The authorities commanded them not to utter the name of Jesus at all, whether speaking casually or teaching publicly. This wasn't just about silencing their message, but about utterly eradicating the very mention of Jesus' name from their lips, revealing their profound fear of His power and influence.
So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
After healing a man who had been lame for years and boldly proclaiming Jesus as the source of this miracle, Peter and John are arrested by the religious authorities. These leaders, impressed by the apostles' courage despite their lack of formal education, realize they cannot deny the undeniable miracle. However, they are deeply disturbed by the message and fear its growing influence, so they summon Peter and John and issue a direct threat to silence them completely.
The religious leaders are making a bold move, trying to shut down the apostles. What gives them this power, and why are they so threatened?
The Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish court, is flexing its authority here. They've just seen Peter and John heal a man who was lame from birth, a clear miracle. Yet, instead of marveling at God's power, they're worried about their own position and the potential disruption to the status quo. Their goal isn't truth; it's control. They've commanded the apostles to stop speaking or teaching in Jesus' name, a direct attempt to silence the message of resurrection and salvation. This shows how human authority can often stand in direct opposition to God's purposes.
The command is simple but profound: 'not to speak or teach... in the name of Jesus.' What does it mean to speak in Jesus' name, and why is it so dangerous to the authorities?
To 'speak or teach in the name of Jesus' means proclaiming His identity, His authority, and His salvation. It's not just mentioning His name; it's testifying to who He is – the Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior. The religious leaders recognize this. They can't deny the miracle they witnessed, but they desperately want to prevent the message that empowers such miracles and offers true salvation from spreading. The 'name of Jesus' represents a kingdom and a power that directly challenges their own. This prohibition reveals their fear of Jesus' message and its transformative impact on people's lives.
Understand the original words
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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.
dikaios · Greek Adjective
The state of being in conformity with God's moral standard, truth, and requirements. It refers to that which is morally correct or just as determined by God’s character.
akouō · Greek Verb
The act of heeding, obeying, or submitting to the words or authority of another. Spiritually, it involves active compliance with God's revealed will.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
The central events of Christian faith, Jesus' death and resurrection, occur in Jerusalem, forming the basis of the apostles' preaching.
c. AD 30-33
Pentecost and the Holy Spirit's Coming
The Holy Spirit empowers the apostles, leading to a dramatic public proclamation of the Gospel and the conversion of thousands in Jerusalem.
c. AD 33
Healing of the Lame Man
Peter and John heal a man lame from birth at the temple gate in Jerusalem, drawing a large crowd.
c. AD 33
Arrest and Preaching of Apostles
Peter and John are arrested by temple authorities for their powerful preaching about Jesus and the healing.
c. AD 33— this verse
Sanhedrin Confrontation
The apostles stand boldly before the Jewish ruling council (Sanhedrin), proclaiming Jesus as the source of the healing and salvation.
c. AD 33
Release and Continued Ministry
Released by the Sanhedrin due to the undeniable evidence of the healed man, Peter and John immediately return to their followers and continue to preach and heal.
Just as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to obey King Nebuchadnezzar's command to stop worshipping God, Peter and John faced a similar impossible choice between obeying human authorities and obeying God.
1 Samuel 15:22-23King Saul's disobedience was framed as rejecting God's word, highlighting the principle that obedience to God is superior to obedience to human commands, especially when those commands contradict divine will.
John 9:24-25The formerly blind man, healed by Jesus, also faced pressure to deny Jesus. His response, 'Whether he is a sinner or not, I do not know; but one thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see,' echoes Peter and John's unwavering testimony.
Matthew 10:18Jesus directly warned his disciples that they would be brought before rulers and authorities for his name's sake, directly foreshadowing the situation Peter and John found themselves in.
Exodus 4:12When Moses expressed his fear about speaking, God promised, 'Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.' This divine empowerment for speaking God's truth is a pattern seen in Peter and John's boldness.
vincentActs 4:18: "And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus."
To speak (φθέγγεσθαι)See on 2 Peter 2:16.
bengelActs 4:18: "And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus."
Acts 4:18 . Φθέγγεσθαι , to speak ) in familiar discourse.— διδάσκειν , to teach ) in their public speeches (sermons).
The authorities commanded them not to utter the name of Jesus at all, whether speaking casually or teaching publicly. This wasn't just about silencing their message, but about utterly eradicating the very mention of Jesus' name from their lips, revealing their profound fear of His power and influence.
After healing a man who had been lame for years and boldly proclaiming Jesus as the source of this miracle, Peter and John are arrested by the religious authorities. These leaders, impressed by the apostles' courage despite their lack of formal education, realize they cannot deny the undeniable miracle. However, they are deeply disturbed by the message and fear its growing influence, so they summon Peter and John and issue a direct threat to silence them completely.
After healing a man who had been lame for years and boldly proclaiming Jesus as the source of this miracle, Peter and John are arrested by the religious authorities. These leaders, impressed by the apostles' courage despite their lack of formal education, realize they cannot deny the undeniable miracle. However, they are deeply disturbed by the message and fear its growing influence, so they summon Peter and John and issue a direct threat to silence them completely.
"So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak…" — The authorities commanded them not to utter the name of Jesus at all, whether speaking casually or teaching publicly. This wasn't just about silencing their message, but about utterly eradicating t…
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Last reviewed October 2026
