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Acts 4:18

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 4:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And they called them, and charged them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And they called them, and charged them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
Acts 4:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16saying, 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.
17But that it spread no further among the people, let us threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
18And they called them, and charged them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than unto God, judge ye:
20for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard.
21And 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.
← Acts 4:17Acts 4:19 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And they called them, etc.] From the apartment where they were; or ordered their servants to call them in to them: and commanded them not to speak at all; either privately or publicly, in the ministry of the word, or in working of miracles, in the city, or in the country: nor teach in the name of Jesus; any doctrine whatever; or “the name of Jesus”, as the Arabic version reads; that is, the doctrine of Jesus, that which respects his person, his carnation, his offices, his sufferings, death, and resurrection from the dead.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Whether it be right . . . to hearken to you more than . . . God, judge ye.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“What shall we do to these men? - The object which they had in view was evidently to prevent their preaching. The miracle was performed, and it was believed by the people to have been made. This they could not expect to be able successfully to deny. Their only object, therefore, was to prevent the apostles from making the use which they saw they would to convince the people that Jesus was the Messiah. The question was, in what way they should prevent this; whether by putting them to death, by imprisoning them, or by scourging them; or whether by simply exerting theft authority and forbidding them. From the former they were deterred, doubtless, by fear of the multitude; and they therefore…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“They charged them not to speak - Privately; nor teach - Publicly. Acts 4:19”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“And they: Act 5:40 not to speak: Act 1:8, Act 5:20; Luk 24:46-48 Acts 4:19”
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Related study paths

Read Acts 4 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification