The council's question isn't about justice, but about expediency – they're asking what policy they should adopt because they cannot deny the undeniable miracle. Their dilemma highlights how even undeniable truth can be met with strategic avoidance rather than honest acceptance.
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. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Peter and John boldly preached about Jesus and healed a man who had been lame for years, the religious leaders arrested them. Now, these authorities are grappling with the undeniable reality of the miracle before them, acknowledging that the whole city knows about it and they can't possibly deny the miraculous healing that just happened. They are forced to confront the power of Jesus, even as they begin to scheme on how to suppress the message.
The religious leaders faced a healing that blew their arguments out of the water. They had to confront a reality they couldn't ignore.
The council, including the high priest, found themselves in a bind. Peter and John had just healed a man lame from birth, right before their eyes. The text says, "a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it."
This wasn't just some private event; it was public, undeniable, and significant – a "notable sign." The leaders knew that trying to dispute the healing would be foolish because everyone knew the man had been lame his whole life and was now walking. Their own eyes, and the testimony of the entire city, confirmed the miracle. They were trapped by the evidence, forced to acknowledge God's power even as they resisted His messengers.
Instead of seeking truth, the leaders shifted to a more 'practical' problem: how to maintain their power.
The core question wasn't 'Is this from God?' or 'What does the Law say?' It was, 'What shall we do to these men?' This marks a critical shift. They weren't acting as judges weighing evidence, but as politicians assessing a threat. The miracle presented a theological problem (God is at work), but they re-framed it as a political one (how do we handle these people?).
This is a dangerous place to be – when expediency trumps truth. They recognized the divine power, but their primary concern became the potential fallout: 'lest it be noised any farther among the people' (Acts 4:17). Their fear wasn't of God's judgment, but of losing control and influence.
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Understand the original words
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.
onoma · Greek Noun
The formal title, reputation, authority, and character of a person. In the New Testament, invoking the 'name' of Jesus signifies acting under His delegated authority and bearing witness to His identity as the Messiah.
laleō · Greek Verb
To proclaim, declare, or communicate the message of the Gospel. It implies a public and authoritative declaration of the truth of God, often in the face of opposition.
didaskō · Greek Verb
The act of instructing others in the doctrine, commandments, and truth of God. In a biblical context, it is the systematic communication of the faith to equip others in knowledge and practice.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Healing of the Lame Man
Peter and John heal a man lame from birth at the temple gate in Jerusalem. This event draws a large crowd and leads to their arrest by temple authorities.
c. 30 AD
Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin
The apostles are brought before the Jewish ruling council (Sanhedrin), including the high priest Caiaphas. They boldly testify that the healing was done in the name of Jesus.
c. 30 AD
Sanhedrin's Dilemma
The council members recognize the undeniable miracle but are also threatened by its implications for their authority and the growing popularity of Jesus' followers.
c. 30 AD
Threat and Release
Unable to deny the miracle and fearing public backlash, the Sanhedrin warns Peter and John not to speak or teach in Jesus' name and then releases them.
This passage shows a similar dilemma where the religious leaders, confronted with Jesus' undeniable miracle of raising Lazarus, debated the political expediency of dealing with Him rather than the truth of His actions.
Acts 5:26-28This shows the authorities attempting to silence the apostles, but later facing another undeniable miracle and wrestling with the same question: how to deal with those empowered by God, highlighting their persistent opposition despite clear evidence.
Isaiah 29:14This Old Testament prophecy speaks to God confounding the wisdom of the wise, which directly parallels the situation in Acts where the leaders' worldly wisdom was baffled by the undeniable spiritual power displayed through Peter and John.
John 9:16Here, the Pharisees are similarly divided and unable to deny the miracle of the man born blind, showing how undeniable divine acts can create internal conflict and expose the weaknesses in their own reasoning and authority.
meyerActs 4:16: "Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it."
Acts 4:16 . The positive thought of the question is: We shall be able to do nothing to these men . What follows contains the reason: for that a notable miracle (a definite proof of divine co-operation) has happened through them, is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we are not in a position to deny it .…
jfbActs 4:16: "Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it."
- a notable miracle … done by them is manifest to all … in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it—And why should ye wish to deny it, O ye rulers, but that ye hate the light, and will not come to the light lest your deeds should be reproved?
The council's question isn't about justice, but about expediency – they're asking what policy they should adopt because they cannot deny the undeniable miracle. Their dilemma highlights how even undeniable truth can be met with strategic avoidance rather than honest acceptance.
After Peter and John boldly preached about Jesus and healed a man who had been lame for years, the religious leaders arrested them. Now, these authorities are grappling with the undeniable reality of the miracle before them, acknowledging that the whole city knows about it and they can't possibly deny the miraculous healing that just happened. They are forced to confront the power of Jesus, even as they begin to scheme on how to suppress the message.
After Peter and John boldly preached about Jesus and healed a man who had been lame for years, the religious leaders arrested them. Now, these authorities are grappling with the undeniable reality of the miracle before them, acknowledging that the whole city knows about it and they can't possibly deny the miraculous healing that just happened. They are forced to confront the power of Jesus, even as they begin to scheme on how to suppress the message.
"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. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us wa…" — The council's question isn't about justice, but about expediency – they're asking what policy they should adopt because they cannot deny the undeniable miracle. Their dilemma highlights how even un…
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Last reviewed October 2026
