New International Version
Acts 5:23
23“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 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.
- 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!”
- New Living Translation (NLT)“The jail was securely locked, with the guards standing outside, but when we opened the gates, no one was there!”
Context of Acts 5:23
21At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to. 25Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts 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 jail and brought them out.
- Psalms 2:4The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.
- Psalms 33:10The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
- Proverbs 21:30There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.
- Lamentations 3:37Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it?
- Daniel 3:11and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace.
- Daniel 6:22My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”
- Matthew 27:63“Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’
- Matthew 28:12When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money,
- John 8:59At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
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
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