Acts 4:21

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

So {G1161} when they had further threatened them {G4324}, they let {G630} them {G846} go {G630}, finding {G2147} nothing {G3367} how {G4459} they might punish {G2849} them {G846}, because {G1223} of the people {G2992}: for {G3754} all {G3956} men glorified {G1392} God {G2316} for {G1909} that which was done {G1096}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They threatened them some more but finally let them go — they couldn’t punish them because of the people, for everyone was praising God over what had happened,

Berean Standard Bible

After further threats they let them go. They could not find a way to punish them, because all the people were glorifying God for what had happened.

American Standard Version

And they, when they had further threatened them, let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people; for all men glorified God for that which was done.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 4:21 captures the climactic moment of Peter and John's initial confrontation with the Sanhedrin, revealing the religious authorities' inability to punish the apostles despite their desire to do so. This impasse arose not from a lack of will, but from the overwhelming public support for the miraculous healing performed by the apostles, which had led the people to glorify God. Consequently, the Sanhedrin, fearing popular unrest, was compelled to release Peter and John, allowing the nascent Christian movement to continue its growth unhindered by this powerful opposition.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the resolution to the first major conflict between the burgeoning Christian church and the established Jewish religious leadership. Preceding this, Peter and John had miraculously healed a man lame from birth at the Temple gate, an event detailed in [Acts 3:6-8](/acts/3-6-8 "The Healing of the Lame Man at the Temple Gate"). Their subsequent arrest and appearance before the Sanhedrin, recounted in [Acts 4:1-7](/acts/4-1-7 "Peter and John Arrested and Questioned"), led to Peter's bold proclamation of Jesus' resurrection and His identity as the only source of salvation, as powerfully articulated in [Acts 4:8-12](/acts/4-8-12 "Peter's Spirit-Filled Defense Before the Sanhedrin"). Despite the Sanhedrin's explicit command for them to cease speaking and teaching in the name of Jesus ([Acts 4:18](/acts/4-18 "The Sanhedrin's Command to Peter and John")), Peter and John defiantly declared their unwavering commitment to obey God rather than men ([Acts 4:19-20](/acts/4-19-20 "Peter and John's Bold Declaration of Obedience to God")). Acts 4:21, therefore, underscores the Sanhedrin's impotence in the face of divine power and popular sentiment, setting the stage for the church's continued expansion and further encounters with opposition.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish judicial and legislative body, wielded significant authority in Jerusalem, especially in religious matters, though ultimately accountable to Roman oversight. Their primary concern was maintaining order and avoiding anything that might provoke Roman intervention or popular unrest. The healing of the lame man was a highly public and undeniable miracle, witnessed by "all the people" ([Acts 3:9](/acts/3-9 "The People See the Healed Man")), and it occurred at a prominent location (the Temple gate). For the Sanhedrin to punish Peter and John for such a clearly beneficial and widely acclaimed act would have been politically perilous, risking a riot among the populace who had just "glorified God" for the miracle. Culturally, the Jewish people were accustomed to divine signs authenticating prophets and messengers, and this miracle resonated deeply with their expectations of God's activity. The Sanhedrin's fear of the people's reaction highlights the delicate balance of power in Roman-occupied Judea, where popular sentiment could quickly escalate into civil disturbance, a situation the Sanhedrin desperately sought to avoid.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 4:21 powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent in the early chapters of Acts. Firstly, it showcases **Divine Sovereignty and Protection**, demonstrating that God's plan for His church cannot be thwarted by human opposition, even from the most powerful religious authorities. Peter and John's release was not due to the Sanhedrin's benevolence but God's overarching control. Secondly, the verse highlights the **Authenticating Power of Miracles**, as the undeniable healing served as a divine seal on the apostles' message, leading the common people to "glorify God" and thereby creating a protective barrier around the apostles. This aligns with the purpose of miracles throughout Scripture: to validate God's messengers and reveal His glory, as seen in [John 9:3](/john/9-3 "Jesus Explains the Purpose of the Blind Man's Healing"). Thirdly, it underscores the **Impact of Public Opinion**, revealing how God can use even secular or political constraints to advance His kingdom. The Sanhedrin's fear of the people's reaction directly led to the apostles' release, showing how God can turn the plans of adversaries to His advantage, a theme echoed in [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "The King's Heart is in the Hand of the Lord"). Finally, the passage reinforces the theme of **Apostolic Boldness and Steadfastness** in the face of persecution, as Peter and John's unwavering commitment to Christ, combined with the miracle's impact, compelled their release, allowing them to continue their vital ministry.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **threatened (Greek, _prosapeiléō'_):** This compound verb (G4324) signifies "to menace additionally" or "to threaten further." It indicates that the Sanhedrin's initial questioning and command were followed by intensified warnings and intimidation, attempting to ensure Peter and John would comply. Despite these severe threats, the apostles remained resolute.
