Acts 5:38

38 And now I say to you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work is from men, it will come to naught:

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 For before these days rose Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to naught.

37 After this man rose Judas of Galilee, in the days of the taxing, and drew away many people after him: he also perished; and all, [even] as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

38 And now I say to you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work is from men, it will come to naught:

39 But if it is from God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

40 And to him they assented: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten [them], they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.