The Apostles Before the Sanhedrin

The High Priest and the sect of the Sadducees were filled with indignation and placed the apostles in the common prison. During the night, an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, brought the apostles out, and commanded them to go to the temple to speak the words of this life to the people (Acts 5:17-20). The apostles entered the temple at daybreak and taught. When the High Priest and his associates arrived, they called together the council and the senate of the children of Israel. They sent to the prison to have the apostles brought, but the officers returned and reported that the prison was shut securely and the guards were standing outside the doors, yet no one was inside (Acts 5:21-23).

Upon hearing this report, the captain of the temple and the chief priests doubted whereunto this would grow. A messenger arrived informing them that the men they had imprisoned were standing in the temple and teaching the people. The captain and the officers then brought the apostles without violence, for they feared the people would stone them. When they stood before the council, the High Priest questioned them, stating they had been strictly commanded not to teach in that name, yet they had filled Jerusalem with their doctrine and intended to bring a man's blood upon the council (Acts 5:24-28). Simon Peter and the other apostles answered that they ought to obey God rather than men. They testified that the God of their fathers raised up Jesus, whom the council had slain and hanged on a tree, and that God exalted him to be a Prince and a Saviour (Acts 5:29-31).

When the council heard this, they were cut to the heart and took counsel to slay them. However, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law held in reputation among all the people, stood up and commanded the apostles be put forth a space. He advised the council to take heed regarding their intentions, citing historical examples of Theudas and Judas of Galilee. He argued that if this work were of men, it would come to nought, but if it were of God, they could not overthrow it (Acts 5:33-39). The council agreed to his advice. After beating the apostles and commanding them not to speak in the name of Jesus, the council let them go. The apostles departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name (Acts 5:40-41).