were with him (which is the heresy of the Sadducees) were filled with envy. And they laid hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.”
But an angel of the Lord came by night, and opening the doors of the prison led them forth, saying: “Go, and, standing, speak in the Temple to the people the words of life!”[1] Hearing this they went into the Temple, at the dawn of day, and taught.
The chief priests were enraged when they heard that the apostles were again teaching in the Temple. They gave orders to have them immediately arrested, and put in prison. Then the apostles were again brought before the Council, and the elders said: “We commanded you that you should not teach in this Name[2]. Behold you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine.” Peter[3] and the apostles answered: “We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers hath raised up Jesus whom you put to death, hanging Him upon a tree. Him God hath exalted with His right hand to be Prince and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel[4], and remission of sins.”
When the priests and ancients heard these things they were filled with anger[5], and thought to put the apostles to death. But one of the Council, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, and respected by all the people, rising up, commanded the men to be removed for a little time. He then addressed the Council, saying: “Ye men of Israel, consider with yourselves what you are about to do with these men. If this work[6] be of men, it will fall to nothing. But if it be of God, you are not able to
- ↑ The words of life. Namely, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is life, and gives life to all who believe.
- ↑ In this Name. They spoke in this way, because they hated Jesus so much that they could not bring themselves to pronounce His Name.
- ↑ Peter answered in the name of the other apostles. He now boldly confessed our Lord before the High Priest himself, whereas, but a few weeks before, he had not had the courage to confess Him before one of his maid-servants.
- ↑ To Israel. Our Lord was primarily the Saviour of Israel, that people being called before all others to receive remission of their sins, to do penance, and be converted.
- ↑ With anger. They remained hardened, and resolved to kill the apostles. And they would have carried out their resolution, had not Gamaliel warned them against doing anything rash.
- ↑ This work. The apostles’ mission and doctrine.
