“So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.”
After further threats, they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. — the threats (apeilē, threats, threatening) multiply but produce no action. The reason for restraint is political: the people's praise (epainēs, praise, commendation) for the miracle prevents the council from moving against the apostles without provoking popular unrest. The council's powerlessness before public opinion shows the gospel's popular momentum.
Church Fathers on Acts 4:21
But Peter and John answered and said to them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people. Acts 4:19-21 The miracles shut their mouths: they would not so much as let them finish their speech, but cut them short in the middle, most insolently.
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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