Acts 5:40 Meaning and Explanation
“And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The council heeds Gamaliel in part: the apostles are beaten, ordered again not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released.
What Does Acts 5:40 Mean?
Persuaded not to kill, the council still will not release uncondemned men unmarked. The apostles are flogged, the formal beating of the synagogue courts (2 Corinthians 11:24), and the failed gag order of Acts 4:18 is solemnly reissued.
It is the first time the apostles bleed for the name they preach, just as Jesus foretold: 'in the synagogues ye shall be beaten' (Mark 13:9). They accept the stripes without resistance or complaint; the one thing they cannot accept is silence about Jesus, as their rejoicing and their preaching are about to show.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 5:40
What does Acts 5:40 mean?
The council heeds Gamaliel in part: the apostles are beaten, ordered again not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released.