Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 4:9
If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
9. if we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man ] Both the nouns are without the article. Read “ a good deed done to an impotent man.” Of = concerning, as we still use it in “to speak of.” St Peter’s words imply that perhaps there would be some other charge brought against them, for teachers of a new doctrine who had in a brief space gained five thousand followers must have attracted much notice in Jerusalem. Nor is it long before we hear (Act 6:13) blasphemy “against the Temple and the law” laid to the charge of Stephen, whose preaching (for this accusation precedes Stephen’s defence) must have been of the same character as that of Peter and John.
by what means he is made whole ] The Greek has this (man), the demonstrative pronoun, for the man was there in the council-house to be seen by all. See Act 4:14.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
If we this day – If as is the fact; or since we are thus examined.
Examined – Questioned; if the purpose is to institute an inquiry into this case, or since it is the purpose to institute such an inquiry.
The good deed – The act of benevolence; the benefit conferred on an infirm man. He assumes that it was undeniable that the deed had been done.
To the impotent man – To this man who was infirm or lame. The man was then present, Act 4:10, Act 4:14. He may have been arrested with the apostles; or he may have been present as a spectator; or, as Neander supposes, he may have been summoned as a witness.
By what means – This was the real point of the inquiry. The fact that he had been made whole was not denied. The only question was whether it had been done by the authority and power of Jesus of Nazareth, as Peter declared it to be, Act 3:6, Act 3:16.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 9. The good deed done] , The benefit he has received in being restored to perfect soundness.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Examined; juridically called in question; it is a forensic word.
Of the good deed; though they disputed not the authority of the court, yet they assert their integrity; that it was no other than a good deed they had done, which rulers ought not to be a terror unto, Rom 8:3.
By what means, that is, in the words of the question which was propounded unto them, Act 4:7, by what power, or by what name, he is made whole?
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
1-12. the captainof theLevitical guard.
of the templeannoyedat the disturbance created around it.
and the Sadduceeswho”say that there is no resurrection” (Ac23:8), irritated at the apostles “preaching through (rather,’in’) Jesus the resurrection from the dead”; for theresurrection of Christ, if a fact, effectually overthrew theSadducean doctrine.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
If we this day be examined of the good deed,…. Or “seeing” we are; for it was not a matter of doubt, but a clear case, that they were brought into court, and were passing under an examination, about the cure of the lame man; which the apostle rightly calls a
good deed, it being done in faith, and to the glory of God, and for the good of the man; and hereby tacitly suggests, that they were dealt very hardly with, to be seized and kept in custody, and be called in question, for doing an action so beneficent and kind, as this was, which was
done to the impotent man; who could not help himself, nor get his bread any other way, than by begging:
by what means he is made whole; restored to perfect health, and the proper use of his limbs; that is, by what power, and in what name this was done; the answer is ready, and it is as follows.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Concerning a good deed done to an impotent man ( ). Objective genitive. Note (old word, in the N.T. only here and 1Ti 6:2), as a benefactor, not a malefactor. Skilful turn made by Peter.
Is made whole (). Perfect passive indicative of , stands whole.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “If we this day,” (ei hemeis semeron) “if we today,” at this time, on this day- -The “we” refers to Peter and John who had gone up to the temple to teach, witness, and pray, Act 3:1; Act 4:1-2.
2) “Be examined of the good deed,” (anakrinometha epi euergesia) “Are being judged (examined) upon (the basis of) a good deed,” and they were, Mat 12:35; Tit 2:7; Tit 2:14. It was a good deed though they were being derided and harassed for having done it in the name of this Jesus of Nazareth, which they too witnessed with Holy Spirit power, affirming that He had been raised from the dead, and that they had seen Him, Act 1:8.
3) “Done to the impotent man,” (anthropou asthenous) “That has been done to an infirm man,” Act 3:2; Act 3:11-12. He had been lame, or impotent, (without power to walk) from his mother’s womb, (from birth) for “forty years,” Act 4:22.
