Meaning, commentary and cross references
Acts 4:12
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
NIV · New International Version
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
WEB · World English Bible
There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved!”
What does Acts 4:12 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Acts 4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other,.... Meaning not corporeal healing, but spiritual and eternal salvation; the Syriac version renders it, neither is there "redemption in any other": Christ is the only Saviour and Redeemer, who was promised and prophesied of as such; who has saved and redeemed his people from the law, sin, and Satan; nor is salvation to be sought and hoped for from any other; not in a man's self, nor in any other creature, angels or men; not in and by his own works, and legal righteousness; not by obedience to the law of Moses, moral or ceremonial; nor by the light of nature, much less by an observance of the traditions of the elders: for there is none other name…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Acts 4:5–14
We are undone if we do not take shelter in this name, and make it our refuge and strong tower; for we cannot be saved but by Jesus Christ, and, if we be not eternally saved, we are eternally undone (Act 4:12): Neither is there salvation in any other. As there is no other name by which diseased bodies can be cured, so there is no other by which sinful souls can be saved. "By him, and him only, by receiving and embracing his doctrine, salvation must now be hoped for by all. For there is no other religion in the world, no, not that delivered by Moses, by which salvation can be had for those that do not now come into this, at the preaching of it."
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Acts 4:5–12
12. Neither is there salvation in any other. He passeth from the species [salvation] unto the genus, [or more particular,] and he goeth from the corporal benefit unto perfect health, [or general.] And assuredly Christ had showed this one token of his grace, to the end he might be known to be the only author of life.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Acts 4:9–15 (WEB)
9if we are examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10may it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, this man stands here before you whole in him. 11He is ‘the stone which was regarded as worthless by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.’ 12There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved!” 13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled. They recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14Seeing the man who was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
Cross references
- John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.
- 1 Corinthians 3:11
For no one can lay any other foundation than that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ.
- John 3:36
One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
- 1 Timothy 2:5–6
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
- 1 John 5:11–12
The testimony is this: that God gave to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
- Acts 10:42–43
He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead.
- Luke 24:47
and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
- Mark 16:15–16
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to the whole creation.