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Pedro y Juan ante el Consejo Supremo

Aún estaban Pedro y Juan hablando al pueblo, cuando se presentaron allí los sacerdotes, el jefe de la guardia del Templo y los saduceos. Estaban contrariados, porque los apóstoles seguían instruyendo al pueblo y proclamaban que la resurrección de entre los muertos se había realizado ya en la persona de Jesús. Así que los detuvieron y, en vista de que era ya tarde, los metieron en la cárcel hasta el día siguiente. Pero muchos de los que habían escuchado el discurso de Pedro abrazaron la fe, por lo que el número de creyentes varones alcanzó la cifra de unos cinco mil. Al día siguiente, se reunieron en Jerusalén las autoridades, los ancianos y los maestros de la ley. Estaban presentes Anás, que era sumo sacerdote, Caifás, Juan, Alejandro y todos los miembros de la clase sacerdotal dirigente. Hicieron comparecer a Pedro y a Juan, y les preguntaron:

— ¿Con qué poder y en nombre de quién han hecho esto?

Pedro, lleno del Espíritu Santo, les respondió:

— Jefes del pueblo y ancianos: hoy ha sido curado un enfermo, y se nos pregunta quién lo ha curado. 10 Pues bien, han de saber, tanto ustedes como todo el pueblo israelita, que este hombre se encuentra ahora sano ante sus ojos gracias a Jesús de Nazaret, a quien ustedes crucificaron y a quien Dios ha resucitado. 11 Él es la piedra rechazada por ustedes los constructores, pero que ha resultado ser la piedra principal. 12 Ningún otro puede salvarnos, pues en la tierra no existe ninguna otra persona a quien Dios haya constituido autor de nuestra salvación.

13 Cuando vieron la seguridad con que se expresaban Pedro y Juan, que eran hombres sin cultura y sin instrucción, no salían de su asombro. Por una parte, no podían menos de reconocer que Pedro y Juan habían sido compañeros de Jesús; 14 por otra, allí estaba de pie, junto a ellos, el hombre que había sido curado. Así que, no sabiendo cómo replicarles, 15 les ordenaron salir de la sala del Consejo y se pusieron a deliberar entre ellos:

16 — ¿Qué vamos a hacer con estos hombres? Está claro para todos los habitantes de Jerusalén que, efectivamente, se ha realizado un milagro manifiesto por mediación de ellos; es algo que no podemos negar. 17 Sin embargo, para evitar que esto siga propagándose entre el pueblo, vamos a advertirles, bajo amenaza, que no hablen más a nadie de tal individuo.

18 Así que los llamaron y les prohibieron terminantemente que hablaran de Jesús o enseñaran en su nombre. 19 Pero Pedro y Juan les respondieron:

— ¿Les parece justo delante de Dios que los obedezcamos a ustedes antes que a él? 20 Por nuestra parte, no podemos dejar de hablar de lo que hemos visto y oído.

21 Tras amenazarlos de nuevo, los dejaron libres. La verdad es que no hallaban forma de castigarlos sin enfrentarse con el pueblo, pues todos alababan a Dios por lo ocurrido; 22 además, el milagro de la curación se había realizado en un hombre de más de cuarenta años.

Oración unánime de los creyentes

23 En cuanto fueron puestos en libertad, Pedro y Juan se reunieron con los suyos y les contaron lo que los jefes de los sacerdotes y los ancianos les habían dicho. 24 Al enterarse, todos elevaron unánimes esta oración a Dios:

— Señor nuestro, tú has creado el cielo, la tierra, el mar y todo lo que hay en ellos; 25 tú, por medio del Espíritu Santo, pusiste en boca de David, tu servidor y nuestro antepasado, estas palabras:

¿Por qué se alborotan las naciones
y hacen planes inútiles los pueblos?
26 Los reyes de la tierra se han aliado
y los poderosos se han confabulado
en contra del Señor y de su ungido.

27 Y realmente es cierto que, en esta ciudad, Pilato y Herodes se confabularon con los extranjeros y el pueblo israelita en contra de Jesús, tu santo servidor y Mesías. 28 Llevaron así a cabo todo lo que tu poder y tu voluntad habían decidido de antemano que sucediese. 29 Ahora, Señor, mira cómo nos amenazan y concede a tus servidores anunciar tu mensaje con plena libertad. 30 Pon en juego tu poder, para que en el nombre de Jesús, tu santo servidor, se produzcan curaciones, señales milagrosas y prodigios.

