Now when they saw the
boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common
men, they wondered; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But
seeing the man that had been healed standing beside them, they had nothing to
say to contradict his account. But when they had commanded them to go aside out
of the council, they conferred with one another, saying, "What shall we do
with these men? For it is clear that a notable sign has been performed through
them - all the inhabitants of Jerusalem know these things and how can we cannot
deny it? But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us just
warn them to speak no more to any one in this name." So they called them
and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter
and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen
to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot but speak of what we
have seen and heard." And when they had further threatened them, they let
them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for all men
praised God for what had happened. For the man on whom this sign of healing was
performed was more than forty years old.
In a Nutshell
The Sanhedrin Council wanted to get the issue off the agenda as quickly as possible. They ordered Peter and John not to teach by reference to Jesus and they refused.
Questions
How could the Council have expected Peter and John to stop speaking in Jesus' name? Had they really heard what Peter said?
Luke says Peter and John were "bold". These days they might
be called "fanatics" or "fundamentalists". Those not
prepared to compromise in the face of official power are often given such
names. On the one hand the Council didn't want to give them too much attention.
After a brief consultation among themselves they concluded that a stern warning
would be sufficient to make them toe the line. Luke tells us Peter and John
were treated condescendingly. But they didn't lose their cool and were ready
with a quiet and decisive response. One Proverb says "A soft answer turns
away wrath" (15:1), and indeed a soft answer is what they gave.
"Whether it is right in God's sight for us to listen
to you rather than to God we'll let you be the judge!"
That put it plainly. Peter and John had their explanation of how the healing
had come about recorded. They knew that when they said as much in the temple
the day before many in the crowd had come to believe. So they spoke to the
Council in exactly the same terms. They were confident God's Spirit would
confirm what they had said - in His way, in His time. So why get hot under the
collar about any Sanhedrin snobbishness? The Council would have to answer to Heaven.
God Himself knew what was going on! And so they could conclude:
"We cannot but speak of what we have seen and
heard."
Quietly, decisively, Peter and John stay the course. Anything else and
those on the Council would realise the two prisoners would be breaking the law
by bearing false witness. So the Council could do no more than threaten. They
had to let them go. The healing of the lame man, who was over 40 years of age,
had brought many people to thank God for His love and mercy.