Acts 4:16
New International Version
“What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it.

New Living Translation
“What should we do with these men?” they asked each other. “We can’t deny that they have performed a miraculous sign, and everybody in Jerusalem knows about it.

English Standard Version
saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

Berean Standard Bible
“What shall we do with these men?” they asked. “It is clear to everyone living in Jerusalem that a remarkable miracle has occurred through them, and we cannot deny it.

Berean Literal Bible
saying, "What shall we do to these men? For truly that a noteworthy sign has come to pass through them is evident to all those inhabiting Jerusalem, and we are not able to deny it.

King James Bible
Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.

New King James Version
saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

New American Standard Bible
saying, “What are we to do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

NASB 1995
saying, “What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

NASB 1977
saying, “What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

Legacy Standard Bible
saying, “What should we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy sign has happened through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

Amplified Bible
saying, “What are we to do with these men? For the fact that an extraordinary miracle has taken place through them is public knowledge and clearly evident to all the residents of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

Christian Standard Bible
saying, “What should we do with these men? For an obvious sign has been done through them, clear to everyone living in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
saying, “What should we do with these men? For an obvious sign, evident to all who live in Jerusalem, has been done through them, and we cannot deny it!

American Standard Version
saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been wrought through them, is manifest to all that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.

Contemporary English Version
"What can we do with these men? Everyone in Jerusalem knows about this miracle, and we cannot say it didn't happen.

English Revised Version
saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been wrought through them, is manifest to all that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They said, "What should we do to these men? Clearly, they've performed a miracle that everyone in Jerusalem knows about. We can't deny that.

Good News Translation
"What shall we do with these men?" they asked. "Everyone in Jerusalem knows that this extraordinary miracle has been performed by them, and we cannot deny it.

International Standard Version
They said, "What should we do with these men? For it's obvious to everybody living in Jerusalem that an unmistakable sign has been done by them, and we cannot deny it.

Majority Standard Bible
?What shall we do with these men?? they asked. ?It is clear to everyone living in Jerusalem that a remarkable miracle has occurred through them, and we cannot deny it.

NET Bible
saying, "What should we do with these men? For it is plain to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable miraculous sign has come about through them, and we cannot deny it.

New Heart English Bible
saying, "What should we do with these men? Because indeed a notable miracle has been done through them, as can be plainly seen by all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

Webster's Bible Translation
Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

Weymouth New Testament
"What are we to do with these men?" they asked one another; for the fact that a remarkable miracle has been performed by them is well known to every one in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

World English Bible
saying, “What shall we do to these men? Because indeed a notable miracle has been done through them, as can be plainly seen by all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we can’t deny it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
saying, “What will we do to these men? Because that, indeed, a notable sign has been done through them [is] apparent to all those dwelling in Jerusalem, and we are not able to deny [it];

Berean Literal Bible
saying, "What shall we do to these men? For truly that a noteworthy sign has come to pass through them is evident to all those inhabiting Jerusalem, and we are not able to deny it.

Young's Literal Translation
saying, 'What shall we do to these men? because that, indeed, a notable sign hath been done through them, to all those dwelling in Jerusalem is manifest, and we are not able to deny it;

Smith's Literal Translation
Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that truly a known sign has been by them, manifest to all them dwelling in Jerusalem: and we cannot deny.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Saying: What shall we do to these men? for indeed a known miracle hath been done by them, to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem: it is manifest, and we cannot deny it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
saying: “What shall we do to these men? For certainly a public sign has been done through them, before all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. It is manifest, and we cannot deny it.

New American Bible
“What are we to do with these men? Everyone living in Jerusalem knows that a remarkable sign was done through them, and we cannot deny it.

New Revised Standard Version
They said, “What will we do with them? For it is obvious to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable sign has been done through them; we cannot deny it.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Saying, What shall we do to these men? for behold a miracle has openly been performed by them and it is known to all that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“What shall we do to these men? For behold, a public sign that has occurred by their hands is known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem and we cannot deny it.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
saying: What shall we do with these men? For that an evident sign has been done by them, is manifest to all that dwell in Jerusalem, and we can not deny it.

