Acts 4:17

KJV

But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G235} that {G3363} it spread {G1268} no {G3363} further {G1909}{G4119} among {G1519} the people {G2992}, let us straitly {G547} threaten {G546} them {G846}, that they speak {G2980} henceforth {G3371} to no {G3367} man {G444} in {G1909} this {G5129} name {G3686}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But to prevent it from spreading any further among the people, let’s warn them not to speak any more to anyone in this name.”

Berean Standard Bible

But to keep this message from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in this name.”

American Standard Version

But that it spread no further among the people, let us threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 4:17 captures the Sanhedrin's desperate attempt to suppress the burgeoning Christian movement in Jerusalem. Following the undeniable miracle of the lame man's healing and Peter's bold proclamation of Jesus' resurrection, the Jewish religious council, unable to refute the evidence, resorted to intimidation. This verse reveals their strategic decision to issue a severe threat against Peter and John, aiming to prevent them from speaking or teaching in the name of Jesus, thereby attempting to halt the spread of the gospel among the populace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a pivotal moment in the early church's narrative, immediately following the miraculous healing of a lame man at the temple's Beautiful Gate by [Peter and John](/acts/3-6 "Acts 3:6 - Healing of the Lame Man"). This astounding event, performed "in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth," served as an undeniable sign, leading Peter to preach a powerful sermon that resulted in [thousands of new believers](/acts/4-4 "Acts 4:4 - Growth of the Early Church"). The religious authorities—including priests, the temple captain, and Sadducees—were greatly disturbed, particularly by the apostles' teaching of the resurrection of the dead through Jesus. Their arrest and subsequent interrogation of Peter and John before the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish court, set the stage for this verse. With the healed man standing visibly beside the apostles, the council found themselves in an impossible position: they could not deny the miracle, yet they were determined to prevent the doctrine of Jesus' resurrection from challenging their authority and the established religious order. Acts 4:17 is their proposed solution to this dilemma, a direct attempt to silence the apostles.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sanhedrin was the highest Jewish judicial and legislative body, comprising 71 members, including chief priests, elders, and scribes. Their primary concerns included maintaining religious orthodoxy, preserving social order, and navigating their relationship with the Roman occupying power. The Sadducees, a dominant faction within the Sanhedrin, vehemently denied the resurrection of the dead, a core tenet of the apostles' preaching. This theological conflict, combined with the apostles' growing influence among the common people, posed a direct threat to the Sanhedrin's authority and control. There was also a palpable fear of Roman intervention; any popular movement, especially one centered on a crucified messianic figure, could be perceived as sedition and lead to harsh Roman reprisals, potentially endangering the fragile peace and their own positions. Thus, their decision to "straitly threaten" was not merely a theological disagreement but a calculated political and social maneuver to quell a perceived uprising and maintain their precarious power.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 4:17 powerfully illustrates several key themes. Firstly, it highlights the **opposition to the Gospel** that is inherent when divine truth confronts human systems of power and control. The religious leaders, driven by fear of losing their influence and authority, chose to suppress the message rather than acknowledge its miraculous validation. Secondly, the verse underscores the stark contrast between **fear and faith**. The Sanhedrin's decision was born out of profound fear—fear of the people's reaction, fear of the apostles' growing sway, and perhaps even a subconscious fear of the implications of Jesus' resurrection for their own spiritual standing. This stands in sharp relief against the apostles' unwavering faith and boldness, which would become even more evident in their subsequent defiance. Lastly, and most crucially, it emphasizes **the power and centrality of the Name of Jesus**. The very thing the council sought to prohibit—speaking "in this name"—was the source of the apostles' miraculous power and the core of their saving message. As Peter had declared earlier, there is [salvation in no other name](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation in No Other Name"), making the Sanhedrin's prohibition a direct assault on the very means of divine grace and power.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **spread (Greek, _dianémō'_):** From G1268, meaning "to distribute" or "to disseminate" (of information). The Sanhedrin's concern was that the message of Jesus, particularly His resurrection and the power of His name, would be widely dispersed among the populace. This word implies a rapid, pervasive distribution, like a contagion, which the council desperately sought to contain.
