Acts 4:21
◄  Acts 4:21  ►
New International Version (©2011)
After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.

New Living Translation (©2007)
The council then threatened them further, but they finally let them go because they didn't know how to punish them without starting a riot. For everyone was praising God

English Standard Version (©2001)
And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened;

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
So 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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
After threatening them further, they released them. They found no way to punish them, because the people were all giving glory to God over what had been done;

International Standard Version (©2012)
So they threatened Peter and John even more and then let them go. They couldn't find any way to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened,

NET Bible (©2006)
After threatening them further, they released them, for they could not find how to punish them on account of the people, because they were all praising God for what had happened.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
And they threatened them and released them, for they had not found a cause to pursue their lives, because of the people, because everyone was praising God for what had happened.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
The authorities threatened them even more and then let them go. Since all the people were praising God for what had happened, the authorities couldn't find any way to punish Peter and John.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing for which they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

American King James Version
So 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.

American Standard Version
And 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.

Douay-Rheims Bible
But they threatening, sent them away, not finding how they might punish them, because of the people; for all men glorified what had been done, in that which had come to pass.

Darby Bible Translation
But they, having further threatened them, let them go, finding no way how they might punish them, on account of the people, because all glorified God for what had taken place;

English Revised Version
And 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.

Webster's Bible Translation
So 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.

Weymouth New Testament
The Court added further threats and then let them go, being quite unable to find any way of punishing them on account of the people, because all gave God the glory for the thing that had happened.

World English Bible
When they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for everyone glorified God for that which was done.

Young's Literal Translation
And they having further threatened them, let them go, finding nothing how they may punish them, because of the people, because all were glorifying God for that which hath been done,

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 21. - And they when they, etc., let them go for so when they, etc., they let them go, A.V.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

So when they had further threatened them,.... Either repeated the same, as before; or added some more severe ones, to terrify them, if possible; not being able to answer their arguments, or invalidate their reasoning:

they let them go; they did not acquit them as innocent persons, but dismissed them from custody:

finding nothing how they might punish them; not being able, though they sought most diligently for it, to fix anything upon them, which might be a cause, or occasion, or pretence of inflicting any punishment upon them:

because of the people: they would not have stuck at the injustice of it, or have been under any concern about offending God; but they were afraid of the people, of losing their credit among them, and lest they should rise up against them, and on the side of the apostles:

for all men glorified God for that which was done; they saw the hand of God in it, and ascribed it to his mercy, goodness, and power, and gave him the glory of it; and therefore to punish the instruments of so great and good a work, would have been esteemed barbarous and wicked, and would have been highly resented by them; since, on the contrary, they judged them worthy of great honour and respect.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

21. finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people—not at a loss for a pretext, but at a loss how to do it so as not to rouse the opposition of the people.

Acts 4:21 Parallel Commentaries

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Peter and John Threatened, Released
…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. 22For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was showed.

Matthew 9:8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.
Acts 3:9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God,
Acts 4:22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.
Acts 5:13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.
Acts 5:26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.