21. Early in the morning, they went into the temple as they had been told and began to teach. When the high priest and his colleagues gathered, they convened the Jerusalem Council, that is, the full assembly of Israel’s elders. They sent word to the prison to have the apostles brought before them.
22. However, the guards didn’t find them in the prison. They returned and reported,
23. "We found the prison locked and well-secured, with guards standing at the doors, but when we opened the doors we found no one inside!"
24. When they received this news, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were baffled and wondered what might be happening.
25. Just then, someone arrived and announced, "Look! The people you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!"
26. Then the captain left with his guards and brought the apostles back. They didn’t use force because they were afraid the people would stone them.
27. The apostles were brought before the council where the high priest confronted them:
28. "In no uncertain terms, we demanded that you not teach in this name. And look at you! You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching. And you are determined to hold us responsible for this man’s death."
29. Peter and the apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than humans!
30. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a tree.
31. God has exalted Jesus to his right side as leader and savior so that he could enable Israel to change its heart and life and to find forgiveness for sins.