New Testament in a Year
22 But, upon arriving, the ·officers [temple police] could not find the apostles. So they went back and reported to the leaders. 23 They said, “·The jail was [L We found the jail] closed and locked, and the guards were standing at the doors. But when we opened the doors, ·the jail was empty [L we found no one inside]!” 24 Hearing this, the captain of the Temple guards and the ·leading [T chief] priests were ·confused [puzzled; confounded] and wondered what ·was happening [or this might lead to].
25 Then someone came and told them, “Listen [L Look]! The men you put in ·jail [prison] are standing in the Temple [courts] teaching the people.” 26 Then the captain and ·his men [the officers/attendants; C the temple police] went out and brought the apostles back. But they did not use force, because they were afraid the people would stone them to death.
27 They brought the apostles to the ·meeting [L Sanhedrin; 4:15] and made them stand before the leaders. The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in that name [C of Jesus]. But look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are ·trying [wishing; intending] to make us responsible for this man’s ·death [L blood].”
29 Peter and the other apostles answered, “We must obey God, not ·human authority [L people]! 30 You ·killed [murdered] Jesus by hanging him on a ·cross [L tree]. But God, the God of our ancestors, raised Jesus up from the dead! 31 Jesus is the One whom God ·raised [exalted] to be on his right ·side [L hand], as ·Leader [Prince; Ruler] and Savior. Through him, ·the people of Israel [L Israel] could ·change their hearts and lives [repent] and have their sins forgiven. 32 We ·saw all these things happen [L testify to/are witnesses of these things]. The Holy Spirit, whom God has given to all who obey him, also ·proves [or testifies that] these things are true.”
33 When the leaders heard this, they became ·angry [furious] and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee [C a member of a religious party that strictly observed OT laws, added traditions, and represented a minority on the Sanhedrin] named Gamaliel [C Paul’s teacher; 22:3] stood up in the ·meeting [L Sanhedrin; 4:15]. He was a teacher of the law, and all the people respected him. He ordered the ·apostles [L men] to leave the meeting for a little while. 35 Then he said, “·People of Israel [L Men, Israelites], be careful what you are planning to do to these men. 36 ·Remember when [or Some time ago] Theudas ·appeared [L rose up]? He ·said [claimed] he was ·a great man [L somebody], and about four hundred men joined him. But he was killed, and all his followers were scattered; they ·were able to do nothing [failed; came to nothing]. 37 Later, a man named ·Judas came from Galilee [or Judas the Galilean appeared/arose] at the time of the ·registration [census; C of people and possessions, for tax purposes; Judas led a tax revolt]. He also led a group of followers and ·was killed [perished], and all his followers were scattered. 38 And so now I tell you: Stay away from these men, and leave them alone. If their ·plan [or activity; endeavor] comes from human ·authority [or origin], it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You might even ·be [find yourselves] fighting against God himself!”
The leaders ·agreed with [were convinced by] what Gamaliel said. 40 They called the apostles in, ·beat [flogged; whipped] them, and ·told [commanded] them not to speak in the name of Jesus again. Then they let them go free. 41 The apostles left the ·meeting [L presence of the Sanhedrin/council; 4:15] ·full of joy [rejoicing] because they were ·given the honor [or considered worthy by God] of suffering disgrace for ·Jesus [L the name]. 42 Every day in the Temple [courts] and in people’s homes they continued teaching the people and ·telling [proclaiming] the ·Good News [Gospel] —that Jesus is the ·Christ [Messiah].
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