Further Trouble for the Apostles

5:17 Now the high priest rose up, and all those with him (that is, the religious party of the Sadducees35),36 and they were filled with jealousy.37 5:18 They38 laid hands on39 the apostles and put them in a public jail. 5:19 But during the night an angel of the Lord40 opened41 the doors of the prison,42 led them out,43 and said, 5:20 “Go and stand in the temple courts44 and proclaim45 to the people all the words of this life.” 5:21 When they heard this, they entered the temple courts46 at daybreak and began teaching.47

Now when the high priest and those who were with him arrived, they summoned the Sanhedrin48—that is, the whole high council49 of the Israelites50—and sent to the jail to have the apostles51 brought before them.52 5:22 But the officers53 who came for them54 did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported,55 5:23 “We found the jail locked securely and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them,56 we found no one inside.” 5:24 Now when the commander57 of the temple guard58 and the chief priests heard this report,59 they were greatly puzzled concerning it,60 wondering what this could61 be. 5:25 But someone came and reported to them, “Look! The men you put in prison are standing in the temple courts62 and teaching63 the people!” 5:26 Then the commander64 of the temple guard65 went with the officers66 and brought the apostles67 without the use of force68 (for they were afraid of being stoned by the people).69

5:27 When they had brought them, they stood them before the council,70 and the high priest questioned71 them, 5:28 saying, “We gave72 you strict orders73 not to teach in this name.74 Look,75 you have filled Jerusalem76 with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood77 on us!” 5:29 But Peter and the apostles replied,78 “We must obey79 God rather than people.80 5:30 The God of our forefathers81 raised up Jesus, whom you seized and killed by hanging him on a tree.82 5:31 God exalted him83 to his right hand as Leader84 and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.85 5:32 And we are witnesses of these events,86 and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey87 him.”

5:33 Now when they heard this, they became furious88 and wanted to execute them.89 5:34 But a Pharisee90 whose name was Gamaliel,91 a teacher of the law who was respected by all the people, stood up92 in the council93 and ordered the men to be put outside for a short time. 5:35 Then he said to the council,94 “Men of Israel,95 pay close attention to96 what you are about to do to these men. 5:36 For some time ago97 Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He98 was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and nothing came of it.99 5:37 After him Judas the Galilean arose in the days of the census,100 and incited people to follow him in revolt.101 He too was killed, and all who followed him were scattered. 5:38 So in this case I say to you, stay away from these men and leave them alone, because if this plan or this undertaking originates with people,102 it will come to nothing,103 5:39 but if104 it is from God, you will not be able to stop them, or you may even be found105 fighting against God.” He convinced them,106 5:40 and they summoned the apostles and had them beaten.107 Then108 they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them. 5:41 So they left the council rejoicing because they had been considered worthy109 to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.110 5:42 And every day both in the temple courts111 and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news112 that Jesus was the Christ.113