13 Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men , they were amazed , and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus . 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply .
15 But when they had ordered them to leave the Council , they began to confer with one another , 16 saying , " What shall we do with these men ? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem , and we cannot e deny it. 17 "But so that it will not spread any further e among the people , let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name ." 18 And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus . 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, " Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God , you be the judge ; 20 for we cannot e stop speaking about what we have seen and heard ." 21 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 ; 22 for the man was more than forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 4:13-22
Commentary on Acts 4:5-14
(Read Acts 4:5-14)
Peter being filled with the Holy Ghost, would have all to understand, that the miracle had been wrought by the name, or power, of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, whom they had crucified; and this confirmed their testimony to his resurrection from the dead, which proved him to be the Messiah. These rulers must either be saved by that Jesus whom they had crucified, or they must perish for ever. The name of Jesus is given to men of every age and nation, as that whereby alone believers are saved from the wrath to come. But when covetousness, pride, or any corrupt passion, rules within, men shut their eyes, and close their hearts, in enmity against the light; considering all as ignorant and unlearned, who desire to know nothing in comparison with Christ crucified. And the followers of Christ should act so that all who converse with them, may take knowledge that they have been with Jesus. That makes them holy, heavenly, spiritual, and cheerful, and raises them above this world.
Commentary on Acts 4:15-22
(Read Acts 4:15-22)
All the care of the rulers is, that the doctrine of Christ spread not among the people, yet they cannot say it is false or dangerous, or of any ill tendency; and they are ashamed to own the true reason; that it testifies against their hypocrisy, wickedness, and tyranny. Those who know how to put a just value upon Christ's promises, know how to put just contempt upon the world's threatenings. The apostles look with concern on perishing souls, and know they cannot escape eternal ruin but by Jesus Christ, therefore they are faithful in warning, and showing the right way. None will enjoy peace of mind, nor act uprightly, till they have learned to guide their conduct by the fixed standard of truth, and not by the shifting opinions and fancies of men. Especially beware of a vain attempt to serve two masters, God and the world; the end will be, you can serve neither fully.