Acts 5:17-32

But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. 18 They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said, 20 “Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life.” 21 Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach.

Now when the high priest and his associates came, they called the Council together, even all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison house for them to be brought. 22 But the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported back, 23 saying, “We found the prison house locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we had opened up, we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what would come of this. 25 But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” 26 Then the captain went along with the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned).

27 When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. 31 “He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 “And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Well, here we go again. The Apostles were just being obedient to God: preaching, and healing the sick, and casting out demons; and the high priest and his associates couldn’t stand it and were jealous of their power. So, they threw them in jail.

But during the night an angel set them free and told them to get busy preaching in the temple. The next day when the Jewish leaders found out what happened, they came and questioned them and asked them why they were continuing to preach about Jesus and to bring His blood down upon them.

Well, Peter saw his opportunity to preach to them saying, “We must obey God rather than men.” And they also preached the gospel to them and blamed them for His death. Oh, they were furious and intended to kill them. But a wise man named Gamaliel talked them out of it (verses 33-39).

So they flogged them, ordered them not to speak of Jesus any more, and let them go (v. 40). But, as you may guess, they kept on preaching in the temple and from house to house. And it seemed that they were even more energized to do it.