The Apostles Arrested and Freed

Acts 5

17 n Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with 1 indignation, 18 o and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. 19 But at night p an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people q all the words of this life."

21 And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. r But the high priest and those with him came and called the 2 council together, with all the 3 elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, 23 saying, "Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing 4 outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!" 24 Now when 5 the high priest, s the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. 25 So one came and told them, 6 saying, "Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!" 26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, t for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, u "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, v and intend to bring this Man's w blood on us!" 29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: x "We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 y "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by z hanging on a tree. 31 a "Him God has exalted to His right hand to be b Prince and c Savior, d to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 "And e we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit f whom God has given to those who obey Him."

33 When they heard this, they were g furious 7 and plotted to kill them. 34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named h Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them: "Men of Israel, 8 take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. 36 "For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, 9 joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. 37 "After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. 38 "And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 i "but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it - lest you even be found j to fight against God." 40 And they agreed with him, and when they had k called for the apostles l and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, m rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for 10 His name. 42 And daily n in the temple, and in every house, o they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

  1. Cross References
    Matthew 3:7
    But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
    Acts 4:1
    Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them.
    Acts 4:2
    Being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
    Acts 4:6
    As well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
  2. Cross References
    Luke 21:12
    But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake.
    Acts 4:3
    And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.
    Acts 16:37
    But Paul said to them, "They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.
  3. Cross References
    Matthew 1:20
    But while he thought about these things, behold...
    Matthew 1:24
    Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as t...
    Matthew 2:13
    Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of...
    Matthew 2:19
    Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of th...
    Matthew 28:2
    And behold, there was a great earthquake; for a...
    Luke 1:11
    Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, stan...
    Luke 2:9
    And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before t...
    Acts 12:7
    Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, ...
    Acts 16:26
    Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that ...
  4. Cross References
    John 6:63
    It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
    John 6:68
    But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
    John 17:3
    And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
    1 John 5:11
    And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
  5. Cross References
    Acts 4:5
    And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes.
    Acts 4:6
    As well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
  6. Cross References
    Luke 22:4
    So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them.
    Acts 4:1
    Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them.
    Acts 5:26
    Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.
  7. Cross References
    Matthew 21:26
    "But if we say, 'From men,' we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet."
  8. Cross References
    Acts 4:17
    "But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name."
    Acts 4:18
    So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
  9. Cross References
    Acts 2:23
    Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death.
    Acts 2:36
    "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
  10. Cross References
    Matthew 23:35
    That on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
  11. Cross References
    Acts 4:19
    But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.
  12. Cross References
    Acts 3:13
    The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go.
    Acts 3:15
    And killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
  13. Cross References
    Acts 10:39
    And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree.
    Acts 13:29
    Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb.
    Galatians 3:13
    Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree").
    1 Peter 2:24
    Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness - by whose stripes you were healed.
  14. Cross References
    Mark 16:19
    So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
    Acts 2:33
    Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
    Acts 2:36
    "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
    Philippians 2:9 - 11
    Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name.
  15. Cross References
    Acts 3:15
    And killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
    Revelation 1:5
    And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.
  16. Cross References
    Matthew 1:21
    "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."
  17. Cross References
    Luke 24:47
    And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
    Ephesians 1:7
    In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
    Colossians 1:14
    In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
  18. Cross References
    John 15:26
    But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
    John 15:27
    And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
    Acts 15:28
    For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:
    Romans 8:16
    The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
    Hebrews 2:4
    God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
  19. Cross References
    Acts 2:4
    And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
    Acts 10:44
    While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
  20. Cross References
    Acts 2:37
    Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?
    Acts 7:54
    When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.
  21. Cross References
    Acts 22:3
    I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers' law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.
  22. Cross References
    Luke 21:15
    For I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.
    1 Corinthians 1:25
    Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
  23. Cross References
    Acts 7:51
    You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.
    Acts 9:5
    And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.
  24. Cross References
    Acts 4:18
    So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
  25. Cross References
    Matthew 10:17
    But beware of men, for they will deliver you up...
    Mark 13:9
    But watch out for yourselves, for they will del...
    Acts 16:22
    Then the multitude rose up together against the...
    Acts 16:23
    And when they had laid many stripes on them, th...
    Acts 21:32
    He immediately took soldiers and centurions, an...
    2 Corinthians 11:25
    Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was ...
  26. Cross References
    Matthew 5:10 - 12
    Blessed are those who are persecuted for righte...
    Romans 5:3
    And not only that, but we also glory in tribula...
    2 Corinthians 12:10
    Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in re...
    Hebrews 10:34
    For you had compassion on me in my chains, and ...
    James 1:2
    My brethren, count it all joy when you fall int...
    1 Peter 4:13 - 16
    But rejoice to the extent that you partake of C...
  27. Cross References
    Acts 2:46
    So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.
  28. Cross References
    Acts 4:20
    "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
    Acts 4:29
    Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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