Acts 5

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.

And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

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

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

And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel and sent to the prison to have them brought.

But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,

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.

Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.

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

Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;

And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.

For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.

After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

What does Acts 5:21 mean?

Explanation

Acts 5:21 recounts an event in the early Christian church where the apostles have just been miraculously freed from prison.

After hearing the angel's instruction to continue preaching, they enter the Jerusalem temple at daybreak to teach.

Meanwhile, oblivious to the miraculous escape, the Jewish high priest and his associates call together the Sanhedrin, which was the supreme council and tribunal of the Jews composed of 70 elders, plus the high priest.

The text implies a contrast between the obedience of the apostles to God's command and the determination of the Jewish leaders to suppress their message.

The latter group sends for the apostles to be brought from prison, not yet knowing they have been freed and are already back at their mission of teaching in the temple.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Acts 5:21 takes place in the period following Jesus' crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, possibly around 30-33 A.D. during the early years of the Christian church.

The high priest at this time would have been an appointed leader by the Roman authorities and among the Sadducees, who were a Jewish sectarian group particularly associated with the Temple and the aristocracy.

The Sanhedrin, composed of both Pharisees and Sadducees, was the governing body for the Jewish people under Roman rule, with authority over religious matters and some civil jurisdiction.

Theological Insights

This verse touches on several theological themes, including:

Divine Intervention: The apostles had been imprisoned for preaching the resurrection of Jesus, but an angel of the Lord freed them, demonstrating God's direct involvement in human affairs.
Authority and Obedience: The apostles' decision to obey the angel and continue teaching, despite the risk, contrasts with the high priest's authority being undermined by divine action.
Conflict between Early Christians and Jewish Leaders: This passage highlights the growing tension between the nascent Christian movement and established Jewish leadership.

Practical Applications

From Acts 5:21, several practical applications can be derived:

Obedience to God's Will: Believers might find inspiration to persist in their faith and mission, even in the face of opposition or when facing significant obstacles.
Courage and Commitment: The example of the apostles may encourage individuals to be courageous in their convictions and continue their work despite the possibilities of misunderstanding or persecution.
The Sovereignty of God: Christians may take comfort in the belief that God is ultimately in control, as evidenced by the angel intervening to free the apostles.

Cross-References

Acts 5:17-20: The account of the apostles' imprisonment and miraculous release by an angel.
Acts 4:1-3: An earlier account where Peter and John are arrested by the Sadducees.
John 16:2: Jesus' prediction that his followers would be persecuted.
Acts 12:6-10: An account of Peter's miraculous escape from prison by an angel.
Acts 28:17-31: Paul teaching in Rome with boldness, despite being under guard.

Language Study

Key words in the original Greek text of Acts 5:21 include:

"Temple" (Greek: "hieron"): Referring to the holy place in Jerusalem where Jewish religious activities were centered.
"Taught" (Greek: "edidaskon"): Implies the apostles were systematically instructing the people, likely about Jesus and the kingdom of God.
"Council" (Greek: "sanhedrin"): The assembly or council of elders in Israel comprising a governing and judicial body.
"Senate" (Greek: "gerousia"): This refers to the elders or mature leaders, a term also used to describe the body of elders in the Sanhedrin.
"Prison" (Greek: "desmoterion"): A place of confinement, suggesting the apostles had been securely locked up.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The act of occupying prominent religious spaces to teach new doctrines has parallels in other religious traditions where reformers or new religious leaders often challenge established religious authority in places of traditional worship.

For example, in Islam, Muhammad began to preach in Mecca facing opposition from the Quraysh tribe.

Scientific Perspectives

This verse touches on the topic of reported miraculous events.

While science typically does not confirm the supernatural, such accounts are of interest to fields like psychology and sociology, which explore human experiences and beliefs about the divine and the supernatural.

Commentaries

John Calvin notes that the quick return of the apostles to preaching after their escape displays their unyielding dedication to God's command, despite the danger.
Matthew Henry comments on the providence of God in the release of the apostles and the blindness of the council to their divine mission.
The Pulpit Commentary discusses the irony of the situation, with the high priest and council being unaware of the apostles' release and the inversion of expectations when those they sought to suppress were freely preaching.
William Barclay highlights the determination of the early church to spread its message and the role of sufferings and setbacks in strengthening the faith and resolve of believers.

Acts 5

Acts 5

What does Acts 5:21 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 5:21 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?