Acts 5 25

Acts 5:25 kjv

Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

Acts 5:25 nkjv

So one came and told them, saying, "Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!"

Acts 5:25 niv

Then someone came and said, "Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people."

Acts 5:25 esv

And someone came and told them, "Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people."

Acts 5:25 nlt

Then someone arrived with startling news: "The men you put in jail are standing in the Temple, teaching the people!"

Acts 5 verses

Acts 5 25 Meaning

Acts 5:25 vividly describes the shocking and perplexing report delivered to the Sanhedrin, who had just convened to interrogate the imprisoned Apostles. The verse signifies God's divine intervention, demonstrating that no human authority or barrier, not even prison, can contain His word or thwart His mission carried out through His servants. The Apostles, miraculously freed, were not found hiding, but boldly continuing their divinely appointed task of publicly teaching the people in the very temple complex where they had previously been arrested and commanded by an angel to preach the "words of this life." This revelation underscores the futility of human opposition against God's power and plan.

Acts 5 25 Context

Acts chapter 5 continues the narrative of the early church's rapid growth and the apostles' increasing influence in Jerusalem. Following the significant events of Ananias and Sapphira's judgment (Acts 5:1-11), which established a holy fear among believers, great signs and wonders continued to be done by the Apostles (Acts 5:12-16). Their ministry, especially in Solomon's Portico in the temple, attracted many, including those bringing the sick from surrounding towns to be healed. This rise in prominence, alongside their unwavering proclamation of Jesus' resurrection, directly challenged the authority and doctrines of the ruling religious establishment, particularly the Sadducees, who did not believe in resurrection or angels. Enraged by their popularity and their teaching, the High Priest and the Sadducees arrested the Apostles and put them in the public prison (Acts 5:17-18). However, during the night, an angel of the Lord supernaturally opened the prison doors, led them out, and specifically commanded them: "Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life" (Acts 5:19-20). The Sanhedrin convened early the next morning, expecting to prosecute the Apostles, but when the officers returned to the prison, they found it securely shut but empty (Acts 5:21-24). It is into this precise moment of confusion and escalating tension that Acts 5:25 delivers its startling report, setting the stage for the dramatic confrontation that follows.

