But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

ACTS 4:17KJV
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Acts 4:17 (KJV)

What does Acts 4:17 mean?

Acts 4:17 describes how the Jewish religious leaders decided to threaten the apostles in order to stop them from spreading the message about Jesus any further among the people. They planned to warn the apostles not to speak to anyone else in Jesus’ name.

In this scene, the Jewish council (Sanhedrin) is meeting after Peter and John have been preaching about Jesus and healing a man. The leaders are worried that the message about Jesus will keep spreading and want to put a stop to it. Their solution is not to punish the apostles immediately, but to issue a strict warning to silence them and prevent more people from hearing about Jesus.

The Greek behind Acts 4:17

  • The word "straitly" comes from the Greek word ἀπειλή (apeilē, here from G547), which means a strong threat or warning. This shows the leaders were not just giving a casual suggestion, but making a very serious demand.
  • "Threaten" (ἀπειλέω, apeileō, G546) is closely related and emphasizes that the council’s approach was to use intimidation rather than argument or persuasion.
  • The phrase "in this name" uses the Greek word ὄνομα (onoma, G3686), which refers specifically to the authority and reputation of Jesus. The leaders are focused on stopping any mention or teaching connected to Jesus’ identity.

Why Acts 4:17 matters

  • Acts 4:17 clarifies that the main concern of the religious leaders was the spread of the message about Jesus, not just the miracle itself.
  • The verse highlights the lengths to which the authorities were willing to go to control the message, relying on threats rather than open debate or investigation.
  • This moment sets up the apostles’ later response, showing the tension between human authority and their commitment to speak about Jesus, which is a key theme in the following verses.

Where else these words appear

“threaten” Greek G546 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 Peter 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

“straitly” Greek G547 · used in 4 verses

  • Acts 4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
  • Acts 9:1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
  • Ephesians 6:9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

“henceforth” Greek G3371 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 21:19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
  • John 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
  • Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

“further” Greek G4119 · used in 55 verses

  • Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
  • John 4:1 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
  • Acts 25:6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.