Acts 4:16

KJV

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].

KJV (with Strong's)

Saying {G3004}, What {G5101} shall we do {G4160} to these {G5125} men {G444}? for {G1063} that {G3754} indeed {G3303} a notable {G1110} miracle {G4592} hath been done {G1096} by {G1223} them {G846} is manifest {G5318} to all them {G3956} that dwell {G2730} in Jerusalem {G2419}; and {G2532} we cannot {G3756}{G1410} deny {G720} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

“What can we do with these men?” they asked each other. “Why, anyone in Yerushalayim can see that a remarkable miracle has come about through them — we can’t possibly deny that.

Berean Standard Bible

“What shall we do with these men?” they asked. “It is clear to everyone living in Jerusalem that a remarkable miracle has occurred through them, and we cannot deny it.

American Standard Version

saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been wrought through them, is manifest to all that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 4:16 vividly captures the profound dilemma faced by the Jewish Sanhedrin as they confronted the apostles Peter and John. Following the undeniable healing of a lame man, the religious authorities, despite their desire to suppress the burgeoning Christian movement, were forced to acknowledge the public and irrefutable nature of the miracle. This verse serves as a powerful testament to the manifest power of God at work through His early disciples, presenting a truth that even their most ardent opponents could not deny.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is nestled within a critical narrative arc in the book of Acts, specifically following the miraculous healing of a man lame from birth at the Temple's Beautiful Gate, recounted in [Acts 3:1-10](/acts/3-1-10 "Acts 3:1-10 - The Healing at the Beautiful Gate"). Peter's subsequent sermon, which boldly proclaimed Jesus' resurrection and called for repentance ([Acts 3:11-26](/acts/3-11-26 "Acts 3:11-26 - Peter's Sermon in Solomon's Portico")), led to the arrest of Peter and John by the Temple authorities ([Acts 4:1-4](/acts/4-1-4 "Acts 4:1-4 - Arrest of Peter and John")). Acts 4:16 details the private deliberation of the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish court, as they grappled with how to respond to an event so widely known and undeniable that it challenged their authority and threatened their established order. Their internal discussion here sets the stage for their subsequent command to the apostles to cease speaking in Jesus' name.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sanhedrin, composed primarily of Sadducees and Pharisees, represented the supreme religious and judicial authority in Judea under Roman rule. Their primary concerns included maintaining order, preserving their interpretation of Jewish law, and preventing any popular movements that might provoke Roman intervention. The healing occurred in a highly public space—the Temple—and involved a man well-known to the Jerusalem populace ([Acts 3:2](/acts/3-2 "Acts 3:2 - The Lame Man at the Gate")). This public visibility meant the miracle could not be easily dismissed as a rumor or a trick. The Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection of the dead, were particularly agitated by the apostles' preaching of Jesus' resurrection ([Acts 4:2](/acts/4-2 "Acts 4:2 - Sadducees Disturbed by Resurrection Preaching")), seeing it as a direct challenge to their theological tenets and authority. The cultural expectation for signs and wonders, particularly in a messianic context, also made such events highly impactful and difficult to ignore.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 4:16 powerfully highlights several key themes. Firstly, it underscores the **undeniable evidence of God's power** at work through the apostles. The miracle was not hidden but "manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem," leaving the authorities no room for denial. This public validation served as irrefutable proof of the divine origin of the apostles' actions and the truth of their message about Jesus. Secondly, it reveals the **human opposition to divine truth** when it challenges established power structures. Despite the clear evidence, the Sanhedrin's immediate concern was not to investigate the truth or embrace God's work, but to strategize how to suppress it, illustrating a universal human tendency to resist spiritual truth when it threatens comfort, tradition, or control. Lastly, the verse emphasizes the **Gospel's public impact**. The miracle served as a powerful public testimony, not just to the apostles' authority, but to the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the transformative power of His name, echoing the broader theme of the early church's growth being fueled by such undeniable [signs and wonders](/acts/2-43 "Acts 2:43 - Signs and Wonders in the Early Church").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **notable (Greek, _gnōstós'_):** Derived from the verb "to know," this word signifies something that is "well-known," "acquainted," or "manifest." In Acts 4:16, it emphasizes that the miracle was not obscure or questionable but was a publicly recognized and undeniable event. Its notoriety made it impossible for the Sanhedrin to dismiss it as a fabrication.
