Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Acts 4:21

"And they, when they had further threatened them, let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people; for all men glorified God for that which was done." — Acts 4:21 (ASV)

The Sanhedrin had given its warning. And after stressing its nature and what would happen if it went unheeded, they let them go. The moderation of the people prevented them from doing more, for “all the people were praising God for what had happened.” Yet a legal precedent had been set that would enable the council to take, if necessary, more drastic action in the future.