Therefore the princes said to the king, We plead with you, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakens the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words to them: for this man seeks not the welfare of this people, but their hurt.
Command therefore that the sepulcher be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say to the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people: for everyone glorified God for that which was done.
Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they were perplexed concerning them where this would lead.
Saying, Did not we strictly command you that you should not teach in this name? And, behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
And, you masters, do the same things to them, avoiding threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
For from you the word of the Lord has gone out not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God is made known; so that we need not speak anything.