Acts 4:15

15 But they commanded them to go forth without the council. And they spake together,

Acts 4:15 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 4:15

But when they had commanded them
That is, when the sanhedrim had ordered the apostles; or "commanded that both", as the Arabic version reads, both Peter and John; and, it may be, the man that was healed too: to go aside out of the council;
or place where the council, or sanhedrim sat; which, whether it was in the chamber "Gazith", in the temple where they used to sit F7, or in the shops, or in the city, whither they removed, is not certain. We are told F8, that

``the sanhedrim removed from the chamber Gazith, to the shops, and from the shops to Jerusalem, and from Jerusalem to Jabneh;''
that is, after the destruction of the city. And the first remove was much about this time; for it is said F9, that
``forty years before the destruction of the temple, the sanhedrim removed, and sat in the shops.''
Not in the shops where things were sold for the use of the temple, but in a court adjoining to them, which took its name from them. They conferred among themselves;
what was proper to be done, the apostles being withdrawn.
FOOTNOTES:

F7 Misn. Sanhedrin, c. 10. sect. 2. & Middot. c. 5. sect. 3.
F8 T. Bab. Roshhashana, fol. 31. 1.
F9 T. Bab. Avoda Zara, fol. 8. 2.

Acts 4:15 In-Context

13 And they saw the steadfastness of Peter and of John, and when it was found that they were men unlettered, and lay men [that there were men without letters, and idiots], they wondered, and they knew them that they were with Jesus.
14 And they saw the man that was healed, standing with them, and they might nothing gainsay. [And seeing the man standing with them, that was healed, they might nothing against-say.]
15 But they commanded them to go forth without the council. And they spake together,
16 and said [saying], What shall we do to these men? for [soothly] the sign is made known by them to all men, that dwell at Jerusalem; it is open, and we be not able to deny [and we may not deny].
17 But that it be no more published into the people, menace we to them, that they speak no more in this name to any man.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.