Bible Strands
Acts 4:34
There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Luke describes the Jerusalem believers' communal practice immediately following the apostles' powerful testimony and the abundant grace resting on them.
The words — The Greek οὐδὲ (oude) and ἐνδεής (endeēs) combine in the phrase "not even one in need," establishing an absolute absence of poverty within the group.
The thread — The text describes voluntary property sales to meet communal needs, a pattern that runs through Acts 2:45 and aligns with Jesus' instructions in Luke 12:33 and Luke 16:9 regarding the use of earthly wealth.
Why it lands — The text states that surplus property was liquidated and placed at the apostles' feet for distribution to anyone with need, requiring readers to evaluate whether their own financial retention or generosity actively addresses tangible want.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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,
Cross-references
- Acts 2:45 Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need.
- Luke 12:33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.
- Luke 16:9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to make friends for yourselves so that when it is gone, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings.
- Deuteronomy 2:7 Indeed, the LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. The LORD your God has been with you these forty years, and you have lacked nothing.
- Psalms 34:9 Fear the LORD, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing.
- Matthew 19:21 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
- Mark 10:21 Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said to him, “There is one thing you lack: Go, sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
- Luke 22:35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out without purse or bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered.
- Acts 4:37 sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
- 1 Timothy 6:19 treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.