Acts 4:15

KJV

¶ But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} when they had commanded {G2753} them {G846} to go aside {G565} out of {G1854} the council {G4892}, they conferred {G4820} among {G4314} themselves {G240},

Complete Jewish Bible

So they told them to step away from the Sanhedrin while they discussed the matter privately.

Berean Standard Bible

So they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin and then conferred together.

American Standard Version

But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 4:15 captures a critical moment in the early church's encounter with the Jewish Sanhedrin, where, after the undeniable healing of a lame man and the apostles' bold proclamation of Jesus, the religious authorities, unable to refute the miracle, commanded Peter and John to withdraw so they could privately deliberate on how to address the burgeoning Christian movement and its profound challenge to their established power and doctrine.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after Peter's Spirit-filled defense before the Sanhedrin, where he unequivocally declared Jesus Christ as the source of the healing of the lame man ([Acts 3:6-8](/acts/3-6-8 "Acts 3:6-8 - Healing of the Lame Man")) and the only name by which salvation is found ([Acts 4:12](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation in No Other Name")). The council, comprised of high priests, elders, and scribes, had already been astonished by the apostles' boldness and recognized their association with Jesus ([Acts 4:13](/acts/4-13 "Acts 4:13 - Council Recognizes Peter and John Were With Jesus")). Crucially, the man who was healed, a living testimony, stood visibly with Peter and John, making any denial of the miracle impossible ([Acts 4:14](/acts/4-14 "Acts 4:14 - The Healed Man Stands With Them")). Faced with irrefutable evidence and compelling testimony, the Sanhedrin's only recourse was to remove the apostles from the immediate hearing to strategize their next move, highlighting their desperation to control a situation rapidly slipping from their grasp.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sanhedrin was the supreme Jewish judicial and religious council in Jerusalem, holding significant authority under Roman rule, particularly in matters of Jewish law and tradition. Its members were primarily Sadducees and Pharisees, groups often at odds but united in their opposition to the burgeoning Christian movement, which they perceived as a dangerous sect challenging their authority, traditions, and the delicate peace with Rome. Their concern was not merely theological but also deeply political and social; a popular movement centered on a crucified Messiah could destabilize their position and provoke Roman intervention. The public nature of the miracle at the temple gate ([Acts 3:10](/acts/3-10 "Acts 3:10 - People Recognize the Healed Man")) meant the Sanhedrin's decision had to consider public opinion, as the people glorified God for what had happened ([Acts 4:21](/acts/4-21 "Acts 4:21 - The People Glorify God")). Their private conference reflects their need to find a solution that would maintain their control without inciting public unrest.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Acts. Firstly, it underscores the **Irrepressibility of the Gospel**, demonstrating that even powerful opposition cannot suppress the truth and power of God's work, especially when accompanied by undeniable signs and wonders. Secondly, it highlights the **Conflict Between Divine Authority and Human Authority**, as the Sanhedrin, representing human religious and political power, attempts to control or silence the message delivered by those empowered by the Holy Spirit. Thirdly, it reveals the **Strategic Deliberation of Opposition**, showing how those who reject divine truth often resort to private councils and calculated tactics to suppress what they cannot deny. This strategic huddle foreshadows the ongoing persecution and opposition the early church would face, a recurring motif throughout [Acts](/acts/1 "The Book of Acts").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **commanded (Greek, _keleúō'_):** From a primary root meaning "to urge on" or "hail," this word signifies an authoritative order or injunction. Here, it conveys the Sanhedrin's exercise of their judicial power, not as a polite request, but as a formal directive to remove Peter and John from the council chamber, asserting their control over the proceedings.
* **council (Greek, _synédrion'_):** This term refers specifically to the Jewish Sanhedrin, the highest judicial and religious body. Its use emphasizes the official, authoritative setting of the apostles' trial and the significant power wielded by those who issued the command. The decision to remove Peter and John was a formal act of this supreme court.
* **conferred (Greek, _symbállō'_):** Literally meaning "to combine" or "to throw together," this word implies a serious, deliberate discussion, a weighing of ideas, and a consultation. It suggests an intense and urgent huddle among the council members to formulate a unified response to a perceived threat, rather than a casual conversation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council":** This clause describes the Sanhedrin's immediate action following the apostles' testimony and the visible presence of the healed man. The command to "go aside" (ἀπέρχομαι, _apérchomai_) signifies a physical removal from the official hearing, allowing the council to deliberate privately without the apostles' presence. This procedural step underscores their need for an uninhibited, internal discussion about a matter of significant import.
* **"they conferred among themselves":** This second clause details the nature of their private meeting. The verb "conferred" (συνέβαλλον, _syneballon_) indicates a serious consultation, a pooling of thoughts and strategies. The phrase "among themselves" (πρὸς ἀλλήλους, _pros allēlous_) emphasizes the internal, confidential nature of their discussion, as they sought to reach a consensus or formulate a plan to address the undeniable miracle and the apostles' bold proclamation of Jesus.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Dramatic Irony**, as the Sanhedrin's attempt to control the situation by private deliberation ultimately highlights their powerlessness against the divine work. They believe they are strategizing to maintain control, but their very actions demonstrate the overwhelming, undeniable truth of the gospel. There is also an element of **Contrast** between the public, bold proclamation of Peter and John, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and the private, fearful, and calculating huddle of the Sanhedrin, who are driven by human concerns and a desire to suppress truth. This contrast underscores the difference between those who operate by divine power and those who rely on worldly authority.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 4:15 vividly illustrates the inherent conflict between the kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this world. The Sanhedrin, representing the established religious and political order, found themselves in an impossible position: they could not deny the miraculous power of God displayed through the apostles, yet they were unwilling to acknowledge its source—Jesus Christ. Their private consultation reveals their desperate attempt to manage a spiritual reality through human means, highlighting the futility of human opposition against divine truth. This tension underscores the sovereignty of God, whose plan of salvation continues to advance despite human resistance, and the necessity for believers to remain steadfast in proclaiming the truth, even when facing powerful opposition.

