Acts 4:20

20 for as for us *we* cannot refrain from speaking of the things which we have seen and heard.

Acts 4:20 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 4:20

For we cannot but speak
It was not physically, but morally impossible; or it was not lawful, and therefore they would not speak any other, and they could not avoid speaking, say they, the things which we have seen and heard;
as the miracles and doctrines of Christ, his resurrection from the dead, of which they were eye and ear witnesses. This shows their great fidelity and integrity, their inviolable attachment to Christ, and their fearlessness of the displeasure and wrath of men.

Acts 4:20 In-Context

18 And having called them, they charged [them] not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John answering said to them, If it be righteous before God to listen to you rather than to God, judge ye;

20 for as for us *we* cannot refrain from speaking of the things which we have seen and heard.

21 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;

22 for the man on whom this sign of healing had taken place was above forty years old.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit. 'cannot not speak.'