Acts 4 16

Acts 4:16 kjv

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.

Acts 4:16 nkjv

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.

Acts 4:16 niv

"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.

Acts 4:16 esv

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.

Acts 4:16 nlt

"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.

Acts 4 verses

Acts 4 16 Meaning

Acts 4:16 captures the deep dilemma faced by the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish religious court, after Peter and John performed a verifiable miracle of healing a man born lame. The verse records their internal deliberation, acknowledging that an extraordinary sign had unmistakably occurred through the apostles' agency. This event was publicly witnessed and evident to every inhabitant of Jerusalem, making it impossible for the Sanhedrin to deny the reality of the miracle. Their problem was not the sign itself, which was undeniable, but its implications regarding the source of power (Jesus, whom they had crucified) and its challenge to their established authority.

Acts 4 16 Context

Acts 4:16 follows immediately after Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly preaches about Jesus Christ and His resurrection to the Jewish Sanhedrin, explaining that the healing of the lame man occurred by the power of Jesus' name. This sermon infuriated the Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection. Peter and John had been arrested and interrogated by this supreme court of Israel. The court members, including Annas and Caiaphas, the high priests, were faced with undeniable proof of God's work. The formerly lame man, well-known to the community, was standing among them, undeniably healed (Acts 4:14). This verse records the Sanhedrin's internal struggle and recognition of the miracle's veracity. Historically, the Sanhedrin was the supreme legislative, judicial, and religious council, exercising significant authority under Roman rule. They feared popular uprisings and loss of control, especially since the miracle had captured public attention, potentially stirring devotion to Jesus, whom they had crucified.

Acts 4 16 Word analysis

• saying (Greek: legontes, λέγοντες): This participial form indicates ongoing deliberation, an internal dialogue among the Sanhedrin members as they grappled with their difficult situation.
• What (Greek: Ti, Τί): An interrogative pronoun indicating a genuine quandary or perplexity. They truly did not know how to proceed without exposing their own illegitimacy.
• shall we do (Greek: poiēsōmen, ποιήσωμεν): A deliberative aorist subjunctive, highlighting a sense of urgency and necessity for action, yet a lack of clear path. It signifies their struggle to respond appropriately in the face of an irrefutable miracle.
• with these men (Greek: tois anthrōpois toutois, τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τούτοις): Refers to Peter and John. This phrasing depersonalizes them slightly, viewing them as a problem to be solved rather than individuals with a message from God.
• For that indeed (Greek: hoti men, ὅτι μὲν): The conjunction hoti introduces the reason for their dilemma. The particle men confirms the certainty or undisputed nature of the following statement; it sets up a concession, acknowledging the truth.
• a notable sign (Greek: gnōston sēmeion, γνωστὸν σημεῖον):
  • Gnōston (γνωστὸν): Means 'known,' 'evident,' 'publicly acknowledged.' It emphasizes the widespread knowledge and undeniable visibility of the miracle.
  • Sēmeion (σημεῖον): Meaning 'sign,' 'miracle,' or 'a mark/token.' In biblical context, it refers to a supernatural occurrence that points to a divine truth or agency. Here, it clearly points to God's power confirming Peter and John's message.
• has been performed (Greek: gegonen, γέγονεν): Perfect active indicative of ginomai ('to become,' 'to happen'). This tense emphasizes a completed action with continuing, present results and evidence. The miracle did not just happen; it stands as a fact.
• through them (Greek: di’ autōn, δι’ αὐτῶν): The preposition dia with the genitive case denotes the means or agency. Peter and John were merely the instruments through whom God acted, not the ultimate power source. This nuance is critical.
• is evident (Greek: phaneron, φανερὸν): Adjective meaning 'manifest,' 'clear,' 'obvious,' 'visible.' It underscores the indisputable nature of the event; it was not done in a corner but openly.
• to all who dwell in Jerusalem (Greek: pasi tois katoikousin en Hierousalēm, πᾶσι τοῖς κατοικοῦσιν ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ): "All" (πᾶσι) signifies the universal awareness within the city. This emphasizes the impossibility of covering up or discrediting the miracle due to the vast number of eyewitnesses.
• and we cannot deny it (Greek: kai ou dynametha arneisthai, καὶ οὐ δυνάμεθα ἀρνεῖσθαι): This phrase expresses their utter powerlessness to refute the fact.
  • Dynametha (δυνάμεθα): 'We are able,' 'we have power.' With 'ou' (not), it means 'we are unable,' 'we lack the power.'
  • Arneisthai (ἀρνεῖσθαι): 'To deny,' 'to contradict,' 'to disavow.' They are legally and morally cornered; the evidence is too strong.

• "What shall we do with these men?": This phrase reveals the Sanhedrin's human-centric approach, focusing on controlling Peter and John, rather than inquiring into the divine power behind their actions. It demonstrates their spiritual blindness and political expediency taking precedence over seeking truth.
• "For that indeed a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem": This segment outlines the Sanhedrin's justification for their quandary. The miracle's public nature and undeniable authenticity boxed them in, preventing any simple dismissal or false claim of trickery. This serves as powerful evidence for the early Christian claims.
• "and we cannot deny it": This admission is the crux of their dilemma. It highlights their acknowledgment of the fact yet their inability or unwillingness to accept its divine origin and theological implications for Jesus. It exposes the futility of human resistance against God's manifest power and truth.

Acts 4 16 Bonus section

The "notable sign" (σημεῖον - sēmeion) performed through Peter and John was not merely an act of compassion but carried theological weight. In Jewish thought, signs were often seen as authentication of a prophet or a divine messenger (cf. Deut 18:22). This miracle, coupled with the apostles' preaching, strongly corroborated their claim that Jesus, whom the Sanhedrin crucified, was indeed the Messiah, and was now resurrected and operating through His followers. The Sanhedrin’s "cannot deny it" directly refutes any later claims of the resurrection or apostolic miracles being hoaxes. Their confession served as unintentional apologetic evidence, validating the extraordinary claims of the early Christian community to both their contemporary Jewish audience and to future generations. Their struggle perfectly illustrates the choice people face when confronted with irrefutable evidence of God's work: humble submission or persistent, often irrational, rejection to preserve existing power structures.

Acts 4 16 Commentary

Acts 4:16 provides a vivid snapshot of human authority directly confronted by divine power. The Sanhedrin, steeped in legalistic tradition and jealous of their control, faced an inescapable reality: a miraculous healing performed openly through the apostles, evident to the entire population of Jerusalem. Their "What shall we do?" reveals not spiritual curiosity or repentance, but rather political and social calculations. They could not logically deny the event itself because the healed man was present and known, and the public outcry would be immense. Their acknowledgment, "we cannot deny it," is a forced admission, born out of empirical fact rather than faith. This verse encapsulates the Sanhedrin's deep spiritual blindness: they see the sign, but reject the Sign-Giver. Instead of considering the source (Jesus), they focused on suppressing the instruments (Peter and John). This sets the stage for their continued persecution, highlighting their commitment to maintain human control over divine truth, fearing loss of prestige more than disobedience to God. Practically, this verse shows how truth can become undeniable even to those who reject it, and that divine power often works openly to remove all excuses for unbelief.