If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
Parallel translations
- WEB if we are examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,
- 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 be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
- Acts 3:7And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
- John 10:32Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
- John 7:23If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?
- 1 Pet 4:14If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
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.