Imprisonment and Release

17 But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is athe sect of bthe Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy.

18 They laid hands on the apostles and aput them in a public jail.

19 But during the night aan angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said,

20 “Go, stand and 1speak to the people in the temple 2athe whole message of this Life.”

21 Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple aabout daybreak and began to teach.

Now when bthe high priest and his associates came, they called cthe 1Council together, even all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison house for them to be brought.

22 But athe officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported back,

23 saying, “We found the prison house locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we had opened up, we found no one inside.”

24 Now when athe captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what 1would come of this.

25 But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”

26 Then athe captain went along with bthe officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for cthey were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned).

27 When they had brought them, they stood them 1before athe Council. The high priest questioned them,

28 saying, “We gave you astrict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and 1yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and bintend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”

29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “aWe must obey God rather than men.