Acts 4:21
New International Version
After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.

New Living Translation
The council then threatened them further, but they finally let them go because they didn’t know how to punish them without starting a riot. For everyone was praising God

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

Berean Literal Bible
And having further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way they might punish them, on account of the people, because all were glorifying God for that having happened.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done.

New American Standard Bible
When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened;

NASB 1995
When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened;

NASB 1977
And when they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which they might punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened;

Legacy Standard Bible
And when they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened;

Amplified Bible
When the rulers and Council members had threatened them further, they let them go, finding no way to punish them because [of their fear] of the people, for they were all praising and glorifying and honoring God for what had happened;

Christian Standard Bible
After threatening them further, they released them. They found no way to punish them because the people were all giving glory to God over what had been done.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
After threatening them further, they released them. They found no way to punish them, because the people were all giving glory to God over what had been done;

American Standard Version
And they, when they had further threatened them, let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people; for all men glorified God for that which was done.

English Revised Version
And they, when they had further threatened them, let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people; for all men glorified God for that which was done.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The authorities threatened them even more and then let them go. Since all the people were praising God for what had happened, the authorities couldn't find any way to punish Peter and John.

Good News Translation
So the Council warned them even more strongly and then set them free. They saw that it was impossible to punish them, because the people were all praising God for what had happened.

International Standard Version
So they threatened Peter and John even more and then let them go. They couldn't find any way to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened,

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
After threatening them further, they released them, for they could not find how to punish them on account of the people, because they were all praising God for what had happened.

New Heart English Bible
When they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for everyone glorified God for that which was done.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Weymouth New Testament
The Court added further threats and then let them go, being quite unable to find any way of punishing them on account of the people, because all gave God the glory for the thing that had happened.

World English Bible
When they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for everyone glorified God for that which was done.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they having further threatened [them], let them go, finding no way how they may punish them, because of the people, because all were glorifying God for that which has been done,

Berean Literal Bible
And having further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way they might punish them, on account of the people, because all were glorifying God for that having happened.

Young's Literal Translation
And they having further threatened them, let them go, finding nothing how they may punish them, because of the people, because all were glorifying God for that which hath been done,

Smith's Literal Translation
And they having made additional threats, loosed them, finding nothing how they might chastise them, for sake of the people: for all honoured God for that having been done.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But they threatening, sent them away, not finding how they might punish them, because of the people; for all men glorified what had been done, in that which had come to pass.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But they, threatening them, sent them away, having not found a way that they might punish them because of the people. For all were glorifying the things that had been done in these events.

New American Bible
After threatening them further, they released them, finding no way to punish them, on account of the people who were all praising God for what had happened.

New Revised Standard Version
After threatening them again, they let them go, finding no way to punish them because of the people, for all of them praised God for what had happened.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So when they had further threatened them, they let them go; for they found no cause to punish them because of the people: for all men praised God for that which was done.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And they threatened them and released them, for they had not found a cause to pursue their lives, because of the people, because everyone was praising God for what had happened.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing for which they could punish them, because of the people; for they all glorified God on account of that which had been done;

Godbey New Testament
And they having threatened them, in addition sent them away, finding nothing to the end that they can punish them, on account of the people, because all continued to glorify God over that which had taken place;

Haweis New Testament
Then they with many additional threatenings dismissed them, finding no pretext how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for what had been done.

Mace New Testament
so when they had further threatned them, they let them go, not finding it practicable to punish them, because of the people, who all glorified God for that which was done.

Weymouth New Testament
The Court added further threats and then let them go, being quite unable to find any way of punishing them on account of the people, because all gave God the glory for the thing that had happened.

Worrell New Testament
And they, when they had further threatened them, released them, finding no way to punish them, on account of the people; because all were glorifying God for what had taken place;

Worsley New Testament
So they threatened them more severely, and let them go; not finding how to punish them, because of the people: for they all glorified God for that which was done.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Name Forbidden
20For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 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. 22For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.…

Cross References
Acts 5:40
At this, they yielded to Gamaliel. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them.

Acts 5:28-29
“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.” / But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.

Acts 5:18-20
and arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. / But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out, saying, / “Go, stand in the temple courts and tell the people the full message of this new life.”

Acts 12:1-3
About that time, King Herod reached out to harm some who belonged to the church. / He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. / And seeing that this pleased the Jews, Herod proceeded to seize Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Acts 16:39
They came to appease them and led them out, requesting that they leave the city.

Acts 17:5-9
The Jews, however, became jealous. So they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and sent the city into an uproar. They raided Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people. / But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, / and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!” ...

Acts 18:12-17
While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews coordinated an attack on Paul and brought him before the judgment seat. / “This man is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law,” they said. / But just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio told the Jews, “If this matter involved a wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to hear your complaint. ...

Acts 21:30-32
The whole city was stirred up, and the people rushed together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. / While they were trying to kill him, the commander of the Roman regiment received a report that all Jerusalem was in turmoil. / Immediately he took some soldiers and centurions and ran down to the crowd. When the people saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.

Acts 22:24-29
the commander ordered that Paul be brought into the barracks. He directed that Paul be flogged and interrogated to determine the reason for this outcry against him. / But as they stretched him out to strap him down, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it lawful for you to flog a Roman citizen without a trial?” / On hearing this, the centurion went and reported it to the commander. “What are you going to do?” he said. “This man is a Roman citizen.” ...

