The rulers commanded Peter and John to leave the room, not to dismiss them, but so they could speak freely amongst themselves. They conferred, which here carries a sense of trying to figure out a strategy, as they were at a loss for how to deal with a miracle they couldn't deny and apostles they couldn't silence.
But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The religious leaders, the Sanhedrin, have just witnessed Peter and John boldly proclaim the Gospel and heal a man in Jesus' name, right after being threatened. Because the miracle is undeniable and known by everyone, the leaders are thrown into a dilemma, forcing them to privately consult on how to suppress the apostles' message without appearing unreasonable to the public.
The religious leaders just witnessed a miracle and heard bold testimonies, yet their immediate reaction wasn't to seek God, but to send the witnesses away. What does this reveal about their hearts?
A Calculated Retreat
The council members, confronted by the undeniable healing of a man lame from birth and the fearless proclamation of Peter and John, chose a strategic withdrawal. They commanded the apostles to leave the council chamber to confer among themselves. This wasn't a moment of seeking divine wisdom or genuine understanding.
Instead, it was a private huddle, a moment to strategize. Their primary concern wasn't truth or justice, but how to suppress the message and maintain their own authority and influence. They knew they couldn't deny the miracle, so their discussion shifted to damage control and the best way to silence the apostles without causing further public outcry.
This highlights a critical spiritual principle: When people are more concerned with protecting their position than with embracing truth, they often retreat into private deliberations to find ways to stifle what they cannot logically refute.
The council was amazed by Peter and John's boldness, especially since they recognized them as 'unlearned and ignorant men.' How did their background actually become a testament to God's power?
Divine Authority Over Human Intellect
The council members were astonished. They knew Peter and John were ordinary, uneducated men – fishermen, tax collectors, the kind of people not typically found in their esteemed assembly. Yet, these men spoke with incredible boldness and wisdom.
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The 'Jesus Effect'
Calvin points out that the council 'knew them, that they had been with Jesus.' This is the key! Their astonishment wasn't just about the apostles' boldness, but about the undeniable connection to Jesus. The power, the wisdom, the conviction radiating from Peter and John were not their own; they were a reflection of their time spent with Christ. The miracle itself was undeniable proof, but their transformed character and fearless speech were living testimonies to the power of the resurrected Jesus.
This shows that God often uses the seemingly weak and unqualified by worldly standards to display His strength and confound the wise. True authority and transformative power come from being with Jesus, not from human learning or status.
Understand the original words
synedrion · Greek Noun
The highest judicial and religious body in Judea, composed of elders, chief priests, and scribes, holding authority over Jewish religious life and practice.
sēmeion · Greek Noun
A miraculous act or event intended to point toward a greater spiritual reality, validate a message, or reveal the power and presence of God. It functions as a 'sign' that authenticates the authority of the message being delivered.
The Sanhedrin's desperate attempt to suppress the gospel highlights their internal conflict: they cannot deny the miracle but fear its impact on their authority and the public's devotion to Jesus.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
The foundational events of Christianity, Jesus' death and resurrection, sparking the rapid growth of the early church.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Healing of the Lame Man at the Temple
Peter and John, empowered by the Holy Spirit, heal a man lame from birth at the temple's Beautiful Gate. This event draws a large crowd and brings the apostles before the religious authorities.
c. AD 30-33
Apostles Arrested and Interrogated
Peter and John are arrested by the temple authorities for preaching about Jesus and the resurrection, and are brought before the Sanhedrin.
c. AD 30-33
Sanhedrin's Secret Deliberation
After dismissing Peter and John, the Sanhedrin, including high priests and elders, privately discusses how to handle the apostles and the undeniable miracle.
c. AD 30-33
Apostles Threatened and Released
The Sanhedrin commands Peter and John not to speak or teach in Jesus' name again, but the apostles refuse, asserting their obedience to God. They are released.
c. AD 30-33
Early Church Prayer and Growth
The apostles return to their community, and the church rejoices and continues to grow in numbers and boldness despite the opposition.
This passage is a direct allusion, as the council's consultation is described as 'taking counsel together against the Lord and against his Anointed,' mirroring the conspiratorial plotting of earthly rulers against God's chosen king.
Psalm 118:22The council's inability to deny the miracle, yet their desire to suppress its message, echoes the theme of the rejected cornerstone that becomes the foundation, highlighting the rulers' futile opposition to God's plan.
Matthew 10:18-20Jesus directly warned his disciples they would be brought before rulers and councils, and that the Holy Spirit would give them the words to speak, which is exactly what happens to Peter and John in this scene.
Romans 1:18This verse speaks of people suppressing the truth in unrighteousness, which accurately describes the council's actions as they acknowledged the miracle but chose to stifle its message out of self-interest rather than truth.
1 Peter 3:14-15Peter's counsel to not fear those who oppose righteousness but to sanctify Christ in their hearts, being ready to give an answer, directly reflects the apostles' courageous stance and the council's fearful deliberation.
vincentActs 4:15: "But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,"
Conferred (συνέβαλον)See on pondered, Luke 2:19.
calvinActs 4:13-18: "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."
- And when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and considered that they were men unlearned and ignorant, they wondered; and they knew them, that they had been with Jesus. 14. And when they saw the man that had been healed standing with them, they could not say against it. 15. But when the…
The rulers commanded Peter and John to leave the room, not to dismiss them, but so they could speak freely amongst themselves. They conferred, which here carries a sense of trying to figure out a strategy, as they were at a loss for how to deal with a miracle they couldn't deny and apostles they couldn't silence.
The religious leaders, the Sanhedrin, have just witnessed Peter and John boldly proclaim the Gospel and heal a man in Jesus' name, right after being threatened. Because the miracle is undeniable and known by everyone, the leaders are thrown into a dilemma, forcing them to privately consult on how to suppress the apostles' message without appearing unreasonable to the public.
The religious leaders, the Sanhedrin, have just witnessed Peter and John boldly proclaim the Gospel and heal a man in Jesus' name, right after being threatened. Because the miracle is undeniable and known by everyone, the leaders are thrown into a dilemma, forcing them to privately consult on how to suppress the apostles' message without appearing unreasonable to the public.
"But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and w…" — The rulers commanded Peter and John to leave the room, not to dismiss them, but so they could speak freely amongst themselves. They conferred, which here carries a sense of trying to figure out a s…
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Last reviewed October 2026
