John Gill Commentary Acts 5:38

"And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will be overthrown:" — Acts 5:38 (ASV)

And now I say to you
This is the sum of my advice upon the observation of these and other instances:

refrain from these men, and let them alone ;
keep your hands off of them, do not attempt to take away their lives, but dismiss them quietly, nor go about to hinder them, in what they are concerned:

for if this counsel, or this work be of men ;
if the doctrine these men preach is a human device; or this business they are engaged in is only a human affair, projected by men, and carried on upon selfish principles, and worldly views, seeking only themselves, and their secular interests, and not the glory of God:

it will come to nought ;
as did the designs of Theudas and Judas.