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Peter and John before the Council

While Peter and John[a] were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them,(A) much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead.(B) So they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.(C) But many of those who heard the word believed, and they numbered about five thousand.(D)

The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem,(E) with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John,[b] and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.(F) When they had made the prisoners[c] stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders,(G) if we are being questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are being asked how this man has been healed,[d] 10 let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,[e] whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead.(H) 11 This Jesus[f] is

‘the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;
    it has become the cornerstone.’[g](I)

12 “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”(J)

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.(K) 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.(L) 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.(M) 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.(N) 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;(O) 20 for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.”(P) 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.(Q) 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing had been performed was more than forty years old.

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Footnotes

  1. 4.1 Gk While they
  2. 4.6 Other ancient authorities read Jonathan
  3. 4.7 Gk them
  4. 4.9 Or saved
  5. 4.10 Gk the Nazorean
  6. 4.11 Gk This
  7. 4.11 Or keystone (in an arch)

Peter and John Arrested

As they were speaking to the people, the priests and (A)the captain of the temple guard and (B)the Sadducees (C)came up to them, being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming [a](D)in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them and (E)put them in prison until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the [b]message believed; and (F)the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

On the next day, their (G)rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; and (H)Annas the high priest was there, and (I)Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent. When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?” Then Peter, [c](J)filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “[d](K)Rulers and elders of the people, if we are [e]on trial today for (L)a benefit done to a sick man, as to [f]how this man has been made well, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that [g](M)by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom (N)God raised from the dead—[h]by [i]this name this man stands here before you in good health. 11 [j](O)He is the (P)stone which was (Q)rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in (R)no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.”

Threat and Release

13 Now as they observed the (S)confidence of (T)Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and (U)began to recognize them [k]as having been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. 15 But when they had ordered them to leave the [l](V)Council, they began to confer with one another, 16 saying, “(W)What are we to do with these men? For the fact that a (X)noteworthy [m]miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let’s warn them not to speak any longer to any person (Y)in this name.” 18 And when they had summoned them, they (Z)commanded them not to speak or teach at all [n]in the name of Jesus. 19 But (AA)Peter and John answered and said to them, “(AB)Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, make your own judgment; 20 for (AC)we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21 When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) (AD)on account of the people, because they were all (AE)glorifying God for what had happened; 22 for the man on whom this [o]miracle of healing had been performed was more than forty years old.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 4:2 Or in the case of
  2. Acts 4:4 Lit word
  3. Acts 4:8 Or having just been filled
  4. Acts 4:8 Lit Rulers of the people and elders
  5. Acts 4:9 Lit answering
  6. Acts 4:9 Or by what; or by whom
  7. Acts 4:10 Or in
  8. Acts 4:10 Or in
  9. Acts 4:10 Or Him
  10. Acts 4:11 Lit This One
  11. Acts 4:13 Lit that they had been
  12. Acts 4:15 Or Sanhedrin
  13. Acts 4:16 Or sign
  14. Acts 4:18 Or on the basis of
  15. Acts 4:22 Or sign