Acts 4:7
And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
στήσαντες
when they had set
G2476
στήσαντες
when they had set
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
2 of 17
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 17
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπυνθάνοντο
they asked
G4441
ἐπυνθάνοντο
they asked
Strong's:
G4441
Word #:
7 of 17
to question, i.e., ascertain by inquiry (as a matter of information merely; and thus differing from g2065, which properly means a request as a favor;
ποίῳ
what
G4169
ποίῳ
what
Strong's:
G4169
Word #:
9 of 17
individualizing interrogative (of character) what sort of, or (of number) which one
δυνάμει
power
G1411
δυνάμει
power
Strong's:
G1411
Word #:
10 of 17
force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)
ποίῳ
what
G4169
ποίῳ
what
Strong's:
G4169
Word #:
13 of 17
individualizing interrogative (of character) what sort of, or (of number) which one
ὀνόματι
name
G3686
ὀνόματι
name
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
14 of 17
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
Cross References
Matthew 21:23And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?Mark 11:28And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?Acts 5:40And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.John 2:18Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?
Historical Context
Ancient understanding viewed names as embodying personal power and authority. Invoking a name called upon that person's power. The council sought to trap apostles: claiming divine authority would be blasphemy, claiming human power would be impossible given the evidence. Peter's answer transcends their trap.
Questions for Reflection
- How do opponents of the gospel acknowledge its power while denying its source?
- What does the question about 'name' reveal about authority's nature in spiritual warfare?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The council's question - 'By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?' - acknowledges the miracle while seeking to discredit its source. The Greek distinguishes 'power' (dynamis, inherent ability) and 'name' (onoma, authority). This inquiry mirrors Satan's strategy: admit the supernatural while attributing it to wrong source. Their question betrays fear - if Jesus' name heals, their crucifixion judgment was wrong.