31 Apenas terminaron de orar, tembló el lugar donde estaban reunidos y todos quedaron llenos del Espíritu Santo. Así pudieron luego proclamar el mensaje de Dios con plena libertad.

Compartir bienes

32 El grupo de los creyentes estaba totalmente compenetrado en un mismo sentir y pensar, y ninguno consideraba de su exclusiva propiedad los bienes que poseía, sino que todos los disfrutaban en común. 33 Los apóstoles, por su parte, daban testimonio de la resurrección de Jesús, el Señor, con toda firmeza, y se los miraba con gran simpatía. 34 Nadie entre los creyentes carecía de nada, pues los que eran dueños de haciendas o casas las vendían y entregaban el producto de la venta, 35 poniéndolo a disposición de los apóstoles para que estos lo distribuyeran conforme a la necesidad de cada uno. 36 Tal fue el caso de José, un chipriota de la tribu de Leví, a quien los apóstoles llamaban Bernabé, que significa “el que trae consuelo”; 37 vendió un terreno de su propiedad, trajo el importe y lo puso a disposición de los apóstoles.

Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin

The priests and the captain of the temple guard(A) and the Sadducees(B) came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.(C) They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail(D) until the next day. But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew(E) to about five thousand.

The next day the rulers,(F) the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas,(G) John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit,(H) said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!(I) If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame(J) and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,(K) whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead,(L) that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is

“‘the stone you builders rejected,
    which has become the cornerstone.’[a](M)

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”(N)

13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John(O) and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men,(P) they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.(Q) 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin(R) and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?”(S) they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign,(T) and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.(U) 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him?(V) You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking(W) about what we have seen and heard.”(X)

21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people(Y) were praising God(Z) for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

The Believers Pray

23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.(AA) “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.(AB) 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:(AC)

“‘Why do the nations rage
    and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
against the Lord
    and against his anointed one.[b][c](AD)

27 Indeed Herod(AE) and Pontius Pilate(AF) met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus,(AG) whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.(AH) 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.(AI) 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders(AJ) through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”(AK)

31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.(AL) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit(AM) and spoke the word of God(AN) boldly.(AO)

The Believers Share Their Possessions

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.(AP) 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify(AQ) to the resurrection(AR) of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace(AS) was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them,(AT) brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet,(AU) and it was distributed to anyone who had need.(AV)

36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas(AW) (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.(AX)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 4:11 Psalm 118:22
  2. Acts 4:26 That is, Messiah or Christ
  3. Acts 4:26 Psalm 2:1,2

And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.

Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.

17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

The priests put Peter and John in prison

Peter and John were still speaking to the crowd in the yard of the temple. Then some priests, the leader of the police in the temple and some Sadducees came to them. They were angry because of the things that Peter and John were teaching the people there. They were teaching that Jesus had become alive again after his death. The Jewish leaders did not agree that dead people could become alive again. So they took hold of Peter and John. They put them in prison, because by then it was evening time. They put them in the prison until the next day. But many of the people who had heard Peter's message believed what he said. There were now about 5,000 men who believed in Jesus.

The Jewish leaders ask Peter and John questions

The next day, the Jewish rulers and other important Jews met together in Jerusalem. The teachers of God's Law met together with them. They met with Annas who was the most important priest. Caiaphas, John and Alexander were also there. Other men from the family of the most important priest were with them too. The Jewish leaders made Peter and John stand in front of them. They began to ask them questions. They said, ‘How did you cause that man's legs to become strong? Who gave you the power and the authority to do it?’

Then Peter became full with the Holy Spirit and he said to them, ‘All you men are rulers of the people and important Jews. Today you are asking us questions about the good thing that we did for this man. Before that, he could not walk. You are asking us how we caused his legs to become strong. 10 Now I need to tell you and all the people of Israel what is true. Then you will know how this happened. This man is standing here in front of you and he is well. His legs are strong because of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and his authority. You fixed Jesus to a cross so that he died. But after that, God caused him to become alive again. 11 The Bible says this about him:[a]

“The builders refused to use a certain stone. They thought that it had no value.
But now that stone has become the most important stone at the corner of the building.” ’

12 Then Peter said, ‘Only Jesus can save people. There has never been another person in the world that could do this. God has not given any other man the authority to save us.’

