¹³ Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus.^{(A) 14} When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. ¹⁵ So they ordered them to leave the council while they discussed the matter with one another.^{(B) 16} They said, “What will we do with them? For it is obvious to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable sign has been done through them; we cannot deny it.^{(C) 17} But to keep it from spreading further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” ¹⁸ So they called them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.^{(D) 19} But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge;^{(E) 20} for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.”^{(F) 21} After threatening them again, they let them go, finding no way to punish them because of the people, for all of them praised God for what had happened.^{(G) 22} For the man on whom this sign of healing had been performed was more than forty years old.

The Believers Pray for Boldness

²³ After they were released, they went to their own people and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴ When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and everything in them,^{(H) 25} it is you who said by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant:^[a]

²⁷ “For in this city, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servant^[c] Jesus, whom you anointed,^{(K) 28} to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. ²⁹ And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness,^{(L) 30} while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant^[d] Jesus.”^{(M) 31} When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.^(N)