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.
21. And when they had threatened them. And here is the end of sedition, that the wicked cease not to breathe out their fury, yet are they bridled by the secret power of God, so that they cannot tell how to do any hurt. “Ut illis nocendi via non pateat,” that they have no means of doing harm.
The council ordered Peter and John out so they would not hear what follows, eager to hide their shame. But their private schemes are recorded here for all time. If these rulers had bowed to the power of truth, they would have made the apostles their teachers; instead, men who refuse conviction will always find themselves at a loss what to do.
AI summary
Commenting on Acts 4:15-22
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...