Acts 4:2 (KJV)

What does Acts 4:2 mean?

Acts 4:2 describes the anger of certain temple authorities at Peter and John. The authorities objected not only to their teaching the gathered people, but also to their announcement that resurrection from the dead was made known through Jesus.

After the healing that drew a crowd, Peter spoke to the people in the temple area. Verse 2 gives the reason the authorities approached Peter and John: their public teaching had become a point of conflict.

The Greek behind Acts 4:2

• “grieved” — διαπονέομαι (diaponeomai): The word can carry the sense of being greatly disturbed or annoyed. Here, “grieved” describes the authorities’ strong objection, not simply sadness.
• “preached” — καταγγέλλω (katangellō): The word means to announce or proclaim. It presents Peter and John’s message as a public declaration to the people.
• “resurrection” — ἀνάστασις (anastasis): The word refers to rising up. In this verse, it means rising from the dead.

Why Acts 4:2 matters

• The objection concerned both the teachers and their message. The authorities were troubled that Peter and John “taught the people” and proclaimed resurrection “through Jesus.”
• Jesus’ own rising was central to Peter’s announcement. In Acts 3:15, Peter says that God raised Jesus from the dead; Acts 4:2 describes the wider claim about resurrection that the authorities heard in that message.
• The reaction helps explain what happened next. Acts 4:3 says the authorities arrested Peter and John and held them until the following day.