Acts 23:12-24
When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. ...

Acts 24:1-9
Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul. / When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to this nation. / In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude. ...

Acts 25:7-12
When Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they could not prove. / Then Paul made his defense: “I have committed no offense against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.” / But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to stand trial before me on these charges?” ...

Acts 26:31-32
On their way out, they said to one another, “This man has done nothing worthy of death or imprisonment.” / And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

Matthew 10:17-18
But beware of men, for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues. / On My account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.

Matthew 5:11-12
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

when.

Acts 4:17
But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

Acts 5:40
And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

how.

Acts 5:26
Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

Matthew 21:46
But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.

Matthew 26:5
But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.

for all.

Acts 3:6-9
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk…

Matthew 9:33
And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.

Matthew 15:31
Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

Jump to Previous
Account Added Court Decide Find Finding Further Glorified Glorifying Glory Praise Praised Punish Punishing Punishment Quite Sharp Threatened Threats Unable Way Words
Jump to Next
Account Added Court Decide Find Finding Further Glorified Glorifying Glory Praise Praised Punish Punishing Punishment Quite Sharp Threatened Threats Unable Way Words
Acts 4
1. The rulers of the Jews, offended with Peter's sermon,
3. imprison him and John.
5. After, upon examination
8. Peter boldly avouching the lame man to be healed by the name of Jesus,
11. and that only by the same Jesus we must be eternally saved,
13. they threaten him and John to preach no more in that name,
23. whereupon the church flees to prayer.
31. And God, by moving the place where they were assembled, testifies that he heard their prayer;
34. confirming the church with the gift of the Holy Spirit, and with mutual love and charity.














After further threats
The phrase "after further threats" indicates the persistence of the Sanhedrin's opposition to the apostles. The Greek word for "threats" (ἀπειλέω, apeileō) suggests a strong, intimidating warning. Historically, the Sanhedrin was the supreme religious council in Jerusalem, wielding significant power. Their threats were not empty but carried the weight of potential punishment. This reflects the early church's environment, where believers often faced severe opposition for their faith.

they let them go
The decision to release the apostles, despite the threats, underscores the divine protection over the early church. The Greek verb "let go" (ἀπολύω, apolyō) implies a release from custody or obligation. This act of letting them go, despite the council's authority, highlights God's sovereignty and the apostles' unwavering commitment to their mission. It serves as an encouragement to believers that God's purposes prevail even amidst human opposition.

They could not find a way to punish them
This phrase reveals the dilemma faced by the Sanhedrin. The Greek word for "punish" (κολάζω, kolazō) means to chastise or discipline. The inability to punish the apostles was not due to a lack of desire but rather a lack of justification. This reflects the power of truth and righteousness, which often leaves adversaries without legitimate grounds for persecution. It is a testament to the integrity and divine backing of the apostles' message.

because all the people were glorifying God
The public's reaction played a crucial role in the apostles' release. The Greek word for "glorifying" (δοξάζω, doxazō) means to honor or praise. The people's glorification of God indicates widespread recognition of the miraculous healing that had occurred. This collective acknowledgment of God's work served as a protective shield for the apostles, demonstrating how public testimony can influence outcomes and protect the faithful.

for what had happened
The phrase "for what had happened" refers to the miraculous healing of the lame man, as recounted earlier in Acts 3. This event was undeniable and served as a powerful testament to the truth of the apostles' message. The historical context of miracles in the early church was a means of authenticating the apostles' authority and the gospel's truth. It reminds believers of the power of God to work through His people, confirming His word with signs and wonders.

(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).

Verse 21. - And they when they, etc., let them go for so when they, etc., they let them go, A.V.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[So]
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

[the Council members] threatened them further
προσαπειλησάμενοι (prosapeilēsamenoi)
Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4324: To utter additional threats. From pros and apeileo; to menace additionally.

[and] let them go.
ἀπέλυσαν (apelysan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 630: From apo and luo; to free fully, i.e. relieve, release, dismiss, or let die, pardon or divorce.

They could not find a way
εὑρίσκοντες (heuriskontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2147: A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.

to punish
κολάσωνται (kolasōntai)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Middle - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2849: To chastise, curtail, punish; mid: I cause to be punished. From kolos; properly, to curtail, i.e. to chastise.

them,
αὐτούς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

because
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

{all} the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

people
λαόν (laon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2992: Apparently a primary word; a people.

were glorifying
ἐδόξαζον (edoxazon)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1392: To glorify, honor, bestow glory on. From doxa; to render glorious.

God
Θεὸν (Theon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

for
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

what
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

had happened.
γεγονότι (gegonoti)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.


Links
Acts 4:21 NIV
Acts 4:21 NLT
Acts 4:21 ESV
Acts 4:21 NASB
Acts 4:21 KJV

Acts 4:21 BibleApps.com
Acts 4:21 Biblia Paralela
Acts 4:21 Chinese Bible
Acts 4:21 French Bible
Acts 4:21 Catholic Bible

NT Apostles: Acts 4:21 When they had further threatened them they (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 4:20
Top of Page
Top of Page