15. After ordering them to wait outside, the council members began to confer with each other.
16. "What should we do with these men? Everyone living in Jerusalem is aware of the sign performed through them. It’s obvious to everyone and we can’t deny it.
17. To keep it from spreading further among the people, we need to warn them not to speak to anyone in this name."
18. When they called Peter and John back, they demanded that they stop all speaking and teaching in the name of Jesus.
19. Peter and John responded, "It’s up to you to determine whether it’s right before God to obey you rather than God.
20. As for us, we can’t stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."
21. They threatened them further, then released them. Because of public support for Peter and John, they couldn’t find a way to punish them. Everyone was praising God for what had happened,
22. because the man who had experienced this sign of healing was over 40 years old.
23. After their release, Peter and John returned to the brothers and sisters and reported everything the chief priests and elders had said.