God’s Word Translation
Acts 5:23
23“We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors. However, when we opened the doors, we found no one inside.”
Acts 5:23 in other versions
- King James Version (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.
- New International Version (NIV)“We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)"We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside."
- New King James Version (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!”
Context of Acts 5:23
21Early in the morning, after they had listened to the angel, the apostles went into the temple courtyard and began to teach. The chief priest and those who were with him called together the Jewish council, that is, all the leaders of Israel. They also sent men to the prison to get the apostles. 22When the temple guards arrived at the prison, they didn’t find the apostles. The guards came back and reported, “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors. However, when we opened the doors, we found no one inside.” 24When the officer of the temple guards and the chief priests heard this, they were puzzled about what could have happened. 25Then someone told them, “The men you put in prison are standing in the temple courtyard. They’re teaching the people.”
Read all of Acts 5Acts 5:23 word by word
λέγοντες ὅτι τὸ δεσμωτήριον εὕρομεν κεκλεισμένον ἐν πάσῃ ἀσφαλείᾳ καὶ τοὺς φύλακας ἑστῶτας ἐπὶ τῶν θυρῶν, ἀνοίξαντες δὲ ἔσω οὐδένα εὕρομεν.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- ·ὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
- Sayingλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
- The prisonδεσμωτήριονdesmōtērion · prisonG1201
- trulyμένmen · on the other handG3303
- found weεὑρίσκωheuriskō · to find/meetG2147
- shutκλείωkleiō · to shutG2808
- withἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- allπᾶςpas · allG3956
- safetyἀσφάλειαasphaleia · securityG803
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- the keepersφύλαξphulax · guard; keeperG5441
- standingἵστημιhistēmi · to standG2476
- withoutἔξωexō · out/outside(r)G1854
- beforeπρόpro · beforeG4253
- the doorsθύραthura · doorG2374
- butδέde · thenG1161
- when we had openedἀνοίγωanoigō · to openG455
- no manοὐδείςoudeis · noneG3762
- withinἔσωesō · in/inner/inwardlyG2080
Cross-references for Acts 5:23
- Acts 5:19But at night an angel from the Lord opened the doors to their cell and led them out of the prison.
- Psalms 2:4The one enthroned in heaven laughs. The Lord makes fun of them.
- Psalms 33:10The Lord blocks the plans of the nations. He frustrates the schemes of the people of the world.
- Proverbs 21:30No wisdom, no understanding, and no advice ⌞can stand up⌟ against the Lord.
- Lamentations 3:37Who was it who spoke and it came into being? It was the Lord who gave the order.
- Daniel 3:11⌞Your order said that⌟ whoever doesn’t bow down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace.
- Daniel 6:22My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they couldn’t hurt me. He did this because he considered me innocent. Your Majesty, I haven’t committed any crime.”
- Matthew 27:63They said, “Sir, we remember how that deceiver said while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will be brought back to life.’
- Matthew 28:12The chief priests gathered together with the leaders and agreed on a plan. They gave the soldiers a large amount of money
- John 8:59Then some of the Jews picked up stones to throw at Jesus. However, Jesus was concealed, and he left the temple courtyard.
Commentaries on Acts 5:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23The prison truly found we shut - All the doors were properly bolted, and the keepers at their post; but when we had opened, for it appears they were alone in possession of the keys; how much must this have increased their astonishment when they found that the doors were not broken open, the guards properly posted, and every thing as they left it, for they themselves had put the apostles in prison; but, when they had opened, there was no man within!Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23Found we shut - It had not been broken open; and there was therefore clear proof that they had been delivered by the interposition of God. Nor could they have been released by the guard, for they were keeping watch, as if unconscious that anything had happened, and the officers had the only means of entering the prison.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17-25Verses 17-25 There is no prison so dark, so strong, but God can visit his people in it, and, if he pleases, fetch them out. Recoveries from sickness, releases out of trouble, are granted, not that we may enjoy the comforts of life, but that God may be honoured with the services of our life. It is not for the preachers of Christ's gospel to retire into corners, as long as they can have any opportunity of preaching in the great congregation. They must…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17-40The apostles' successful ministry caused strong opposition (compare 4:1–3). The wealthy and powerful Sadducees controlled the temple and had a temple police force. They opposed belief in the resurrection and were determined to challenge and, if possible, prevent the apostles from sharing their message about the resurrection of Jesus. They felt their influence over the Jewish people weakening. Jealousy and bitterness led them to attack the apostles.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 17-2317-23. sect of the Sadducees--See on Ac 4:1 for the reason why this is specified.Read the comment
Topics related to Acts 5:23
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Acts 5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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