The Name Forbidden
The council marvels at Peter and John's boldness, recognizing them as unschooled, ordinary men who had been with Jesus. With the healed man standing beside them, they have nothing to say in reply.
W13hen they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14And seeing the man who had been healed standing there with them, they had nothing to say in response.
The rulers send the apostles out, confer together, and admit that a remarkable sign known throughout Jerusalem cannot be denied. They decide the only available response is to warn Peter and John not to speak or teach in Jesus' name.
15So they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16“What shall we do with these men?” they asked. “It is clear to everyone living in Jerusalem that a remarkable miracle has occurred through them, and we cannot deny it. 17But to keep this message from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in this name.” 18Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
Peter and John answer that God must be obeyed above human command and that they cannot stop speaking about what they have seen and heard. After further threats the council releases them, since the people are glorifying God for the healing of a man more than forty years old.
19But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God. 20For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21After further threats they let them go. They could not find a way to punish them, because all the people were glorifying God for what had happened. 22For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.