* **manifest (Greek, _phanerós'_):** This term means "shining," "apparent," "clear," or "publicly known." It reinforces the idea that the miracle was openly displayed and evident to everyone, not just a select few. The public nature of the healing meant that the Sanhedrin's attempt to suppress the truth would be futile, as the evidence was literally "out in the open" for all to see.
* **deny (Greek, _arnéomai'_)::** This word implies to "contradict," "disavow," "reject," or "abnegate." In this context, it highlights the Sanhedrin's inability to logically or factually refute the miracle. Their dilemma was not a lack of evidence, but a refusal to accept the implications of that evidence, leading them to acknowledge that they "cannot deny" what had occurred.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Saying, What shall we do to these men?"**: This opening phrase reveals the Sanhedrin's internal deliberation and their immediate focus on the apostles as a problem to be managed. It highlights their position of authority and their desire to control the narrative and the burgeoning Christian movement. Their question is not one of theological inquiry but of practical, political strategy.
* **"for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them"**: This clause provides the undeniable premise for their dilemma. The "notable miracle" (the healing of the lame man) is presented as an established fact, a powerful act that has occurred through the agency of Peter and John. The particle "indeed" (_mén_) emphasizes the certainty and concession of this fact, even by their opponents.
* **"[is] manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem;"**: This part of the verse underscores the public and undeniable nature of the miracle. It was not a private event but something "manifest" (openly evident) to the entire population of Jerusalem. This widespread knowledge meant that the Sanhedrin could not simply pretend it hadn't happened or dismiss it as a minor incident.
* **"and we cannot deny [it]."**: This concluding statement encapsulates the Sanhedrin's profound predicament. Despite their opposition to the apostles' message and their desire to suppress the movement, the evidence of the miracle was so overwhelming and publicly known that even they, the highest religious authority, were forced to admit its reality. This admission highlights the power of God's work to transcend human resistance.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 4:16 employs several potent literary devices. There is clear **Irony** in the Sanhedrin's position: as the supposed guardians of God's law and truth, they are confronted with an undeniable act of God's power, yet their primary concern is how to suppress it rather than embrace it. The phrase "manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem" uses a form of **Hyperbole** or **Synecdoche**, implying that the miracle was so widely known and evident that it was virtually impossible for anyone in the city to be unaware of it, thus emphasizing its irrefutable nature. The verse also presents a stark **Contrast** between divine power, which openly demonstrates itself, and human resistance, which, despite acknowledging the truth, seeks to deny its implications. Finally, the Sanhedrin's internal dialogue functions as an **Argument from Evidence**, where the undeniable fact of the miracle forces them into a corner, compelling them to acknowledge a truth they would rather ignore.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 4:16 powerfully illustrates the inherent tension between divine revelation and human resistance. The Sanhedrin's inability to deny the miracle, despite their deep-seated opposition to the apostles' message, speaks to the self-authenticating nature of God's truth and power. God's work, when manifest, often leaves no room for genuine intellectual denial, though it may still be met with moral or volitional rejection. This passage underscores that God's kingdom advances not by human strategy or persuasion alone, but by the undeniable demonstration of His power, which confronts individuals and institutions with a choice: to acknowledge and submit, or to resist and suppress. The Sanhedrin's dilemma reveals the spiritual blindness that can afflict even those who claim to serve God when their own power, tradition, or comfort are threatened by His living truth.

