Thematic Bible: Imprisoned and scourged; his defense before the council


Thematic Bible



And the chief priest arose, and all those with him, being the sect of the Sadducees, and were filled with wrath, and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in the public prison. But an angel of the Lord opening the prison doors by night led them out and said, read more.
Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. And hearing this they entered into the temple early in the morning and taught. And the chief priest coming, and those with him, called the Sanhedrim together, and all the eldership of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. But the officers going did not find them in the prison; and returning they reported, saying, The prison found we shut with all safety, and the guards standing before the doors, but opening we found no one within. And when they heard these words, both the priest and the commander of the temple and the chief priests doubted concerning them, what this could mean. But some one came and told them, Behold, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. Then the commander going away with the officers brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned; and having brought them they placed them before the Sanhedrim. And the chief priest asked them, saying, We charged you strictly not to teach in this name, and behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and wish to bring this man's blood on us. And Peter answering, and the apostles, said, It is necessary to obey God rather than man. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you took and hung on a cross; him has God exalted, a Prince and Saviour at his right hand, to give a change of mind to Israel and the forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things, and also the Holy Spirit which God has given to those that obey him. And when they heard this they were highly offended, and took counsel to kill them. But a certain Pharisee in the Sanhedrim, by the name of Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, in honor with all the people, standing up requested them to put the men out a little while; and he said to them, Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you are about to do to these men. For before these days Theudas arose, saying that he was somebody, to whom a number of men, about four hundred, adhered, who was destroyed, and all who obeyed him passed away and came to nothing. After him arose Judas the Galilean, in the days of the census, and drew away people after him; and he was destroyed, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. And now I tell you, abstain from these men, and let them alone; because if this design, or this work, is from men, it will be destroyed; but if it is from God, you cannot destroy them; lest you be found at some time to be fighting against God. And they were persuaded by him, and calling the apostles and scourging them, they charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. They went therefore from the presence of the Sanhedrim, rejoicing that they were accounted worthy to suffer shame for the name of [Christ]; and every day in the temple, and from house to house, they ceased not teaching and preaching the good news of Christ Jesus.