"And now… look upon." Notice: they did not say "strike them down and overthrow them," but what did they say? "Look upon their threats, and grant to Your servants to speak Your word with all boldness…"
"And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together." This was a testimony of God's visitation and that they had been heard, because sometimes this is a sign of wrath, and sometimes a sign of visitation. The apostles prayed not to be delivered from enduring hardships, but for the success of their preaching. But why did God shake the house? To strike fear into those who were threatening them, and to give the apostles courage, for since it was still the beginning of the preaching, a sensible sign was necessary. So "the place was shaken" and further strengthened the apostles. "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit," that is, they were inflamed and kindled within themselves the gift of grace.
Acts 4:32–35. Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; and no one called any of the things he possessed his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ; and great grace was upon them all. There was not anyone among them who was in need; for all who were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold and laid them at the apostles' feet; and distribution was made to each as anyone had need.
"One heart and one soul" — "heart" and "soul" mean one and the same thing.
"With great power they witnessed of the resurrection." Luke presents the apostles as people who have been entrusted with something, and speaks as if of a duty—that is what "witnessed" means.
"There was no one among them who was in need." Therefore "great grace," because there was not a single poor person, that is, there was not a single person in need, owing to the extraordinary generosity of those who gave away their possessions, because they gave not a part, keeping another part for themselves, but everything; and they gave everything not as their own, but as though it were not theirs; and all who believed were sustained as though from a single household.
"Selling, they brought the price of what was sold." This testifies to the great dignity and great piety of those who brought it, because they did not even dare to place it in their hands, but "laid it at the feet of the Apostles" and made them masters and stewards over what was brought, so that it might be spent as if not from their own possessions, but as if from the common fund. And this delivered the givers from vainglory, and presented a twofold joy to the recipients — relief from poverty and freedom from shame.
Acts 4:36–37. Thus Joseph, surnamed by the Apostles Barnabas, which means "son of consolation," a Levite, a Cypriot by birth, who had his own land, sold it, brought the money, and laid it at the feet of the Apostles.
It seems to me that "Joseph" is not the same person who is mentioned together with Matthias (see Acts 1:23), because that one is also called Justus, while this one is called Barnabas, which means "son of consolation." It also seems to me that this Joseph received such a name on account of his virtue. But how was he both a Levite and a Cypriot? It is because the law was already being violated, and the Levites were relocating to foreign countries and deriving profit for themselves there.