Acts 4:15

15 After ordering them to wait outside, the council members began to confer with each other.

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what was proper to be done, the apostles being withdrawn.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 The council was caught by surprise by the confidence with which Peter and John spoke. After all, they understood that these apostles were uneducated and inexperienced. They also recognized that they had been followers of Jesus.
14 However, since the healed man was standing with Peter and John before their own eyes, they had no rebuttal.
15 After ordering them to wait outside, the council members began to confer with each other.
16 "What should we do with these men? Everyone living in Jerusalem is aware of the sign performed through them. It's obvious to everyone and we can't deny it.
17 To keep it from spreading further among the people, we need to warn them not to speak to anyone in this name."
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