collapse all  

Text -- Acts 4:21 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
4:21 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.
Parallel   Cross Reference (TSK)   ITL  

Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: Sanhedrim | Priest | Peter | Opinion, Public | Miracles | Intolerance | HOW | Government | Glorifying God | Caiaphas | COURTS, JUDICIAL | ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, 13-OUTLINE | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Vincent , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , Combined Bible , Maclaren , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College , McGarvey

collapse all
Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: Act 4:21 - -- When they had further threatened them ( prosapeilēsamenoi ). The "further"is in "pros"(in addition),

When they had further threatened them ( prosapeilēsamenoi ).

The "further"is in "pros"(in addition),

Robertson: Act 4:21 - -- Finding nothing how they might punish them ( mēden heuriskontes to pōs kolasōntai autous ). Note the article "to"before pōs (how), "the how...

Finding nothing how they might punish them ( mēden heuriskontes to pōs kolasōntai autous ).

Note the article "to"before pōs (how), "the how."Aorist middle deliberative subjunctive kolasōntai in indirect question after pōs from kolazō , to lop (kolos , lopped), to curb, to prune, to correct, to punish. Old verb, in the N.T. only here and 2Pe 2:9.

Robertson: Act 4:21 - -- Glorified God ( edoxazon ton theon ). Imperfect active, kept on glorifying God while the Sanhedrin were threatening Peter and John. It was to laugh a...

Glorified God ( edoxazon ton theon ).

Imperfect active, kept on glorifying God while the Sanhedrin were threatening Peter and John. It was to laugh at the helplessness of the Sanhedrin.

Vincent: Act 4:21 - -- Punish ( κολάσωνται ) Originally, to curtail or dock; to prune as trees: thence to check, keep in bounds, punish.

Punish ( κολάσωνται )

Originally, to curtail or dock; to prune as trees: thence to check, keep in bounds, punish.

Wesley: Act 4:21 - -- So much wiser were the people than those who were over them.

So much wiser were the people than those who were over them.

JFB: Act 4:18-22 - -- Whether it be right . . . to hearken to you more than . . . God, judge ye.

Whether it be right . . . to hearken to you more than . . . God, judge ye.

JFB: Act 4:21 - -- Not at a loss for a pretext, but at a loss how to do it so as not to rouse the opposition of the people.

Not at a loss for a pretext, but at a loss how to do it so as not to rouse the opposition of the people.

Clarke: Act 4:21 - -- When they had farther threatened them - Προσαπειλησαμενοι, When they had added to their former threatenings, repeating the former ...

When they had farther threatened them - Προσαπειλησαμενοι, When they had added to their former threatenings, repeating the former menaces, and adding new penalties

Clarke: Act 4:21 - -- Finding nothing how they might punish them - Or, as the Codex Bezae reads, μηεὑρισκοντες αιτιαν, πως κολασωνται, ...

Finding nothing how they might punish them - Or, as the Codex Bezae reads, μηεὑρισκοντες αιτιαν, πως κολασωνται, not finding a cause why they might punish them. This reading is supported by the Syriac and Arabic. Bp. Pearce says, "This is better sense and better Greek.

Clarke: Act 4:21 - -- Because of the people - The people saw the miracle, confessed the finger of God, believed on the Lord Jesus, and thus became converts to the Christi...

Because of the people - The people saw the miracle, confessed the finger of God, believed on the Lord Jesus, and thus became converts to the Christian faith; and the converts were now so numerous that the sanhedrin was afraid to proceed to any extremities, lest an insurrection should be the consequence.

Calvin: Act 4:21 - -- 21.And when they had threatened them And here is the end of sedition, that the wicked cease not to breathe out their fury, yet are they bridled by th...

21.And when they had threatened them And here is the end of sedition, that the wicked cease not to breathe out their fury, yet are they bridled by the secret power of God, so that they cannot tell how to do any hurt. 218 How is it that being content with threatenings, they do not also rage against their bodies, save only because the power of God doth bind them as a chain? Not that the fear of God doth prevail with them, for it is the regard of the people alone which hindereth them; but the Lord doth bind them with his bonds, though they be ignorant thereof. Luke commendeth unto us the providence of God in preserving his children; and though it be hidden from the wicked, yet we may behold the same with the eyes of faith, Furthermore, the wonderful counsel of God doth show itself here, in that the glory of Christ is furthered by those which are his most deadly enemies. For whereas the priests do assemble themselves together, it is not done without great rumor. All men wait for some rare and singular event; the apostles depart, being let loose and acquitted. Therefore, the adversaries are not only vanquished, but they confirm the gospel against their will. Notwithstanding, it is expedient for us to mark again, that the faithful do so get the victory, that they are always humbled under the cross. For they are threatened again, and straitly charged, that they teach not henceforth in the name of Christ. Therefore, they do not so get the upper hand that they do not triumph, save only under the reproach of the cross. Whereas Luke saith that they did all glorified God, he noteth the fruit of the miracle now the second time, although it may be that they were not all brought unto the perfect end. For that man which is touched with the feeling of the power of God, and doth not come unto Christ, neither hath his faith confirmed by the miracle he stayeth, as it were, in the midway. Yet this was some thing, though not all, that the power of God was acknowledged in the healing of the man, so that the adversaries being ashamed, did cease off from their fury, or at least give back a little.

