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 ;
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 4:18-21
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.