Acts 4:35

Act 4:35. Καὶ ἐτίθουν, and laid them down) as soldiers lowering or laying down their arms. They hereby were intimating that the apostles, under the guidance of Divine wisdom, should have all the control over their effects.—[καθότι, according as) Not according as each had given up more or less.—V. g.]

Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament — English translation (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1860) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Act 4:35 . The statement marks, it is true, an advance upon the former narrative, Act 2:44 , but one which was perfectly natural and intelligible. Here for the first time we read that the money is brought and laid at the Apostles’ feet. As the community grew, the responsibilities of distribution increased, and to whom could the administration of the common fund be more fittingly committed than to the Apostles? The narrative indicates that this commital of trust was voluntary on the part of the Ecclesia, although it was marked by an act of reverence for the Apostles’ authority. The fact that Barnabas is expressly mentioned as laying the value of his field at the Apostles’ feet, may be an indication that the other members of the community were acting upon his suggestion; if so, it would be in accordance with what we know of his character and forethought, cf. Act 9:27 , Act 11:22-24 , Hort, Ecclesia , pp. 47, 48. There is no reason to reject this narrative as a mere repetition of Act 2:44-45 . The same spirit prevails in both accounts, but in the one case we have the immediate result of the Pentecostal gift, in the case before us we have the permanence and not only the vitality of the gift marked the Christian community is now organised under Apostolic direction, and stress is laid upon the continuance of the “first love,” whilst the contrast is marked between the self-sacrifice of Barnabas and the greed of Ananias and Sapphira, see Rendall, Acts , p. 196, and also Zöckler, Apostelgeschichte , p. 198, in answer to recent criticisms. παρὰ τοὺς πόδας : the Apostles are represented as sitting, perhaps as teachers, Act 22:3 , cf. Luk 2:46 , and also as an indication of their authority: the expression in the Greek conveys the thought of committal to the care and authority of any one, cf. Act 5:2 , Act 7:58 , Act 22:20 , so Mat 15:30 , or that of reverence and thankfulness. Oecumenius sees in the words an indication of the great honour of the Apostles, and the reverence of those who brought the money. Friedrich notes the expression as characteristic of St. Luke’s style, since it is used by him five times in the Gospel, six times in Acts, and is found in the N.T. only once elsewhere, see above, cf. Cicero, Pro Flacco , 28, and instances in Wetstein. διεδίδετο : impersonal, or τὸ ἀργύριον may be supplied, Viteau, Le Grec du N. T. , p. 57 (1896), and in St. Luke’s Gospel twice, Act 11:22 , Act 18:22 ; only once elsewhere in N.T., Joh 6:11 ; on the abnormal termination ετο for οτο , cf. LXX, Kennedy, Sources of N. T. Greek , p. 159, cf. Exo 5:13 , ἐδίδοτο , but A - ετο ; Jer 52:34 , ἐδίδοτο , but [165] [166] - ετο ; 1Co 11:23 , Winer-Schmiedel, p. 121. καθότι : only found in St. Luke in N. T., twice in Gospel, four times in Acts; Luk 1:7 ; Luk 19:9 , Act 2:24 ; Act 2:45 ; Act 4:35 ; Act 17:31 ; on the imperfect with ἄν in a conditional relative clause, Burton, N. T. Moods and Tenses , pp. 13, 125, and Viteau, Le Grec du N. T. , p. 142 (1893), cf. Act 2:45 ; Act 2:33-35 are ascribed by Hilgenfeld to his “author to Theophilus,” but this reviser must have been very clumsy to introduce a notice involving a general surrender of all landed property, as Hilgenfeld interprets the verse, which could not be reconciled with St. Peter’s express words in Act 5:4 words which, on Hilgenfeld’s own showing, the reviser must have had before him.

[165] Codex Alexandrinus (sæc. v.), at the British Museum, published in photographic facsimile by Sir E. M. Thompson (1879).

[166] Codex Vaticanus (sæc. iv.), published in photographic facsimile in 1889 under the care of the Abbate Cozza-Luzi.

