Definition: But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Acts 4:17. It's a really important passage about how the early Christians were handling a powerful and potentially dangerous spirit. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Situation: A Spirit of Fear & Mischief: The verse describes a spirit – likely a demon or an evil influence – that had been spreading throughout the Jewish community in Jerusalem. This spirit was causing fear, confusion, and even hindering people from doing good deeds. It was actively trying to stop people from sharing their faith. What the Verse Says: “But that it spread no further among the people…” This is a crucial point. The Christians were stopping this spreading. They weren't letting it continue. "...let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.” This is where it gets interesting. The Christian leaders are actively trying to discourage the spirit from continuing its spread. The word "steatly" means gently and deliberately. What Does It Mean? Basically, the Christians were saying: “Stop this! Don’t continue to speak with this spirit. You need to stop spreading it.” They weren't angry or hostile – they were firmly instructing the people to refrain from using this particular name and speaking about it. Why is this important? This verse shows that the early Christians understood that evil spirits could be a challenge, and they weren’t going to let them win. It highlights their commitment to protecting believers from harmful influences. In short: The verse is a warning and an action – a deliberate effort to stop the spread of a potentially disruptive spirit through the use of a particular name. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Give you more context about the time period this verse comes from? Discuss the meaning behind the word "steatly"?