13 The Jewish leaders saw that Peter and John were not afraid of them. They also knew that they were not special people. They had not been to any school.[b] So the leaders were very surprised about how Peter and John spoke. They understood that Peter and John had been friends with Jesus.

14 The man who was now well stood in front of the Jewish leaders. They could see that his legs had become strong again. So they could not say anything against Peter and John. 15 They told Peter and John to go out of the room where the leaders were meeting. Then they talked together to decide what they should do. 16 ‘What should we do with these men?’ they said. ‘Everyone who lives in Jerusalem knows about this miracle. They know that Peter and John did a great thing for that man. So we cannot say that they did not do it. 17 But we do not want any more people to know what has happened. So we must say to these men, “You must stop using the name of Jesus. You must stop teaching people about him.” ’[c]

18 Then the Jewish leaders told Peter and John to come back into the room. They said to them, ‘You must not use the authority of Jesus to teach people any more. You must not speak about him.’ 19 Then Peter and John replied to the leaders, ‘What do you think God wants us to do? Should we obey you? Or should we obey God? You decide! 20 We know what is right. We must continue to speak about these things. We must tell people about the things that we have seen and heard.’

21 The Jewish leaders were angry. They told Peter and John that they must obey them. Then they let Peter and John go free. All the people there were praising God because of the miracle. So the leaders could not decide how to punish Peter and John. 22 The man who became well because of this miracle was more than 40 years old.

The group of believers pray to God

23 After the Jewish leaders let them go free, Peter and John went back to the group of believers. They told them what the leaders of the priests and the important Jews had said. 24 The believers listened to what Peter and John told them. Then they all prayed together. They said to God, ‘You are the Lord who rules over everything. You made the sky, the earth and the sea. You also made everything that is in them. 25 Our ancestor, King David, was your servant. You sent your Holy Spirit to him so that he spoke your message. You said through him,[d]

    “People of other nations were very angry.
    They made plans to do useless things.
    Why did they do that?
26 The kings and rulers of the world met together.
    They decided to fight against the Lord God
    and against his Messiah.”

27 Lord God, it has now happened like that. Herod and Pontius Pilate have met together here in Jerusalem. They met with Israelite people and with people of other nations. Together they made plans to kill your holy servant, Jesus. He is the one that you chose to be your Messiah. 28 But you are powerful. These men did only what you said would happen. You had already decided on these events. 29 Lord God, you know that the Jewish leaders want to punish Peter and John. We are your servants. Please help us not to be afraid. Help us to speak your message to people without fear. 30 Show people that you are strong. Cause sick people to become well. Do other powerful things to show that you are God. It is the authority of your holy servant Jesus that will make these things happen.’

31 The believers finished praying. The house where they were meeting together shook. God filled them all with his Holy Spirit. That made them very brave and they spoke God's message clearly to people.

The believers help each other

32 All the believers agreed completely with each other about how they should live. They wanted to help each other. Nobody kept anything only for themselves. They let the other believers use it. 33 The apostles continued to teach about the Lord Jesus. They spoke with great power. They told people, ‘After Jesus died, God caused him to live again. We saw that happen.’ God was very kind to all the believers and he helped them in many ways. 34 Everyone had as much as they needed. Some believers had land or houses, which belonged to them. They sold those things and then they took the money to the apostles. 35 Then the apostles gave the money to any of the believers who needed it.

36 One of the believers was called Joseph. He was from the family of Levi. He was from the island called Cyprus. The apostles called him Barnabas because he liked to help people. 37 Joseph sold a field that belonged to him. He took the money from this and he gave it to the apostles. He wanted them to use the money to help other believers.[e]

Footnotes

  1. 4:11 We can read this in Psalms 118:22. The prophet was saying that the Messiah would be like a special stone that makes a building strong. When the Jewish leaders refused Jesus, they were like the builders.
  2. 4:13 The teachers of God's Law went to special schools. At these schools, they learned how to teach the people about God. Peter and John had never been to one of these schools. But they knew how to teach the people about God.
  3. 4:17 The people in Jerusalem knew that Peter and John had done a good thing for the man. The Jewish leaders had asked Pilate to kill Jesus for them. Now the leaders were afraid that more people would believe in Jesus. Then those people might fight against them.
  4. 4:25 See Psalms 2:1-3.
  5. 4:37 The family of Levi were servants in the temple, where they worked for the priests. We can read about them in Numbers 3:5-13.