Background and Context:
The account of Peter and John before the Sanhedrin is found in the Book of Acts, specifically in Acts 4:1-22. This event occurs shortly after the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, empowering them to preach the gospel with boldness. Peter and John, two of Jesus' closest disciples, were instrumental in the early spread of Christianity in Jerusalem.

The Healing at the Temple Gate:
The incident leading to their appearance before the Sanhedrin begins with the miraculous healing of a man who was lame from birth. As recorded in Acts 3, Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer when they encountered the man begging for alms at the Beautiful Gate. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, declared, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!" (Acts 3:6). The man was instantly healed, which drew a large crowd, providing Peter the opportunity to preach about Jesus' resurrection and the power of faith in His name.

Arrest and Trial:
The commotion attracted the attention of the temple authorities, including the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees, who were greatly disturbed by the apostles' teaching about the resurrection. Consequently, Peter and John were arrested and held overnight. The next day, they were brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, which included high priests Annas and Caiaphas.

Peter's Defense:
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter boldly addressed the Sanhedrin, stating, "Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being examined today about a kind service to a man who was lame, to determine how he was healed, then let this be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed" (Acts 4:8-10). Peter further declared, "Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

The Sanhedrin's Response:
The members of the Sanhedrin were astonished by the courage and eloquence of Peter and John, recognizing them as unschooled, ordinary men who had been with Jesus. Unable to deny the miracle, as the healed man stood before them, they conferred among themselves. They decided to warn the apostles not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. However, Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you rather than God. For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19-20).

Release and Aftermath:
Finding no basis to punish them, especially with the people glorifying God for the miracle, the Sanhedrin released Peter and John with further threats. Upon their release, the apostles returned to their fellow believers and reported all that had happened. This led to a communal prayer for boldness, resulting in the place where they were meeting being shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, continuing to speak the word of God with boldness (Acts 4:31).

Significance:
This event marks a pivotal moment in the early church, showcasing the apostles' unwavering commitment to their mission despite opposition. It highlights the power of the Holy Spirit in enabling believers to witness boldly and the centrality of Jesus' resurrection in the apostolic message. The account also underscores the tension between the nascent Christian movement and the established religious authorities, setting the stage for further persecution and the spread of the gospel beyond Jerusalem.