22
But 1the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported back,
23
saying, "We found the prisonhouselockedquitesecurely and the guardsstanding at the doors; but when we had opened up, we foundnooneinside."
24
Nowwhen2the captain of the temple guard and the chiefpriestsheardthesewords, they were greatlyperplexedabout them as to what would come of this.
25
But someonecame and reported to them, "The menwhom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!"
26
Then3the captainwentalong with 4the officers and proceeded to bring them back without*violence (for 5they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned ).
27
When they had brought them, they stood them before6the Council. The highpriestquestioned them,
28
saying, "We gave you 7strictorders not to continue teaching in thisname, and yet, you have filledJerusalem with your teaching and 8intend to bringthisman'sblood upon us."
29
But Peter and the apostlesanswered, "9We mustobeyGodratherthanmen.
30
"10The God of our fathers11raised up Jesus, whom you had 12put to death by hanging Him on a cross.
31
"13He is the one whom Godexalted to His righthand as a 14Prince and a 15Savior, to grant16repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32
"And we are 17witnesses of thesethings; and 18so is the HolySpirit, whomGod has given to those who obey Him."
Gamaliel's Counsel
33 But when they heard this, they were 19cut to the quick and intended to kill them.
34
But a Phariseenamed20Gamaliel, a 21teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in 22the Council and gaveorders to put the menoutside for a shorttime.
35
And he said to them, "Men of Israel, takecarewhat you propose to do with thesemen.
36
"For sometimeagoTheudasrose up, 23claiming to be somebody, and a group of aboutfourhundredmenjoined up with him. But he was killed, and allwhofollowed him were dispersed and came to nothing.
37
"Afterthisman, Judas of Galileerose up in the days of 24the census and drewaway some peopleafter him; he tooperished, and all those whofollowed him were scattered.
38
"So in the presentcase, I say to you, stayaway from thesemen and let them alone, for ifthisplanoraction25is of men, it will be overthrown;
39
but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; orelse you may even be found26fightingagainstGod."
40
They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they 27flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them.
41
So they went on their way from the presence of the 28Council, 29rejoicing that they had been consideredworthy to suffershame30for His name.
42
31And everyday, in the temple and from house to house, they kept*right* on teaching and 32preachingJesus as the Christ.