The council refuses to acknowledge that they made a mistake and that Jesus is the Christ. To their minds he was just another pretender, someone who threatened the privileged position which they enjoyed in Rome. In prohibiting Peter and John from further speeches, they hope to prevent their message from spreading1 and confusing
others in the Jewish community.2 The council does not want to stop the apostles from doing good (e.g., healing) but they do not want any good works to be connected with the person of Jesus.3
17 Mais, afin que la chose ne se répande pas davantage parmi le peuple, défendons-leur avec menaces de parler désormais à qui que ce soit en ce nom-là.