Acts 4:20
What does Acts 4:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 4:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 4:20 means
The apostles further justified their refusal by stating an inescapable truth: "we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard." Their personal experience of Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and the Holy Spirit's power compelled them to share their testimony. Their witness was not a matter of choice but a divine imperative, born out of direct observation and participation in God's unfolding work, making silence an impossibility for them.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For it is not possible for us to keep from saying what we have seen and have knowledge of.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for we cannot but speak what we did see and hear.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890for as for us we cannot refrain from speaking of the things which we have seen and heard.
Context
This verse expands on the apostles' refusal, explaining the intrinsic compulsion behind their continued witness. It naturally flows from their principle of obeying God rather than men, providing the personal and experiential foundation for their stance. This explanation underscores the authenticity and power of their testimony, demonstrating that their message was rooted in undeniable personal encounter with Christ.
v.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:
v.20This passage
v.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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 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.
- Jeremiah 6:11
Therefore I am full of the wrath of Jehovah; I am weary with holding in: pour it out upon the children in the street, and upon the assembly of young men together; for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him that is full of days.
- Job 32:18
For I am full of words; The spirit within me constraineth me.
- Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
- Jeremiah 4:19
My anguish, my anguish! I am pained at my very heart; my heart is disquieted in me; I cannot hold my peace; because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.
- Acts 3:15
and killed the Prince of life; whom God raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
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