The leaders warned Peter and John again and then let them go. They didn’t dare punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.
When the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus heard about this, they were all overcome with fear. It led them to hold the name of the Lord Jesus in high honor.
Afterwards, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for Jesus’ body. Joseph was a follower of Jesus, but secretly, because he was afraid of the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, Joseph came and took the body away.
However, many did believe in him, even among the Jewish leaders. But because of the Pharisees, they wouldn’t admit openly that they believed. They were afraid that they’d be thrown out of the synagogue.
His parents said that because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who had already decided that anyone who said Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue.
So the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles back. But they didn’t use force, because they were afraid that if they did, the people would stone them.
And I won’t brag about the work that others have done. If I did, I’d be bragging more than I should. I hope that my work among you will greatly increase as your faith continues to grow.