Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle has been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
What.
John 11:47,48 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles…
John 12:18 For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.
a notable.
Acts 3:9,10 And all the people saw him walking and praising God: …
Daniel 8:5,8 And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes…
Matthew 27:16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
and we.
Acts 6:10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
Luke 6:10,11 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other…
Luke 21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
“It is clear to everyone living in Jerusalem”
The miracle performed by Peter and John was not done in secret; it was witnessed by many in Jerusalem, the center of Jewish religious life. Jerusalem holds significant historical and theological importance as the city where God chose to place His name (1 Kings 11:36) and where the temple stood. The public nature of the miracle underscores the transparency and authenticity of the apostles' ministry, contrasting with the secretive and often deceptive practices of the religious leaders. This public acknowledgment also fulfills Jesus' promise that His followers would perform greater works (John 14:12).
“that a remarkable miracle has occurred through them”
The miracle in question is the healing of a man lame from birth, as described earlier in Acts 3. This act of healing serves as a sign of the apostles' authority and the power of the Holy Spirit working through them. Miracles in the New Testament often serve as a validation of the message being preached, pointing to the truth of the Gospel and the presence of God's kingdom. The term "remarkable" emphasizes the extraordinary nature of the event, which could not be explained by natural means and thus pointed to divine intervention.
“and we cannot deny it.”
The Sanhedrin's admission that they cannot deny the miracle highlights the undeniable evidence of God's work through the apostles. Despite their authority and desire to suppress the spread of Christianity, they are confronted with the reality of God's power. This acknowledgment parallels the Pharisees' reaction to Jesus' miracles, where they often could not refute the acts themselves but questioned the source (Matthew 12:24). The inability to deny the miracle serves as a testament to the truth of the apostles' message and the unstoppable nature of God's plan, as prophesied in Isaiah 55:11.
• The Sanhedrin is at a crossroads—confronted by undeniable evidence yet unwilling to yield their authority (see John 11:47; Acts 5:24–28).
• Their words reveal fear of losing control rather than a pursuit of truth (Luke 20:19; John 12:42).
• God often uses moments of crisis to expose hearts: obedience to Him or preservation of self (Acts 17:32).
• The deliberation is corporate; the leaders confer among themselves, excluding God from the conversation (Psalm 2:1–3).
• Human councils may scheme, but the Lord’s purpose stands (Proverbs 19:21; Acts 2:23).
• Their question underscores the contrast between earthly authority and the higher authority of Christ delegated to His apostles (Matthew 28:18; Acts 4:19).
• The miracle’s publicity makes denial impossible (Acts 3:9–11).
• God ensures His works are seen, confronting the city that crucified His Son with fresh evidence of His power (Acts 2:14, 36; Matthew 27:53).
• Public testimony amplifies accountability; the whole community now bears witness (Luke 24:48; Acts 5:28).
• The healing of the lame man (Acts 3:1–8) is acknowledged even by enemies as “remarkable.”
• “Through them” highlights God’s choice to work via ordinary believers filled with the Spirit (Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 1:26–29).
• Miracles serve as signs pointing to Jesus’ resurrection power and the authenticity of the apostles’ message (Hebrews 2:3–4; Mark 16:20).
• The leaders confess the stubborn fact of the miracle, yet remain resistant to its implication: Jesus is Lord (Acts 4:10–12).
• Truth stands firm regardless of human opposition (2 Corinthians 13:8; John 9:25).
• Their admission shows that unbelief is rarely about evidence alone; it is a matter of the will (John 5:39–40; Romans 1:18–20).
Acts 4:16 captures a pivotal moment where religious authorities, faced with undeniable proof of Christ’s power, wrestle between surrender and self-preservation. They acknowledge the miracle, concede its public impact, yet refuse to embrace its message. The verse underscores God’s ability to make His works evident, the futility of resisting divine truth, and the call for every listener to choose humble submission over hardened unbelief.
(16) What shall we do to these men?--The question now debated was clearly one that never ought to have been even asked. They were sitting as a Court of Justice, and should have given their verdict for or against the accused according to the evidence. They abandon that office, and begin discussing what policy was most expedient. It was, we may add, characteristic of Caiaphas to do so (John 11:49-50).A notable miracle.--Literally, sign.
We cannot deny it.--The very form of the sentence betrays the will, though there is not the power.
Verse 16. - Wrought through them for done by them, A.V.; to all for to all them, A.V. Only here and at ver. 22 and in Luke 23:8 has miracle been retained in the R.V. as the rendering of σημεῖα: everywhere else it is sign. Wrought through them; more literally, hath come to pass through them.