* **punish (Greek, _kolázō'_):** The term (G2849) means "to curtail," "to chastise," or "to reserve for infliction." It conveys the Sanhedrin's desire not merely to warn but to inflict actual penalty or restraint upon Peter and John. The inability to "punish" them implies they could not find a legal or publicly acceptable means to impose a sentence, such as imprisonment or flogging, which they often did to those they deemed heretical or disruptive.
* **glorified (Greek, _doxázō'_):** This verb (G1392) means "to render (or esteem) glorious," "to honor," or "to magnify." It describes the people's spontaneous and widespread praise of God. It was not mere acknowledgment of a wonder but an attribution of honor and majesty to God as the source of the miraculous healing, recognizing His power and benevolent intervention. This public glorification of God created an unassailable barrier against the Sanhedrin's punitive intentions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So when they had further threatened them,"**: This clause emphasizes the Sanhedrin's persistent and escalating attempts to intimidate Peter and John. Despite their initial command and stern warnings, the apostles' resolve to obey God rather than men led the authorities to resort to more severe verbal threats, hoping to compel submission through fear.
* **"they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them,"**: This highlights the Sanhedrin's dilemma and ultimate impotence. Despite their power and their desire to inflict punishment for the apostles' defiance and the perceived challenge to their authority, they could not find a legitimate or politically viable charge. This inability stemmed from the undeniable nature of the miracle and the public's positive reaction.
* **"because of the people: for all [men] glorified God for that which was done."**: This final clause provides the crucial reason for the Sanhedrin's decision. The phrase "because of the people" reveals the political constraint: the Sanhedrin feared popular unrest if they acted against those who had performed such a widely acclaimed miracle. The reason the people were a deterrent was that "all [men] glorified God for that which was done," signifying that the miracle had powerfully authenticated the apostles' ministry in the eyes of the populace, making any punitive action against them politically untenable. The "that which was done" (referring to the healing) was an undeniable act of divine power.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 4:21 employs several effective literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the powerful Sanhedrin, with all its authority, is rendered powerless by the very people it seeks to control and by the undeniable divine act. Their desire to punish is thwarted by the public's spontaneous praise. There is also a strong **Contrast** between the Sanhedrin's malicious intent to "punish" and the people's righteous act of "glorifying God." This highlights the spiritual divide between the religious establishment and the common folk who recognized God's hand. The verse also functions as a clear example of **Cause and Effect**: the miraculous healing (cause) led to the people's glorification of God (effect), which in turn caused the Sanhedrin to be unable to punish the apostles (effect), ultimately leading to their release. Finally, the narrative serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the ongoing tension and persecution the early church would face, yet simultaneously demonstrating God's sovereign protection and the unstoppable advance of His kingdom, even through human opposition.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 4:21 profoundly illustrates the theological truth that God's sovereign will ultimately prevails over human opposition. Despite the immense power and authority of the Sanhedrin, their plans to suppress the nascent Christian movement were frustrated, not by the apostles' cunning, but by God's direct intervention through the undeniable miracle and the subsequent, divinely-inspired response of the people. This passage underscores that God can use unexpected means, even the political fears of His adversaries, to protect His servants and advance His kingdom. It also emphasizes the authenticating power of divine works, demonstrating that genuine acts of God, whether miracles or transformed lives, bear witness to His truth and can compel even unbelievers to acknowledge His glory, thereby creating an environment conducive to the spread of the Gospel.

