Bible Strands
Acts 4:7
They had Peter and John brought in and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The high priestly council, including Annas and Caiaphas, has Peter and John brought into their midst to be formally questioned.
The words — ἐπυνθάνοντο (epunthanonto) means they were inquiring, capturing the official interrogation of the two apostles.
The thread — This demand for accountability parallels the chief priests and elders asking Jesus, “By what authority are You doing these things?” in Matthew 21:23 and Mark 11:28.
Why it lands — The council requires a direct account of the miracle’s origin, forcing the accused to identify the specific power and name behind their actions.
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
And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
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?”
- Mark 11:28 “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You the authority to do them?”
- Acts 5:40 At this, they yielded to Gamaliel. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them.
- Exodus 2:14 But the man replied, “Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you planning to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and thought, “This thing I have done has surely become known.”
- John 2:18 On account of this, the Jews demanded, “What sign can You show us to prove Your authority to do these things?”
- Acts 5:27 They brought them in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, where the high priest interrogated them.
- 1 Kings 21:12 They proclaimed a fast and gave Naboth a seat of honor among the people.
- Acts 4:10 then let this be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.
- John 8:3 The scribes and Pharisees, however, brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before them
- John 8:9 When they heard this, they began to go away one by one, beginning with the older ones, until only Jesus was left, with the woman standing there.