Acts 4:34-37

4:34 For there was no one needy ¹  among them, because those who were owners of land or houses were selling ²  them ³  and bringing the proceeds from the sales 4:35 and placing them at the apostles’ feet. The proceeds ⁴  were distributed to each, as anyone had need. 4:36 So Joseph, a Levite who was a native of Cyprus, called by the apostles Barnabas (which is translated “son of encouragement”), ⁵  4:37 sold ⁶  a field ⁷  that belonged to him and brought the money ⁸  and placed it at the apostles’ feet.

Acts 5:4

5:4 Before it was sold, ⁹  did it not ¹⁰  belong to you? And when it was sold, was the money ¹¹  not at your disposal? How have you thought up this deed in your heart? ¹²  You have not lied to people ¹³  but to God!”

[4:34]  ¹ tn Or “poor.”

[4:34]  ² tn Grk “houses, selling them were bringing.” The participle πωλοῦντες (pwlounte") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[4:34]  ³ tn The word “them” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.

[4:35]  ⁴ tn Grk “It” (or “They,” plural). The referent of the understood pronoun subject, the proceeds from the sales, of the verb διεδίδετο (diedideto) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[4:36]  ⁵ sn This is a parenthetical note by the author. Note how the actions of Barnabas are in keeping with the meaning of his nickname. He stands in contrast to Ananias and Sapphira in 5:1-11.

[4:37]  ⁶ tn Grk “selling a field that belonged to him, brought” The participle πωλήσας (pwlhsa") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[4:37]  ⁷ tn Or “a farm.”

[4:37]  ⁸ tn Normally a reference to actual coins (“currency”). See L&N 6.68.

[5:4]  ⁹ tn Grk “Remaining to you.”

[5:4]  ¹⁰ tn The negative interrogative particle οὐχί (ouci) expects a positive reply to this question and the following one (“And when it was sold, was it not at your disposal?”).

[5:4]  ¹¹ tn Grk “it”; the referent of the pronoun (the money generated from the sale of the land) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[5:4]  ¹² tn Grk “How is it that you have [or Why have you] placed this deed in your heart?” Both of these literal translations differ from the normal way of expressing the thought in English.

[5:4]  ¹³ tn Grk “to men.” If Peter’s remark refers only to the apostles, the translation “to men” would be appropriate. But if (as is likely) the action was taken to impress the entire congregation (who would presumably have witnessed the donation or been aware of it) then the more general “to people” is more appropriate, since the audience would have included both men and women.