22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there.c So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priestsd were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.

25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the peoplee would stone them.

27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrinf to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,”g he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”h

29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!i 30 The God of our ancestorsj raised Jesus from the deadk—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross.l 31 God exalted him to his own right handm as Prince and Saviorn that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.o 32 We are witnesses of these things,p and so is the Holy Spirit,q whom God has given to those who obey him.”