King James Version

What Does Acts 4:14 Mean?

Acts 4:14 in the King James Version says “And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. — study this verse from Acts chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

Acts 4:14 · KJV


Context

12

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

13

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

14

And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

15

But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

16

Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The council's dilemma - 'beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it' - demonstrates truth's irrefutable power. The Greek 'blepō' (beholding) indicates continuing to look at living evidence they couldn't deny. 'Could say nothing against it' (Greek 'antilegein,' speak against) shows intellectual defeat despite maintaining hostile intent. Miracles alone don't produce faith but remove excuses for unbelief.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The healed man's presence constituted legal evidence in ancient Near Eastern courts that valued eyewitness testimony. His 40-year lameness was publicly known (Acts 4:22), making the healing undeniable. The council faced truth's dilemma: acknowledge Jesus' authority or suppress undeniable evidence.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do miracles remove excuses for unbelief without guaranteeing faith's response?
  2. What does the council's silence despite evidence teach about hardened hearts resisting truth?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 12 words
τόν1 of 12
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 12

And

G1161

but, and, etc

ἄνθρωπον3 of 12

the man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

βλέποντες4 of 12

beholding

G991

to look at (literally or figuratively)

σὺν5 of 12

with

G4862

with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi

αὐτοῖς6 of 12

them

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἑστῶτα7 of 12

standing

G2476

to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)

τὸν8 of 12
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τεθεραπευμένον9 of 12

which was healed

G2323

to wait upon menially, i.e., (figuratively) to adore (god), or (specially) to relieve (of disease)

οὐδὲν10 of 12

nothing

G3762

not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing

εἶχον11 of 12

they could

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

ἀντειπεῖν12 of 12

against it

G471

to refute or deny


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 4:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 4:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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