Acts 4:14

KJV

And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} beholding {G991} the man {G444} which was healed {G2323} standing {G2476} with {G4862} them {G846}, they could {G2192} say {G471} nothing {G3762} against it {G471}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moreover, since they could see the man who had been healed standing right there beside them, there was nothing they could say to discredit the healing.

Berean Standard Bible

And seeing the man who had been healed standing there with them, they had nothing to say in response.

American Standard Version

And seeing the man that was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 4:14 encapsulates the profound dilemma faced by the Jewish religious authorities when confronted with irrefutable evidence of God's power at work through the apostles Peter and John. Despite their desire to suppress the burgeoning Christian movement, the physical presence of the man miraculously healed at the temple gate rendered their opposition utterly speechless, highlighting the undeniable reality of the divine intervention and the futility of human resistance against God's manifest truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after Peter's bold defense before the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish judicial body. Peter and John had been arrested following the dramatic healing of a lame man at the [Beautiful Gate](/acts/3-2 "Acts 3:2 - The Lame Man at the Beautiful Gate") and Peter's subsequent sermon, which proclaimed salvation through Jesus Christ and the resurrection from the dead. The authorities, particularly the Sadducees who denied the resurrection, were greatly disturbed by the apostles' teaching ([Acts 4:1-2](/acts/4-1-2 "Acts 4:1-2 - Arrest of Peter and John")). Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, courageously declared that the miracle was performed "by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth" ([Acts 4:10](/acts/4-10 "Acts 4:10 - Peter's Bold Declaration")). The Sanhedrin's challenge was not merely Peter's words, but the living, undeniable proof of the miracle standing directly before them, which this verse addresses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sanhedrin, composed of chief priests, elders, and scribes, held significant religious and civil authority under Roman rule. They were the same body that had condemned Jesus. Their primary concern was maintaining order and preserving their authority, which they perceived as threatened by the apostles' teachings about a crucified and resurrected Messiah. The healing of a well-known lame beggar at the temple, a public and undeniable event, presented a unique challenge to their authority. Jewish society placed high value on physical wholeness, and a miraculous healing like this would have been widely recognized and discussed, making it impossible for the Sanhedrin to simply dismiss or deny the event's occurrence.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 4:14 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Acts and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the **undeniable evidence of God's power**, demonstrating that divine intervention can produce results that silence even the most determined adversaries. This event exemplifies the **futility of opposition against God's work**, showing that human schemes and authority are powerless when confronted with the manifest will of God. Furthermore, it highlights the **power of personal testimony**, as the mere presence of the healed man served as a silent yet potent witness to the reality of Jesus' power, echoing the principle that God's work often speaks for itself and validates the message of His servants, as seen throughout [the early church's growth](/acts/2 "Acts 2 - The Day of Pentecost").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **beholding (Greek, _blépō'_):** This word (G991) signifies not just a casual glance, but an active, attentive observation. The religious leaders were not merely aware of the man's presence; they were intently looking at him, scrutinizing the evidence before them. This implies a thorough assessment of the situation, confirming the reality of the healing.
* **healed (Greek, _therapeúō'_):** Derived from G2323, this term specifically means "to relieve of disease" or "to cure." It emphasizes the complete restoration of the man's physical condition. This was not a partial improvement or a psychological effect, but a full, undeniable healing that transformed his life and physical capabilities, making him a living testament to divine power.
* **say nothing against it (Greek, _antépō'_):** The verb (G471), combined with "nothing" (G3762, _oudeís'_), literally means "to speak against" or "to gainsay." The leaders had no counter-argument, no logical refutation, and no factual basis to deny the miracle. Their silence was not agreement, but an admission of defeat in the face of overwhelming, tangible proof.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And beholding the man which was healed standing with them,"**: This clause sets the scene, emphasizing the visual and undeniable proof before the Sanhedrin. The phrase "standing with them" highlights the man's full recovery and his proximity to Peter and John, making his presence a direct and irrefutable testimony to the miracle. The leaders could see him, a man they likely knew as a long-time beggar, now fully restored and able to stand on his own, a stark contrast to his previous condition.
* **"they could say nothing against it."**: This second clause reveals the profound impact of the evidence on the authorities. Their inability to "say nothing against it" underscores their complete lack of a valid argument or rebuttal. Despite their power, their legal and theological knowledge, and their desire to discredit the apostles, the sheer fact of the healed man's presence rendered them speechless and unable to formulate any credible opposition.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Irony** and **Visual Imagery**. The irony lies in the fact that the powerful Sanhedrin, accustomed to holding sway and condemning dissenting voices, finds itself utterly silenced and powerless by the presence of a formerly powerless, lame beggar. Their authority is undermined not by eloquent arguments, but by a simple, undeniable fact. The **Visual Imagery** of the healed man "standing with them" is potent. It paints a vivid picture of the physical evidence, making the miracle tangible and irrefutable. This imagery serves to highlight the stark contrast between the man's former state and his current wholeness, leaving no room for doubt about the divine intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 4:14 powerfully illustrates the sovereignty of God over human opposition and the compelling nature of divine truth. The miracle served as an irrefutable sign, validating the apostles' message and demonstrating that God's power transcends human authority and skepticism. This event underscores the biblical principle that when God acts, His work often produces undeniable evidence that silences critics and confirms the truth of His message, ultimately advancing His kingdom despite human resistance. The Sanhedrin's silence is a testament to the unassailable reality of God's power and the futility of fighting against Him.

