Acts 4:20
◄  Acts 4:20  ►
New International Version (©2011)
As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."

New Living Translation (©2007)
We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard."

English Standard Version (©2001)
for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."

International Standard Version (©2012)
for we cannot stop talking about what we've seen and heard."

NET Bible (©2006)
for it is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard."

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
“For we are unable not to speak whatever we see and hear.”

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
We cannot stop talking about what we've seen and heard."

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

American King James Version
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

American Standard Version
for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard.

Douay-Rheims Bible
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

Darby Bible Translation
for as for us we cannot refrain from speaking of the things which we have seen and heard.

English Revised Version
for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard.

Webster's Bible Translation
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

Weymouth New Testament
As for us, what we have seen and heard we cannot help speaking about."

World English Bible
for we can't help telling the things which we saw and heard."

Young's Literal Translation
for we cannot but speak what we did see and hear.'

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

4:15-22 All the care of the rulers is, that the doctrine of Christ spread not among the people, yet they cannot say it is false or dangerous, or of any ill tendency; and they are ashamed to own the true reason; that it testifies against their hypocrisy, wickedness, and tyranny. Those who know how to put a just value upon Christ's promises, know how to put just contempt upon the world's threatenings. The apostles look with concern on perishing souls, and know they cannot escape eternal ruin but by Jesus Christ, therefore they are faithful in warning, and showing the right way. None will enjoy peace of mind, nor act uprightly, till they have learned to guide their conduct by the fixed standard of truth, and not by the shifting opinions and fancies of men. Especially beware of a vain attempt to serve two masters, God and the world; the end will be, you can serve neither fully.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 20. - Saw and heard for have seen and heard, A.V. We cannot but speak, etc. We have here another instance of Peter's boldness of speech under the influence of the Holy Ghost.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

For we cannot but speak,.... It was not physically, but morally impossible; or it was not lawful, and therefore they would not speak any other, and they could not avoid speaking, say they,

the things which we have seen and heard; as the miracles and doctrines of Christ, his resurrection from the dead, of which they were eye and ear witnesses. This shows their great fidelity and integrity, their inviolable attachment to Christ, and their fearlessness of the displeasure and wrath of men.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

20. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard—There is here a wonderful union of sober, respectful appeal to the better reason of their judges, and calm, deep determination to abide the consequences of a constrained testimony, which betokens a power above their own resting upon them, according to promise.

Acts 4:20 Parallel Commentaries

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Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


Peter and John Threatened, Released
…19But Peter and John answered and said to them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, judge you. 20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 21So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

Jeremiah 20:9 But if I say, "I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
Amos 3:8 The lion has roared-- who will not fear? The Sovereign LORD has spoken-- who can but prophesy?
1 Corinthians 9:16 For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched--this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
1 John 1:3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.