TSK: Act 4:21 - -- when : Act 4:17, Act 5:40 how : Act 5:26; Mat 21:46, Mat 26:5; Luk 19:47, Luk 19:48, Luk 20:6, Luk 20:19, Luk 22:2 for all : Act 3:6-9; Mat 9:33, Mat ...

collapse all
Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Act 4:21 - -- Finding nothing ... - That is, not being able to devise any way of punishing them without exciting a tumult among the people, and endangering t...

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. Compare Mat 21:26.

All men - That is, the great mass or body of the people.

Glorified God - Praised God for the miracle. This implies:

(1)    That they believed that the miracle was genuine.

(2)\caps1     t\caps0 hat they were grateful to God for so signal a mercy in conferring health and comfort on a man who had been long afflicted. We may add further, that here is the highest evidence of the reality of the miracle. Even the Sanhedrin, with all their prejudice and opposition, did not call it in question; and the common people, who had doubtless been acquainted with this man for years, were convinced that it was real. It would have been impossible to impose on keensighted and jealous adversaries in this manner if this had been an imposture.

Poole: Act 4:21 - -- They let them go for the present; for amongst them no acquittal was so peremptory or asolute, but that they might be tried again for the same fact up...

They let them go for the present; for amongst them no acquittal was so peremptory or asolute, but that they might be tried again for the same fact upon further evidence.

Because of the people it was not the sense of the evil or sin, nor the apprehensions of God’ s displeasure and wrath, which deterred them; but the fear or favour of the people. The corruptions that are in the world are overruled for the good of God’ s children in it.

All men glorified God not only such as believed, but others also, could not but confess that this was the hand of God which had made the lame to walk, and rejoice in it, and by consequence have a very great veneration for the apostles, who were the instruments of it.

Haydock: Act 4:21 - -- Threatening them. Here commences the history of the first persecution of religious opinion, which the passions of men have continued, and swelled to...

Threatening them. Here commences the history of the first persecution of religious opinion, which the passions of men have continued, and swelled to such a frightful length. But on this, as on all other occasions, it has defeated its own purpose, by adding firmness and constancy to the persecuted. Truth is not to be overpowered by violence. In vain have the kings and princes of the earth risen up against the Lord, and against his Christ. ---

When will men learn, that charity is the principle of conversion! ---

That is an unheard-of kind of preaching, said the great Pope, St. Gregory, which exacts belief by stripes. He was on this occasion reprehending the false zeal of certain indiscreet Christians at Rome, who were for compelling the Jews to become converts. (Haydock) ---

The amiable Fenelon, in a letter to Prince Charles, the son of our James the Second, says: "No human power can force the impenetrable intrenchments of the human mind. Compulsion never persuades---it only makes hypocrites. When kings interfere in matters of religion, they do not protect it; they enslave it. Give civil liberty to all; not by approving all religions, as indifferent, but, by permitting in others, what God permits."

Gill: Act 4:21 - -- So when they had further threatened them,.... Either repeated the same, as before; or added some more severe ones, to terrify them, if possible; not b...

So when they had further threatened them,.... Either repeated the same, as before; or added some more severe ones, to terrify them, if possible; not being able to answer their arguments, or invalidate their reasoning:

they let them go; they did not acquit them as innocent persons, but dismissed them from custody:

finding nothing how they might punish them; not being able, though they sought most diligently for it, to fix anything upon them, which might be a cause, or occasion, or pretence of inflicting any punishment upon them:

because of the people: they would not have stuck at the injustice of it, or have been under any concern about offending God; but they were afraid of the people, of losing their credit among them, and lest they should rise up against them, and on the side of the apostles:

for all men glorified God for that which was done; they saw the hand of God in it, and ascribed it to his mercy, goodness, and power, and gave him the glory of it; and therefore to punish the instruments of so great and good a work, would have been esteemed barbarous and wicked, and would have been highly resented by them; since, on the contrary, they judged them worthy of great honour and respect.

expand all
Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Act 4:21 Or “glorifying.”

Geneva Bible: Act 4:21 ( 8 ) 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] glo...

expand all
Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Act 4:1-37 - --1 The rulers of the Jews, offended with Peter's sermon,3 imprison him and John.5 After, upon examination Peter boldly avouching the lame man to be hea...

