The Name of Jesus Forbidden

¹³ Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, ^(A)and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ And seeing the man who had been healed ^(B)standing with them, they could say nothing against it. ¹⁵ But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, ¹⁶ saying, ^(C)“What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a ^[a]notable miracle has been done through them is ^(D)evident^[b] to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”

^18 (E)So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered and said to them, ^(F)“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. ^20 (G)For we cannot but speak the things which ^(H)we have seen and heard.” ²¹ So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, ^(I)because of the people, since they all ^(J)glorified God for ^(K)what had been done. ²² For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

Prayer for Boldness^(L)

²³ And being let go, ^(M)they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. ²⁴ So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, ^(N)You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, ²⁵ who ^[c]by the mouth of Your servant David have said:

²⁷ “For ^(P)truly against ^(Q)Your holy Servant Jesus, ^(R)whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together ^28 (S)to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. ²⁹ Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants ^(T)that with all boldness they may speak Your word, ³⁰ by stretching out Your hand to heal, ^(U)and that signs and wonders may be done ^(V)through the name of ^(W)Your holy Servant Jesus.”

³¹ And when they had prayed, ^(X)the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, ^(Y)and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

⁴⁰ And they agreed with him, and when they had ^(A)called for the apostles ^(B)and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. ⁴¹ So they departed from the presence of the council, ^(C)rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for ^[a]His name. ⁴² And daily ^(D)in the temple, and in every house, ^(E)they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.