Acts 5 19

Acts 5:19 kjv

But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

Acts 5:19 nkjv

But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,

Acts 5:19 niv

But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out.

Acts 5:19 esv

But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,

Acts 5:19 nlt

But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then he told them,

Acts 5 verses

Acts 5 19 Meaning

Acts 5:19 describes a miraculous event where, while the apostles were imprisoned by the Sanhedrin, an angel sent by the Lord supernaturally intervened during the night. The angel opened the secure prison doors and led the apostles out, demonstrating God's sovereign power over human authority and confinement. This act of divine liberation enabled them to continue their Spirit-empowered ministry of proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ.

Acts 5 19 Context

Acts chapter 5 continues the narrative of the rapid growth and powerful work of the early church in Jerusalem, particularly through the apostles. Following the anointing of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, the apostles were performing many signs and wonders (v. 12), and "multitudes of both men and women were added to their number" (v. 14). This provoked intense jealousy from the high priest and the Sadducees, who were opposed to the resurrection and Jesus' teachings. As a result, they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison (v. 18). Verse 19 then immediately follows, describing God's miraculous intervention to free His servants. This divine rescue sets the stage for the apostles' continued defiant preaching in the Temple courts (v. 20-21) and their subsequent appearance before the Sanhedrin where Gamaliel's wise counsel saves them from execution. The event underscores the unstoppable nature of the gospel message despite human opposition and the protective hand of God over His chosen messengers.

Acts 5 19 Word Analysis

• But (Greek: dé, δέ): This conjunction introduces a sharp contrast to the previous verse (Acts 5:18), which stated the apostles "were put... into public prison." "But" highlights a divine intervention that completely overturns the human attempt to suppress the gospel. It signals a shift from human power to divine power.
• at night (Greek: nuktós, νυκτὸς): The time specified adds a layer of significance. Nighttime often signifies a time of hidden action, surprise, or protection. In this instance, it facilitated a discreet and supernatural deliverance, making the human guards and authorities completely unaware until morning. This underscores God's ability to act beyond human observation and control.
• an angel (Greek: ángelos, ἄγγελος): This term means "messenger" and in biblical contexts often refers to a divine, supernatural being. The presence of an "angel of the Lord" clearly points to direct, undeniable divine intervention rather than human conspiracy or natural means. This highlights God's immediate involvement in the affairs of His church.
• of the Lord (Greek: Kyríou, Κυρίου): This specifies the source and authority of the angel. The angel is not acting independently but as an agent directly sent and commissioned by the Sovereign God, often understood in Acts to refer to Jesus Christ himself as the ascended Lord. This underscores that the liberation was God's direct command and work.
• opened (Greek: anoíxas, ἀνοίξας): An aorist participle, indicating a completed action. This wasn't a partial unlocking but a full opening of the doors, rendering the prison confinement ineffective. This action highlights the omnipotence of God over any human barrier, including physical structures of immense strength and security.
• the prison doors (Greek: tas thúras tēs phylakēs, τὰς θύρας τῆς φυλακῆς): "Doors of the prison." Thúras (doors) refers specifically to the entrance, emphasizing that the primary physical barrier was overcome. Phylakēs can refer to "guard," "watch," or "prison" itself. Here it clearly signifies the physical place of detention, emphasizing the secure nature of the imprisonment that was nonetheless easily breached by divine power.
• and brought them out (Greek: exḗgagen autoús, ἐξήγαγεν αὐτούς): This phrase denotes a complete and active liberation. The angel didn't just open the doors and leave them; he "brought them out," actively guiding them to freedom. This shows not only release but divine care and purposeful guidance, emphasizing that God intended for them to continue their mission, not merely escape.

Words-group Analysis:

• "But at night an angel of the Lord": This phrase sets the scene for divine action that overrides human efforts. "But" marks the contrast to imprisonment. "At night" points to an opportune time for supernatural intervention, escaping immediate detection. "An angel of the Lord" clearly identifies the active agent as being from God, emphasizing supernatural power and direct divine command behind the miraculous release. It removes any ambiguity that this was a human plot or oversight.
• "opened the prison doors and brought them out": This concisely states the powerful and effective action of the angel. It implies a direct, complete, and unhindered release. The dual actions "opened... and brought out" show not just removal of a barrier, but active leading to liberty. It confirms God's intention for His servants to be free to fulfill their commission.

Acts 5 19 Bonus section

• This episode prefigures later angelic deliverances, most notably Peter's escape in Acts 12, showcasing a consistent pattern of divine rescue for God's ministers facing severe opposition. It's a foundational truth in Acts that persecution cannot ultimately stop the Word of God from spreading.
• The dramatic nature of this deliverance would have been a significant emboldening factor for the apostles and the growing church, reinforcing their faith in God's power and faithfulness even in the face of escalating threats. It transforms a moment of fear into a moment of faith reinforcement.
• The failure of the Jewish authorities to keep the apostles imprisoned, despite their security measures, highlighted their impotence against divine power, indirectly weakening their authority in the eyes of the public and contributing to the spread of Christianity.
• The phrase "the Lord" (Kyrios) in the Book of Acts is often a direct reference to the resurrected Jesus Christ, signifying His ongoing active Lordship and authority over all creation, even over earthly rulers and their institutions.

Acts 5 19 Commentary

Acts 5:19 provides a compelling demonstration of God's active involvement in the nascent Christian movement. When human authorities sought to halt the spread of the gospel by imprisoning the apostles, God immediately intervened through His angel. This act was not merely an escape but a strategic, divinely orchestrated release designed to continue His work. The event emphatically communicates that no human plan, power, or prison can ultimately obstruct God's sovereign will. It reaffirms the apostles' divine commission and reminds believers that their ministry is under God's protection and guidance. This miraculous liberation served as a powerful testimony to both believers and unbelievers that God was truly with His people and that the message of Jesus Christ could not be bound or silenced.