Ananias and Sapphira

1But a certain man, Ananias by name, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2and kept back part of the price, his wife also knowing it; and, bringing a certain part, he laid it at the apostles' feet. 3But Peter said, "Ananias, why did Satan fill your heart, that you should lie to the Holy Spirit, and keep back part of the price of the land? 4While remaining, did it not remain your own? and, when sold, did it not continue in your own authority? Why did you conceive in your heart this thing? You did not lie to men, but to God." 5And Ananias, hearing these words, falling down, expired; and great fear came upon all who heard it; 6but the young men, rising up, wrapped him round; and, bearing him out, buried him.

7Now it came to pass about three hours after, that his wife also, not knowing what had happened, came in; 8and Peter made answer to her, "Tell me, if ye sold the place for so much?" And she said, "Yes, for so much." 9But Peter said to her, "Why is it that it was agreed by you to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." 10And she immediately fell at his feet, and expired; and, coming in, the young men found her dead; and, carrying her forth, they buried her by her husband. 11And great fear came upon the whole assembly, and upon all who heard these things.

The Apostles Heal Many

12And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were wrought among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. 13But of the rest no one was daring to join himself to them; but the people were magnifying them; 14(and the more were believers being added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women); 15so that they even carried forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, in order that, as Peter might pass by, his shadow at least might overshadow some one of them. 16And the multitude of the cities round about were coming together to Jerusalem, bearing the sick, and those harassed by unclean spirits ?who, indeed, were being healed, every one.

The Apostles Arrested and Freed

17And the high priest, rising up, and all those with him, being the sect of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy, 18and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in a public prison. 19But an angel of the Lord, by night, opened the prison doors; and, having led them out, said, 20"Go, and, standing, speak in the temple, to the people, all the words of this life." 21And, having heard this, they entered at dawn, into the temple, and were teaching. And the high priest, having come, and those with him, called together the Sanhedrin, and all the senate of the sons of Israel, and sent to the prison-house to have them brought. 22But the officers, having come, did not find them in the prison, and, returning, they told, 23saying, "The prison-house we found shut in all safety, and the prison-keepers standing at the doors; but, having opened, we found no one within."

The Apostles before the Sanhedrin

24Now, when both the captain of the temple and the high priests heard these words, they were thoroughly perplexed concerning them, what this might become. 25But a certain one, coming near, told them, "Behold, the men whom ye put in the prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people!" 26Then the captain, having gone away with the officers, brought them, not with violence, for they were fearing the people, lest they should be stoned;

27and, having brought them, they set them before the Sanhedrin. And the high priest asked them, 28saying, "We strictly charged you not to teach in This Name; and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching! and intend to bring upon us the blood of This Man!" 29But Peter and the apostles, answering, said, "It is proper to obey God rather than men. 30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, Whom ye slew, having suspended Him on a tree: 31This One God exalted as a Prince and Savior, with His right hand, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins. 32And we are witnesses of these things; also the Holy Spirit, Whom God gave to those who obey Him."

Gamaliel’s Advice

33And they, hearing it, were being convulsed with rage, and were taking counsel to slay them. 34But a certain one, having risen up in the council?a Pharisee, by name Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people?ordered to put the men without a little while. 35And he said to them, "Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves with regard to these men, what ye are about to do; 36for before these days arose Theudas, alleging that he himself was somebody, to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves; who was slain, and all, as many as obeyed him, were disbanded, and came to nothing. 37After this arose Judas, the Galilean, in the days of the enrollment, and drew away people after him; he also perished; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad. 38And now I say to you, refrain from these men, and let them alone; for, if this counsel or this work be of men, it will be overthrown; 39but, if it be of God, ye will not be able to overthrow them; lest perhaps ye be found even fighting against God."

40And to him they assented; and calling the apostles to them, beating them, they charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go, 41They, therefore, were going from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they were accounted worthy to suffer dishonor in behalf of The Name. 42And every day, in the temple, and at their homes, they ceased not teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.