* [Exodus 8:19](/exodus/8-19 "Exodus 8:19 - The Finger of God")
* [Luke 21:15](/luke/21-15 "Luke 21:15 - Divine Wisdom in Persecution")
* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10-11 "Psalm 33:10-11 - God's Counsel Stands Forever")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 4:14 offers profound encouragement and practical guidance for believers today. It reminds us that the truth of God, especially when demonstrated through tangible acts of His power and transformation, possesses an inherent authority that can disarm even the most formidable opposition. Just as the healed man's presence was an undeniable testimony, our transformed lives, marked by God's grace and power, can be powerful, silent witnesses to the reality of Jesus Christ. When others observe genuine change, healing, or spiritual growth in us, it often speaks more convincingly than any argument, prompting them to glorify God and consider the truth of the Gospel. In a world often skeptical or hostile to faith, we are called to live authentically, trusting that God's work in and through us will stand as a testament to His power and truth, empowering us to stand firm in our faith even when faced with opposition.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways has God's undeniable work in your life or the lives of those around you silenced skepticism or opposition?**
* **How can your personal transformation and growth serve as a powerful, silent testimony to the reality of Christ's power to those who don't believe?**
* **When faced with opposition or doubt regarding your faith, how does the truth that God's work is often self-evident encourage you to stand firm?**

### FAQ

**Why couldn't the Sanhedrin deny the healing?**

Answer: The Sanhedrin could not deny the healing because the man was a well-known figure in Jerusalem, having been lame from birth and begging at the [Beautiful Gate of the Temple](/acts/3-2 "Acts 3:2 - The Lame Man at the Beautiful Gate") for many years. His condition was public knowledge, and his sudden, complete restoration was witnessed by many. His physical presence before them, "standing with them," was irrefutable proof that a genuine miracle had occurred. To deny it would have been to deny a widely acknowledged fact, which would have undermined their own credibility and authority in the eyes of the people. This is why they were left with "nothing to say against it," as the evidence was overwhelming.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 4:14, with its depiction of undeniable evidence silencing opposition, points powerfully to the ultimate and most profound act of God's undeniable power: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Just as the lame man's healing was a visible, tangible sign that could not be gainsaid, so too was Christ's victory over death the ultimate proof of His divine authority and the truth of His claims. The apostles' entire message hinged on the resurrection, a fact that the Sanhedrin desperately tried to suppress but could not, just as they could not deny the healed man. The resurrected Christ, who appeared to [over 500 witnesses](/1_corinthians/15-6 "1 Corinthians 15:6 - Christ's Appearance to Over 500") and whose empty tomb was a stark reality, is the ultimate "man who was healed" – not from a physical ailment, but from the bonds of death itself. His resurrection is the bedrock of Christian faith, the irrefutable evidence that God's plan of salvation through His Son is true and that [He has been appointed judge of the living and the dead](/acts/10-42 "Acts 10:42 - Jesus Appointed Judge"). The power that healed the lame man in Acts 4 is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, offering hope and new life to all who believe in the name of the [Son of God, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, the Life").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 19:36

Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.

Acts 3:8

And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

Acts 3:12

¶ And when Peter saw [it], he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

Acts 4:16

Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them [is] manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny [it].

Acts 4:21

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.

Acts 4:10

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, [even] by him doth this man stand here before you whole.