Acts 5 25 Word analysis

• Then came one (Παραγενόμενος δέ τις – Paragenomenos de tis):
  • Paragenomenos: From paraginomai, meaning "to be alongside, arrive, come upon the scene." Implies a sudden, unexpected appearance and a timely arrival.
  • De: A connective particle, indicating a transition or a slight contrast with the preceding thought (the Sanhedrin's bewilderment).
  • Tis: "Someone" or "a certain one." This nameless individual, possibly a temple attendant or a member of the guard, delivers the stunning news. The anonymity enhances the sense of the news being an objective fact, not a partisan report. The sudden appearance of this messenger builds dramatic tension.
• and told them (ἀπήγγειλεν αὐτοῖς – apēggeilen autois):
  • Apēggeilen: From apaggellō, "to announce, report, bring a message." It signifies an official or definite declaration, a direct relaying of information rather than speculation. This was a factual report delivered to the highest religious council.
• saying (λέγων – legōn):
  • Legōn: Present participle, emphasizing the ongoing nature of his communication, leading directly into the quoted statement.
• Behold (Ἰδού – Idou):
  • A powerful Greek interjection, meaning "look!", "see!", "Lo!" or "listen!" It's used to grab immediate attention and convey a sense of surprise, urgency, or wonder at what is about to be revealed. Here, it underscores the astonishing, almost unbelievable, nature of the news for the Sanhedrin. It serves to heighten the dramatic impact and signal a significant moment in the narrative.
• the men (οἱ ἄνδρες – hoi andres):
  • Specifically referring to the male Apostles, as identified in Acts 5:18 and earlier verses. The term andres emphasizes their personhood, drawing a direct line between the ones imprisoned and the ones now present.
• whom ye put in prison (οὓς κατεβάλετε εἰς φυλακήν – hous katebalete eis phylakēn):
  • Katebalete: From kataballō, meaning "to cast down, throw into." This strong verb emphasizes the deliberate and forceful action taken by the Sanhedrin to incarcerate them. It highlights the direct consequence of their authoritative decree. The phrase sarcastically underscores the irony of their foiled human attempt at control.
• are standing (ἑστῶτας – hestōtas):
  • From histēmi, perfect active participle. "Are standing" suggests a state of fixed position or presence, often implying stability, firmness, or a deliberate posture. It conveys not just that they are present, but that they are standing confidently, unbowed, and asserting their presence publicly. It stands in direct contrast to being confined. They are not hiding or fleeing, but actively engaged in their work.
• in the temple (ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ – en tō hierō):
  • Hierō: Refers to the entire temple complex, including its courtyards and porticoes (like Solomon's Portico where they often met). This was the primary public gathering place in Jerusalem. The significance here is profound:
    • It was where the Apostles had been teaching previously (Acts 5:12).
    • It was the very place they were commanded by the angel to preach (Acts 5:20).
    • It was the spiritual and political center of Jewish life, effectively the heart of the Sanhedrin's own jurisdiction and influence. Their public presence there was a direct challenge to the authority that sought to suppress them.
• and teaching the people (καὶ διδάσκοντας τὸν λαόν – kai didaskontas ton laon):
  • Didaskontas: Present active participle of didaskō, "to teach, instruct." The present tense signifies continuous, ongoing action. They were not merely present; they were actively engaged in the very activity for which they had been arrested.
  • Ton laon: "The people." The object of their teaching. This indicates their public and evangelistic purpose, aligning directly with the angelic command to "speak to the people all the words of this Life" (Acts 5:20). Their obedience was immediate and undeniable.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Then came one and told them, saying, Behold...": This dramatic opening signals a pivotal, surprising revelation, underscoring the sudden turn of events and setting the stage for the Sanhedrin's astonishment. The anonymous messenger highlights the widespread knowledge of the Apostles' activities and God's powerful work.
• "the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.": This full phrase is dripping with divine irony and a powerful theological statement. It juxtaposes the Sanhedrin's effort to silence the apostles (putting them in prison) with God's effortless release and the apostles' unwavering, public continuation of their ministry in the most visible and central place. It signifies the unstoppable nature of God's purpose and the gospel message, despite the greatest human opposition.

Acts 5 25 Bonus section

The immediate and public nature of the Apostles' reappearance in the temple confirms their understanding of the angelic command in Acts 5:20 as an imperative, not a suggestion, and underscores their commitment to obey God rather than men. The dramatic impact of "Behold" (Greek: Idou) is amplified by the fact that the report confirms the Sanhedrin's worst fears: their authority is being openly defied, not by criminals in hiding, but by emboldened men acting under divine commission. This defiance, far from being rebellious, is righteous obedience. The anonymous nature of the messenger also subtly indicates that even outside forces were bearing witness to God's hand, spreading the knowledge of this inexplicable phenomenon and creating an undeniable public narrative that favored the Apostles. This scene effectively highlights a spiritual battle, where human power attempts to chain divine truth, only to be utterly humiliated.

Acts 5 25 Commentary

Acts 5:25 serves as a moment of profound divine irony and a powerful statement about God's sovereignty. The Sanhedrin, gathered with all its pomp and power to condemn the Apostles, is met not with prisoners awaiting judgment, but with an utterly unexpected and bewildering report. The key is that the Apostles were not only free but were boldly fulfilling the angelic command, teaching the very message that had led to their imprisonment, in the very place of their prior arrest. This verse brilliantly demonstrates:

1. The Futility of Human Opposition: No prison, no guard, and no decree of the most powerful earthly authority can thwart the will of God or contain His message.
2. Divine Providence and Intervention: The release of the Apostles was clearly supernatural, underscoring that God Himself was behind their ministry.
3. Apostolic Obedience and Courage: The Apostles immediately and unhesitatingly obeyed the angel's instruction (Acts 5:20), returning to the very place where danger lay. Their boldness confirmed their reliance on divine power rather than human fear.
4. The Unstoppable Nature of the Gospel: Despite official suppression, the word of God continued to advance, publicly and powerfully. This act validated their message as being from God.

This scenario has a timeless application for believers:

• When facing obstacles or opposition, remember God's power to overcome human barriers.
• Be bold in proclaiming the truth, trusting in God's command and presence.
• Do not be surprised if God's plans unfold in ways that confound human wisdom or expectations.