4:32 The group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, 12 and no one said that any of his possessions was his own, but everything was held in common. 13 4:33 With 14 great power the apostles were giving testimony 15 to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on them all. 4:34 For there was no one needy 16 among them, because those who were owners of land or houses were selling 17 them 18 and bringing the proceeds from the sales 4:35 and placing them at the apostles’ feet. The proceeds 19 were distributed to each, as anyone had need.
1 tn Or “Lord, take notice of.”
2 sn Grant to your servants to speak your message with great courage. The request is not for a stop to persecution or revenge on the opponents, but for boldness (great courage) to carry out the mission of proclaiming the message of what God is doing through Jesus.
3 tn Grk “slaves.” See the note on the word “servants” in 2:18.
4 tn Grk “word.”
5 tn Or “with all boldness.”
6 tn The miraculous nature of these signs is implied in the context.
7 tn Grk “And when.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
8 sn The place where they were assembled…was shaken. This signifies that God is in their midst. See Acts 16:26; Exod 19:18; Ps 114:7; Isa 6:4.
9 tn The imperfect verb has been translated as an ingressive imperfect (“began to speak”). Logical sequencing suggests that their speaking began after they were filled with the Spirit. The prayer was answered immediately.
10 tn Or “speak God’s message.”
11 tn Or “with boldness.”
12 tn Grk “soul.”
13 tn Grk “but all things were to them in common.”
sn Everything was held in common. The remark is not a reflection of political philosophy, but of the extent of their spontaneous commitment to one another. Such a response does not have the function of a command, but is reflective of an attitude that Luke commends as evidence of their identification with one another.
14 tn Grk “And with.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
15 tn Or “were witnessing.”
16 tn Or “poor.”
17 tn Grk “houses, selling them were bringing.” The participle πωλοῦντες (pwlounte") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
18 tn The word “them” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.
19 tn Grk “It” (or “They,” plural). The referent of the understood pronoun subject, the proceeds from the sales, of the verb διεδίδετο (diedideto) has been specified in the translation for clarity.