Acts 5:17-42

21st Century King James Version

¹⁷ Then the high priest rose up and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees); and they were filled with indignation,

¹⁸ and laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

¹⁹ But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth and said,

²⁰ “Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this Life.”

²¹ And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest came, and those who were with him, and called the council together with all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

²² But when the officers came and found them not in the prison, they returned and reported, saying,

²³ “The prison truly found we shut with all safety and the keepers standing outside before the doors; but when we had opened them, we found no man within.”

²⁴ Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they were in doubt about them as to where this would grow.

²⁵ Then there came one and told them, saying, “Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.”

²⁶ Then the captain went with his officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.

²⁷ And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them,

²⁸ saying, “Did not we strictly command you that ye should not teach in this name? And behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”

²⁹ Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, “We ought to obey God rather than men.

³⁰ The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

³¹ Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

³² And we are His witnesses of these things, and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to those who obey Him.”

³³ When they heard this, they were cut to the heart and took counsel to slay them.

³⁴ Then there stood up one in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law held in high repute among all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside a little while.

³⁵ And he said unto them, “Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do concerning these men.

³⁶ For before these days Theudas rose up, boasting himself to be somebody, to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and brought to nought.

³⁷ After this man, rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed.

³⁸ And now I say unto you, refrain from these men and let them alone, for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought;

³⁹ but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, lest it may happen ye be found even to fight against God.”

⁴⁰ And with him they agreed. And when they had called the apostles back and had beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

⁴¹ And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.

⁴² And daily in the temple and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.