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Acts 4:21

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 4:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
Acts 4:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
22For the man was more than forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was wrought.
23And being let go, they came to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said unto them.
24And they, when they heard it, lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, O Lord, thou that didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is:
← Acts 4:20Acts 4:22 →
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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
“So when they had further threatened them, etc.] Either repeated the same, as before; or added some more severe ones, to terrify them, if possible; not being able to answer their arguments, or invalidate their reasoning: they let them go; they did not acquit them as innocent persons, but dismissed them from custody: finding nothing how they might punish them; not being able, though they sought most diligently for it, to fix anything upon them, which might be a cause, or occasion, or pretence of inflicting any punishment upon them: because of the people: they would not have stuck at the injustice of it, or have been under any concern about offending God; but they were afraid of the people, of…”
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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
“finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people--not at a loss for a pretext, but at a loss how to do it so as not to rouse the opposition of the people.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Finding nothing ... - That is, not being able to devise any way of punishing them without exciting a tumult among the people, and endangering their own authority. The Sanhedrin was frequently influenced by this fear; and it shows that their own authority was much dependent on the caprice of the multitude. Compare Matthew 21:26. All men - That is, the great mass or body of the people. Glorified God - Praised God for the miracle. This implies: That they believed that the miracle was genuine. (2)That they were grateful to God for so signal a mercy in conferring health and comfort on a man who had been long afflicted. We may add further, that here is the highest evidence of the reality of the…”
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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 all glorified God - So much wiser were the people than those who were over them. Acts 4:24”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“when: Act 4:17, Act 5:40 how: Act 5:26; Mat 21:46, Mat 26:5; Luk 19:47, Luk 19:48, Luk 20:6, Luk 20:19, Luk 22:2 for all: Act 3:6-9; Mat 9:33, Mat 15:31; Luk 5:26, Luk 13:17; Joh 12:18, Joh 12:19 Acts 4:22”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification