²⁶ Here he is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying a word to him. Have the authorities^(A) really concluded that he is the Messiah?^(B)

⁴⁸ “Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him?^(A)

⁷ For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid,^(A) but gives us power,^(B) love and self-discipline. ⁸ So do not be ashamed^(C) of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner.^(D) Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel,^(E) by the power of God.

¹⁴ And because of my chains,^(A) most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.^(B)

¹⁹ Pray also for me,^(A) that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly^(B) make known the mystery^(C) of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador^(D) in chains.^(E) Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

¹³ When they saw the courage of Peter and John^(A) and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men,^(B) they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.^(C)

⁴² Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him.^(A) But because of the Pharisees^(B) they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue;^(C)

⁴⁷ Then the chief priests and the Pharisees^(A) called a meeting^(B) of the Sanhedrin.^(C)

“What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs.^{(D) 48} If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.”

⁴⁹ Then one of them, named Caiaphas,^(E) who was high priest that year,^(F) spoke up, “You know nothing at all! ⁵⁰ You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”^(G)

⁵¹ He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, ⁵² and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.^{(H) 53} So from that day on they plotted to take his life.^(I)

²² His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders,^(A) who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out^(B) of the synagogue.^(C)