Godbey New Testament
saying, What can we do to these men? for that a notable miracle has been wrought by them is indeed manifest to all dwelling at Jerusalem, and we are not able to deny it;

Haweis New Testament
saying, What shall we do with these men? for that an acknowledged miracle hath been wrought by them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.

Mace New Testament
saying, what shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all that dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

Weymouth New Testament
"What are we to do with these men?" they asked one another; for the fact that a remarkable miracle has been performed by them is well known to every one in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

Worrell New Testament
saying, "What shall we do to these men? for, indeed, that a notable sign has been done through them is manifest to all those dwelling in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it;

Worsley New Testament
and conferred among themselves, saying, What shall we do with these men? for that indeed an evident miracle hath been wrought by them is manifest to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Name Forbidden
15So they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16“What shall we do with these men?” they asked. It is clear to everyone living in Jerusalem that a remarkable miracle has occurred through them, and we cannot deny it. 17But to keep this message from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in this name.”…

Cross References
John 11:47-48
Then the chief priests and Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. / If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”

Matthew 21:25-27
What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?” They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ / But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.” / So they answered, “We do not know.” And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

John 12:19
Then the Pharisees said to one another, “You can see that this is doing you no good. Look how the whole world has gone after Him!”

Luke 20:5-7
They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ / But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” / So they answered that they did not know where it was from.

John 9:16
Because of this, some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for He does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a sinful man perform such signs?” And there was division among them.

John 3:2
He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs You are doing if God were not with him.”

Matthew 12:23-24
The crowds were astounded and asked, “Could this be the Son of David?” / But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “Only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, does this man drive out demons.”

Mark 11:18
When the chief priests and scribes heard this, they looked for a way to kill Him. For they were afraid of Him, because the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching.

John 7:31
Many in the crowd, however, believed in Him and said, “When the Christ comes, will He perform more signs than this man?”

John 11:53
So from that day on they plotted to kill Him.

Matthew 27:64
So give the order that the tomb be secured until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples may come and steal Him away and tell the people He has risen from the dead. And this last deception would be worse than the first.”

John 5:36
But I have testimony more substantial than that of John. For the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works I am doing—testify about Me that the Father has sent Me.

John 10:38
But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works themselves, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father.”

Exodus 4:14-16
Then the anger of the LORD burned against Moses, and He said, “Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well, and he is now on his way to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. / You are to speak to him and put the words in his mouth. I will help both of you to speak, and I will teach you what to do. / He will speak to the people for you. He will be your spokesman, and it will be as if you were God to him.

1 Kings 18:21
Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word.


Treasury of Scripture

Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle has been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.

What.

John 11:47,48
Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles…

John 12:18
For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.

a notable.

Acts 3:9,10
And all the people saw him walking and praising God: …

Daniel 8:5,8
And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes…

Matthew 27:16
And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.

and we.

Acts 6:10
And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

Luke 6:10,11
And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other…

Luke 21:15
For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

Jump to Previous
Apparent Clear Deny Dwell Dwelling Evident Fact Important Indeed Inhabit Inhabitants Jerusalem Live Manifest Means Miracle Notable Outstanding Performed Plainly Possible Remarkable Sign
Jump to Next
Apparent Clear Deny Dwell Dwelling Evident Fact Important Indeed Inhabit Inhabitants Jerusalem Live Manifest Means Miracle Notable Outstanding Performed Plainly Possible Remarkable Sign
Acts 4
1. The rulers of the Jews, offended with Peter's sermon,
3. imprison him and John.
5. After, upon examination
8. Peter boldly avouching the lame man to be healed by the name of Jesus,
11. and that only by the same Jesus we must be eternally saved,
13. they threaten him and John to preach no more in that name,
23. whereupon the church flees to prayer.
31. And God, by moving the place where they were assembled, testifies that he heard their prayer;
34. confirming the church with the gift of the Holy Spirit, and with mutual love and charity.














