Acts 4:7 (KJV)

What does Acts 4:7 mean?

Acts 4:7 describes how the Jewish religious leaders brought Peter and John before them and questioned them about the source of their power or authority, asking, “By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?” They wanted to know how Peter and John had performed the healing that had just taken place.

The scene takes place after Peter and John healed a lame man at the temple, which drew public attention. The religious authorities, feeling challenged, set the apostles in the middle of their assembly and demanded to know the authority (power or name) behind their actions. This question sets up the apostles’ bold testimony about Jesus in the verses that follow.

The Greek behind Acts 4:7

• δύναμις (dynamis, “power”): This word often means miraculous power or ability. The leaders are not just asking about skill, but about a supernatural source behind the healing.
• ὄνομα (onoma, “name”): In this context, “name” refers to authority or the person behind the action. The leaders are probing whether Peter and John are acting under someone else’s authority, which was a serious matter in Jewish society.
• ἐν μέσῳ (en mesō, “in the midst”): The phrase shows that Peter and John were placed in the center, likely surrounded by the council, emphasizing the seriousness and intimidation of the setting.

Why Acts 4:7 matters

• Acts 4:7 highlights the central question of authority that runs through the early chapters of Acts: who gives the apostles the right to heal and teach?
• The verse sets up a contrast between the religious leaders’ authority and the authority of Jesus, which the apostles will soon proclaim.
• Understanding the focus on “power” and “name” helps clarify that the issue is not just about a miracle, but about the source of spiritual authority in the early church.