Acts 5:22–42

Apostles on Trial Again

²²But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, ²³saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing ⁴outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” ²⁴Now when ⁵the high priest, ^sthe captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. ²⁵So one came and told them, ⁶saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”

²⁶Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, ^tfor they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. ²⁷And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, ²⁸saying, ^u“Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, ^vand intend to bring this Man’s ^wblood on us!”

²⁹But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ^x“We ought to obey God rather than men. ^30yThe God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by ^zhanging on a tree. ^31aHim God has exalted to His right hand to be ^bPrince and ^cSavior, ^dto give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. ³²And ^ewe are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit ^fwhom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Gamaliel’s Advice

³³When they heard this, they were ^gfurious ⁷and plotted to kill them. ³⁴Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named ^hGamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. ³⁵And he said to them: “Men of Israel, ⁸take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. ³⁶For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, ⁹joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. ³⁷After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. ³⁸And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; ³⁹ⁱbut if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found ^jto fight against God.”

⁴⁰And they agreed with him, and when they had ^kcalled for the apostles ^land beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. ⁴¹So they departed from the presence of the council, ^mrejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for ¹His name. ⁴²And daily ⁿin the temple, and in every house, ^othey did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.