Acts 4:21

21 And when they had said more sharp words to them, they let them go, not seeing what punishment they might give them, because of the people; for all men were giving praise to God for what had taken place.

Acts 4:21 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 4:21

So when they had further threatened them
Either repeated the same, as before; or added some more severe ones, to terrify them, if possible; not being able to answer their arguments, or invalidate their reasoning: they let them go;
they did not acquit them as innocent persons, but dismissed them from custody: finding nothing how they might punish them;
not being able, though they sought most diligently for it, to fix anything upon them, which might be a cause, or occasion, or pretence of inflicting any punishment upon them: because of the people:
they would not have stuck at the injustice of it, or have been under any concern about offending God; but they were afraid of the people, of losing their credit among them, and lest they should rise up against them, and on the side of the apostles: for all men glorified God for that which was done;
they saw the hand of God in it, and ascribed it to his mercy, goodness, and power, and gave him the glory of it; and therefore to punish the instruments of so great and good a work, would have been esteemed barbarous and wicked, and would have been highly resented by them; since, on the contrary, they judged them worthy of great honour and respect.

Acts 4:21 In-Context

19 But Peter and John in answer said to them, It is for you to say if it is right in the eyes of God to give attention to you more than to God:

20 For it is not possible for us to keep from saying what we have seen and have knowledge of.

21 And when they had said more sharp words to them, they let them go, not seeing what punishment they might give them, because of the people; for all men were giving praise to God for what had taken place.

22 For the man on whom this act of power was done was more than forty years old.

23 And when they had been made free, they came back to their friends, and gave an account of all the things which the chief priests and the authorities had said to them.