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The Apostles Meet Opposition

17 The high priest and his officials, who were Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then he told them, 20 “Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!”

21 So at daybreak the apostles entered the Temple, as they were told, and immediately began teaching.

When the high priest and his officials arrived, they convened the high council[a]—the full assembly of the elders of Israel. Then they sent for the apostles to be brought from the jail for trial. 22 But when the Temple guards went to the jail, the men were gone. So they returned to the council and reported, 23 “The jail was securely locked, with the guards standing outside, but when we opened the gates, no one was there!”

24 When the captain of the Temple guard and the leading priests heard this, they were perplexed, wondering where it would all end. 25 Then someone arrived with startling news: “The men you put in jail are standing in the Temple, teaching the people!”

26 The captain went with his Temple guards and arrested the apostles, but without violence, for they were afraid the people would stone them.

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Footnotes

  1. 5:21 Greek Sanhedrin; also in 5:27, 41.

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.

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