"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 …" — Acts 5:38

Acts 5:38 · KJV

“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:”

— Acts 5:38

Verse 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}

Verse 39

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

Acts 5 — Context

For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. {obeyed: or, believed}

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:

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

And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten {them}, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

Cross References

Matthew 15:13

But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

Lamentations 3:37

Who {is} he {that} saith, and it cometh to pass, {when} the Lord commandeth {it} not?

Isaiah 8:9-10

Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. {people and: or, people, yet}

Isaiah 7:5-7

Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying,

Job 5:12-14

He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform {their} enterprise. {their enterprise: or, any thing}

Proverbs 21:30

{There is} no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

Psalms 33:10-11

The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. {bringeth: Heb. maketh frustrate}

Nehemiah 4:15

And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.