8 Then Peter, having been filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them: 'Rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9 if we to-day are examined concerning the good deed to the ailing man, by whom he hath been saved, 10 be it known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye did crucify, whom God did raise out of the dead, in him hath this one stood by before you whole. 11 'This is the stone that was set at nought by you—the builders, that became head of a corner; 12 and there is not salvation in any other, for there is no other name under the heaven that hath been given among men, in which it behoveth us to be saved.' 13 And beholding the openness of Peter and John, and having perceived that they are men unlettered and plebeian, they were wondering—they were taking knowledge also of them that with Jesus they had been— 14 and seeing the man standing with them who hath been healed, they had nothing to say against 'it',
15 and having commanded them to go away out of the sanhedrim, they took counsel with one another, 16 saying, 'What shall we do to these men? because that, indeed, a notable sign hath been done through them, to all those dwelling in Jerusalem 'is' manifest, and we are not able to deny 'it'; 17 but that it may spread no further toward the people, let us strictly threaten them no more to speak in this name to any man.' 18 And having called them, they charged them not to speak at all, nor to teach, in the name of Jesus, 19 and Peter and John answering unto them said, 'Whether it is righteous before God to hearken to you rather than to God, judge ye; 20 for we cannot but speak what we did see and hear.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 4:8-20
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.