Acts 4:16saying, "What shall we do to these men? Because indeed a notable miracle has been done through them, as can be plainly seen by all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we can't deny it.
The setting
Jerusalem, ~33 AD. Sanhedrin council chamber in the temple complex. Religious leaders privately acknowledge Peter and John's miracle healing the lame man...
The emotion here: frustrated acknowledgment of undeniable truth
The original word
gnōston (γνωστόν) — widely known, undeniably evident, impossible to hide
Why it matters
This Sanhedrin included the same men who condemned Jesus weeks earlier
Read with care
What most readers miss in Acts 4:16
They're not questioning IF a miracle happened — they're asking what to DO about it
Common misconceptionPeople think the Sanhedrin doubted the miracle. They fully believed it happened — they were terrified of the implications for their authority.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Acts 4:16
Bible Genome reading
Acts 4:16 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Acts 4:16 comes from the book of Acts, written during the early_church period. The setting is the Temple. These words are attributed to religious_leaders. The dominant emotion in this verse is deciding, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include dilemma, undeniable truth. Notable phrases: What shall we do; notable miracle; can't deny it.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same deciding
“"You shall have no other gods before me.”
— Deuteronomy 5:7
“"You shall not murder.”
— Exodus 20:13
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
— Matthew 23:12
“For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
“But Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"”
— Acts 3:6
Your reflection
What does Acts 4:16 mean to you, today?
A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.
Speak your heart →Get 3 verses for "deciding"
Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.