Acts 4:17But so that this spreads no further among the people, let's threaten them, that from now on they don't speak to anyone in this name."
The setting
Same Sanhedrin chamber, moments later. The high priest Annas and others devise damage control strategy to prevent Christianity from spreading...
The emotion here: calculating desperation to maintain control
The original word
dianeméō (διανεμηθῇ) — to spread abroad like wildfire, distribute uncontrollably
Why it matters
Threatening was the mildest punishment the Sanhedrin could impose before flogging or death
Read with care
What most readers miss in Acts 4:17
They're not denying the miracle — they're trying to contain the MESSAGE about Jesus
Common misconceptionThis seems like a reasonable compromise — let them heal but don't preach. Actually, they knew the healing and the message were inseparable.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Acts 4:17
Bible Genome reading
Acts 4:17 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Acts 4:17 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 10% and a tone that is urgent. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include suppression, threat. Notable phrases: spreads no further; let's threaten them; don't speak in this name. This verse contains a command.
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 4:17 mean to you, today?
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