A Reluctant Release
W. Hudson. Acts 4:18-31 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.… I. IT WAS ACCOMPANIED WITH GREAT WRONG. "They further threatened them." The dreadful language which had hitherto stood in the place of argument was now made more dreadful. We see here proofs of iniquity, of a settled prejudice against Jesus and His work, and of absolute unwillingness to yield to the evidence of facts. But these threats were sure to be answered as the previous ones. II. IT WAS A CONFESSION THAT THE COURT WAS BAFFLED. "Finding nothing how they might punish them." They had a mind to punish, they had done their best to do so, but severally and unitedly they had failed; and now prudence moved them to do what was no part of their pleasure. They barked and snarled, but were afraid to bite. Often have persecutors been in such a case. III. IT WAS IN DEFERENCE TO A PREVALENT POPULAR SENTIMENT. "Because of the people." The people were wiser than their rulers, and more religious. (W. Hudson.) Parallel Verses KJV: And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. WEB: They called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.