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Acts 5:38

5:37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. obeyed: or, believed

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 come to nought:

KJV

Now I tell you, withdraw from these men, and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown.

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 come to nought:

And now I say to you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nothing:

5:39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

What does Acts 5:38 mean?

Acts 5:38 is a verse in the book of Acts, in the New Testament. In the original Greek, key words include καί (kai), τανῦν (tanun), λέγω (lego).

Greek interlinear

Andκαίkai/kahee/G2532apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.

nowτανῦνtanunG3569ta nun tah noon from neuter plural of 3588 and 3568; the things now, i.e. (adverbially) at present:--(but) now.

I

sayλέγωlego/leg'-o/G3004a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas 2036 and 5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while 4483 is properly to break silence merely, and 2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.

unto

you,σύhumin/hoo-min'/G5213irregular dative case of 5210; to (with or by) you:--ye, you, your(-selves).

Refrainἀφίστημιaphistemi/af-is'-tay-mee/G868from 575 and 2476; to remove, i.e. (actively) instigate to revolt; usually (reflexively) to desist, desert, etc.:--depart, draw (fall) away, refrain, withdraw self.

fromἀπόapo/apo'/G575a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.

theseοὗτοςtouton/too'-tone/G5130genitive case plural masculine or neuter of 3778; of (from or concerning) these (persons or things):--such, their, these (things), they, this sort, those.

men,ἄνθρωποςanthropos/anth'-ro-pos/G444from 435 and ops (the countenance; from 3700); man-faced, i.e. a human being:--certain, man.

andκαίkai/kahee/G2532apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.

letἐάωeao/eh-ah'-o/G1439of uncertain affinity; to let be, i.e. permit or leave alone:--commit, leave, let (alone), suffer. See also 1436.

themαὐτόςautos/ow-tos'/G846from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.

alone:ἐάωeao/eh-ah'-o/G1439of uncertain affinity; to let be, i.e. permit or leave alone:--commit, leave, let (alone), suffer. See also 1436.

forὅτιhoti/hot'-ee/G3754neuter of 3748 as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.

ifἐάν ἐάνπερean/e-an'/G1437from 1487 and 302; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty:--before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-)soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, (who-)so(-ever). See 3361.

counselβουλήboule/boo-lay'/G1012from 1014; volition, i.e. (objectively) advice, or (by implication) purpose:--+ advise, counsel, will.

orἤe/ay/G2228a primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than:--and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea. Often used in connection with other particles. Compare especially 2235, 2260, 2273.

thisοὗτοςtouto/too'-to/G5124neuter singular nominative or accusative case of 3778; that thing:--here (-unto), it, partly, self(-same), so, that (intent), the same, there(-fore, -unto), this, thus, where(-fore).

workἔργονergon/er'-gon/G2041from a primary (but obsolete) ergo (to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act:--deed, doing, labour, work.

ofἐκekG1537or ex ex a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, ...ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.

men,ἄνθρωποςanthropos/anth'-ro-pos/G444from 435 and ops (the countenance; from 3700); man-faced, i.e. a human being:--certain, man.

it

will

come

to

nought:καταλύωkataluo/kat-al-oo'-o/G2647from 2596 and 3089; to loosen down (disintegrate), i.e. (by implication) to demolish (literally or figuratively); specially (compare 2646) to halt for the night:--destroy, dissolve, be guest, lodge, come to nought, overthrow, throw down.

Topics

Courts of Justice Peter Prisoners Prudence

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Acts 5:38.

Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. Now: or, From henceforth

Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Frequently asked questions

What does Acts 5:38 say?

Acts 5:38 (King James Version) reads: "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 come to nought:"

Is Acts 5:38 in the Old or New Testament?

Acts 5:38 is in the New Testament of the Bible, in the book of Acts.

Reflect

As you read Acts 5:38, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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