Peter and John Arrested
Now as they were speaking to the people, the priests and athe captain of the temple guard and bthe Sadducees ccame up to them, 2 being greatly agitated because they were teaching the people and proclaiming ain Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them and aput them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the message believed, and athe number of the men came to be about five thousand.
5 Now it happened that on the next day, their arulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; 6 and aAnnas the high priest was there, and bCaiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent. 7 And when they had placed them in their midst, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?” 8 Then Peter, afilled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “bRulers and elders of the people, 9 if we are being examined today for aa good deed done to a sick man, as to how this man has been saved from his sickness, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that aby the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom bGod raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. 11 aHe is the bstone which was crejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. 12 And there is salvation in ano one else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
Peter and John Threatened and Released
13 Now as they observed the aconfidence of bPeter and John and comprehended that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were marveling, and cbegan to recognize them as having been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. 15 But when they had ordered them to leave the aSanhedrin, they began to confer with one another, 16 saying, “aWhat should we do with these men? For the fact that a bnoteworthy sign has happened through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But lest it spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man ain this name.” 18 And when they had summoned them, they acommanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But aPeter and John answered and said to them, “bWhether it is right in the sight of God to hear you rather than God, you be the judge; 20 for awe cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) aon account of the people, because they were all bglorifying God for what had happened; 22 for the man was more than forty years old on whom this sign of healing had occurred.
23 So when they were released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Master, it is You who amade the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who aby the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said,
‘bWhy did the Gentiles rage,
And the peoples devise vain things?
26 aThe kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His bChrist.’
27 For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy aServant Jesus, whom You anointed, both bHerod and cPontius Pilate, along with dthe Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever Your hand and aYour purpose predestined to occur. 29 And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your slaves may aspeak Your word with all bconfidence, 30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and asigns and wonders happen through the name of Your holy bServant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed earnestly, the aplace where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all bfilled with the Holy Spirit and began to cspeak the word of God with dconfidence.
Distribution Among Needy Believers
32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and not one was saying that any of his possessions was his own, but, for them, aeverything was common. 33 And awith great power the apostles were bearing bwitness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses awould sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and alay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be bdistributed to each as any had need.
36 Now Joseph, a Levite of aCyprian birth, who was also called bBarnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of cEncouragement), 37 and who owned a field, sold it and brought the money and alaid it at the apostles’ feet.