Acts 4:35

35 and placing [them] at the feet of the apostles. And it was being distributed to each as anyone had need.

Acts 4:35 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 4:35

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.

Acts 4:35 In-Context

33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony [to] the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on them all.

34 For there was not even anyone needy among them, because all those who were owners of plots of land or houses were selling [them] [and] bringing the proceeds of the things that were sold

35 and placing [them] at the feet of the apostles. And it was being distributed to each as anyone had need.

36 So Joseph, who was called Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated "son of encouragement"), a Levite of Cyprus by nationality,

37 sold a field that belonged to him [and] brought the money and placed [it] at the feet of the apostles.

Footnotes

• [a]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation