New International VersionThe next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem.
New Living TranslationThe next day the council of all the rulers and elders and teachers of religious law met in Jerusalem.
English Standard VersionOn the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem,
Berean Standard BibleThe next day the rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem,
Berean Literal BibleAnd it came to pass on the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem,
King James BibleAnd it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
New King James VersionAnd it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes,
New American Standard BibleOn the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem;
NASB 1995On the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem;
NASB 1977And it came about on the next day, that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem;
Legacy Standard BibleNow it happened that on the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem;
Amplified BibleOn the next day, their magistrates and elders and scribes (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) were gathered together in Jerusalem;
Christian Standard BibleThe next day, their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem
Holman Christian Standard BibleThe next day, their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem
American Standard VersionAnd it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem;
Contemporary English VersionThe next morning the leaders, the elders, and the teachers of the Law of Moses met in Jerusalem.
English Revised VersionAnd it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem;
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThe next day the Jewish rulers, leaders, and scribes met in Jerusalem.
Good News TranslationThe next day the Jewish leaders, the elders, and the teachers of the Law gathered in Jerusalem.
International Standard VersionThe next day, their rulers, elders, and scribes met in Jerusalem
NET BibleOn the next day, their rulers, elders, and experts in the law came together in Jerusalem.
New Heart English BibleIt happened in the morning, that their rulers, elders, and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
Weymouth New TestamentThe next day a meeting was held in Jerusalem of their Rulers, Elders, and Scribes, Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe next day the rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem,
World English BibleIn the morning, their rulers, elders, and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd it came to pass the next day, there were gathered together of them the rulers, and elders, and scribes, to Jerusalem,
Berean Literal BibleAnd it came to pass on the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem,
Young's Literal Translation And it came to pass upon the morrow, there were gathered together of them the rulers, and elders, and scribes, to Jerusalem,
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd it was on the morrow, their rulers, and elders, and scribes, were gathered together at Jerusalem, Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd it came to pass on the morrow, that their princes, and ancients, and scribes, were gathered together in Jerusalem;
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd it happened on the next day that their leaders and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem,
New American BibleOn the next day, their leaders, elders, and scribes were assembled in Jerusalem,
New Revised Standard VersionThe next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the next day, the leaders and the elders and the scribes gathered together;
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishAnd the next day the Rulers and the Elders and The Scribes assembled, NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers and elders and scribes,
Godbey New TestamentAnd it came to pass on the morrow, the rulers and elders and scribes
Haweis New TestamentNow it came to pass that the next morning, their rulers, and elders, and scribes, were assembled at Jerusalem,
Mace New TestamentOn the morrow, the rulers, senators, and doctors of the law, then at Jerusalem, assembled,
Weymouth New TestamentThe next day a meeting was held in Jerusalem of their Rulers, Elders, and Scribes,
Worrell New TestamentAnd it came to pass, the next day, that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem,
Worsley New TestamentAnd on the morrow their rulers, and elders, and scribes were gathered together at Jerusalem:
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Peter and John Before the Council… 4But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand. 5Thenext daytherulers,elders,andscribesassembledinJerusalem,6along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and many others from the high priest’s family.…
Cross References Acts 5:27-28They brought them in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, where the high priest interrogated them. / “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us responsible for this man’s blood.”
Acts 6:12-15So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin, / where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. / For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.” ...
Acts 23:1-5Paul looked directly at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.” / At this, the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. / Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit here to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck.” ...
Acts 22:30The next day the commander, wanting to learn the real reason Paul was accused by the Jews, released him and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to assemble. Then he brought Paul down and had him stand before them.
Acts 24:1-9Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul. / When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to this nation. / In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude. ...
Acts 25:1-5Three days after his arrival in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem, / where the chief priests and Jewish leaders presented their case against Paul. They urged Festus / to grant them a concession against Paul by summoning him to Jerusalem, because they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way. ...
Acts 26:30-32Then the king and the governor rose, along with Bernice and those seated with them. / On their way out, they said to one another, “This man has done nothing worthy of death or imprisonment.” / And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
Luke 22:66-71At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and scribes, met together. They led Jesus into their Sanhedrin and said, / “If You are the Christ, tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe. / And if I ask you a question, you will not answer. ...
Matthew 26:57-68Those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and elders had gathered. / But Peter followed Him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. And he went in and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. / Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death. ...
Mark 14:53-65They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders, and scribes assembled. / Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the officers and warmed himself by the fire. / Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any. ...
John 18:12-14Then the band of soldiers, with its commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him. / They brought Him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. / Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be better if one man died for the people.
John 18:19-24Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching. / “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered. “I always taught in the synagogues and at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. / Why are you asking Me? Ask those who heard My message. Surely they know what I said.” ...