* [Psalm 2:1-2](/psalms/2-1-2 "Psalm 2:1-2 - Why Do the Nations Rage?")
* [Luke 12:11-12](/luke/12-11-12 "Luke 12:11-12 - The Holy Spirit Will Teach You")
* [John 15:18-20](/john/15-18-20 "John 15:18-20 - The World Will Hate You")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as a powerful reminder that the truth of the Gospel, when accompanied by the manifest power of God, can be so compelling that even its staunchest opponents are forced to acknowledge its reality, even if they refuse to embrace it. The Sanhedrin's private conference was not about discerning the truth of the miracle, but about how to suppress its impact and the message of Jesus Christ. In our own lives, we may encounter situations where undeniable spiritual truths are met not with open hearts, but with calculated resistance, fear, or attempts to control the narrative. This passage calls us to a posture of unwavering faithfulness, trusting that God's power will ultimately prevail over human opposition. It encourages us to speak boldly, like Peter and John, even when facing formidable challenges, knowing that the evidence of God's work will often speak for itself, compelling even the unwilling to reckon with its reality.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I respond when I encounter undeniable evidence of God's work that challenges my preconceived notions or comfort zone?**
* **In what ways might I, or my community, be tempted to "confer among ourselves" to manage or control a spiritual truth rather than simply submitting to it?**
* **How does the Sanhedrin's reaction here encourage me to be bolder in sharing the Gospel, even when facing potential opposition or rejection?**

### FAQ

**Why did the Sanhedrin command Peter and John to go aside?**

Answer: The Sanhedrin commanded Peter and John to go aside because they were faced with an undeniable miracle (the healed lame man standing before them, as seen in [Acts 4:14](/acts/4-14 "Acts 4:14 - The Healed Man Stands With Them")) and a bold, Spirit-filled proclamation of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (as detailed in [Acts 4:8-12](/acts/4-8-12 "Acts 4:8-12 - Peter's Bold Proclamation")). They could not refute the miracle itself, nor could they easily dismiss the apostles' message, especially given the public's positive reaction. Therefore, they needed to deliberate privately, away from the apostles' influence and the public's gaze, to strategize how to respond to this unprecedented challenge to their authority and religious order without causing widespread unrest.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 4:15, though seemingly a minor procedural detail, profoundly illuminates the ongoing conflict between the forces of darkness and the light of Christ. The Sanhedrin's huddle mirrors the councils of men who "take counsel together against the LORD and against his Anointed" ([Psalm 2:2](/psalms/2-2 "Psalm 2:2 - Counsel Against the Lord and His Anointed")), a pattern ultimately fulfilled in the crucifixion of Jesus Himself. Just as the Jewish leaders sought to silence Jesus by condemning Him to death, they now sought to suppress His message through His disciples. However, Christ's resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (as promised in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Be My Witnesses")) empowered His followers to continue His work, making their efforts futile. This verse foreshadows the church's enduring mission to boldly proclaim the Risen Christ, even when met with the world's calculated opposition, reminding us that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church built upon the confession of Christ ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - The Gates of Hades Will Not Prevail")). The Sanhedrin's fear and deliberation ultimately serve to highlight the unstoppable power of the Gospel, which continues to advance through the very witnesses they sought to silence, a testament to Christ's ultimate victory over all earthly powers.

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 26:30

And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:

Acts 26:32

Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.

Matthew 5:22

But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Acts 5:34

Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;

Acts 5:42

And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.