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The Apostles Are Persecuted

17 Then the high priest took action; he and all who were with him (that is, the sect of the Sadducees), being filled with jealousy, 18 arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison.(A) 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, brought them out, and said,(B) 20 “Go, stand in the temple and tell the people the whole message about this life.”(C) 21 When they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and went on with their teaching.

When the high priest and those with him arrived, they called together the council and the whole body of the elders of Israel and sent to the prison to have them brought.(D) 22 But when the temple police went there, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were perplexed about them, wondering what might be going on.(E) 25 Then someone arrived and announced, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” 26 Then the captain went with the temple police and brought them, but without violence, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.(F)

27 When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,[a] yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.”(G) 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.[b](H) 30 The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.(I) 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.(J) 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”(K)

33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.(L) 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a short time. 35 Then he said to them, “Fellow Israelites,[c] consider carefully what you propose to do to these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him, but he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and disappeared. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up at the time of the census and got people to follow him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail;(M) 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!”

They were convinced by him,(N) 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and let them go.(O) 41 As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.(P) 42 And every day in the temple and at home[d] they did not cease to teach and proclaim Jesus as the Messiah.[e](Q)

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Footnotes

  1. 5.28 Other ancient authorities read Did we not give you strict orders not to teach in this name?
  2. 5.29 Gk than men
  3. 5.35 Gk Men, Israelites
  4. 5.42 Or from house to house
  5. 5.42 Or the Christ

The Apostles Persecuted

17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party(A) of the Sadducees,(B) were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.(C) 19 But during the night an angel(D) of the Lord opened the doors of the jail(E) and brought them out.(F) 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”(G)

21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.

When the high priest and his associates(H) arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin(I)—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there.(J) So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests(K) were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.

25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people(L) would stone them.

27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin(M) to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,”(N) he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”(O)

29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!(P) 30 The God of our ancestors(Q) raised Jesus from the dead(R)—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross.(S) 31 God exalted him to his own right hand(T) as Prince and Savior(U) that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.(V) 32 We are witnesses of these things,(W) and so is the Holy Spirit,(X) whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33 When they heard this, they were furious(Y) and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel,(Z) a teacher of the law,(AA) who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census(AB) and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.(AC) 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”(AD)

40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged.(AE) Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing(AF) because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.(AG) 42 Day after day, in the temple courts(AH) and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news(AI) that Jesus is the Messiah.(AJ)

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