* [John 3:19](/john/3-19 "John 3:19 - Men Loved Darkness Rather Than Light")
* [Romans 1:20](/romans/1-20 "Romans 1:20 - God's Invisible Qualities Clearly Seen")
* [1 Corinthians 1:22-24](/1_corinthians/1-22-24 "1 Corinthians 1:22-24 - Christ, the Power and Wisdom of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 4:16 offers profound insights for believers today. It reminds us that the truth of God, when powerfully demonstrated, can be undeniably evident even to those who are hostile to it. This should embolden us in our witness: while not every act of God will be a public miracle, the transformative power of the Gospel in lives, communities, and history is a testimony that cannot ultimately be denied. We are called to live and speak with integrity, knowing that God's truth carries its own weight. Furthermore, this verse serves as a sober warning against intellectual and spiritual dishonesty. Like the Sanhedrin, we can be tempted to suppress truths that challenge our comfort zones, our preconceived notions, or our established ways of doing things. True faith requires a willingness to confront and embrace undeniable evidence of God's work, even when it demands repentance, change, or a reordering of our priorities. Our task is to faithfully proclaim, demonstrate, and live out the truth of Christ, trusting that God's work will ultimately prevail, regardless of human opposition.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to deny or suppress a truth about God or His will because it challenges my comfort or control?**
* **How can I, as a believer, ensure that my life and actions are a "manifest" testimony to God's power, making His truth undeniable to others?**
* **When facing opposition or skepticism, how does the Sanhedrin's forced admission in Acts 4:16 encourage me to continue boldly proclaiming the Gospel?**

### FAQ
**What does Acts 4:16 reveal about the nature of miracles in the early church?**

Answer: Acts 4:16 reveals that miracles in the early church were not merely private, isolated events, but often public, verifiable demonstrations of God's power. The healing of the lame man was "manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem," meaning it was widely known and impossible to deny. This public nature served to authenticate the apostles' message and the power of Jesus' name, providing undeniable evidence that God was indeed working through them. These "notable miracles" were not just wonders but "signs" (_sēmeion_), pointing to the greater reality of God's presence and the truth of the Gospel message.

**How did the Sanhedrin respond to such undeniable evidence, and what does this teach us?**

Answer: Despite acknowledging that "a notable miracle hath been done by them [is] manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny [it]," the Sanhedrin's response was not repentance or belief, but an attempt to suppress the truth. They decided to strictly warn Peter and John not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus ([Acts 4:17-18](/acts/4-17-18 "Acts 4:17-18 - Sanhedrin's Command to Peter and John")). This teaches us that intellectual acknowledgment of truth does not automatically lead to spiritual submission. Human hearts, driven by fear, self-preservation, or a desire to maintain power, can resist even the most undeniable evidence of God's work. It highlights the spiritual battle against unbelief and the human tendency to love darkness rather than light ([John 3:19](/john/3-19 "John 3:19 - Love of Darkness Over Light")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 4:16, though focusing on the Sanhedrin's dilemma, profoundly points to Christ. The "notable miracle" was performed "by them" (Peter and John) but explicitly "in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth" ([Acts 3:6](/acts/3-6 "Acts 3:6 - Healing in Jesus' Name")). The Sanhedrin's inability to deny the miracle is an implicit acknowledgment of the power of the resurrected Christ, whose authority was now being demonstrated through His followers. Their resistance to the apostles' message mirrors their earlier rejection and crucifixion of Jesus Himself, revealing a consistent pattern of human opposition to divine truth. However, just as Jesus' own resurrection was the ultimate undeniable sign, this miracle served as a continuing testament to His living power, fulfilling His promise that His disciples would do "greater works" because He was going to the Father ([John 14:12](/john/14-12 "John 14:12 - Greater Works")). The Sanhedrin's quandary ultimately underscores that the redemptive work initiated by Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power of the Holy Spirit")), cannot be contained or denied by human decree, but will inevitably spread, even in the face of the world's hatred ([John 15:18-20](/john/15-18-20 "John 15:18-20 - The World's Hatred")).

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

Luke 21:15

For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

Acts 6:10

And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

John 12:18

For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.

John 11:47

Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.

John 11:48

If we let him thus alone, all [men] will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.

Acts 3:7

And he took him by the right hand, and lifted [him] up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

Acts 3:10

And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.