Acts 4:18
What does Acts 4:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 4:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 4:18 means
Following their private deliberation, the Sanhedrin recalled Peter and John and delivered their official injunction. The council formally charged them and explicitly commanded them to completely cease speaking or teaching in the name of Jesus. This was a clear attempt to silence their ministry and suppress the nascent Christian movement by forbidding any public proclamation of Christ's identity or power.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And they called them, and charged them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And they called them, and charged them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they sent for them, and gave them orders not to make statements or give teaching in the name of Jesus.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And having called them, they charged them not to speak at all, nor to teach, in the name of Jesus,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And calling them, they charged them not to speak at all, nor teach in the name of Jesus.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And having called them, they charged [them] not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
Context
This verse details the Sanhedrin's direct order to Peter and John, formalizing their coercive strategy. It immediately follows the council's decision to threaten the apostles, bringing their deliberation to a practical conclusion. This direct command establishes the legal prohibition that Peter and John must now confront, setting up their defiant, Spirit-inspired response.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 5:40
And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles unto them, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
- Luke 24:46
and he said unto them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day;
- Acts 5:20
Go ye, and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this Life.
- Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
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