21. When they heard this, they went to the temple early in the morning and taught. When the high priest and his companions arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin, the full senate of the Israelites, and sent to the jail to have them brought in.
22. But the court officers who went did not find them in the prison, so they came back and reported,
23. “We found the jail securely locked and the guards stationed outside the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”
24. When they heard this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss about them, as to what this would come to.
25. Then someone came in and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are in the temple area and are teaching the people.”
26. Then the captain and the court officers went and brought them in, but without force, because they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
27. When they had brought them in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them,
28. “We gave you strict orders [did we not?] to stop teaching in that name. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
29. But Peter and the apostles said in reply, “We must obey God rather than men.
30. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.
31. God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.
32. We are witnesses of these things, as is the holy Spirit that God has given to those who obey him.”