15
As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by.
16
Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed.
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 —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!”