Add parallel Print Page Options

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33 When they heard this they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gama′li-el, a teacher of the law, held in honor by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you do with these men. 36 For before these days Theu′das arose, giving himself out to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him; but he was slain and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean arose in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after 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; for if this plan or this undertaking is of men, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!”

40 So they took his advice, and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Read full chapter

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

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

33 When they heard this, they were furious(M) and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel,(N) a teacher of the law,(O) 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(P) 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.(Q) 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”(R)

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

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

Read full chapter