12 Many signs and wonders were being done among the people through the
hands of the apostles. By common consent they would all meet in Solomon’s
Colonnade. 13 None of the rest dared to join them, but the people praised
them highly. 14 Believers were added to the Lord in increasing
numbers–crowds of both men and women. 15 As a result, they would carry
the sick out into the streets and lay them on cots and mats so that when Peter
came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 In addition,
a large group came together from the towns surrounding Jerusalem, bringing
sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all
healed.
17 Then the high priest took action. He and all his colleagues, those who
belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 So
they arrested the apostles and put them in the city jail. 19 But an angel
of the Lord opened the doors of the jail during the night, brought them out,
and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple complex, and tell the people all
about this life.” 21 In obedience to this, they entered the temple complex
at daybreak and began to teach.
When the high priest and those who were with him arrived, they convened the
Sanhedrin—the full Senate of the sons of Israel–and sent orders to the jail
to have them brought. 22 But when the temple police got there, they did
not find them in the jail, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the
jail securely locked, with the guards standing in front of the doors, but when
we opened them, we found no one inside!” 24 As the commander of the temple
police and the chief priests heard these things, they were baffled about them,
as to what could come of this.
25 Someone came and reported to them, “Look! The men you put in jail are
standing in the temple complex and teaching the people.” 26 Then the
commander went with the temple police and brought them in without force,
because they were afraid the people might stone them. 27 After they
brought them in, they had them stand before the Sanhedrin, and the high priest
asked, 28 “Didn’t we strictly order you not to teach in this name? And
look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to bring
this man’s blood on us!”
29 But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had murdered by
hanging Him on a tree. 31 God exalted this man to His right hand as ruler
and Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 We
are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to
those who obey Him.”
33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.