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Acts 4:18
And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

beaten.

Proverbs 12:10
A righteousman regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wickedare cruel.

Matthew 10:17
But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

Matthew 23:34
Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: andsome of them ye shall kill and crucify; andsome of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecutethem from city to city:

they commanded.

Acts 5:28
Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

Acts 4:17-21
But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name…

Isaiah 30:10
Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

They called the apostles in and had them flogged.
Flogging was a common form of punishment in the ancient world, often used to maintain order and discipline. The apostles' flogging was likely the traditional Jewish punishment of 39 lashes, as prescribed by the Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 25:3). This act was intended to serve as a deterrent and a warning to the apostles. Despite the physical pain and public humiliation, the apostles' willingness to endure such suffering underscores their commitment to their mission and their faith in Jesus Christ. This event foreshadows the persecution that the early church would face and echoes the suffering of Christ, who was also flogged before His crucifixion.

Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus,
The prohibition against speaking in the name of Jesus highlights the central conflict between the early church and the Jewish authorities. The name of Jesus represents His authority and power, and the apostles' preaching in His name was seen as a direct challenge to the religious establishment. This command reflects the authorities' fear of losing control and the growing influence of the Christian message. The apostles' defiance of this order, as seen in subsequent passages, demonstrates their unwavering dedication to their divine commission and their belief in the necessity of proclaiming the gospel.

and released them.
The release of the apostles, despite the flogging and the order to cease preaching, indicates the limited power of the Sanhedrin to suppress the burgeoning Christian movement. This release can be seen as a temporary reprieve, allowing the apostles to continue their mission. It also illustrates the providence of God in protecting His messengers and ensuring the spread of the gospel. The apostles' subsequent actions, as recorded in the Book of Acts, show their resilience and determination to fulfill the Great Commission, regardless of the opposition they faced.

Gamaliel’s measured speech (Acts 5:34-39) reminded the council that every human movement collapses unless God sustains it. His words became a providential brake on murderous intentions.Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is a watercourse in the hand of the LORD; He directs it wherever He pleases,” and here the Lord quietly steers the leaders away from execution. Gamaliel’s stature (Acts 22:3) lends weight, but ultimately it is God who turns the tide so the gospel can keep advancing (Isaiah 14:27).

After agreeing with Gamaliel, the Sanhedrin summons the twelve from custody (Acts 5:27). This recalls an earlier moment: “They called them in and ordered them not to speak” (Acts 4:18). The repetition underscores a pattern: earthly powers keep hauling believers back, yet cannot silence them. Jesus foretold such hearings—“You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake” (Matthew 10:18).

Flogging was the standard Jewish punishment limited to forty lashes (Deuteronomy 25:3). The apostles experience the very abuseIsaiah 53:5 foreshadowed: “By His stripes we are healed.” Paul later writes, “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one” (2 Corinthians 11:24), connecting his sufferings to this same scene. Notice:

• Physical pain did not mean divine disfavor; it fulfilled Jesus’ warning inJohn 15:20.

• The beating highlighted the courage produced by the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:31).

This gag order directly contradicts Christ’s command, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15). Peter had already settled the matter: “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). The council could bruise backs but could not bind tongues. Such intimidation continues today, yet believers echo the apostles’ resolve (2 Timothy 1:7-8).

The leaders thought release was concession enough; God turned it into a launch pad. The very next verse shows the apostles “rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name” (Acts 5:41) and teaching “every day, in the temple courts and from house to house” (Acts 5:42). Human freedom is nice, but true liberty comes from Christ: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

Acts 5:40 records a pivotal moment where political restraint, divine oversight, and apostolic courage intersect. God uses Gamaliel to stay execution, allows a flogging that deepens the apostles’ resolve, and then turns a hostile command into fresh opportunity. The verse teaches that God directs even hostile authorities, that suffering for Christ is honor, and that no earthly power can muzzle the gospel.

And beaten them.--Here we trace the action of Caiaphas and the priests. They were not content without some punishment being inflicted, and the party of Gamaliel apparently acquiesced in this as a compromise in the hope of averting more violent measures. And this is accordingly to be noted as the first actual experience of persecution falling on the whole company of the Twelve, and not on Peter and John only. They were probably convicted of the minor offence of causing a disturbance in the Temple, though dismissed, as with a verdict of "not" proven, "on the graver charge of heresy. The punishment in such a case would probably be the "forty stripes save one," ofDeuteronomy 25:3 and2Corinthians 11:24.