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.

ACTS 4:21KJV
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Acts 4:21 (KJV)

What does Acts 4:21 mean?

Acts 4:21 describes how the authorities, after threatening the apostles further, released them because they could not find a way to punish them without upsetting the people, since everyone was praising God for what had happened. The crowd’s reaction made it risky for the leaders to act against the apostles.

The setting is the aftermath of Peter and John healing a man and preaching about Jesus in Jerusalem. The religious leaders are speaking to Peter and John, trying to control the situation. The verse shows the leaders’ frustration: they want to punish the apostles but are held back by public opinion, as the people see the healing as a clear act of God.

The Greek behind Acts 4:21

  • "δοξάζω" (doxazō, "glorified"): This word means to give honor or praise, especially to God. The use of this word shows that the people saw the miracle as something that brought honor to God, not just as a surprising event.
  • "λαός" (laos, "people"): This word refers to the general population or the crowd. The leaders’ fear of the "people" highlights how public support can influence decisions, even among powerful authorities.
  • "τι ποιήσωσιν" (how they might punish): The Greek here carries the sense of searching for a legal or practical way to punish the apostles, but finding none that would not cause trouble with the crowd.

Why Acts 4:21 matters

  • Acts 4:21 highlights the tension between the religious authorities and the general public, showing that the leaders’ power was not absolute—they were limited by the people’s reaction.
  • The verse emphasizes that the miracle was widely recognized as an act of God, not just by the apostles but by the whole community, making it difficult for the authorities to discredit or suppress the event.
  • This verse connects to the wider story in Acts, where the early Christian movement grows despite opposition, often because of the undeniable impact of miracles and the positive response of ordinary people.

Where else these words appear

“punish” Greek G2849 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

“glorified” Greek G1392 · used in 54 verses

  • Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
  • John 12:16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.
  • Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

“let” Greek G630 · used in 63 verses

  • Matthew 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
  • Mark 8:3 And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.
  • Luke 23:20 Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.

“nothing” Greek G3367 · used in 88 verses

  • Matthew 8:4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
  • Acts 11:19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
  • Galatians 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.