Acts 5

Signs and Wonders by the Apostles Acts 5:12–16

¹²Verse 12. By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. ¹³Verse 13. None of the rest dared to join them, however the people honored them. ¹⁴Verse 14. More believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women. ¹⁵Verse 15. They even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mattresses, so that as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some of them. ¹⁶Verse 16. The multitude also came together from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing sick people, and those who were tormented by unclean spirits: and they were all healed.

Apostles Arrested and Miraculously Freed Acts 5:17–26

¹⁷Verse 17. But the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy, ¹⁸Verse 18. and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public custody. ¹⁹Verse 19. But an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors by night, and brought them out, and said, ²⁰Verse 20. “Go stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.” ²¹Verse 21. When they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak, and taught. But the high priest came, and those who were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

²²Verse 22. But the officers who came didn’t find them in the prison. They returned and reported, ²³Verse 23. “We found the prison shut and locked, and the guards standing before the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” ²⁴Verse 24. Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these words, they were very perplexed about them and what might become of this. ²⁵Verse 25. One came and told them, “Behold, the men whom you put in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people.” ²⁶Verse 26. Then the captain went with the officers, and brought them without violence, for they were afraid that the people might stone them.

Trial Before the Sanhedrin Acts 5:27–32

²⁷Verse 27. When they had brought them, they set them before the council. The high priest questioned them, ²⁸Verse 28. saying, “Didn’t we strictly command you not to teach in this name? Behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood on us.” ²⁹Verse 29. But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. ³⁰Verse 30. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a tree. ³¹Verse 31. God exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins. ³²Verse 32. We are His witnesses of these things; and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Gamaliel's Caution Acts 5:33–40

³³Verse 33. But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and were determined to kill them. ³⁴Verse 34. But one stood up in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people, and commanded to put the apostles out for a little while. ³⁵Verse 35. He said to them, “You men of Israel, be careful concerning these men, what you are about to do. ³⁶Verse 36. For before these days Theudas rose up, making himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nothing.

³⁷Verse 37. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some people after him. He also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad. ³⁸Verse 38. Now I tell you, withdraw from these men, and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown. ³⁹Verse 39. But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it, and you would be found even to be fighting against God!” ⁴⁰Verse 40. They agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

Rejoicing in Suffering Acts 5:41–42

⁴¹Verse 41. They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name. ⁴²Verse 42. Every day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ.