14. And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
No matter how upset the church leaders were, they could not deny the fact that the lame man had been healed. No matter how upset people may get, they cannot deny that something happens with the Lord steps in. How many ex drug addicts, ex alcoholics, ex criminals, and just plain old EX sinners have changed for the better because of Jesus?
When God does the work, no one can talk against it
15. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16. Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
Ahh the plotters plot again. They conspired to kill Jesus and now they conspire to stop them from preaching Jesus. Have you ever wondered what they could have done had they used all his energy constructively?
17. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
18. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
They did not want this gospel spread and they decided to demand that they stop!
These guys were arrogantly self-important weren't they? Can you imagine the scene?
Caiaphas: Well that settles it. We will simply tell these louts to cease and desist and since I am the High Priest this year; they will have no choice but to obey my command.
Annas: Father-in-law, you are right as usual.
These guys thought that all they had to do was order and these men were so dumb and guidable that they would quake, shake and obey. Oh but they hadn't reckoned with that Holy Ghost Power!
