Acts 4:13-31

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 4:5-14

We have here the trial of Peter and John before the judges of the ecclesiastical court, for preaching a sermon concerning Jesus Christ, and working a miracle in his name. This is charged upon them as a crime, which was the best service they could do to God or men. I. Here is the court set. An extraordinary court, it should seem, was called on purpose upon this occasion. Observe, 1. The time when the court sat (Acts 4:5) --on the morrow; not in the night, as when Christ was to be tried before... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 4:15-22

We have here the issue of the trial of Peter and John before the council. They came off now with flying colours, because they must be trained up to sufferings by degrees, and by less trials be prepared for greater. They now but run with the footmen; hereafter we shall have them contending with horses, Jer. 12:5. I. Here is the consultation and resolution of the court about this matter, and their proceeding thereupon. 1. The prisoners were ordered to withdraw (Acts 4:15): They commanded them to... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 4:23-31

We hear no more at present of the chief priests, what they did when they had dismissed Peter and John, but are to attend those two witnesses. And here we have, I. Their return to their brethren, the apostles and ministers, and perhaps some private Christians (Acts 4:23): Being let go, they went to their own company, who perhaps at this time were met together in pain for them, and praying for them; as Acts 12:12. As soon as ever they were at liberty, they went to their old friends, and returned... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 4:13-22

4:13-22 When they saw how boldly Peter and John spoke, and when they had grasped the fact that they were men with no special knowledge and no special qualifications, they were amazed; and they recognized them for men who had been in the company of Jesus. So, as they looked at the man who was cured and who was standing with them, they could find no charge to make. They ordered them to leave the Sandhedrin, and they discussed with each other, "What are we to do with these men? For, that,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 4:23-31

4:23-31 When they had been released, they came to their own people and they told them all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they had heard the story, with one accord, they lifted up their voice to God and said, "O Sovereign Lord, thou who hast made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, thou who didst say, through the Holy Spirit by the mouth of David, our father, thy servant, 'Why did the nations rage and the people set their thoughts on empty... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 4:13

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John ,.... With what courage and intrepidity they stood before them, the presence of mind they had, and the freedom of speech they used, as the word properly signifies: they observed their elocution, the justness of their diction, the propriety of their language, and the strength and nervousness of their reasoning; as well as their great resolution, constancy, and firmness of mind; not being afraid to profess the name of Christ, or to charge them... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 4:14

And beholding the man which was healed ,.... Who either was taken into custody, and brought before the sanhedrim, along with the apostles; or rather, who came here of his own accord to be witness for them: for he was standing with them ; in company with them, and close by them, and on their side; and so they could, and did point and appeal unto him, who was ready to justify, that it was not by the use of medicine, or of magic art, or in the name of Satan or Beelzebub, but by the name of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 4:15

But when they had commanded them ,.... That is, when the sanhedrim had ordered the apostles; or "commanded that both", as the Arabic version reads, both Peter and John; and, it may be, the man that was healed too: to go aside out of the council ; or place where the council, or sanhedrim sat; which, whether it was in the chamber "Gazith", in the temple where they used to sit F7 Misn. Sanhedrin, c. 10. sect. 2. & Middot. c. 5. sect. 3. , or in the shops, or in the city, whither... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 4:16

Saying, what shall we do to these men ?.... Whether they should punish them by scourging them, or detain them longer in custody, or commit them to prison, or dismiss them: for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them : they were convicted that a miracle was wrought; that it was a clear case, a well known thing, of which there was no room to doubt, and that it was done by the apostles; but this was not all the difficulty, had it been a thing only within their knowledge, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 4:17

But that it spread no further among the people ,.... Meaning not in Jerusalem; for the fame of this miracle was spread among all the inhabitants of that city; but in other parts of the nation: let us straitly threaten them ; or "in threatening threaten them"; that is, severely threaten them with imprisonment, or with the scourging of forty stripes save one, or with death itself. That they speak henceforth to no man in this name ; which through indignation and contempt they do not... read more

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