John 11:47-53Then the chief priests and Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. / If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” / But one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! ...
Matthew 27:1-2When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people conspired against Jesus to put Him to death. / They bound Him, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate the governor.
Mark 15:1Early in the morning, the chief priests, elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin devised a plan. They bound Jesus, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate.
Treasury of Scripture And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, on. Acts 5:20,21 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life… Micah 2:1 Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand. Matthew 27:1,2 When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: … rulers. Acts 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, Acts 5:34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; Acts 6:12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came uponhim, and caught him, and broughthim to the council, Jump to Previous AuthorityEldersGatheredHeldJerusalemLawMeetingMetMorningMorrowRulersScribesTeachersTogetherJump to Next AuthorityEldersGatheredHeldJerusalemLawMeetingMetMorningMorrowRulersScribesTeachersTogetherActs 4 1.The rulers of the Jews, offended with Peter's sermon,3.imprison him and John.5.After, upon examination8.Peter boldly avouching the lame man to be healed by the name of Jesus,11.and that only by the same Jesus we must be eternally saved,13.they threaten him and John to preach no more in that name,23.whereupon the church flees to prayer.31.And God, by moving the place where they were assembled, testifies that he heard their prayer;34.confirming the church with the gift of the Holy Spirit, and with mutual love and charity.The next dayThis phrase indicates a continuation from the events of the previous chapter, where Peter and John were arrested for preaching about Jesus and healing a lame man. The timing suggests a swift response from the Jewish authorities, emphasizing the urgency and seriousness with which they viewed the apostles' actions. It reflects the Jewish legal practice of addressing matters promptly, often the day after an incident. the rulers, elders, and scribes
These groups represent the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish council and court in Jerusalem. The "rulers" likely refer to the chief priests, including the high priest. The "elders" were respected leaders from among the people, often from influential families. The "scribes" were experts in the Law of Moses, responsible for teaching and interpreting the Scriptures. This assembly underscores the gravity of the situation, as it involved the most authoritative religious leaders in Judaism. assembled in Jerusalem
Jerusalem was the religious and political center of Jewish life, home to the Temple and the Sanhedrin. The assembly in this city highlights the centrality of the events in the early Christian movement. Jerusalem is significant in biblical prophecy and history, being the city where Jesus was crucified and resurrected. The gathering of these leaders in Jerusalem also fulfills Jesus' prophecy that His followers would face persecution from religious authorities (Matthew 10:17-18). Persons / Places / Events 1. Rulers, Elders, and ScribesThese were the Jewish leaders who held authority in religious and civil matters. They were part of the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish council in Jerusalem. 2. JerusalemThe central city for Jewish worship and the location of the Temple. It was the hub of religious and political activity for the Jewish people. 3. The AssemblyThis event marks a formal gathering of the Jewish leadership to address the actions of Peter and John, who were preaching about Jesus and performing miracles in His name. Teaching Points Authority and OppositionThe assembly of rulers, elders, and scribes represents the established authority that often opposes the spread of the Gospel. Believers should be prepared to face opposition from those in power when standing for their faith. Courage in WitnessingPeter and John's boldness in the face of authority is a model for Christians today. We are called to witness for Christ, even when it may lead to confrontation with societal or religious norms. The Role of the Holy SpiritThe courage and wisdom displayed by Peter and John were empowered by the Holy Spirit. Believers should rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance in their witness. Community and SupportThe early church was a community that supported each other in times of trial. Christians today should seek to build strong, supportive communities that encourage one another in faith. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Acts 4:5?
2.How does Acts 4:5 demonstrate the importance of standing firm in faith?
3.What can we learn from the apostles' courage in Acts 4:5?
4.How does Acts 4:5 connect to Jesus' teachings on persecution?
5.How can we apply the apostles' boldness in Acts 4:5 to our lives?
6.What role does the Holy Spirit play in empowering believers, as seen in Acts 4:5?
7.What significance does Acts 4:5 hold in the context of early Christian persecution?
8.How does Acts 4:5 reflect the authority of Jewish leaders over early Christians?
9.Why were the rulers, elders, and scribes gathered in Acts 4:5?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 4?
11.Who was Annas in the Bible?
12.What events define the 33 AD journey to the cross?
13.Who was Annas in the Bible?
