Book of Common Prayer

Healed by Peter’s shadow

¹² Many signs and wonders were performed by the apostles among the people. They were all together in Solomon’s Porch, ¹³ while none of the others dared join them, though the people spoke highly of them. ¹⁴ But more people, a crowd both of men and women, believed in the Lord, and were added to their number. ¹⁵ They used to bring the sick into the streets, and place them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on them as he went by. ¹⁶ Crowds gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing people who were sick, or infested with unclean spirits. All of them were cured.

The words of this life

¹⁷ Then the high priest got up, and all who were with him, namely the group called the Sadducees. They were filled with righteous indignation, ¹⁸ and seized the apostles and put them in the public jail. ¹⁹ But an angel of the Lord came in the night, opened the prison doors, and brought them out.

²⁰ “Go and take your stand in the Temple,” he said, “and speak all the words of this Life to the people.”

²¹ When they heard this, they went in at early morning and began to teach.

When the high priest arrived with his entourage, they called the official Assembly and all the elders of the children of Israel, and they sent to the prison to have the apostles brought in. ²² But when the attendants went, they didn’t find them in the prison. So they came and reported back.

²³ “We found the jail shut up with maximum security,” they said, “and the guards were standing in front of the doors. But when we opened up we found nobody inside.”

²⁴ When they heard these words, the commander of the Temple police and the chief priests were at a loss about them, with no idea what had happened. ²⁵ But then someone came with a message for them.

“Look!” he said. “The men you put in prison are standing in the Temple and teaching the people!”

²⁶ Then the commander went with his attendants and brought them. They didn’t use force, though, because they were afraid that the people might stone them.

²⁹ He told them this parable. “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. ³⁰ When they are well into leaf, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is upon you. ³¹ In the same way, when you see all these things happening, you will know that God’s kingdom is upon you. ³² I’m telling you the truth; this generation won’t be gone before all of this happens. ³³ Heaven and earth may disappear, but these words of mine won’t disappear.”

Watching for the son of man

³⁴ “So watch out for yourselves,” said Jesus. “Don’t let your hearts grow heavy with dissipation and drunkenness and the cares of this life, letting that day come upon you suddenly, ³⁵ like a trap. It will come, you see, on everyone who lives on the face of the earth. ³⁶ Keep awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the son of man.”