And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The religious leaders didn't just stop because they couldn't find a reason to punish the apostles; they were stuck because any action against them would ignite a riot. The crowd's fervent praise of God for the healing demonstrated a public belief in the miracle that the authorities, for all their power, couldn't ignore without risking their own position.
And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Peter and John boldly declared they must obey God rather than human authorities, the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, considered how to punish them. However, they ultimately let the apostles go because the crowd was praising God for the miraculous healing of a man who had been lame for decades, making any forceful action against Peter and John too risky.
Ever felt like a small voice against a powerful system? This verse shows how ordinary people, united in faith, can shift the balance of authority.
The religious leaders in Jerusalem (the Sanhedrin) had arrested Peter and John for boldly preaching about Jesus. They were powerful, holding immense authority, and they threatened the apostles.
A Fear of the Masses
However, the Sanhedrin hesitated to inflict serious punishment. Why? Because the people were praising God for the miracle Peter and John had performed – healing a man who had been lame for over forty years.
This wasn't just a small gathering; it was the 'great mass or body of the people' (as Barnes notes). They had likely known the healed man for years and witnessed the undeniable work of God. Their enthusiastic praise for God, directly linked to the apostles' actions, created a public demonstration of support that the leaders feared would lead to a 'tumult' or 'insurrection' if they moved against the apostles.
This highlights a crucial dynamic: even those in positions of authority can be constrained by the public's conviction and the potential for popular unrest.
Miracles aren't just events; they're divine invitations. See how public praise for God's work redirects attention and thwarts opposition.
The core reason the Sanhedrin backed down wasn't just fear of the people, but why the people were so stirred up: they were glorifying God.
The True Miracle
Ask a follow-up
The healing of the lame man was undeniable. The text emphasizes that he was 'more than forty years old' (Acts 4:22), meaning this wasn't a recent affliction that could be easily dismissed. The people's recognition of God's power in this event was profound.
As Clarke points out, the people 'confessed the finger of God, believed on the Lord Jesus.' Their praise wasn't just for the healing itself, but for God behind the healing. This collective witness to God's power and goodness became a powerful testament that even the prejudiced leaders couldn't ignore or easily silence.
This shows that when God is genuinely glorified, it has a way of drawing attention, affirming truth, and even protecting His servants, turning potential persecution into a public declaration of His might.
The Sanhedrin didn't just threaten Peter and John once; they 'further threatened them.' Discover the resilience that comes from a divine mandate.
The leaders didn't give up easily. The text uses the word 'further threatened' (προσαπειλησαμενοι, as noted by Clarke and Bengel), indicating they amplified their warnings and punishments. They added new threats to the old ones, showing their determination to silence the apostles.
The Apostles' Steadfastness
Despite this escalating pressure, Peter and John held firm. Their response, recorded just before this verse, was: 'Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak those things which we have seen and heard' (Acts 4:19-20).
They recognized that their primary allegiance was to God's command to preach the gospel, a command that superseded any human authority, especially when that authority sought to suppress God's truth. This conviction, rooted in their eyewitness testimony and God's calling, gave them the courage to withstand the intensified threats.
This teaches us that when our mission is divinely appointed, escalating opposition often strengthens, rather than weakens, our resolve.
Understand the original words
prosapileō · Greek Verb
To utter a forceful warning or expression of intention to inflict pain, injury, or retribution. In the NT, this often describes the hostile response of religious or political authorities toward the proclamation of the Gospel.
The Sanhedrin's decision was less about justice and more about political maneuvering, as they were constrained by the immense popularity of the apostles and the public's awe at the miraculous healing.
c. 30 AD
Healing of the Lame Man
Peter and John heal a man who had been lame from birth in Jerusalem, a significant public miracle.
c. 30 AD
Arrest and Trial of Peter and John
The apostles are arrested by the temple authorities and brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Apostles' Bold Witness
Peter and John boldly declare that Jesus' name gave the man healing power, directly challenging the Sanhedrin.
c. 30 AD
Sanhedrin's Dilemma
The council, recognizing the undeniable miracle and the apostles' powerful testimony, is unable to refute them and fears public backlash.
c. 30 AD
Release and Continued Ministry
The apostles are released after further threats, empowered by the Holy Spirit and emboldened by the people's response, to continue spreading the Gospel.
This passage highlights the people's fear of God and their direct appeal to Samuel, showing how the crowd's opinion and divine acknowledgment can influence leaders, much like in Acts 4 where the people's praise for God's work stayed the Sanhedrin's hand.
Matthew 21:26Jesus himself points out the Sanhedrin's fear of the crowd when they hesitated to arrest him, illustrating a pattern where religious authorities were constrained by public perception and divine awe.
John 9:24The Pharisees question the formerly blind man, who then boldly credits the miracle to God and implicitly to Jesus. This echoes the crowd in Acts 4 praising God, showing how genuine divine acts can sway public opinion even in the face of religious opposition.
Exodus 11:3God granted Moses and Aaron favor in the sight of the Egyptians before the final plague. This shows a precedent for divine intervention influencing public perception and human authority, similar to how God's power displayed in the healing secured favor for Peter and John.
ellicottActs 4:21: "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."
(21) All men glorified God . . . —The tense implies continued action. It is specially characteristic of St. Luke thus to note the impression made upon the people by signs and wonders ( Luke 2:20 ; Luke 4:15 ; and in seven other passages).
barnesActs 4:21: "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."
Finding nothing ... - That is, not being able to devise any way of punishing them without exciting a tumult among the people, and endangering their own authority. The Sanhedrin was frequently influenced by this fear; and it shows that their own authority was much dependent on the caprice of the multitude. C…
The religious leaders didn't just stop because they couldn't find a reason to punish the apostles; they were stuck because any action against them would ignite a riot. The crowd's fervent praise of God for the healing demonstrated a public belief in the miracle that the authorities, for all their power, couldn't ignore without risking their own position.
After Peter and John boldly declared they must obey God rather than human authorities, the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, considered how to punish them. However, they ultimately let the apostles go because the crowd was praising God for the miraculous healing of a man who had been lame for decades, making any forceful action against Peter and John too risky.
After Peter and John boldly declared they must obey God rather than human authorities, the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, considered how to punish them. However, they ultimately let the apostles go because the crowd was praising God for the miraculous healing of a man who had been lame for decades, making any forceful action against Peter and John too risky.
"And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened." — The religious leaders didn't just stop because they couldn't find a reason to punish the apostles; they were stuck because any action against them would ignite a riot. The crowd's fervent praise of…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026