16
Crowds also gathered from the towns around Yerushalayim, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits; and every one of them was healed.
17
But the cohen hagadol and his associates, who were members of the party of the Tz'dukim, were filled with jealousy.
18
They arrested the emissaries and put them in the public jail.
19
But during the night, an angel of ADONAI opened the doors of the prison, led them out and said,
20
"Go, stand in the Temple court and keep telling the people all about this new life!"
21
After hearing that, they entered the Temple area about dawn and began to teach. Now the cohen hagadol and his associates came and called a meeting of the Sanhedrin (that is, of Isra'el's whole assembly of elders) and sent to the jail to have them brought.
22
But the officers who went did not find them in the prison. So they returned and reported,
23
"We found the jail securely locked and the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened it, we found no one inside!"
24
When the captain of the Temple police and the head cohanim heard these things, they were puzzled and wondered what would happen next.
25
Then someone came and reported to them, "Listen! The men you ordered put in prison are standing in the Temple court, teaching the people!"
26
The captain and his officers went and brought them, but not with force; because they were afraid of being stoned by the people.