Devine Scripture

Acts 4:17

What does Acts 4:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 4:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 4:17 means

Despite admitting the miracle, the Sanhedrin's primary concern remained controlling the spread of Jesus' message. To prevent the message of Jesus from gaining further traction among the people, they resolved to threaten Peter and John. Their plan was to intimidate the apostles, warning them sternly never again to speak in the name of Jesus to anyone. This revealed their strategy to suppress the movement through coercion and fear, rather than reasoned argument.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But so that it may not go farther among the people, let us put them in fear of punishment if they say anything in future in this name.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

but that it may spread no further toward the people, let us strictly threaten them no more to speak in this name to any man.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But that it may be no farther spread among the people, let us threaten them that they speak no more in this name to any man.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But that it be not further spread among the people, let us threaten them severely no longer to speak to any man in this name.

Context

This verse outlines the Sanhedrin's chosen strategy for dealing with Peter and John: threats. It naturally follows their acknowledgment of the miracle and their stated desire to prevent the message's spread. This decision to resort to intimidation rather than addressing the truth of the message sets up the apostles' crucial response, highlighting the clash between human authority and divine mandate.

v.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.

v.17This passage

v.18And they called them, and charged them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 15:18

    For I will not dare to speak of any things save those which Christ wrought through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed,

  • 2 Chronicles 25:15

    Wherefore the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, who said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which have not delivered their own people out of thy hand?

  • Romans 10:16

    But they did not all hearken to the glad tidings. For Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

  • Daniel 2:34

    Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon its feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them in pieces.

  • Jeremiah 20:1

    Now Pashhur, the son of Immer the priest, who was chief officer in the house of Jehovah, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things.

  • Acts 5:39

    but if it is of God, ye will not be able to overthrow them; lest haply ye be found even to be fighting against God.

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