4) “By what means he is made whole; (en tini houtos sesostai) “by what means (power, or authority, or name) this man has been healed; They gave these rulers no double-talk, but witnessed plainly, that it was thru or by the name, authority, or power of the Holy Spirit which God, thru Christ, had sent them since the resurrection and ascension of their Lord, as aforeprophesied and promised specifically to them, Act 3:6; Act 3:12-18.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
9. If we be judged. Undoubtedly Peter layeth tyranny to the charge of the priests and the scribes, because they examine them unjustly concerning a benefit which deserveth praise, as if he and his fellow had committed some heinous offense. If, saith he, we be accused for this cause, because we have made a sick man whole. Peter hath in this place more respect unto the wicked affection of the mind than unto the very order of the question. For if, under color of a miracle, the apostles would have drawn away the people from the true and sincere worship of God, they should have been worthily called to answer for themselves; because religion doth far excel all the good things of this present life. But seeing they (having no cause at all) did wickedly make an offense of that which they ought to have honored, Peter, being supported with this confidence, doth at the first gird them wittily with a taunting preface, because they sit as judges to condemn good deeds. Yet he toucheth this point but lightly, that he may pass over unto the matter.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(9) If we this day be examined.The word is employed in its technical sense of a judicial inter rogation, as in Luk. 23:14. It is used by St. Luke and St. Paul (Act. 12:19; Act. 24:8; 1Co. 2:14-15; 1Co. 4:3-4), and by them only, in the New Testament.
Of the good deed.Strictly, the act of beneficence. There is a manifest emphasis on the word as contrasted with the contemptuous this thing of the question. It meets us again in 1Ti. 6:2.
By what means he is made whole.Better, this man. The pronoun assumes the presence of the man who had been made able to walk. (Comp. Joh. 9:15.) The verb, as in our Lords words, Thy faith hath made thee whole (Mar. 10:52; Luk. 7:50), has a pregnant, underlying meaning, suggesting the thought of a spiritual as well as bodily restoration.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
9. If we be Rather, since we are.
Good deed Their misdeed is a good deed. There might seem a gentle sarcasm in this expression, but there was a warning and awakening truth.
Made whole The Greek word is ; the same word as is rendered saved in Act 4:12, and should have been so rendered here.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Act 4:9. Made whole; , he is cured, or saved. See the note on Act 4:12.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
Ver. 9. If we this day be examined of the good deed ] q.d. Evil times we must needs say they are, when good deeds and evil are dangerous alike; when to cure or to kill is equally criminal. “Should I not visit for these things, saith the Lord?” &c. Bede said of the ancient Britons, immediately before their destruction by the Saxons, that they were come to that height of wickedness, as to cast an odium upon pious and profitable persons, tanquam in adversarios, as if they had been public enemies, not fit to be endured.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
9. ] , if , with an implication of the fact being so: see ch. Act 11:17 .
, not ‘by (in) whom ,’ this is not yet brought forward: but wherein , in what, as the conditional element. No person had been mentioned in the question, Act 4:7 , nor does Peter afterwards say ., but . . . On the other hand, , Act 4:10 , may very well be masculine, as referring to . Himself, included in the previous words . . .: it may also be neuter, ‘in this Name:’ but the masc. is preferable, on account of following so soon in Act 4:11 .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 4:9 . : chosen not without oratorical nicety, if, as is the case = , expressing at the same time the righteous indignation of the Apostles in contrast to the contemptuous of Act 4:7 , and their surprise at the object of the present inquiry; so too in St. Peter again indicates the unfairness of such inquisitorial treatment (“cum alias dijudicari debeant, qui malum fecerunt ,” Bengel). : used here of a judicial examination, see Act 12:19 and Luk 23:14 , and cf. Act 24:8 ; Act 28:18 , and 1Co 9:3 , although the strictly technical sense of as a preliminary investigation cannot be pressed here. . . : “concerning a good deal done to an impotent man” the omission of the articles in both nouns adds to St. Peter’s irony; “he hits them hard in that they are always making a crime of such acts, finding fault with works of beneficence,” Chrys., Hom. , x.; on the objective genitive, Winer-Schmiedel, pp. 260 and 267. : “by what means,” R.V.; “in whom,” margin. The neuter instrumental dative, cf. Mat 5:13 , is supported by Blass, Weiss, Holtzmann, and others, as if the expression embraced the two questions of Act 4:7 . Rendall, following the older commentators, regards the expression as masculine. : the healed man is thought of as present, although nothing is said of his summons; “this man,” R.V. : the word familiar to us in the Gospels, Luk 7:50 , Mar 10:52 , with the pregnant meaning of health for body and soul alike.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
If. Greek. ei. App-118.
be examined. Greek. anakrino. App-122:2. Compare Luk 23:14.
of. Greek. epi. App-104.
good deed = benefit. Greek. euergesia. Only here and 1Ti 6:2.
done to = of. Genitive of relation. App-17.
man. Greek. anthropos. App-123.
what means = whom.
he = this one.
is made whole = has been saved. Greek. sozo. Compare Joh 11:12.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
9.] , if, with an implication of the fact being so: see ch. Act 11:17.
