The leaders knew that Peter and John were ordinary, untrained men, and so they were amazed by how boldly they spoke. They recognized that the two of them had been with Jesus.
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.
They sent their disciples to him with some of the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you’re a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God truthfully. You don’t let others influence what you do or say, no matter how important they are.
“I’ve spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered. “I’ve always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I haven’t said anything in secret.