The Expositor's Greek Testament, edited by W. Robertson Nicoll (1897–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

laid . . . at the apostles' feet--sitting, it may be, above the rest. But the expression may be merely derived from that practice, and here meant figuratively.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 35. Laid - down at the apostles' feet] To show how cordially and entirely they parted with them. And they entrusted the management of the whole to those men to whom they found God had entrusted the gifts of his Holy Spirit, and the doctrine of the kingdom of heaven.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(35) And laid them down at the apostles’ feet,—The words are a vivid picture of one phase of Eastern life. When gifts or offerings are made to a king, or priest, or teacher, they are not placed in his hands, but at his feet. The Apostles sat, it would seem, in conclave, on their twelve seats, as in the figurative promise of Mat_19:28, and the vision of Rev_4:4.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

35. and laid them down at the apostles’ feet] A significant act, whereby it was shewn that they gave the Apostles entire control over the bestowal of these sums. For the figure, cp. Psa_8:6, and Cicero pro Flacco (xxvii. § 68), ante pedes praetoris in foro expensum est auri pondo centum paullo minus.

and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need] Better, unto each according as any had need. There were no doubt many who were not in need, and they of course lived on their own. The distribution was intended only for the needy, as widows, &c., and for those who could not otherwise support themselves while they took part, as many did, in the active propagation of the new faith. It may be, too, that some were deprived of the means of support because they had become Christians. Cp. the threat of the authorities, Joh_9:22.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And laid them down at the apostles' feet,.... Showing great veneration and respect to the apostles, and a sort of neglect and contempt of their worldly substance; and signifying that they entirely delivered them to the apostles, and subjected them to their disposal:

and distribution was made unto every man, according as he had need; though they had all things in common, yet there was an order observed; a man might not go to the common stock and take out of it what he would; but as all was committed to the care of the apostles, and was in their power; the distribution was made by them, to every man, to the original proprietors, as well as to others, and that not as much as a man would have, or he might crave; but as much as he needed, for the present, of which the apostles were the judges.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

Ver. 35. According as he had need] The distribution was done with discretion. See Psa 112:5. King Edward VI, moved thereto by a sermon of Bishop Ridley’s, gave Christ’s Hospital, the Savoy, and Bridewell for the use of the poor, 1. by impotence; 2. by casualty; 3. by ill husbandry; with singular discretion. Doctor Taylor, martyr, took the ablest of his parishioners once a fortnight to the almshouse, and among other poor men, that had many children or were sick, to see what they lacked in food, drink, bedding, or any other necessaries, and procured a supply for them.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And laid them down ... - That is, they committed the money received for their property to the disposal of the apostles, to distribute it as was necessary among the poor. This soon became a burdensome and inconvenient office, and they therefore appointed men who had special charge of it, Act 6:1-2, etc.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Laid them down at the apostles’ feet; submitted them to the apostles’ disposal: this metaphor is used, 1Co 15:27,

He hath put all things under his feet. According as he had need; the poor man’s want is the fittest measure for our relief.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

35. Apostles’ feet—Tables and desks were then less used than with us, and deposits would often be made on floor or ground. But officials, sitting on elevated seats, would receive presentations laid on the step of the platform at their feet.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Laid them for laid them downs A.V.; unto each as any one for unto every man as he, A.V., a change without an improvement. Laid them at the apostles" feet. A significant token of the place occupied by the apostles (as later by the bishops of the Church) as the trustees and dispensers of the Church"s funds as well as of the Church"s doctrines. Compare "Ante pedes praetoris in fore expensum est auri pondo centum" (Cie. pp. Flacco, quoted by Alford). We have, too, here an instance of the way in which Church institutions rose gradually as occasion gave birth to them. So the institution of deacons, (Act_6:2, Act_6:3) of presbyters or priests, (Act_14:23) of bishops, (1Ti 1-3) of Confirmation, (Act_8:14-17) appear to have come about in each case pro re nata.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And distribution was made - At first by the apostles themselves, afterward by them whom they appointed.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

See notes on verse 32

J. W. McGarvey (with Philip Y. Pendleton), Commentaries on the New Testament (The Fourfold Gospel, 1914; Acts; and the epistles) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

35. παρὰ τοὺς πόδας. To lay a thing at, or under, any one’s feet was a significant act. Here it denoted that entire control was given to the Apostles over the bestowal of these sums. For the figure, cp. Psa 8:6, and Cicero pro Flacco (XXVII. § 68) ‘ante pedes prætoris in foro expensum est auri pondo centum paullo minus.’

διεδίδετο δὲ κ.τ.λ. Render, and distribution was made unto each according as any had need. There were no doubt many who were not in need, and they of course lived on their own. The distribution was intended only for the needy, as widows, &c., and for those who could not otherwise support themselves while they took part, as many did, in the active propagation of the new faith. It may be, too, that some were deprived of the means of support because they had become Christians. Cf. the threat of the authorities, Joh 9:22.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

35.] παρὰ τοὺς πόδας,—not a Hebraism for the whole person—but literal. So Cicero pro Flacco, c. 28, ‘Ante pedes Prætoris in foro expensum estauri pondo centum.’ (Rosenm.) Wetstein gives several other examples. The Apostles, like the Prætor, probably sat upon a raised seat, on the step of which, at their feet, the money was laid, in token of reverence.

Henry Alford, The Greek Testament (1849–1861) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.