4:18a
Then: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Then is literally “and.” It introduces what happens next in the story.
they called them in again: After the leaders had decided what to do, the high priest sent word for Peter and John to return. They probably ordered guards to go and bring Peter and John. (See note at 4:15a on “they ordered them to leave.”)
they: The pronoun they refers here to the leaders.
them: The pronoun them in this verse refers to Peter and John.
4:18b
commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus: Probably the high priest spoke here, as leader of the group. He commanded the apostles not to speak about Jesus and not to teach about him any more. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
to speak or teach no more to any one in the name of Jesus
The leaders so far have avoided speaking Jesus’ name, as they considered him a blasphemer (Matthew 26:65). So Luke probably added the phrase of Jesus to make it clear here who the leaders were referring to. In some languages it is more natural to use direct speech. If that is true in your language, keep the name of Jesus out of the direct quote. For example:
commanded them about Jesus, “Never again speak or teach in that name.”
-or-
commanded them about Jesus, “Do(dual) not speak or teach no more to any one in that name.”
not to speak or teach at all: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as speak refers to making sounds in relation to speaking. Here these words probably imply that the leaders did not want Peter or John to speak even for a short time about Jesus.
in the name of Jesus: This phrase indicates that Peter and John represented Jesus and spoke on his behalf.
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