*Acts 4:5-22
The Sanhedrin questions Peter and John about healing a lame man, but is unable to punish them due to public support.
- Trial Before the Sanhedrin:
- The next day, the rulers, elders, and teachers of the law assemble in Jerusalem to question Peter and John.
- Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and other members of the high priest’s family are present.
- They begin the interrogation by asking Peter and John by what power or name they had healed the lame man.
- Peter’s Defense:
- Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, addresses the council, acknowledging that they are being questioned about a good deed done to a crippled man.
- He boldly declares that the man stands healed before them by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they crucified but whom God raised from the dead.
- Peter cites scripture, quoting Psalm 118:22, to show that Jesus is the “stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.”
- He concludes by asserting that salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
- Council’s Dilemma:
- The members of the Sanhedrin are astonished by the courage of Peter and John, recognizing them as ordinary men with no special training.
- Noting that they had been with Jesus, the council is faced with the undeniable fact of the man’s healing as he stands before them.
- Unable to deny the miracle, they order Peter and John to withdraw from the council so they can discuss what to do.
- They decide to warn the apostles not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus in an attempt to prevent the spread of their message.
- Peter and John’s Response:
- Peter and John reply that it is impossible for them to stop speaking about what they have seen and heard, essentially refusing to comply with the council’s command.
- The Sanhedrin, finding no basis for punishing them and fearing public backlash because the people were all praising God for the healing, decide to let them go.
- The passage concludes by noting that the man who was healed was over forty years old, emphasizing the significance of this miraculous sign.
4:5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, 4:6 And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
4:7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 4:9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
4:14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
4:15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 4:16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
4:17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
4:18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
4:19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
4:21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
4:22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.