (2:4): the Spirit-filling is not a one-time event but a repeated empowering, given afresh for the church's need. The result is again parrhesia -- bold speech. The Spirit who came at Pentecost keeps coming upon the praying church, and the mark of His filling is always the same: fearless proclamation of the word of God.
Explanation
The shaken room is a visible answer to prayer and a fresh filling of the Spirit, and the fruit is renewed boldness in witness. Luke then paints the Spirit-filled community: "the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul," holding all things common, so that "neither was there any among them that lacked." Barnabas exemplifies the generosity, selling land to lay the price at the apostles' feet. The Spirit that emboldens the tongue also opens the hand; genuine Pentecostal power produces both fearless preaching and self-giving love. The church that prays for boldness becomes a community of shared life.
Gospel Focus
Threatened by the authorities, the church did not pray for safety or an easier road; they prayed, "grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word" (verse 29). And God answered: the place was shaken, "they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness." Notice that those already filled at Pentecost were "filled" again; the Spirit-filled life is not a one-time event but a continual refilling for continual need. Notice too what they asked for and received: not comfort, but courage to keep preaching. When opposition comes, the church's answer is prayer, and the fruit of Spirit-empowered prayer is renewed boldness. May we, too, respond to threats not by falling silent but by seeking a fresh filling of the Spirit to speak God's word without fear.
Chapter 4 in Review
Acts 4 follows the healing in Jesus' name into conflict and courage. Peter and John are arrested and brought before the council, where Peter, filled with the Spirit, declares that the man was healed in the name of Jesus and that there is salvation in no other name under heaven. The council marvels at the boldness of these ordinary men and recognizes that they had been with Jesus, yet forbids them to speak in His name. Refusing to be silenced, the church prays for boldness, and the place is shaken as they are filled afresh with the Holy Spirit and speak the word with boldness.
For the Apostolic reader, this chapter magnifies the name of Jesus and the Spirit-empowered boldness of His church. There is one saving name, and the church must never soften it. The power to proclaim it comes not from credentials but from having been with Jesus and being filled with His Spirit. And when opposition comes, the answer is not silence or self-protection but prayer for boldness and a fresh filling of the Spirit. The same name and the same Spirit that emboldened the first church are ours; may we, too, speak the word of God with boldness.
- There is salvation in no other name; Jesus is the one saving name under heaven.
- God uses ordinary people who have been with Jesus; His presence is our qualification.
- The Spirit-filled life includes continual refilling for continual need (Ephesians 5:18).
- When opposition comes, the church prays not for safety but for boldness to speak.
Questions for Reflection
- Peter would not soften the exclusive claim of Christ. Do you hold and share it with the same conviction?
- The council saw that they "had been with Jesus." Does time with Christ leave that mark on your life?
- Facing threats, the church prayed for boldness, not safety. How do you respond when following Christ costs you?
References & Sources
Scripture is quoted from the King James Version (KJV). Supporting passages are listed so every claim can be verified in its own setting. If anything here does not look right, a verse, a reference, or a wording, please tell us at info@FruitBearers.net. Thank you for helping us keep Bible Learning error free.
- Salvation in no other name than Jesus: Acts 4:8-12; John 14:6.
- The boldness of those who had been with Jesus: Acts 4:13; 1 Corinthians 1:27.
- We cannot but speak the things we have seen and heard: Acts 4:18-20.
- The prayer for boldness and fresh filling of the Spirit: Acts 4:23-31; Ephesians 5:18.
- The believers of one heart and one soul: Acts 4:32-35.