Acts 4:7
New International Version
They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

New Living Translation
They brought in the two disciples and demanded, “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?”

English Standard Version
And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?”

Berean Standard Bible
They had Peter and John brought in and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

Berean Literal Bible
And having placed them in the midst, they began to inquire, "In what power or in what name have you done this?"

King James Bible
And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

New King James Version
And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?”

New American Standard Bible
When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?”

NASB 1995
When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?”

NASB 1977
And when they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?”

Legacy Standard Bible
And when they had placed them in their midst, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?”

Amplified Bible
When they had put the men in front of them, they repeatedly asked, “By what sort of power, or in what name [that is, by what kind of authority], did you do this [healing]?”

Christian Standard Bible
After they had Peter and John stand before them, they began to question them: “By what power or in what name have you done this? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
After they had Peter and John stand before them, they asked the question: “By what power or in what name have you done this?”

American Standard Version
And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, By what power, or in what name, have ye done this?

Contemporary English Version
They brought in Peter and John and made them stand in the middle while they questioned them. They asked, "By what power and in whose name have you done this?"

English Revised Version
And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, By what power, or in what name, have ye done this?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They made Peter and John stand in front of them and then asked, "By what power or in whose name did you do this?"

Good News Translation
They made the apostles stand before them and asked them, "How did you do this? What power do you have or whose name did you use?"

International Standard Version
They made Peter and John stand in front of them and began asking, "By what power or by what name did you do this?"

Majority Standard Bible
They had Peter and John brought in and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

NET Bible
After making Peter and John stand in their midst, they began to inquire, "By what power or by what name did you do this?"

New Heart English Bible
When they had stood them in the middle of them, they inquired, "By what power, or in what name, have you done this?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name have ye done this?

Weymouth New Testament
So they made the Apostles stand in the centre, and demanded of them, "By what power or in what name have you done this?"

World English Bible
When they had stood Peter and John in the middle of them, they inquired, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and having set them in the midst, they were inquiring, “In what power, or in what name did you do this?”

Berean Literal Bible
And having placed them in the midst, they began to inquire, "In what power or in what name have you done this?"

Young's Literal Translation
and having set them in the midst, they were inquiring, 'In what power, or in what name did ye do this?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And having set them in the midst, they inquired, In what power, or in what name did ye do this?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And setting them in the midst, they asked: By what power, or by what name, have you done this?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And stationing them in the middle, they questioned them: “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?”

New American Bible
They brought them into their presence and questioned them, “By what power or by what name have you done this?”

New Revised Standard Version
When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when they had made them to stand in the midst, they asked, By what power or by what name have you done this?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And when they set them in the midst, they were asking them, “By what power or in what name do you do this?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And when they had made them stand in the midst, they asked: By what power, or by what name have you done this?

Godbey New Testament
And having set them in the midst, asked them, By what power or in what name have you done this?

Haweis New Testament
And placing them in the midst, they interrogated them, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this thing?

Mace New Testament
and having caused Peter and John to appear, they asked, by what influence, or by what authority have you done this?

Weymouth New Testament
So they made the Apostles stand in the centre, and demanded of them, "By what power or in what name have you done this?"

Worrell New Testament
And, having set them in the midst, they were inquiring, "In what power or in what name, did ye do this?"

Worsley New Testament
And when they had set them in the midst, they asked them, By what power, or in what name have ye done this?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Peter and John Before the Council
6along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and many others from the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought in and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people!…

Cross References
Matthew 21:23
When Jesus returned to the temple courts and began to teach, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him. “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You this authority?”

Luke 20:1-2
One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the gospel, the chief priests and scribes, together with the elders, came up to Him. / “Tell us,” they said, “by what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?”

John 2:18
On account of this, the Jews demanded, “What sign can You show us to prove Your authority to do these things?”

John 5:27
And He has given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.

John 10:24
So the Jews gathered around Him and demanded, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

John 18:19
Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching.

John 18:33
Pilate went back into the Praetorium, summoned Jesus, and asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

John 19:9-10
and he went back into the Praetorium. “Where are You from?” he asked. But Jesus gave no answer. / So Pilate said to Him, “Do You refuse to speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You and authority to crucify You?”

Acts 5:27-28
They 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 7:27
But the man who was abusing his neighbor pushed Moses aside and said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us?

Acts 7:51-52
You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. / Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—

Acts 9:14
And now he is here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.”

Acts 22:30
The 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 23:28
and since I wanted to understand their charges against him, I brought him down to their Sanhedrin.

Acts 24:8
By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.”


Treasury of Scripture

And when they had set them in the middle, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have you done this?

when.

Acts 5:27
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

1 Kings 21:12-14
They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people…

John 8:3,9
And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, …

By what power.

