Acts 5:38

38 So let me give you some advice. Leave these men alone! Let them go! If their plans and actions are only human, they will fail.

Acts 5:38 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 5:38

And now I say unto you
This is the sum of my advice upon the observation of these and other instances:

refrain from these men, and let them alone;
keep your hands off of them, do not attempt to take away their lives, but dismiss them quietly, nor go about to hinder them, in what they are concerned:

for if this counsel, or this work be of men;
if the doctrine these men preach is an human device; or this business they are engaged in is only an human affair, projected by men, and carried on upon selfish principles, and worldly views, seeking only themselves, and their secular interests, and not the glory of God:

it will come to nought;
as did the designs of Theudas and Judas.

Acts 5:38 In-Context

36 Some time ago Theudas appeared. He claimed he was really somebody. About 400 people followed him. But he was killed. All his followers were scattered. So they accomplished nothing.

37 After this, Judas from Galilee came along. This was in the days when the Romans made a list of all the people. Judas led a gang of men against the Romans. He too was killed. All his followers were scattered.

38 So let me give you some advice. Leave these men alone! Let them go! If their plans and actions are only human, they will fail.

39 But if their plans come from God, you won't be able to stop these men. You will only find yourselves fighting against God."

40 His speech won the leaders over. They called the apostles in and had them whipped. The leaders ordered them not to speak in Jesus' name. Then they let the apostles go.