14.Who was Caiaphas in the Bible?What Does Acts 4:5 Mean The next day• Scripture notes, “The next day” (Acts 4:5), reminding us that God’s plan often unfolds one clear step at a time. The apostles had spent a night in custody (Acts 4:3), yet dawn brought a fresh stage in their mission—echoing how God’s mercies are “new every morning” (Lamentations 3:23). • We see a pattern in Acts where decisive events occur the very next day—Peter’s release (Acts 12:6–11) and Paul’s hearings (Acts 25:6). The rhythm encourages us to expect God to keep moving, even when opposition feels like a pause button.
the rulers• These “rulers” were members of the Sanhedrin’s priestly leadership (Luke 23:13). Their presence signals that the highest authorities were now weighing Peter and John’s testimony—just as they once interrogated Jesus (John 18:19–24). • Acts frequently shows earthly rulers unwittingly advancing heaven’s purposes (Acts 13:27). The same Lord who placed rulers in authority (Romans 13:1) will hold them accountable for their response to the gospel.
elders• “Elders” points to respected community leaders (Exodus 3:16;Luke 7:3). Their inclusion highlights how the gospel challenges not only institutional power but also community tradition. • When elders gather, decisions carry weight (Acts 11:30; 15:6). Here, they must decide what to do with undeniable evidence: a healed man standing next to Spirit-filled witnesses (Acts 4:14).
and scribes• Scribes were scholars committed to copying and interpreting Scripture (Ezra 7:6;Matthew 23:2). Ironically, men devoted to the Word now confront the living Word’s messengers (John 5:39–40). • Their presence fulfills Jesus’ prediction that His followers would stand before “synagogues and rulers and authorities” (Luke 12:11). The clash is not between ignorance and learning, but between spiritual blindness and unveiled truth (2 Corinthians 3:15–16).
assembled• The leaders “assembled,” forming an official council (Acts 4:6). Scripture often shows God using gatherings for pivotal revelation—Sinai (Exodus 19:17), Pentecost (Acts 2:1). • Whereas human assemblies may plot against the Lord (Psalm 2:1–2;Acts 4:25–26), God turns such meetings into stages for His glory. Peter’s bold defense will soon spotlight Jesus as the cornerstone they rejected (Acts 4:11).
in Jerusalem• Jerusalem was the spiritual center (Psalm 122:1–3) and the place where Jesus was crucified and resurrected (Acts 2:23–24). By remaining here, the apostles obeyed Jesus’ command to start their witness “in Jerusalem” (Acts 1:8). • The city that silenced prophets (Matthew 23:37) now hears the uncontainable gospel. From this same city, persecution will scatter believers—and thereby spread the Word even farther (Acts 8:1, 4).
summaryActs 4:5 paints a simple scene: a fresh dawn, powerful leaders, and a formal assembly in Jerusalem. Yet behind the straightforward report lies a profound reminder: God orchestrates time (“the next day”), positions of authority (“rulers, elders, and scribes”), deliberate gatherings (“assembled”), and strategic locations (“in Jerusalem”) to advance the name of Jesus. Obstacles become opportunities, and even the most intimidating courtroom can become a pulpit for the gospel. (5) And it came to pass on the morrow . . .--Better, that there were gathered together the rulers, elders, and scribes in Jerusalem. The two last words are misplaced in the English version by being transferred to the end of the next verse. The later MSS. give, however, unto Jerusalem. The meeting was obviously summoned, like that of Matthew 26:5, to consider what course was necessary in face of the new facts that had presented themselves, and was probably the first formal meeting of the Sanhedrin that had been held since the trial of our Lord. On its constitution, see Notes on Matthew 5:22; Matthew 26:57; Matthew 27:1. This meeting would, of course, include the Pharisee section of the scribes as well as the Sadducees. Verse 5.- Were gathered together in Jerusalem for at (ver. 6), A.V.; or, as it should rather be rendered, to - some of them probably living in the country. This clause is placed in the A.V. at the end of ver. 6 because, in the T.R., Annas, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander are in the accusative ease, whereas, in the R.T., they are in the nominative case; for which reason the R.V. supplies the words "was there" in ver. 6. We see here the different classes which composed the Sanhedrim.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Theτὴν(tēn)Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.next dayαὔριον(aurion)Adverb
Strong's 839:Tomorrow. From a derivative of the same as aer; properly, fresh, i.e. to-morrow.[the]αὐτῶν(autōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.rulers,ἄρχοντας(archontas)Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 758:Present participle of archo; a first.elders,πρεσβυτέρους(presbyterous)Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4245:Comparative of presbus; older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist or Christian 'presbyter'.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.scribesγραμματεῖς(grammateis)Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1122:From gramma. A writer, i.e. scribe or secretary.assembledσυναχθῆναι(synachthēnai)Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive
Strong's 4863:From sun and ago; to lead together, i.e. Collect or convene; specially, to entertain.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.Jerusalem,Ἰερουσαλήμ(Ierousalēm)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2419:Of Hebrew origin; Hierusalem, the capitol of Palestine.
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NT Apostles: Acts 4:5 It happened in the morning that their (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |
