Acts 4:17-18

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

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

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 4:18

And they called them ,.... From the apartment where they were; or ordered their servants to call them in to them: and commanded them not to speak at all ; either privately or publicly, in the ministry of the word, or in working of miracles, in the city, or in the country: nor teach in the name of Jesus ; any doctrine whatever; or "the name of Jesus", as the Arabic version reads; that is, the doctrine of Jesus, that which respects his person, his carnation, his offices, his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 4:17

But that it spread no farther - Not the news of the miraculous healing of the lame man, but the doctrine and influence which these men preach and exert. More than a thousand people had already professed faith in Christ in consequence of this miracle, (see Acts 4:4 ;), and if this teaching should be permitted to go on, probably accompanied with similar miracles, they had reason to believe that all Jerusalem (themselves excepted, who had steeled their hearts against all good) should be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 4:18

Not to speak ...nor teach in the name of Jesus - Any other doctrine, and any other name, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites and infidels will bear, but the doctrine which is according to godliness, proclaiming salvation through the blood of Christ crucified, they will not bear. If their doctrine were not the truth of God it could not be so unpopular; there is such an enmity in human nature against all that is good and true, that whatever comes from God is generally rejected by wicked men. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 4:17

Verse 17 17.In threatening let us threaten. Here may we see what a deadly evil power void of the fear of God is. For when that religion and reverence which ought doth not reign, the more holy the place is which a man doth possess, the more boldly (211) doth he rage. For which cause we [should] always take good heed that the wicked be not preferred unto the government of the Church. And those which are called to this function must behave themselves reverently and modestly, lest they seem to be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:1-21

Truth from the tribunal. The principles which are illustrated or suggested here are— I. THAT MEN IN THE HIGHEST RELIGIOUS POSITION MAY BE ALL WRONG IN THEIR THEOLOGY . The priests were grieved that the apostles taught the people that which we know to have been God's own truth ( Acts 4:2 ). In every age since then, the teaching of pure doctrine has been a veritable grief to those who have been regarded by many as the religious authorities of the land. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:1-22

Christ's servants before the tribunal. I. THEIR APPREHENSION . Its causes. 1. The jealousy of those in ecclesiastical power. Caste, privilege, and established professions are ever jealous of popular influence. It is ill for learning and for religion when they come to be identified with the interests of a class. But neither can be shut up to the few. Light and truth are the common property of all, as there is no function higher than that of the genuine teacher of religion, so... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:1-31

The first persecution. On observing the phenomena attending the introduction and spread of Christianity in the world, one which arrests our attention is the persecution which at different times its disciples have met with from the world. The Lord Jesus himself, "the Author and Perfecter of our faith," was rejected of men and crucified. And when, after his glorious resurrection, the apostles preached the faith, and verified the truth of what they preached by such signal miracles as that... read more

Group of Brands