Acts 5 23

Acts 5:23 kjv

Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

Acts 5:23 nkjv

saying, "Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!"

Acts 5:23 niv

"We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside."

Acts 5:23 esv

"We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside."

Acts 5:23 nlt

"The jail was securely locked, with the guards standing outside, but when we opened the gates, no one was there!"

Acts 5 verses

Acts 5 23 Meaning

This verse conveys the astonished report of the temple guards and officers sent by the Sanhedrin to retrieve the apostles from prison. It details their meticulous verification that the prison was securely locked, sealed, and guarded by vigilant keepers positioned at the doors. Despite all human measures for security and containment being perfectly in place externally, upon opening the prison, they discovered that the apostles were inexplicably absent. This highlights the futility of human efforts to oppose or contain the will and work of God.

Acts 5 23 Context

Acts chapter 5 continues the narrative of the early church's rapid growth and the increasing opposition it faced from Jewish authorities. Following the deceit and judgment of Ananias and Sapphira, the apostles continued to perform many signs and wonders among the people (Acts 5:12-16). This led to their arrest by the high priest and the Sadducees, who were filled with indignation, and they were put in the public prison (Acts 5:17-18). However, an angel of the Lord miraculously opened the prison doors at night and brought them out, instructing them to continue speaking the full message of this life in the temple (Acts 5:19-20). In the morning, the Sanhedrin convened, unaware of the escape, and sent officers to bring the apostles from the prison (Acts 5:21-22). Verse 23 is the officers' bewildering report back to the Sanhedrin, describing their discovery of the empty, yet perfectly secure, prison. This inexplicable situation sets the stage for the apostles' bold declaration in verse 29, "We ought to obey God rather than men." The historical context involves the Jewish leadership's efforts to suppress the burgeoning Christian movement, viewing it as a sect challenging their authority and teachings, especially concerning the resurrection of Jesus.

Acts 5 23 Word analysis

• Saying: (Gk. λέγοντες, legontes) – A straightforward report, indicating communication of observed facts to the Sanhedrin. It highlights the direct account of the bewildered officers.
• The prison: (Gk. τὸ δεσμωτήριον, to desmotērion) – Literally, "the place of binding" or "jail." It signifies a secure location designed for holding prisoners, underscoring the assumed impermeability of their confinement.
• truly found we: (Gk. ἀληθῶς εὕρομεν, alēthōs heuromen) – "Truly" (alēthōs) emphasizes the veracity and objective reality of their discovery. It's not a rumor or a guess, but what they undeniably saw. "Found we" (heuromen) stresses their direct, personal observation.
• shut: (Gk. κεκλεισμένον, kekleismenon) – A perfect passive participle, indicating a state of being firmly and completely closed and remaining so. This highlights the locked and secure condition of the doors.
• with all safety: (Gk. ἐν πάσῃ ἀσφαλείᾳ, en pasē asphaleia) – "All safety" or "all security." Asphaleia denotes security, certainty, or firmness. Pasē emphasizes the maximum possible level of human security and precautions taken. This phrase points to the absolute diligence applied by the authorities to prevent any escape.
• and the keepers: (Gk. καὶ τοὺς φύλακας, kai tous phylakas) – "The guards" or "watchmen." These were individuals assigned specifically to ensure the security of the prisoners and the prison. Their presence indicates vigilance and adherence to duty.
• standing without: (Gk. ἑστῶτας ἔξω, hestōtas exō) – Standing on the outside. This confirms that the guards were not negligent or absent from their posts. They were fulfilling their role.
• before the doors: (Gk. πρὸ τῶν θυρῶν, pro tōn thyrōn) – Right at the entrance, ensuring no one could enter or exit unnoticed. This further underscores the apparent impenetrable security setup.
• but when we had opened: (Gk. ἀνοίξαντες δέ, anoixantes de) – The conjunction "but" (de) signals a contrast or shift in expectation. "When we had opened" denotes their active and deliberate process of unlocking and gaining entry after confirming the external security. The surprise happens after they fulfill their task.
• we found: (Gk. εὕρομεν, heuromen) – Again, emphasizing their direct and undeniable personal discovery of what was, or rather was not, inside.
• no man within: (Gk. οὐδένα ἔσω, oudena esō) – The crucial, astonishing finding. Despite all security, the interior was empty. "No man" indicates a complete absence, rendering all the human security measures entirely useless against God's power.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors:" This elaborate phrase paints a picture of impenetrable human design and diligent enforcement. Every detail emphasizes perfect security, built on human strength, watchfulness, and protocol. It establishes the baseline for the officers' bewilderment—they saw no way out. This detail stresses the extraordinary nature of the miracle, as it wasn't due to human error or negligence.
• "but when we had opened, we found no man within." This sharply contrasts the external certainty with the internal emptiness. The perfect human control, demonstrated in the first clause, is utterly negated by the miraculous intervention revealed in the second. It highlights the vast qualitative difference between human limitations and divine omnipotence. It is the dramatic punchline to their careful observations, showcasing God's sovereignty effortlessly bypassing any human obstruction.

Acts 5 23 Bonus section

The detailed description of the prison's security (shut with all safety, guards at doors) amplifies the wonder of the miraculous deliverance, making the divine intervention unmistakable. This serves as a significant apologetic for the early Christian claims. The fact that the prison was empty but locked implies an instantaneous, unhindered exit, rather than a gradual or forced one, akin to Jesus passing through locked doors after His resurrection (John 20:19, 26). This specific miracle immediately preceded Peter's famous declaration in Acts 5:29, "We must obey God rather than men," lending profound divine weight and validation to that statement. The authorities were not just facing disobedient men, but a supernatural force clearly working on behalf of those men. The fear that follows in the hearts of the Sanhedrin (Acts 5:24) is a natural human response to such an overwhelming demonstration of God's power, reflecting a dawning realization that they are contending with the Creator.

Acts 5 23 Commentary

Acts 5:23 powerfully demonstrates the futility of human opposition when it stands against the divine will. The scene described by the officers is one of utter paradox: a prison perfectly secured by all available human means, yet completely empty of its intended occupants. This miracle serves as undeniable proof that the apostles' liberation was not a result of escape or guard negligence, but an act of supernatural power, validating their mission and message. The guards' meticulous report unintentionally magnifies God's immediate and active intervention, rendering all human attempts to halt the spread of the Gospel useless. It underscores the foundational biblical principle that no plan, power, or authority of man can successfully thwart the purposes of God, especially in establishing and advancing His kingdom. This miraculous display reinforces the message that obeying God, even when it means defying human authority, is the path aligned with divine truth and power.