22. When the temple guards arrived at the prison, they didn’t find the apostles. The guards came back and reported,
23. “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors. However, when we opened the doors, we found no one inside.”
24. When the officer of the temple guards and the chief priests heard this, they were puzzled about what could have happened.
25. Then someone told them, “The men you put in prison are standing in the temple courtyard. They’re teaching the people.”
26. Then the officer of the temple guards went with some of his men to bring back the apostles without using force. After all, the officer and his guards were afraid that the people would stone them to death for using force.
27. When they brought back the apostles, they made them stand in front of the council. The chief priest questioned them.
28. He said, “We gave you strict orders not to mention Jesus’ name when you teach. Yet, you’ve filled Jerusalem with your teachings. You want to take revenge on us for putting that man to death.”