To what are the Sanhedrin referring with their question asking by which power the apostles are doing miracles?
The Jewish council acknowledges that a supernatural miracle has taken place. Elsewhere in the New Testament we learn that such miracles were attributed either to God or the devil (e.g., Luke 11:15; Matthew 9:34; Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:22). With their question they want to find out directly from Peter and John as to the source of their healing power.1
7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?”