Acts 5:17-42
New American Standard Bible
Imprisonment and Release
17 But the high priest stood up, along with all his associates (that is (A)the sect of (B)the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. 18 They laid hands on the apostles and (C)put them in a public prison. 19 But during the night (D)an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and leading them out, he said, 20 “Go, stand and [a]speak to the people in the temple area [b](E)the whole message of this Life.” 21 Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple area (F)about daybreak and began to teach.
Now when (G)the high priest and his associates came, they called (H)the [c]Council together, that is, all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison for them to be brought. 22 But (I)the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported, 23 saying, “We found the prison locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 Now when (J)the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what [d]would come of this. 25 But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple area and teaching the people!” 26 Then (K)the captain went along with (L)the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for (M)they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned).
27 When they had brought them, they had them stand [e]before (N)the Council. The high priest interrogated them, 28 saying, “We gave you (O)strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and [f]yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and (P)intend to bring this Man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “(Q)We must obey God rather than men. 30 (R)The God of our fathers (S)raised up Jesus, whom you (T)put to death by hanging Him on [g](U)a cross. 31 (V)He is the one whom God exalted [h]to His right hand as a [i](W)Prince and a (X)Savior, to grant (Y)repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are (Z)witnesses [j]of these things; and (AA)so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
Gamaliel’s Counsel
33 But when they heard this, they became (AB)infuriated and nearly decided to execute them. 34 But a Pharisee named (AC)Gamaliel, a (AD)teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in (AE)the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful as to what you are about to do with these men. 36 For, some time ago Theudas appeared, (AF)claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined him. [k]But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee appeared in the days of (AG)the census and drew away some people after him; he also perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. 38 And so in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and leave them alone, for if the source of this plan or [l]movement (AH)is men, it will be overthrown; 39 but if the source is God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found (AI)fighting against God.”
40 They followed his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they (AJ)flogged them and ordered them not to [m]speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. 41 So they went on their way from the presence of the [n](AK)Council, (AL)rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame (AM)for His name. 42 (AN)And every day, in the temple and [o]from house to house, they did not stop teaching and (AO)preaching the good news of Jesus as the [p]Christ.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Acts 5:20 Or continue to speak
- Acts 5:20 Lit all the words
- Acts 5:21 Or Sanhedrin
- Acts 5:24 Lit this would become
- Acts 5:27 Lit among
- Acts 5:28 Lit behold
- Acts 5:30 Lit wood; see Deut 21:23
- Acts 5:31 Or by
- Acts 5:31 Or Leader
- Acts 5:32 One early ms adds in Him
- Acts 5:36 Lit Who was killed
- Acts 5:38 Lit work
- Acts 5:40 Lit be speaking
- Acts 5:41 Or Sanhedrin
- Acts 5:42 Or in the various private homes
- Acts 5:42 I.e., Messiah
Acts 5:17-42
Amplified Bible
Imprisonment and Release
17 But the [a]high priest stood up, along with all his associates (that is, the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy and resentment. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in a public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, and leading them out, he said, 20 “Go, stand and continue to tell the people in the temple [courtyards] the whole message of this Life [the eternal life revealed by Christ and found through faith in Him].” 21 When they heard this, they went into the temple [courtyards] about daybreak and began teaching.
Now when the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court), even all the council of elders of the sons of Israel, and sent word to the prison for the apostles to be brought [before them]. 22 But when the officers arrived, they did not find them in the prison; and they came back and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened [the doors], we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these things, they were greatly perplexed, wondering what would come of this. 25 But someone came and told them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing [right here] in the temple [area], teaching the people!” 26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them back, without hurting them (because they were afraid of the people, worried that they might be stoned).
27 So they brought them and presented them before the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court). The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you intend to bring this [b]Man’s blood on us [by accusing us as His murderers].” 29 Then Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men [we have no other choice]. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a [c]cross [and you are responsible].(A) 31 God exalted Him to His right hand as Prince and Savior and Deliverer, in order to grant repentance to Israel, and [to grant] forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has bestowed on those who obey Him.”
Gamaliel’s Counsel
33 Now when they heard this, they were infuriated and they intended to kill the apostles. 34 But a Pharisee named [d]Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law [of Moses], highly esteemed by all the people, stood up in the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) and ordered that the men be taken outside for a little while. 35 Then he said to the Council, “Men of Israel, be careful in regard to what you propose to do to these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody [of importance], and a group of about four hundred men allied themselves with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were scattered and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up, [and led an uprising] during the time of the census, and drew people after him; he was also killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men [merely human in origin], it will fail and be destroyed; 39 but if it is of God [and it appears that it is], you will not be able to stop them; or else you may even be found fighting against God!”
40 The Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) took his advice; and after summoning the apostles, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them. 41 So they left the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy [dignified by indignity] to suffer shame for [the sake of] His name. 42 And every single day, in the temple [area] and in homes, they did not stop teaching and telling the good news of Jesus as the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Acts 5:17 This may refer to either Caiaphas (the official high priest) or his father-in-law, Annas (the de facto high priest). See note 4:6.
- Acts 5:28 The reason the Council members refused to refer to Jesus by name is unclear, but may indicate contempt, guilt, or perhaps fear.
- Acts 5:30 Lit wood.
- Acts 5:34 Saul of Tarsus, later known as the apostle Paul, was among Gamaliel’s students. See 22:3.
Acts 5:17-42
English Standard Version
The Apostles Arrested and Freed
17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of (A)the Sadducees), and filled with (B)jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and (C)put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night (D)an angel of the Lord (E)opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all (F)the words of (G)this (H)Life.” 21 And when they heard this, (I)they entered the temple (J)at daybreak and began to teach.
Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, 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 (K)the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 25 And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison (L)are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then (M)the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for (N)they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, (O)“We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you (P)intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, (Q)“We must obey God rather than men. 30 (R)The God of our fathers (S)raised Jesus, (T)whom you killed by hanging him on (U)a tree. 31 God exalted (V)him at his right hand as (W)Leader and (X)Savior, (Y)to give (Z)repentance to Israel and (AA)forgiveness of sins. 32 And (AB)we are witnesses to these things, and (AC)so is the Holy Spirit, (AD)whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, they (AE)were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named (AF)Gamaliel, (AG)a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For (AH)before these days Theudas rose up, (AI)claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of (AJ)the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too 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 (AK)if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but (AL)if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You (AM)might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and (AN)when they had called in the apostles, (AO)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, (AP)rejoicing that they were counted worthy (AQ)to suffer dishonor for (AR)the name. 42 And every day, (AS)in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and (AT)preaching (AU)that the Christ is Jesus.
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Acts 5:17-42
King James Version
17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told,
23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Read full chapterNew American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