Combined Bible: Act 4:21 - --22. It was a sore trial to the haughty spirits of the Sanhedrim to brook such defiance; but a desire to conciliate the people, mingled, no doubt, with...

Maclaren: Act 4:19-31 - --Obedient Disobedience But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God,...

MHCC: Act 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 te...

Matthew Henry: Act 4:15-22 - -- We have here the issue of the trial of Peter and John before the council. They came off now with flying colours, because they must be trained up to ...

Barclay: Act 4:13-22 - --Here we see very vividly both the enemy's attack and the Christian defence. In the enemy's attack there are two characteristics. First, there is co...

Constable: Act 3:1--6:8 - --B. The expansion of the church in Jerusalem 3:1-6:7 Luke recorded the events of this section (3:1-6:7) t...

Constable: Act 3:1--4:32 - --1. External opposition 3:1-4:31 Opposition to the Christians' message first came from external s...

Constable: Act 4:13-22 - --The Sanhedrin's response 4:13-22 4:13-14 The Sanhedrin observed in Peter and John what they had seen in Jesus, namely courage to speak boldly and auth...

College: Act 4:1-37 - --ACTS 4 3. The Arrest of Peter and John (4:1-4) 1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while t...

McGarvey: Act 4:21-22 - --21, 22. It was a sore trial to the haughty spirits of the Sanhedrim to brook such defiance; but a desire to conciliate the people, mingled, no doubt, ...

expand all
Introduction / Outline

Robertson: Acts (Book Introduction) THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES By Way of Introduction But for the Acts we should know nothing of the early apostolic period save what is told in the Epi...

JFB: Acts (Book Introduction) THIS book is to the Gospels what the fruit is to the tree that bears it. In the Gospels we see the corn of wheat falling into the ground and dying: in...

JFB: Acts (Outline) INTRODUCTION--LAST DAYS OF OUR LORD UPON EARTH--HIS ASCENSION. (Act 1:1-11) RETURN OF THE ELEVEN TO JERUSALEM--PROCEEDINGS IN THE UPPER ROOM TILL PEN...

TSK: Acts (Book Introduction) The Acts of the Apostles is a most valuable portion of Divine revelation; and, independently of its universal reception in the Christian church, as an...

TSK: Acts 4 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Act 4:1, The rulers of the Jews, offended with Peter’s sermon, Act 4:3, imprison him and John; Act 4:5, After, upon examination Peter b...

Poole: Acts 4 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 4

MHCC: Acts (Book Introduction) This book unites the Gospels to the Epistles. It contains many particulars concerning the apostles Peter and Paul, and of the Christian church from th...

MHCC: Acts 4 (Chapter Introduction) (Act 4:1-4) Peter and John imprisoned. (Act 4:5-14) The apostles boldly testify to Christ. (Act 4:15-22) Peter and John refuse to be silenced. (Act...

Matthew Henry: Acts (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Acts of the Apostles We have with an abundant satisfaction seen the foundation of our holy religion...

Matthew Henry: Acts 4 (Chapter Introduction) In going over the last two chapters, where we met with so many good things that the apostles did, I wondered what was become of the scribes and Pha...

Barclay: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES A Precious Book In one sense Acts is the most important book in the New Testament. It is the simple truth t...

Barclay: Acts 4 (Chapter Introduction) Arrest (Act_4:1-4) Before The Sanhedrin (Act_4:5-12) No Loyalty Save To God (Act_4:13-22) The Triumphant Return (Act_4:23-31) All Things In Commo...

Constable: Acts (Book Introduction) Introduction Title The title "Acts of the Apostles" is very ancient. The Anti-Marcioni...

Constable: Acts (Outline) Outline I. The witness in Jerusalem 1:1-6:7 A. The founding of the church 1:1-2:46 ...

Constable: Acts Acts Bibliography Albright, William Foxwell. The Archaeology of Palestine. 1949. Revised ed. Pelican Archaeolog...

Haydock: Acts (Book Introduction) THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. INTRODUCTION. St. Luke, who had published his gospel, wrote also a second volume, which, from the first ages, hath bee...

Gill: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO ACTS This book, in some copies, is called, "The Acts of the holy Apostles". It contains an history of the ministry and miracles of ...

College: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION As early as the second century the title "The Acts of the Apostles" was given to this document. Before that time the work probably circu...

College: Acts (Outline) OUTLINE I. THE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM - 1:1-8:1a A. INTRODUCTION OF THE BOOK - 1:1-3 B. THE COMMISSIONING OF THE APOSTLES - 1:4-8 C. THE ASCENSI...

Advanced Commentary (Dictionaries, Hymns, Arts, Sermon Illustration, Question and Answers, etc)


created in 0.52 seconds
powered by
bible.org - YLSA