English Standard Version ESV
Common English Bible CEB
1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,
1
While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees confronted them.
2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
2
They were incensed that the apostles were teaching the people and announcing that the resurrection of the dead was happening because of Jesus.
3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.
3
They seized Peter and John and put them in prison until the next day. (It was already evening.)
4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
4
Many who heard the word became believers, and their number grew to about five thousand.
5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem,
5
The next day the leaders, elders, and legal experts gathered in Jerusalem,
6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.
6
along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and others from the high priest's family.
7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this? ”
7
They had Peter and John brought before them and asked, "By what power or in what name did you do this?"
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders,
8
Then Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, answered, "Leaders of the people and elders,
9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,
9
are we being examined today because something good was done for a sick person, a good deed that healed him?
10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.
10
If so, then you and all the people of Israel need to know that this man stands healthy before you because of the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead.
11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.
11
This Jesus is the stone you builders rejected; he has become the cornerstone!
12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. ”
12
Salvation can be found in no one else. Throughout the whole world, no other name has been given among humans through which we must be saved."
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
13
The council was caught by surprise by the confidence with which Peter and John spoke. After all, they understood that these apostles were uneducated and inexperienced. They also recognized that they had been followers of Jesus.
14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.
14
However, since the healed man was standing with Peter and John before their own eyes, they had no rebuttal.
15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another,
15
After ordering them to wait outside, the council members began to confer with each other.
16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
16
"What should we do with these men? Everyone living in Jerusalem is aware of the sign performed through them. It's obvious to everyone and we can't deny it.
17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name. ”
17
To keep it from spreading further among the people, we need to warn them not to speak to anyone in this name."
18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
18
When they called Peter and John back, they demanded that they stop all speaking and teaching in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,
19
Peter and John responded, "It's up to you to determine whether it's right before God to obey you rather than God.
20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard. ”
20
As for us, we can't stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."
21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened.
21
They threatened them further, then released them. Because of public support for Peter and John, they couldn't find a way to punish them. Everyone was praising God for what had happened,
22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
22
because the man who had experienced this sign of healing was over 40 years old.
23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
23
After their release, Peter and John returned to the brothers and sisters and reported everything the chief priests and elders had said.
24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them,
24
They listened, then lifted their voices in unison to God, "Master, you are the one who created the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them.
25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain?
25
You are the one who spoke by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant: Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’ —
26
The kings of the earth took their stand and the rulers gathered together as one against the Lord and against his Christ.
27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,
27
Indeed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with Gentiles and Israelites, did gather in this city against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.
28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.
28
They did what your power and plan had already determined would happen.
29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness,
29
Now, Lord, take note of their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with complete confidence.
30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus. ”
30
Stretch out your hand to bring healing and enable signs and wonders to be performed through the name of Jesus, your holy servant."
31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
31
After they prayed, the place where they were gathered was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking God's word with confidence.
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.
32
The community of believers was one in heart and mind. None of them would say, "This is mine!" about any of their possessions, but held everything in common.
33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
33
The apostles continued to bear powerful witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and an abundance of grace was at work among them all.
34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold
34
There were no needy persons among them. Those who owned properties or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds from the sales,
35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
35
and place them in the care and under the authority of the apostles. Then it was distributed to anyone who was in need.
36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus,
36
Joseph, whom the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (that is, "one who encourages"), was a Levite from Cyprus.
37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
37
He owned a field, sold it, brought the money, and placed it in the care and under the authority of the apostles.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible