Acts 4:20 BSB — MannaFest

Acts 4:20

For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard.

KJV

For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

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Commentary

2 voices

John Gill

1697–1771

Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748)

For we cannot but speak,.... It was not physically, but morally impossible; or it was not lawful, and therefore they would not speak any other, and they could not avoid speaking, say they, the things which we have seen and heard; as the miracles and doctrines of Christ, his resurrection from the dead, of which they were eye and ear witnesses. This shows their great fidelity and integrity, their inviolable attachment to Christ, and their fearlessness of the displeasure and wrath of men.

The record, by era

The Nineteenth Century2 voices

Albert Barnes

1798–1870

Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)

For ... - This is given as a reason why they should obey God rather than man. They had had so clear evidence that God had sent the Messiah, and they had received a direct and solemn command Mar 16:15 to preach the gospel, that they could not be restrained. There was a necessity laid on them to preach. See 1Co 9:16. Compare Jer 20:9; Act 18:5; Job 32:18-19; Psa 39:1-3. It has already been remarked that these two verses contain an important principle in favor of religious liberty the liberty of conscience and of private judgment.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard--There is here a wonderful union of sober, respectful appeal to the better reason of their judges, and calm, deep determination to abide the consequences of a constrained testimony, which betokens a power above their own resting upon them, according to promise.

Voices on this verse

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Original language & word study

10 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
οὐ	ou	not	G3756 →
δυνάμεθα	dunametha	we are able	G1410 →
γὰρ	gar	for	G1063 →
ἡμεῖς	hēmeis	we ourselves	G3165 →
ἃ	ha	what	G3739 →
εἴδαμεν	eidamen	we have seen	G1492 →
καὶ	kai	and	G2532 →
ἠκούσαμεν	ēkousamen	we heard	G191 →
μὴ	mē	not	G3361 →
λαλεῖν.	lalein	to speak.	G2980 →

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

The walk

The walk8

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
Jeremiah 20:9
If I say, “I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name,” His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I become weary of…
leads to
- Psalms 39:3
  My heart grew hot within me; as I mused, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue:
- Job 32:18–20
  For I am full of words, and my spirit within me compels me.
- 1 Corinthians 9:16–17
  Yet when I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am obligated to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
- Acts 17:16
  While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply disturbed in his spirit to see that the city was full of idols.
- Ezekiel 3:14
  So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD upon me.
Through
Acts 5:32
We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
leads to
- Acts 1:8
  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
  Reached by 2 independent paths from here.
- Luke 24:47–48
  and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.
  Reached by 2 independent paths from here.
- John 15:26–27
  When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me.

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About Acts

The Ascension — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)

Acts: the study guide →Read chapter 4 →The featured study →

Continue: Acts 4 →

01Commentary

The record, by era

Voices on this verse

02Original language & word study

03The walk

Where the connections lead

04Related verses

05Featured studies on this passage

06About Acts

The record, by era

Where the connections lead

Commentary

Original language & word study

The walk

Related verses

Featured studies on this passage

About Acts