New English Translation
Acts 5:23
23“We found the jail locked securely and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them, 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
21When they heard this, they entered the temple courts at daybreak and began teaching. Now when the high priest and those who were with him arrived, they summoned the Sanhedrin – that is, the whole high council of the Israelites – and sent to the jail to have the apostles brought before them. 22But the officers who came for them did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, “We found the jail locked securely and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24Now when the commander of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this report, they were greatly puzzled concerning it, wondering what this could be. 25But someone came and reported to them, “Look! The men you put in prison are standing in the temple courts and 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 during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, led them out, and said,
- Psalms 2:4The one enthroned in heaven laughs in disgust; the Lord taunts them.
- Psalms 33:10The Lord frustrates the decisions of the nations; he nullifies the plans of the peoples.
- Proverbs 21:30There is no wisdom and there is no understanding, and there is no counsel against the Lord.
- Lamentations 3:37Whose command was ever fulfilled unless the Lord decreed it?
- Daniel 3:11And whoever does not bow down and pay homage must be thrown into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire.
- Daniel 6:22My God sent his angel and closed the lions’ mouths so that they have not harmed me, because I was found to be innocent before him. Nor have I done any harm to you, O king.”
- Matthew 27:63and said, “Sir, we remember that while that deceiver was still alive he said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’
- Matthew 28:12After they had assembled with the elders and formed a plan, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,
- John 8:59Then they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out from the temple area.
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
New English Translation — © 1996-2016 Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.
Commentaries