Exodus 2:14
And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known.

Matthew 21:23
And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

Mark 11:28
And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?

by what name.

Acts 4:10
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.

Acts 5:28,40
Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us…

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Apostles Center Centre Demanded Inquire Inquired Inquiring John Middle Midst Peter Placed Power Question Sending Stand Stood This
Acts 4
1. The rulers of the Jews, offended with Peter's sermon,
3. imprison him and John.
5. After, upon examination
8. 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.














They had Peter and John brought in
This phrase indicates the authority and control exercised by the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. Historically, the Sanhedrin was composed of religious leaders, including the high priest, elders, and scribes, who held significant power in Jewish society. The act of bringing Peter and John in for questioning reflects the tension between the early Christian movement and established Jewish authority. The Greek word for "brought in" (εἰσάγω, eisagō) suggests a formal and possibly intimidating process, highlighting the gravity of the situation for the apostles.

and began to question them
The questioning by the Sanhedrin was not merely a casual inquiry but a formal interrogation. The Greek word used here (ἐπερωτάω, eperōtaō) implies a thorough and possibly hostile examination. This reflects the Sanhedrin's concern over the growing influence of the apostles and their teachings, which challenged the religious status quo. Historically, such questioning was a common practice to maintain religious orthodoxy and control.

By what power
The word "power" (δύναμις, dynamis) in Greek denotes strength, ability, or miraculous power. The Sanhedrin's question reveals their awareness of the miraculous healing performed by Peter and John, as described earlier in Acts 3. This inquiry into the source of their power underscores the religious leaders' concern about the legitimacy and authority behind the apostles' actions, which were drawing public attention and challenging their own authority.

or what name
In ancient Jewish culture, a "name" (ὄνομα, onoma) carried significant weight, often representing authority, character, and identity. The Sanhedrin's question about the "name" reflects their understanding that the apostles were invoking a specific authority or divine endorsement. In the context of Acts, this refers to the name of Jesus Christ, whose resurrection and power were central to the apostles' message and miracles.

did you do this?
The phrase "did you do this" refers to the miraculous healing of the lame man at the temple gate, as recounted in Acts 3. The Greek verb used here (ποιέω, poieō) means to make or do, emphasizing the action taken by the apostles. The Sanhedrin's focus on the act itself highlights their concern over the implications of such miracles, which were seen as a direct challenge to their religious authority and an affirmation of Jesus' divine power and messianic identity.

(7) And when they had set them in the midst.--The Sanhedrin sat in a semi-circle, the president being in the middle of the arc, the accused standing in the centre.

They asked.--Literally, were asking. They put the question repeatedly, in many varying forms.

By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?--Literally, By what kind of power, or what kind of name? apparently in a tone of contempt. They admit the fact that the lame man had been made to walk, as too patent to be denied. (Comp. Acts 4:16.) The question implied a suspicion that it was the effect of magic, or, as in the case of our Lord's casting out devils, by the power of Beelzebub (Luke 11:15; John 8:48). There is a touch of scorn in the way in which they speak of the thing itself. They will not as yet call it a "sign," or "wonder," but "have ye done this?"

Verse 7. - Inquired for asked, A.V.; in for by, A.V. In what name; ποίος, what, means exactly, "what kind." The miracle might have been wrought, as it seemed to them, by Beelzebub, or by magic (Luke 15:15, etc.; Acts 13:6; Acts 19:19, etc.), as well as by Divine power and in the Name of God. They asked which it was. In the Greek there is an emphasis upon the "ye," which is placed last, equal to "such as you," unlearned and contemptible men.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
They had
στήσαντες (stēsantes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2476: A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications.

[Peter and John]
αὐτοὺς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 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.

{brought} in
μέσῳ (mesō)
Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3319: Middle, in the middle, between, in the midst of. From meta; middle (neuter) noun).

[and] began to question them:
ἐπυνθάνοντο (epynthanonto)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4441: To ask, inquire, ascertain by inquiry, understand.

“By
Ἐν (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.

what
ποίᾳ (poia)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4169: Of what sort. From the base of pou and hoios; individualizing interrogative what sort of, or which one.

power
δυνάμει (dynamei)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1411: From dunamai; force; specially, miraculous power.

or
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

what
ποίῳ (poiō)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4169: Of what sort. From the base of pou and hoios; individualizing interrogative what sort of, or which one.

name
ὀνόματι (onomati)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3686: Name, character, fame, reputation. From a presumed derivative of the base of ginosko; a 'name'.

{did} you
ὑμεῖς (hymeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

do
ἐποιήσατε (epoiēsate)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

this?”
τοῦτο (touto)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.


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NT Apostles: Acts 4:7 When they had stood them (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
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