Peter and John Brought Before the Council

4 As Peter and John were speaking to the people, the [fn]priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees came to them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 So they arrested them and took them into custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many who heard the word believed, and the number of men who believed came to about five thousand.

5 On the next day, the rulers, elders, and scribes were gathered together in [fn]Jerusalem, 6 along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all who were members of the high-priestly family. 7 After making Peter and John stand before them, they began to question them: “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders [fn]of Israel, 9 if we are being examined today about a good deed done to a disabled man and by what means he has been healed, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 There is salvation in no other, for there is no other [fn]name given among men by which we must be saved.”

13 When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and when they realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 So they ordered Peter and John to step out from the Sanhedrin while they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What should we do with these men? For it is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem that a notable sign has been done through them, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it may not spread any further among the people, [fn]we will [fn]strictly warn them to speak no more in this name to [fn]any of the people.” 18 Then they called them in and ordered them not to speak or teach at all 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. 20 For we cannot help but speak about what we have seen and heard.” 21 So after threatening Peter and John further, they released them, finding no way to punish them, because all the people were glorifying God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing had been performed was more than forty years old.