Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Acts Ch.4 / 28 Ch.s
AC:4
* Peter and John imprisoned. (1-4) The apostles boldly testify
to Christ. (5-14) Peter and John refuse to be silenced. (15-22)
The believers unite in prayer and praise. (23-31) The holy
charity of the Christians. (32-37)
#1-4 The apostles preached through Jesus the resurrection from
the dead. It includes all the happiness of the future state;
this they preached through Jesus Christ, to be had through him
only. Miserable is their case, to whom the glory of Christ's
kingdom is a grief; for since the glory of that kingdom is
everlasting, their grief will be everlasting also. The harmless
and useful servants of Christ, like the apostles, have often
been troubled for their work of faith and labour of love, when
wicked men have escaped. And to this day instances are not
wanting, in which reading the Scriptures, social prayer, and
religious conversation meet with frowns and checks. But if we
obey the precepts of Christ, he will support us.
#5-14 Peter being filled with the Holy Ghost, would have all to
understand, that the miracle had been wrought by the name, or
power, of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, whom they had
crucified; and this confirmed their testimony to his
resurrection from the dead, which proved him to be the Messiah.
These rulers must either be saved by that Jesus whom they had
crucified, or they must perish for ever. The name of Jesus is
given to men of every age and nation, as that whereby alone
believers are saved from the wrath to come. But when
covetousness, pride, or any corrupt passion, rules within, men
shut their eyes, and close their hearts, in enmity against the
light; considering all as ignorant and unlearned, who desire to
know nothing in comparison with Christ crucified. And the
followers of Christ should act so that all who converse with
them, may take knowledge that they have been with Jesus. That
makes them holy, heavenly, spiritual, and cheerful, and raises
them above this world.
#15-22 All the care of the rulers is, that the doctrine of
Christ spread not among the people, yet they cannot say it is
false or dangerous, or of any ill tendency; and they are ashamed
to own the true reason; that it testifies against their
hypocrisy, wickedness, and tyranny. Those who know how to put a
just value upon Christ's promises, know how to put just contempt
upon the world's threatenings. The apostles look with concern on
perishing souls, and know they cannot escape eternal ruin but by
Jesus Christ, therefore they are faithful in warning, and
showing the right way. None will enjoy peace of mind, nor act
uprightly, till they have learned to guide their conduct by the
fixed standard of truth, and not by the shifting opinions and
fancies of men. Especially beware of a vain attempt to serve two
masters, God and the world; the end will be, you can serve
neither fully.
#23-31 Christ's followers do best in company, provided it is
their own company. It encourages God's servants, both in doing
work, and suffering work, that they serve the God who made all
things, and therefore has the disposal of all events; and the
Scriptures must be fulfilled. Jesus was anointed to be a
Saviour, therefore it was determined he should be a sacrifice,
to make atonement for sin. But sin is not the less evil for
God's bringing good out of it. In threatening times, our care
should not be so much that troubles may be prevented, as that we
may go on with cheerfulness and courage in our work and duty.
They do not pray, Lord let us go away from our work, now that it
is become dangerous, but, Lord, give us thy grace to go on
stedfastly in our work, and not to fear the face of man. Those
who desire Divine aid and encouragement, may depend upon having
them, and they ought to go forth, and go on, in the strength of
the Lord God. God gave a sign of acceptance of their prayers.
The place was shaken, that their faith might be established and
unshaken. God gave them greater degrees of his Spirit; and they
were all filled with the Holy Ghost, more than ever; by which
they were not only encouraged, but enabled to speak the word of
God with boldness. When they find the Lord God help them by his
Spirit, they know they shall not be confounded, #Isa 1.7|.
#32-37 The disciples loved one another. This was the blessed
fruit of Christ's dying precept to his disciples, and his dying
prayer for them. Thus it was then, and it will be so again, when
the Spirit shall be poured upon us from on high. The doctrine
preached was the resurrection of Christ; a matter of fact, which
being duly explained, was a summary of all the duties,
privileges, and comforts of Christians. There were evident
fruits of Christ's grace in all they said and did. They were
dead to this world. This was a great evidence of the grace of
God in them. They did not take away others' property, but they
were indifferent to it. They did not call it their own; because
they had, in affection, forsaken all for Christ, and were
expecting to be stripped of all for cleaving to him. No marvel
that they were of one heart and soul, when they sat so loose to
the wealth of this world. In effect, they had all things common;
for there was not any among them who lacked, care was taken for
their supply. The money was laid at the apostles' feet. Great
care ought to be taken in the distribution of public charity,
that it be given to such as have need, such as are not able to
procure a maintenance for themselves; those who are reduced to
want for well-doing, and for the testimony of a good conscience,
ought to be provided for. Here is one in particular mentioned,
remarkable for this generous charity; it was Barnabas. As one
designed to be a preacher of the gospel, he disentangled himself
from the affairs of this life. When such dispositions prevail,
and are exercised according to the circumstances of the times,
the testimony will have very great power upon others.