What shall we do with these men?
This phrase reflects the dilemma faced by the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, as they grapple with the undeniable miracle performed by Peter and John. The Greek word for "do" (ποιήσωμεν, poiēsōmen) suggests an action or decision that needs to be made. Historically, the Sanhedrin was the supreme religious body in Israel, responsible for maintaining Jewish law and order. Their question reveals their struggle between acknowledging the miracle and maintaining their authority.

For it is clear to everyone living in Jerusalem
The phrase underscores the public nature of the miracle. The Greek word for "clear" (φανερόν, phaneron) means manifest or evident. This indicates that the miracle was not done in secret but was witnessed by many, making it impossible for the authorities to deny. Jerusalem, being the center of Jewish worship and culture, was a place where news spread quickly, and the impact of the miracle was widespread.

that a remarkable miracle has occurred through them
The term "remarkable" (γνωστὸν, gnōston) in Greek implies something that is well-known or recognized. The miracle, the healing of a man lame from birth, was indeed extraordinary and served as a testament to the power of Jesus' name. In the context of Acts, miracles often served to authenticate the message of the apostles and the early church.

and we cannot deny it
This admission by the Sanhedrin highlights their inability to refute the evidence of the miracle. The Greek word for "deny" (ἀρνεῖσθαι, arneisthai) means to contradict or disavow. Despite their authority and desire to suppress the apostles' message, the truth of the miracle was irrefutable. This moment illustrates the power of God’s work through the apostles, which even the most powerful religious leaders could not negate.

(16) What shall we do to these men?--The question now debated was clearly one that never ought to have been even asked. They were sitting as a Court of Justice, and should have given their verdict for or against the accused according to the evidence. They abandon that office, and begin discussing what policy was most expedient. It was, we may add, characteristic of Caiaphas to do so (John 11:49-50).

A notable miracle.--Literally, sign.

We cannot deny it.--The very form of the sentence betrays the will, though there is not the power.

Verse 16. - Wrought through them for done by them, A.V.; to all for to all them, A.V. Only here and at ver. 22 and in Luke 23:8 has miracle been retained in the R.V. as the rendering of σημεῖα: everywhere else it is sign. Wrought through them; more literally, hath come to pass through them.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“What
Τί (Ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

shall we do
ποιήσωμεν (poiēsōmen)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

with
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

these
τούτοις (toutois)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

men?”
ἀνθρώποις (anthrōpois)
Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

they asked.
λέγοντες (legontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“[It] is clear
φανερόν (phaneron)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5318: Apparent, clear, visible, manifest; adv: clearly. From phaino; shining, i.e. Apparent; neuter publicly, externally.

to everyone
πᾶσιν (pasin)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

living
κατοικοῦσιν (katoikousin)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2730: To dwell in, settle in, be established in (permanently), inhabit. From kata and oikeo; to house permanently, i.e. Reside.

[in] Jerusalem
Ἰερουσαλὴμ (Ierousalēm)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2419: Of Hebrew origin; Hierusalem, the capitol of Palestine.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

a remarkable
γνωστὸν (gnōston)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1110: Known, an acquaintance. From ginosko; well-known.

miracle
σημεῖον (sēmeion)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4592: Neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of semaino; an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally.

has occurred
γέγονεν (gegonen)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

through
δι’ (di’)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

them,
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

we cannot
δυνάμεθα (dynametha)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

deny [it].
ἀρνεῖσθαι (arneisthai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive
Strong's 720: Perhaps from a and the middle voice of rheo; to contradict, i.e. Disavow, reject, abnegate.


Links
Acts 4:16 NIV
Acts 4:16 NLT
Acts 4:16 ESV
Acts 4:16 NASB
Acts 4:16 KJV

Acts 4:16 BibleApps.com
Acts 4:16 Biblia Paralela
Acts 4:16 Chinese Bible
Acts 4:16 French Bible
Acts 4:16 Catholic Bible

NT Apostles: Acts 4:16 Saying What shall we do to these (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 4:15
Top of Page
Top of Page