Acts 5 20

Acts 5:20 kjv

Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

Acts 5:20 nkjv

"Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life."

Acts 5:20 niv

"Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people all about this new life."

Acts 5:20 esv

"Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life."

Acts 5:20 nlt

"Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!"

Acts 5 verses

Acts 5 20 Meaning

The angel's divine directive to the apostles, freshly delivered from prison, was to immediately return to the very heart of Jewish public life, the Temple, and relentlessly proclaim the complete message concerning the spiritual, eternal, and transformative life offered through Jesus Christ. This "life" contrasts with mere physical existence and alludes to salvation, resurrection, and true communion with God, specifically addressing the Sadducees' denial of resurrection.

Acts 5 20 Context

Acts chapter 5 begins with the stark warning of Ananias and Sapphira’s judgment, reinforcing the holy character of the nascent church. This awe-inspiring judgment, combined with numerous signs and wonders performed by the apostles, led to increased reverence among the people and attracted many more believers. The apostles were teaching and healing in Solomon's Portico in the Temple, gaining considerable public favor. However, their growing influence, particularly their proclamation of resurrection through Jesus, provoked deep jealousy in the High Priest and the Sadducees, who vehemently denied the resurrection. Consequently, they arrested the apostles and imprisoned them.

It is in this precise moment, miraculously freed by an angel during the night, that the command in Acts 5:20 is given. This angelic instruction directly countermanded the authorities' intentions, reaffirming God's ultimate authority and purpose for the apostles' continued, public, and fearless evangelism in the very place the religious leaders sought to silence them. This event highlights divine intervention, the core message of the gospel ("this life"), and the imperative to obey God over human dictates, setting the stage for the apostles' unwavering testimony before the Sanhedrin.

Acts 5 20 Word analysis

• Go (πορευθέντες - poreuthentes): An aorist participle indicating an immediate and definitive action, often implying a journey or movement from one place to another. It conveys urgency and decisiveness. The apostles were not to hesitate but to actively set forth without delay. This word emphasizes their divine assignment, much like the commissions given to prophets in the Old Testament.
• stand (σταθέντες - stathentes): Another aorist participle. It suggests taking up a firm and settled position, not merely passing through. This highlights their intent to publicly occupy a specific place (the Temple) for the purpose of their ministry, emphasizing an act of courage and resolute testimony in the face of recent arrest.
• in the temple (ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ - en tō hierō): Refers to the sacred precinct in Jerusalem, the central hub of Jewish worship, learning, and public gathering. This was not the Holy of Holies, but the outer courts, like Solomon's Portico, where common people congregated. The location signifies a direct, overt challenge to the authorities who sought to suppress them, a place where maximum public impact could be achieved.
• and speak (καὶ λαλεῖτε - kai laleite): A present imperative verb, indicating continuous, persistent action. It is not just a single pronouncement but a call to keep on speaking. This emphasizes ongoing proclamation and communication of the message, despite the danger.
• to the people (τῷ λαῷ - tō laō): Denotes the common people of Israel, the general public. This indicates the broad scope of their evangelism – not just a select group, but anyone who would listen, reinforcing the public and inclusive nature of the Gospel.
• all the words (πάντα τὰ ῥήματα - panta ta rhēmata): "All the words" or "all the sayings." The term rhēmata implies definite, specific, and authoritative pronouncements or declarations, rather than mere ordinary speech. The adjective "all" emphasizes comprehensiveness and fullness – they were not to omit any part of the message about Christ.
• of this life (τῆς ζωῆς ταύτης - tēs zōēs tautēs): This is a crucial phrase.
  • life (ζωῆς - zōēs): Distinct from bios (physical existence/livelihood), zoe refers to a higher, spiritual, divine quality of life. It encapsulates eternal life, salvation, and communion with God made possible through Christ's death and resurrection. It is abundant, meaningful, and transformative existence.
  • this (ταύτης - tautēs): The demonstrative pronoun emphasizes the specific, unique, and powerful nature of this life—the life revealed and granted through the gospel of Jesus Christ, setting it apart from any other concept of life. This phrase is a direct response to the Sadducees' disbelief in resurrection, for "this life" encompasses the truth of new life and the hope of resurrection found in Christ.

Words-group analysis:

• "Go, stand in the temple and speak": This grouping shows a divine command for immediate, public, and persistent evangelism in a highly visible and symbolic location, directly confronting opposing authorities. It highlights a courageous obedience rooted in supernatural release.
• "all the words of this life": This phrase encapsulates the essence of the Gospel message. It stresses the completeness ("all the words") and unique character ("this life") of the divine truth revealed in Christ – a holistic message of spiritual and eternal existence found only through Him, encompassing forgiveness of sins, resurrection, and reconciliation with God.

Acts 5 20 Bonus section

• The angelic release and specific instruction bypassed traditional means of justice or escape, signifying divine appointment and empowerment for the task at hand. It was God Himself ensuring the continuation of the apostolic mission.
• The fact that they were ordered to return to the "temple" underscores the divine intent to reach the religious establishment and observant Jews within their traditional framework, before the Gospel expanded significantly to Gentiles.
• This act of going straight back to the temple despite arrest models unparalleled obedience and spiritual courage. It demonstrates the apostles' deep conviction in the divine origin and eternal value of their message, transcending fear of further persecution.
• "This life" also stands in stark contrast to the death that sin brings (Rom 6:23). The message offered by the apostles was literally one of rescue from eternal death and entry into everlasting life through Christ.

Acts 5 20 Commentary

Acts 5:20 encapsulates a pivotal moment revealing God's absolute sovereignty over human opposition and His unwavering commitment to the spread of His truth. Freed supernaturally, the apostles were immediately commanded by an angel to return to the very public sphere—the Temple—where they had been arrested, thus emphasizing that the Word of God cannot be chained. The instruction to "speak to the people all the words of this life" is multifaceted. "All the words" underscores the integrity and totality of the gospel message, comprising Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension, as well as the call to repentance and faith. "This life" directly confronts the Sadducees' denial of resurrection, proclaiming that true life—eternal, spiritual, and abundant—is found exclusively in Jesus. It is a dynamic, transformative life that begins here on earth and extends into eternity, available through the Gospel. This was not a message to be whispered or hidden, but boldly declared where it would challenge prevalent beliefs and offer humanity's ultimate hope. The apostles' immediate obedience underscores their prior commitment to obey God rather than men, leading them back into the epicenter of persecution with newfound boldness.