Acts 4:16

14 And seeing the man who had been healed ^astanding with them, they could say nothing against it.

15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

16 saying, ^a“What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a¹ notable miracle has been done through them is ^bevident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”

18 ^aSo they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, ^a“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.

20 ^aFor we cannot but speak the things which ^bwe have seen and heard.”

21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, ^abecause of the people, since they all ^bglorified God for ^cwhat had been done.

22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

Commentaries:

Forerunner Commentary
What is the Forerunner Commentary?

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What Does Acts 4:16 Mean?

Acts 4:14-21

What a vivid example of the perversity of human nature! Instead of glorifying God as virtually everybody else in the crowd was doing, the Jewish leadership severely threatened the perpetrators of this wonderful and merciful act, giving no praise to God for His merciful part in it! Instead, they attempted to deny all the others in the crowd access to additional mercy God may have been willing to shower on them!

Human nature never changes, so we must be careful. Though subdued, it remains part of our makeup and must be held in check and overcome. These Jews, motivated by the same enmity we all have against God and His laws (Romans 8:7), were following the pattern set by their ancestors when they killed the prophets God in His mercy had sent to them.

John W. Ritenbaugh
Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Four)

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What Does Acts 4:16 Mean?

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