And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The religious leaders, while demanding to know by what power or name, were actually compelled to acknowledge the miracle's reality. Their question, "By what power or by what name," with its subtle emphasis on "what kind of power" and "what kind of name," hints at their suspicion that it might have been magic, as they later accused Jesus.
And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter and John have just healed a man who had been lame for decades right in the Temple, causing a huge commotion and drawing a crowd. Now, the religious authorities, including the High Priest, are arresting them and bringing them before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. The council, filled with officials who had rejected Jesus, is demanding to know the source of Peter and John's power and authority for performing this miracle.
The Sanhedrin couldn't deny what happened. They saw a man, lame for decades, now walking and leaping. How did they respond to this undeniable reality?
When Peter and John healed the man at the Beautiful Gate, the religious authorities were stunned. They brought the apostles before the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish court, not to question if the miracle happened, but how.
A Fact They Couldn't Ignore
The text says they inquired, 'By what power or by what name did you do this?' This shows they acknowledged the miracle was real. It wasn't a trick or a hallucination. They were forced to confront the evidence of God's power displayed before them. As one commentary notes, they were 'admitting the reality of the miracle.' This sets the stage for Peter's bold declaration.
The authorities weren't just curious; they were seeking to understand the source of the apostles' power. What did they suspect, and what did they truly demand?
The Sanhedrin's question, 'By what power or by what name,' gets to the heart of the matter: authority. They were grappling with the source of Peter and John's actions.
Suspicions and Demands
Ask a follow-up
This wasn't just an academic inquiry. It was a challenge to the apostles' legitimacy and a subtle attempt to trap them. If the apostles claimed divine authority, it would place them in direct opposition to the council. If they claimed a lesser authority, it would diminish their message.
The way the question was asked reveals more than just a desire for information. What underlying attitude fueled their inquiry?
The question posed by the Sanhedrin wasn't neutral; it carried a tone of contempt and skepticism. The original language hints at a dismissive attitude towards Peter and John.
Scorn and Skepticism
This scorn highlights their resistance to the message of Jesus Christ. Even when faced with undeniable evidence of God's power, their prejudice blinded them. They saw the apostles not as instruments of God, but as troublesome figures challenging their authority and tradition.
Understand the original words
onoma · Greek Noun
In a biblical context, it refers to the authority, efficacy, and authorization behind an action. To do something in a 'name' is to act by the authority, character, and representation of that person.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Healing of the Lame Man
Peter and John heal a man lame from birth at the temple gate in Jerusalem, a miracle witnessed by many.
c. 30 AD
Apostles Arrested
Following the healing, Peter preaches about Jesus. The temple authorities, including priests and the Sadducees, arrest Peter and John due to the commotion and their teachings.
c. 30 AD
Sanhedrin Convenes
The Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court, gathers to interrogate Peter and John. This includes high-ranking religious and political leaders like Annas and Caiaphas.
c. 30 AD
Confrontation and Testimony
Before the Sanhedrin, Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly testifies that the healing was done in the name and power of Jesus Christ, whom they crucified.
c. 30 AD
Sanhedrin's Dilemma
Unable to deny the evident miracle, the Sanhedrin struggles with how to address the apostles' actions and teachings, fearing the crowd's reaction.
c. 30 AD
Apostles Freed and Threatened
The Sanhedrin releases Peter and John after commanding them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus, a command they refuse to obey.
This passage highlights a similar dynamic where those in authority question someone acting with spiritual power, revealing their desire to control or understand the source of authority.
Acts 3:12This verse is the immediate precursor, showing Peter directly attributing the healing to Jesus' name, which sets up the Sanhedrin's question in Acts 4:7.
John 9:29This verse shows religious leaders questioning the source of Jesus' power after He healed a man born blind, mirroring the Sanhedrin's investigation and doubt.
Acts 19:13-16This narrative shows the danger of misusing spiritual names and powers, contrasting with Peter and John's legitimate use and providing context for the authorities' concern.
1 Corinthians 1:22-23This passage contrasts the 'wisdom of the world' with the 'message of Christ crucified,' providing a theological backdrop to why the authorities, focused on worldly power and status, struggled to comprehend the apostles' authority.
jfbActs 4:7: "And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?"
- By what power or … name have ye done this—thus admitting the reality of the miracle, which afterwards they confess themselves unable to deny (Ac 4:16).
vincentActs 4:7: "And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?"
What power - what nameLit., what sort of power; what kind of name.Have ye doneThe ye closes the sentence in the Greek with a contemptuous emphasis: you people.
The religious leaders, while demanding to know by what power or name, were actually compelled to acknowledge the miracle's reality. Their question, "By what power or by what name," with its subtle emphasis on "what kind of power" and "what kind of name," hints at their suspicion that it might have been magic, as they later accused Jesus.
Peter and John have just healed a man who had been lame for decades right in the Temple, causing a huge commotion and drawing a crowd. Now, the religious authorities, including the High Priest, are arresting them and bringing them before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. The council, filled with officials who had rejected Jesus, is demanding to know the source of Peter and John's power and authority for performing this miracle.
Peter and John have just healed a man who had been lame for decades right in the Temple, causing a huge commotion and drawing a crowd. Now, the religious authorities, including the High Priest, are arresting them and bringing them before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. The council, filled with officials who had rejected Jesus, is demanding to know the source of Peter and John's power and authority for performing this miracle.
"And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?”" — The religious leaders, while demanding to know by what power or name, were actually compelled to acknowledge the miracle's reality. Their question, "By what power or by what name," with its subtle…
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Last reviewed October 2026