* **straitly threaten (Greek, _apeilḗ'_ and _apeiléō'_):** From G547 (_apeilḗ_), meaning "a menace" or "threat," and G546 (_apeiléō_), meaning "to menace" or "to forbid." The combination emphasizes the severity and strictness of the prohibition. It conveys a forceful intention to intimidate Peter and John into silence, underscoring the council's determination to halt the spread of the Christian message by any means necessary, short of outright violence at that moment.
* **name (Greek, _ónoma'_):** From G3686, meaning "a name" literally or figuratively, encompassing "authority" and "character." In this context, "this name" refers not merely to the appellation "Jesus" but to the entire person, authority, power, and saving work of Jesus Christ. To speak "in this name" meant to act by His authority, to proclaim His message, and to invoke His power. The council understood that the power was inherent in the name itself, representing Jesus' divine identity and mission.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But that it spread no further among the people,"**: This opening clause reveals the Sanhedrin's primary motivation: to contain the burgeoning movement. "It" refers to the message and influence of the apostles, particularly the teaching about Jesus' resurrection and the miracles performed in His name. Their concern was not theological truth but social control and the preservation of their own authority. The phrase "among the people" highlights their fear of a popular uprising or a shift in allegiance from their religious system to this new, dynamic faith.
* **"let us straitly threaten them,"**: This is the council's proposed course of action. "Straitly threaten" (Greek: _apeilḗ apeiléō_) indicates a severe, forceful warning or menace. It implies a formal, official decree meant to instill fear and compel obedience. This was a direct attempt at intimidation, leveraging their judicial authority to silence the apostles without resorting to physical punishment at this stage, perhaps out of fear of the people who held the apostles in high esteem.
* **"that they speak henceforth to no man in this name."**: This final clause specifies the precise nature of the prohibition. "Henceforth" indicates a permanent ban from that point forward. The core of their demand was to cease all public proclamation and teaching "in this name"—the name of Jesus. This demonstrates their clear understanding that the power, authority, and distinctiveness of the apostles' message were inextricably linked to Jesus Himself. By forbidding the use of His name, they aimed to dismantle the very foundation of the early Christian witness.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the Sanhedrin's attempt to suppress the message ultimately contributes to its greater spread, demonstrating the unstoppable nature of God's plan. Their fear-driven prohibition sets the stage for the apostles' even bolder witness. There is also an element of **understatement** in "straitly threaten," as the council's true intent was to crush the movement, not merely issue a warning. Furthermore, the phrase "this name" functions as a powerful **metonymy**, where "name" stands for the entire person, authority, and saving power of Jesus Christ. By targeting "this name," the council implicitly acknowledges the profound spiritual power and significance it holds, even as they seek to nullify it. The entire verse also embodies a dramatic **conflict** between human authority and divine mandate, setting up the apostles' subsequent defiant declaration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 4:17 presents a timeless theological truth: the inherent conflict between the kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this world. The Sanhedrin, representing human religious and political authority, sought to control and suppress divine revelation, demonstrating humanity's fallen tendency to resist God's truth when it challenges established power structures. Yet, the verse also subtly foreshadows the unstoppable nature of God's Word and the power of the Holy Spirit to advance the gospel despite opposition. The "name" of Jesus, which they sought to silence, is revealed as the very source of life, healing, and salvation, a name that would ultimately be exalted above all others. This confrontation underscores that true authority rests not with human institutions, but with the resurrected Christ, whose commission to His followers transcends all earthly decrees.

