Acts 5:17-41

17But the kohen gadol rose up, and all those with him (that is, the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy.

18They grabbed the emissaries and put them in a public jail.

19But during the night an angel of Adonai opened the prison doors, and leading them out he said,

20“Go, stand in the Temple and speak to the people the whole message about this Life.”

21Now when they heard that, they entered the Temple at daybreak and began teaching. When the kohen gadol and those with him arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin, even the council of elders of Bnei-Yisrael, and sent to the prison to have the prisoners brought in.

22But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison. So they returned and reported,

23saying, “We found the prison locked with maximum security and the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened up, we found no one inside.”

24When the captain of the Temple and the ruling kohanim heard these words, they were perplexed about them, wondering where this would lead.

25But someone came and reported to them, “The men you put in prison are standing in the Temple and teaching the people!”

26Then the captain went off with the officers and brought the emissaries—but not with force, because they feared they might be stoned by the people.

27When they had brought them, they placed them before the Sanhedrin. The kohen gadol questioned them,

28saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name—and look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring on us the blood of this Man!”

29Peter and the emissaries replied, “We must obey God rather than men.

30The God of our fathers raised up Yeshua, whom you seized and had crucified.

31This One God exalted at His right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and removal of sins.

32And we are witnesses of these events—as is the Ruach ha-Kodesh, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

33Now when they heard this, they became enraged and wanted to kill them.

34But a certain Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Torah respected by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while.

35Then he said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful what you are about to do with these men.

36For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody; and a number of men, maybe four hundred, joined up with him. He was killed, and all who followed him were scattered and came to nothing.

37After this fellow, Judah the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and got people to follow him. He also perished, and all who followed him were scattered.

38So now I tell you, stay away from these men and leave them alone. For if this plan or undertaking is of men, it will come to an end;

39but if it is of God, you will not be able to stop them. You might even be found fighting against God.” They took his advice,

40called in the emissaries, flogged them, ordered them not to continue speaking in the name of Yeshua, and let them go.

41So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were considered worthy to be dishonored on account of His name.