Verse 21: “And hearing, they entered into the temple at sunrise and they talked. The high priest entered in, and those that were with him, and they called the Sanhedrin – all the assembly of the sons of Israel – they sent to the prison that they (these apostles) should be brought.”

At sunrise: They went as early as possible in the morning.

With those that were with him: The Scripture emphasizes that there was always a number of people with the high priest (for the purpose of intimidation).

They called the Sanhedrin: They brought the council into session.

Assembly of the sons of Israel: The elders of Israel.

Verse 22: “The officers went, but they did not find them in the prison. They returned and proclaimed saying: “

Verse 23: “We found the prison having been locked up in all firmness (in all security) and the ones who were keepers of the prison were outside, standing before the doors, but opening inside we found no one.”

Locked up in all firmness: They used very serious measures to hold these Apostles.

We found no one: There was no natural explanation for this. This is simply another sign, another wonder, for the reader to ponder and to realize that God is able to do all things.

Verse 24: “Upon hearing this word the high priest, the captain of the temple and the chief priests were astonished, and they cast the doubt upon them on what should this happen.”

Cast the doubt upon them on what should this happen: What should come about because of this.

Verse 25: “And drew near a certain one and he proclaimed to them saying: ‘Behold the men which you placed in prison are in the temple standing and teaching the people.’”

Standing and teaching the people: This is in defiance of what the government of Israel ordered the Apostles to do, but it is in obedience to what the angel of the L-rd instructed them to do.

Verse 26: “The captain (of the temple) went away with the soldiers to bring them, but not with force, for they feared the people in order that they should not be stoned.”

Captain … with the soldiers: Their job was to keep order around the temple.

Not with force: Without violence

The people: These were the Jewish people, the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The Apostles were popular and were well-received by the masses of people.

That they should not be stoned: If the Sanhedrin forced the Apostles to stand trial before them, they were afraid that the public would stone the members of the Sanhedrin to death.

Verse 27: “Bringing them they stood them in the Sanhedrin and the high priest asked them saying:”

Verse 28: “Was not a commandment commanded unto that you should not teach on behalf of this name? Behold you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine and now do you intend to bring upon us the blood of this man?”

On behalf of this name: This name has power. This name is foundational. The leaders understood that it was this name that was bringing about a change that they did not want, the will of God. This world does not like or want the will of God. This name brought about a character change in the lives of the people who received it.

Bring upon us the blood: They did not want to feel guilty about Yeshua’ s death, but they already had, within themselves, a sense of guiltiness.

This man: They did not want to say the name ‘Yeshua’.

Verse 29: “But Peter and the Apostles answered, and they said: ‘It is absolutely necessary for us to obey God rather than men.”

God had given to Peter Apostolic authority, and had manifested His anointing upon Peter, so that even his shadow brought about healing of both physical and spiritual disorders. We, therefore, need to pay close attention to what Peter said: It is absolutely necessary for us to obey God rather than men.

Galatians 1:10: If I were still trying to please men I would not be a servant of God.