Acts 5:21-42

New American Standard Bible

²¹ Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple area ^(A)about daybreak and began to teach.

Now when ^(B)the high priest and his associates came, they called ^(C)the ^[a]Council together, that is, all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison for them to be brought. ²² But ^(D)the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported, ²³ saying, “We found the prison locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” ²⁴ Now when ^(E)the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what ^[b]would come of this. ²⁵ But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple area and teaching the people!” ²⁶ Then ^(F)the captain went along with ^(G)the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for ^(H)they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned).

²⁷ When they had brought them, they had them stand ^[c]before ^(I)the Council. The high priest interrogated them, ²⁸ saying, “We gave you ^(J)strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and ^[d]yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and ^(K)intend to bring this Man’s blood upon us.” ²⁹ But Peter and the apostles answered, “^(L)We must obey God rather than men. ^30 (M)The God of our fathers ^(N)raised up Jesus, whom you ^(O)put to death by hanging Him on ^[e](P)a cross. ^31 (Q)He is the one whom God exalted ^[f]to His right hand as a ^[g](R)Prince and a ^(S)Savior, to grant ^(T)repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. ³² And we are ^(U)witnesses ^[h]of these things; and ^(V)so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Gamaliel’s Counsel

³³ But when they heard this, they became ^(W)infuriated and nearly decided to execute them. ³⁴ But a Pharisee named ^(X)Gamaliel, a ^(Y)teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in ^(Z)the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. ³⁵ And he said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful as to what you are about to do with these men. ³⁶ For, some time ago Theudas appeared, ^(AA)claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined him. ^[i]But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. ³⁷ After this man, Judas of Galilee appeared in the days of ^(AB)the census and drew away some people after him; he also perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. ³⁸ And so in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and leave them alone, for if the source of this plan or ^[j]movement ^(AC)is men, it will be overthrown; ³⁹ but if the source is God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found ^(AD)fighting against God.”

⁴⁰ They followed his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they ^(AE)flogged them and ordered them not to ^[k]speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. ⁴¹ So they went on their way from the presence of the ^[l](AF)Council, ^(AG)rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame ^(AH)for His name. ^42 (AI)And every day, in the temple and ^[m]from house to house, they did not stop teaching and ^(AJ)preaching the good news of Jesus as the ^[n]Christ.