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if we are examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,
Acts 4:9 · World English Bible
Parallel translations
  • KJV If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
  • BSB If we are being examined today about a kind service to a man who was lame, to determine how he was healed,
  • NKJV If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well,
  • NASB if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well,
  • NLT are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed?

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

Peter notes with irony that they are on trial for a good deed done to a disabled man. The 'crime' in question is an act of healing and kindness.

Overview

Peter highlights the absurdity of being examined for an act of mercy, exposing the injustice of the proceedings. The word translated 'healed' (sozo) can also mean 'saved,' subtly pointing beyond physical healing to spiritual salvation. This sets up Peter's declaration that true salvation, like the man's healing, comes only through Jesus, turning the trial into a proclamation of the gospel.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 5

  • 1 Pet 3:15–17But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear:
  • Acts 3:7He took him by the right hand, and raised him up. Immediately his feet and his ankle bones received strength.
  • John 10:32Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me?”
  • John 7:23If a boy receives circumcision on the Sabbath, that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me, because I made a man completely healthy on the Sabbath?
  • 1 Pet 4:14If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (7)

Resources, by level

Commentaries & study tools

  • VideoBibleProject — Acts videosBibleProject · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.

  • VideoWatch teaching on Acts 4:9YouTube · Lay · Free

    Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.

  • CommentaryEnduring Word — verse-by-verseDavid Guzik · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.

  • CommentaryClassic commentaries for this verseBibleHub (20+ works) · Pastoral · Free

    Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.

  • CommentaryMatthew Henry on ActsMatthew Henry · Pastoral · Free · evangelical

    The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).

  • ReferenceInterlinear, lexicon & Strong'sBlue Letter Bible · Seminary · Free

    Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.

Christ at the center

Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.

How Acts 4:9 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.