* [Acts 5:29](/acts/5-29 "Peter's Declaration: We Must Obey God Rather Than Men")
* [Psalm 118:6](/psalms/118-6 "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?")
* [Matthew 5:16](/matthew/5-16 "Let Your Light Shine Before Others")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 4:21 offers profound encouragement and practical guidance for believers today. It reminds us that even when facing formidable opposition or seemingly insurmountable obstacles, God remains sovereign and actively involved in protecting His people and advancing His purposes. Just as He used the public's reaction to the miracle to protect Peter and John, He can orchestrate circumstances, even through the actions of those who oppose us, to ensure His will is done. This passage calls us to cultivate a deep trust in God's protective hand, knowing that our ultimate security rests in Him, not in human power or influence. Furthermore, it challenges us to live lives that genuinely glorify God, recognizing that our transformed lives and the authentic works God performs through us can be powerful testimonies that soften hearts, disarm critics, and draw others to praise Him. Our steadfastness in proclaiming Christ, even under pressure, is not in vain, for God is able to turn every threat into an opportunity for His glory to be revealed and His kingdom to expand.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's sovereignty in this passage encourage you when facing opposition or challenges in your own life or ministry?**
* **In what ways can your life and actions, empowered by the Holy Spirit, lead others in your sphere of influence to "glorify God"?**
* **What "threats" or pressures (e.g., social disapproval, professional consequences) might prevent you from boldly proclaiming your faith today, and how can you rely on God's protection to overcome them?**

### FAQ
**Why couldn't the Sanhedrin punish Peter and John, despite their power?**

Answer: The Sanhedrin, though possessing significant religious and judicial authority, was ultimately constrained by the political realities of Roman occupation and, more immediately, by the overwhelming public sentiment. Peter and John had just performed an undeniable miracle—the healing of a man lame from birth—which had been witnessed by "all the people" ([Acts 3:9](/acts/3-9 "The People See the Healed Man")) and had led them to "glorify God" for what was done. To punish the apostles for such a benevolent and widely celebrated act would have risked inciting a riot or widespread public unrest, a situation the Sanhedrin desperately sought to avoid as it could lead to Roman intervention. Thus, despite their desire to suppress the apostles' message and punish their defiance, they found no politically safe or legitimate grounds to do so without alienating the very people they governed.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 4:21, while focusing on the apostles' release, points profoundly to Christ, for it is His person and work that ultimately compelled the people to "glorify God for that which was done." The miracle performed by Peter and John was not an isolated event but a continuation of the signs and wonders that authenticated Jesus' own ministry, as seen when the crowds "glorified God" after Jesus healed the paralytic ([Matthew 9:8](/matthew/9-8 "Crowds Glorify God for Healing the Paralytic")) or when He raised the dead ([Luke 7:16](/luke/7-16 "Crowds Glorify God After Jesus Raises the Widow's Son")). The apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, were simply extending the redemptive work initiated by Christ. The Sanhedrin's inability to stop the apostles foreshadows their ultimate failure to thwart God's greater plan of salvation through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Though they thought they had triumphed at the cross, God raised Christ from the dead, and it is through Christ's ultimate "done thing"—His atoning sacrifice and victorious resurrection—that God is most supremely glorified, drawing all people to Himself ([John 12:32](/john/12-32 "Jesus Predicts His Lifting Up")). The church, as the body of Christ, continues to bear witness to this ultimate act, and in doing so, continues to manifest God's glory in the world, overcoming all opposition through the power of the Resurrected Lord.

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 5:26

¶ Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

Matthew 21:46

But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.

Luke 20:6

But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

Luke 22:2

And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.

Luke 20:19

And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

Matthew 9:8

But when the multitudes saw [it], they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

John 12:18

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