Acts 4:35

Laid them down. Laying the results of the sales at the disciples’ feet was a significant act, showing that they gave the apostles entire control over the proceeds. For a similar use of this expression see Ps. 8:6. Cicero uses the same figure when he speaks of gifts being placed “before the feet of the praetor” (Pro Flacco xxvii. 68). The words apparently reflect the custom that when gifts or offerings were made to a king, or priest, or teacher, they were not placed in his hands, but at his feet.

As he had need. Or, “as any had need.” No doubt many of the Christians were not in need and took care of themselves. The beneficiaries would be those who were unable to earn a livelihood because of sickness and perhaps because of loss of employment owing to their change of religious faith (see John 9:22, where those who accepted Christ were threatened with excommunication), widows, and newcomers who had not yet become established in the city. There may also have been those to whom the apostles felt justified in rendering material support because of their spiritual activity in propagating the faith, although Luke makes no specific mention of this. Here was a wise, planned material ministry to bodily needs, which has ever been a credit to the church whenever it has been thus conducted (see 1 Tim. 5:5-16, 21).