, not by (in) whom,-this is not yet brought forward: but wherein, in what, as the conditional element. No person had been mentioned in the question, Act 4:7,-nor does Peter afterwards say ., but . . . On the other hand, , Act 4:10, may very well be masculine, as referring to . Himself, included in the previous words . . .:-it may also be neuter, in this Name: but the masc. is preferable, on account of following so soon in Act 4:11.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 4:9. , if) i.e. since. He means the , examination, now going forward.-, we be examined) By judicial process.-, a good deed) whereas ordinarily it is persons who have done an evil deed, that must submit to examination. The article is not added; but there follows, in Act 4:12, , the salvation, where the article forms an Epitasis [emphatic addition to the previous enunciation, viz. to the without the article]. Christ was , a most beneficent Saviour. See Chrysost. de Sacerd. p. 208.- , by what) The rulers had asked, by what power (virtue), and by what name. This Peter takes up, changing the adjective [substituting for , ], in order to make his reply the more definite: and immediately also replies concerning the authority and name, Act 4:10.-, this man) who is here present, Act 4:10; Act 4:14.-, is made whole) To this word is to be referred , , the salvation, be saved, Act 4:12, from the notation (signification) of the name Jesus, Act 4:10. [The health of the body is as it were a type and mirror of the health of the soul.-V. g.]
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
the good: Act 3:7, Joh 7:23, Joh 10:32, 1Pe 3:15-17, 1Pe 4:14
Reciprocal: Mat 9:5 – Arise Mat 10:8 – Heal Mat 11:5 – blind Mat 14:36 – perfectly Mar 6:56 – touch Joh 14:12 – the Act 14:8 – impotent
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
9
Act 4:9. To be examined means to be questioned and investigated. Peter did not object to being questioned, but he did not consider that they had even accused him of anything wrong, much less been shown any testimony that was claimed to hint at such a thing. Instead, he virtually held his investigators up to shame by the statement that the investigation was over a good deed done to the impotent (weak) man.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 4:9-10. If we this day be examined, etc. Ironical surprise runs through St. Peters reply, which may be paraphrased thus: If we really are arraigned, which seems hardly credible, on account of the good deed done to this poor man (pointing to the healed cripple), know all of you, the miracle you ask about was done in the name of that Jesus so terribly dishonoured by you, but by God so signally honoured.
Jesus Christ of Nazareth, quoting the title nailed on the cross. Think not that we desire to conceal His country, Nazareth, or His death on the cross. Ye crucified Him, but He was raised by God, and now works miracles from heaven (Chrysostom, quoted by Wordsworth).
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
See notes on verse 8
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
4:9 {3} If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
(3) The wolves who come after true pastors plead their own cause and not God’s, neither the cause of the Church.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Peter referred to the "trial" as a preliminary hearing (Gr. anakrinomai), which it was. Jewish law required that people had to be informed of the consequences of their crime before being punished for it. [Note: Joachim Jeremias, "Untersuchungen zum Quellenproblem der Apostelgeschichte," Zeitschrift für die Neutestamentliche Wissenschrift 36 (1937):208-13.] Peter’s answer was straightforward and plain: the power of Jesus had benefited a sick man by healing him. This was good news not only for the Sanhedrin but for all the people of Israel. Peter used a Greek word that means saved (sothenai), which some English translators have rendered "made well." His use of this word prepares for the use of the same word in Act 4:12 where it has a broader meaning. Peter’s intent was obviously to prick the consciences of these men too (cf. Act 2:23; Act 2:36; Act 3:13-15). He laid the guilt for Jesus’ death at their feet and gave witness that God raised Him from the dead. The Sanhedrin did not now or at any later time attempt to deny the fact that Jesus had arisen.