Acts 4:17

Translations

Modern

But to keep this message from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in this name.”

Traditional

But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

Literal

But so that it might not spread further on among the people, let us threaten them to speak no longer in this name to any man.”

Latin

Sed ne amplius divulgetur in populum, comminemur eis ne ultra loquantur in nomine hoc ulli hominum.

Original

Greek

English

But to keep this message from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in this name.”

Notes

Acts 4:16–18

They acknowledged the miracle but still tried to prevent the message. Jesus had experienced similar resistance (Matthew 19:8; Mark 10:5; see also Deuteronomy 10:16; 30:6; Jeremiah 4:4).

Acts 4:1–22

Throughout the Bible, God's people often experienced persecution. God's servants often encountered hostility and opposition (Deuteronomy 30:7; 1 Kings 18:13; Nehemiah 4:1–3; Jeremiah 37–38; Matthew 23:34–37; Luke 11:49–51; 1 Thessalonians 2:14–15). Jesus was also persecuted (Luke 4:29; John 5:16). He warned his disciples to expect similar treatment (Matthew 10:23; 24:9; Mark 13:9; Luke 21:12; John 16:2). However, he promised that the Holy Spirit would provide them with strength (Acts 1:8; Luke 12:11–12; 21:15).

The book of Acts records many examples of persecution (Acts 4:3; 5:17–41; 7:54–8:3; 9:1–2; 11:19; 12:2; 13:50; 14:19; 16:19–24). But it also emphasizes that the Holy Spirit empowers apostles to testify in such situations (4:8–13; 6:10; 7:55). The courage of Peter and John before the hostile Jewish high council shows how Christians should face persecution with courage and power (4:20).

Theme notes and profiles

John, Son of Zebedee Simon Peter Following Jesus Persecution The Servant-Leader

Events

Peter and John's Trialc. AD 30

Related verses

Acts 5:28
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us responsible for this man’s blood.”
Romans 15:18–22
I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed,
1 Thessalonians 2:15–16
…who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men,
Acts 5:24
When the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this account, they were perplexed as to what was happening.
1 Thessalonians 1:8
For not only did the message of the Lord ring out from you to Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone out to every place, so that we have no need to say anything more.
Micah 2:6–7
“Do not preach,” they preach. “Do not preach these things; disgrace will not overtake us.”
Jeremiah 29:25–32
…this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “In your own name you have sent out letters to all the people of Jerusalem, to the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah, and to all the priests. You said to Zephaniah:
2 Chronicles 25:15–16
Therefore the anger of the LORD burned against Amaziah, and He sent him a prophet, who said, “Why have you sought this people’s gods, which could not deliver them from your hand?”
Matthew 27:64
So give the order that the tomb be secured until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples may come and steal Him away and tell the people He has risen from the dead. And this last deception would be worse than the first.”
Amos 2:12
“But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy.
Acts 4:21
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.
Psalm 2:1–4
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?

Glossary

Annas Book of the Acts of the Apostles Courts and Trials Peter, the Apostle Ruler

Topics

Caiaphas: Peter and Other Disciples Accused Before Court: Corrupt Government: Constitutes John: The Apostle: Imprisoned by the Rulers of the Jews Persecution of the Apostles Persecution of the Righteous Peter: Accused by the Council; his Defense Priest: Miscellaneous Facts Concerning: Reprove and Threaten Peter and John Religious Intolerance: The Jewish Leaders in Persecuting the Disciples

Acts 4:17

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