Acts 4:17

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

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}.

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.”

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

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

Context of Acts 4:17

Acts 4:17 describes the reaction of the Jewish religious council, the Sanhedrin, to the burgeoning Christian movement in Jerusalem. This verse immediately follows the miraculous healing of a lame man at the Beautiful Gate of the temple by Peter and John in the name of Jesus Christ. Following this undeniable miracle, Peter delivered a powerful sermon, leading to thousands of new believers. The religious leaders, including priests, the captain of the temple, and Sadducees, were greatly disturbed by the apostles' teaching that Jesus had risen from the dead. They arrested Peter and John, bringing them before the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish court. Unable to deny the miracle, as the healed man was standing with them, the council's primary concern was to stop the spread of this new doctrine, which challenged their authority and established religious order.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Opposition to the Gospel: This verse starkly illustrates the world's inherent resistance to the divine truth and the authority of Jesus Christ. The religious leaders, motivated by fear of losing control and influence, sought to suppress the message rather than acknowledge its truth.
  • Fear vs. Faith: The Sanhedrin's decision was born out of fear—fear of the people, fear of the apostles' growing influence, and perhaps fear of the implications of Jesus' resurrection. This contrasts sharply with the apostles' unwavering faith and boldness, which would become evident in their response to the threat.
  • The Power of the Name of Jesus: The very thing the council sought to prohibit—speaking "in this name"—was the source of the apostles' power and the core of their message. The name of Jesus was not just a label but represented His authority, presence, and saving power, as declared by Peter in Acts 4:12, "Neither is there salvation in any other."

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "straitly threaten them" comes from the Greek word apeilē (ἀπειλῇ), meaning a strong warning, menace, or threat. The adverb "straitly" emphasizes the severity and strictness of the prohibition. It conveys a clear and 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.

Practical Application

Acts 4:17 offers timeless insights for believers today:

  • Expect Opposition: Just as the early church faced threats and persecution, followers of Christ can expect resistance when sharing the Gospel. The world often finds the truth of Christ challenging to its values and systems, echoing Jesus' words in John 15:19, "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."
  • The Unstoppable Nature of God's Word: Despite the council's threats, the message of Jesus could not be contained. God's truth has an inherent power to spread and transform lives, regardless of human attempts to suppress it.
  • Boldness in Christ: This verse sets the stage for Peter and John's courageous response in Acts 4:19-20, where they declared their inability to stop speaking about what they had seen and heard. Believers are called to similar boldness, prioritizing obedience to God over fear of human authority when the two conflict.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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