Acts 5:38

38 et nunc itaque dico vobis discedite ab hominibus istis et sinite illos quoniam si est ex hominibus consilium hoc aut opus dissolvetur

Acts 5:38 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 5:38

And now I say unto 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 an human device; or this business they are engaged in is only an 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.

Acts 5:38 In-Context

36 ante hos enim dies extitit Theodas dicens esse se aliquem cui consensit virorum numerus circiter quadringentorum qui occisus est et omnes quicumque credebant ei dissipati sunt et redactus est ad nihilum

37 post hunc extitit Iudas Galilaeus in diebus professionis et avertit populum post se et ipse periit et omnes quotquot consenserunt ei dispersi sunt

38 et nunc itaque dico vobis discedite ab hominibus istis et sinite illos quoniam si est ex hominibus consilium hoc aut opus dissolvetur

39 si vero ex Deo est non poteritis dissolvere eos ne forte et Deo repugnare inveniamini consenserunt autem illi

40 et convocantes apostolos caesis denuntiaverunt ne loquerentur in nomine Iesu et dimiserunt eos