Acts 5:27-42

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition

²⁷ When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, ²⁸ saying, ‘We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,^[a] yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.’ ²⁹ But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than any human authority.^{[b] 30} The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. ³¹ God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour, so that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. ³² And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.’

³³ When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. ³⁴ But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a short time. ³⁵ Then he said to them, ‘Fellow-Israelites,^[c] consider carefully what you propose to do to these men. ³⁶ For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him; but he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and disappeared. ³⁷ After him Judas the Galilean rose up at the time of the census and got people to follow him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered. ³⁸ So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; ³⁹ but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!’

They were convinced by him, ⁴⁰ and when they had called in the apostles, they had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. ⁴¹ As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonour for the sake of the name. ⁴² And every day in the temple and at home^[d] they did not cease to teach and proclaim Jesus as the Messiah.^[e]