Acts 5:22–42

²²But the officers who came^e did not find them in the prison, and they returned and^* reported, ²³saying, “We found the prison locked with all security and the guards standing at the doors, but when we^* opened them,^* we found no one inside!” ²⁴Now when both the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed concerning them, as to what this might be. ²⁵But someone came and^* reported to them, “Behold, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple courts^* and teaching the people!” ²⁶Then the captain went with the officers and^* brought them, not with force (for they were afraid of the people, lest they be stoned by them).^*

The Apostles on Trial Before the Sanhedrin

²⁷And when they^* had brought them, they made them^* stand in the Sanhedrin,^f and the high priest put a question to them, ²⁸saying, “We strictly commanded^g you^h not to teach in this name? And behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching! And you are intending to bring upon us the blood of this man!” ²⁹But Peter and the apostles answered and^* said, “It is necessary to obey God rather than men! ³⁰The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed by^* hanging him^* on a tree. ³¹This one God has exalted to his right hand as Leader and Savior to grant repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. ³²And we are witnesses of these things, and so is^* the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” ³³Now when^* they heard this,^* they were infuriated, and were wanting to execute them. ³⁴But a certain man stood up in the Sanhedrin,ⁱ a Pharisee named^j Gamaliel, a teacher of the law respected by all the people, and^* gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. ³⁵And he said to them, “Men and Israelites, take care for yourselves what you are about to do to these men! ³⁶For before these days, Theudas rose up saying he was somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him.^k He^l was executed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. ³⁷After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and caused people to follow him in revolt.^m And that one perished, and all who followed him were scattered. ³⁸And now I tell you, keep away from these men, and leave them alone, because if this plan or this matter is from people, it will be overthrown.^{n 39}But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them, lest you even be found fighting against God.” So they were persuaded by him. ⁴⁰And they summoned the apostles, beat them,^* commanded them^* not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them.^{* 41}So they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin^o rejoicing, because they had been considered worthy to be dishonored for the sake of the name. ⁴²Every day, both in the temple courts^* and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news that the Christ^p was Jesus.