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Book of Acts - Chapter 4 - Verse 3

4:3
And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.

Meaning

Here, the verse "And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide," refers to an event in the New Testament where Peter and John, two of Jesus' disciples, were arrested and put into custody until the following day. The Jewish leaders were threatened by the teachings of Jesus and his followers, and they wanted to silence their message. The act of putting Peter and John in hold was meant to prevent them from spreading their message further and to interrogate them about their teachings. The mention of it being eventide suggests that it was late in the day when they were arrested, adding to the dramatic tension of the situation. This verse highlights the opposition faced by early Christians and their commitment to spreading the gospel despite facing persecution and imprisonment.

Theological Overview

In this verse from Acts 4:3, we see the phrase "laid hands on them." In the theological interpretation of this phrase, laying hands on someone is often seen as a symbolic act of transferring power or authority. In this context, the authorities laid hands on Peter and John to physically restrain them, demonstrating their control over the situation. Additionally, placing the two disciples in "hold unto the next day" reveals the officials' desire to wait until morning to further interrogate them. The reference to "eventide" indicates that this incident took place in the evening, adding a sense of urgency to the actions of the authorities. Through theological interpretation and word studies, we gain deeper insight into the intentions and actions of those involved in the events described in this verse.

American Standard Version

And they laid hands on them, and put them in ward unto the morrow: for it was now eventide.
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