After further threats they let them go. They could not find a way to punish them, because all the people were glorifying God for what had happened.
21. And when they had threatened them. And here is the end of sedition, that the wicked cease not to breathe out their fury, yet are they bridled by the secret power of God, so that they cannot tell how to do any hurt. “Ut illis nocendi via non pateat,” that they have no means of doing harm.
We have here the issue of the trial of Peter and John before the council. They came off now with flying colours, because they must be trained up to sufferings by degrees, and by less trials be prepared for greater. They now but run with the footmen; hereafter we shall have them contending with horses, Jer 12:5. I.
Commenting on Acts 4:15-22
So when they had further threatened them,.... Either repeated the same, as before; or added some more severe ones, to terrify them, if possible; not being able to answer their arguments, or invalidate their reasoning: they let them go; they did not acquit them as innocent persons, but dismissed them from custody: finding nothing how they might punish them; not being able, though they sought...