New Living Translation
Acts 5:23
23“The jail was securely locked, with the guards standing outside, but when we opened the gates, no one was there!”
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
21So at daybreak the apostles entered the Temple, as they were told, and immediately began teaching. When the high priest and his officials arrived, they convened the high council—the full assembly of the elders of Israel. Then they sent for the apostles to be brought from the jail for trial. 22But when the Temple guards went to the jail, the men were gone. So they returned to the council and reported, “The jail was securely locked, with the guards standing outside, but when we opened the gates, no one was there!” 24When the captain of the Temple guard and the leading priests heard this, they were perplexed, wondering where it would all end. 25Then someone arrived with startling news: “The men you put in jail are standing in the Temple, 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 an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then he told them,
- Psalms 2:4But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them.
- Psalms 33:10The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes.
- Proverbs 21:30No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the Lord.
- Lamentations 3:37Who can command things to happen without the Lord’s permission?
- Daniel 3:11That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace.
- Daniel 6:22My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.”
- Matthew 27:63They told him, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’
- Matthew 28:12A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe.
- John 8:59At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.
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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