After further threats they let them go. They could not find a way to punish them, because all the people were glorifying God for what had happened.
Parallel translations
- WEB When they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for everyone glorified God for that which was done.
- KJV So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
- NKJV So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done.
- NASB When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened;
- NLT The council then threatened them further, but they finally let them go because they didn’t know how to punish them without starting a riot. For everyone was praising God
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
After further threats, the council released them, finding no way to punish them because the people praised God for the healing. Public approval restrained the leaders.
Overview
The council's fear of the people, who glorified God over the miracle, limited their ability to act. God used the crowd's response to protect his servants and advance his purposes. This shows the Lord's sovereign care over his witnesses, restraining their enemies. The leaders' impotence in the face of God's evident work foreshadows the ultimate failure of all opposition to the gospel.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Acts 5:26At that point, the captain went with the officers and brought the apostles—but not by force, for fear the people would stone them.
- Luke 20:19When the scribes and chief priests realized that Jesus had spoken this parable against them, they sought to arrest Him that very hour. But they were afraid of the people.
- Luke 22:2and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death; for they feared the people.
- Matt 21:46Although they wanted to arrest Him, they were afraid of the crowds, because the people regarded Him as a prophet.
- Matt 9:8When the crowds saw this, they were filled with awe and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
- Luke 20:6But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”
- Luke 5:26Everyone was taken with amazement and glorified God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”
- Matt 15:31The crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled restored, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel.
- Luke 19:47–48Jesus was teaching at the temple every day, but the chief priests, scribes, and leaders of the people were intent on killing Him.
- Acts 4:17But to keep this message from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in this name.”
- Matt 26:5“But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”
- John 12:18–19That is also why the crowd went out to meet Him, because they heard that He had performed this sign.
- Acts 3:6–9But Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!”
- Luke 13:17When Jesus said this, all His adversaries were humiliated. And the whole crowd rejoiced at all the glorious things He was doing.
- Matt 9:33And when the demon had been driven out, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!”
- Acts 5:40At this, they yielded to Gamaliel. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them.
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 4:21 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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