* [Acts 5:29](/acts/5-29 "Acts 5:29 - Obedience to God Rather Than Men")
* [Matthew 10:28](/matthew/10-28 "Matthew 10:28 - Fear God, Not Man")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 4:17 serves as a powerful reminder that followers of Christ should anticipate opposition when faithfully proclaiming the Gospel. Just as the early church faced threats and persecution from established powers, believers today may encounter resistance, ridicule, or even hostility when sharing the truth of Christ. The world, often comfortable in its own values and systems, finds the transformative power of Jesus challenging and disruptive. This verse calls us to examine our own courage and conviction: are we willing to prioritize obedience to God over the fear of human disapproval or authority? It compels us to remember that the message of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit, possesses an inherent, unstoppable vitality that transcends human attempts to suppress it. Our task is not to ensure the message is palatable, but to faithfully and boldly proclaim it, trusting that God's truth will accomplish its intended purpose, regardless of the threats we may face.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Sanhedrin's fear of the "spread" of the message resonate with contemporary fears or resistance to the Gospel in our society?**
* **In what areas of your life or witness do you find yourself tempted to compromise or remain silent due to fear of human authority or disapproval?**
* **What does it truly mean to speak "in this name" (the name of Jesus) in your daily life and interactions?**

### FAQ
**Why were the Sanhedrin so afraid of Peter and John speaking "in this name"?**

Answer: The Sanhedrin's fear stemmed from multiple factors. Firstly, the apostles' message centered on the resurrection of Jesus, a doctrine vehemently rejected by the Sadducees, a powerful faction within the council. This challenged their theological authority. Secondly, the miracles performed in Jesus' name, like the healing of the lame man, were undeniable and captivated the populace, leading to a rapid increase in believers (as seen in [Acts 4:4](/acts/4-4 "Acts 4:4 - Thousands Believed")). This growing popular support for the apostles threatened the Sanhedrin's control over the Jewish people and their religious practices. Lastly, they feared Roman intervention; any large, popular movement could be perceived as sedition by the Roman authorities, potentially leading to harsh crackdowns that would jeopardize the Sanhedrin's own precarious position and the fragile peace in Jerusalem. Their fear was a complex mix of theological opposition, loss of control, and political expediency.

**What was the significance of "this name" that the Sanhedrin wanted to suppress?**

Answer: "This name" refers to Jesus Christ, but it encompasses far more than just His personal appellation. In biblical thought, a "name" often represents a person's character, authority, and very essence. For the early church, speaking "in this name" meant acting by Jesus' divine authority, proclaiming His unique message of salvation, and invoking His power for healing and transformation. Peter had explicitly declared earlier that [there is no salvation in any other name under heaven](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation Through Jesus Alone"). The Sanhedrin understood that the power behind the apostles' actions and words was directly linked to Jesus' identity as the resurrected Messiah. By forbidding them to speak "in this name," they sought to cut off the source of the apostles' power and dismantle the very foundation of the burgeoning Christian faith.

**Did the Sanhedrin's threats successfully stop the spread of the message?**

Answer: No, the Sanhedrin's threats utterly failed to stop the spread of the message. Immediately following this verse, Peter and John, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly declared that they could not but speak of what they had seen and heard ([Acts 4:19-20](/acts/4-19-20 "Acts 4:19-20 - Peter and John's Boldness")). Upon their release, they returned to the community of believers, who prayed for greater boldness, and the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness ([Acts 4:31](/acts/4-31 "Acts 4:31 - Filled with the Holy Spirit")). This episode demonstrates the unstoppable nature of God's work and the power of the Holy Spirit to empower believers to overcome human opposition, ensuring the continued expansion of the Gospel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 4:17, though depicting human opposition, ultimately highlights the unstoppable sovereignty and enduring authority of Jesus Christ. The Sanhedrin's desperate attempt to silence the apostles by forbidding them to speak "in this name" inadvertently underscores the very truth they sought to suppress: that the "name" of Jesus is the source of all power and the focal point of God's redemptive plan. This verse anticipates the ongoing conflict between the world's systems and the advancing kingdom of God, a conflict that Christ Himself foretold, assuring His disciples that [in the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Jesus Overcomes the World"). The threats against the apostles only serve to magnify the divine power at work through them, demonstrating that no human authority can ultimately thwart the will of God or the mission of His Son. The spread of the gospel, despite opposition, is a direct fulfillment of Christ's Great Commission, where He declared, [All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations](/matthew/28-18-20 "Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission"). The Sanhedrin's fear of the "name" is a testament to the truth that [God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9 - The Exaltation of Christ"), a name before which every knee will one day bow. Thus, Acts 4:17, far from being a story of successful suppression, becomes a powerful narrative of Christ's ultimate triumph over all earthly opposition, ensuring that His saving message will indeed "spread" to the ends of the earth.

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 5:28

Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

Romans 15:18

For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

Romans 15:22

¶ For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.

1 Thessalonians 2:15

Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

1 Thessalonians 2:16

Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

Acts 5:24

Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.

1 Thessalonians 1:8

For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.