Acts 5:40
What does Acts 5:40 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 5:40 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 5:40 means
The council agrees with Gamaliel. They call in the apostles, beat them, command them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and release them. The beating is real suffering—physical pain and public shame—meant to deter further preaching. The command repeats the earlier prohibition, showing that the authorities remain opposed to the gospel despite their restraint. Yet the release, rather than execution, is a providential mercy that allows the mission to continue. The verse shows that following Christ can bring dishonor in the world’s eyes, even as God sustains and advances His work through persevering witnesses.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And he seemed to them to be right: and they sent for the Apostles, and, after having them whipped and giving them orders to give no teaching in the name of Jesus, they let them go.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And to him they agreed, and having called near the apostles, having beaten <FI>them<Fi> , they commanded <FI>them<Fi> not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And calling in the apostles, after they had scourged them, they charged them that they should not speak at all in the name of Jesus. And they dismissed them.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And they listened to his advice; and having called the apostles, they beat them, and enjoined them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them.
Context
After Gamaliel’s warning, the council tempers its response: punishment and prohibition, but no death. This provides an immediate test of the apostles’ resolve and faith. The next verses will record their surprising reaction—not despair, but joy at being counted worthy to suffer for the Name—and their steadfast continuance in public and house-to-house teaching. The narrative moves from threat to endurance, showing the unstoppable nature of the gospel when God’s people embrace both obedience and suffering.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 4:17
But that it spread no further among the people, let us threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
- Mark 13:9
But take ye heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in synagogues shall ye be beaten; and before governors and kings shall ye stand for my sake, for a testimony unto them.
- Isaiah 30:10
that say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits,
- John 19:1
Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.
- Matthew 23:34
Therefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: some of them shall ye kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city:
- Proverbs 12:10
A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
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