Acts 5:23

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

“We found the jail securely locked and the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened it, we found no one inside!”

Berean Standard Bible:

“We found the jail securely locked, with the guards posted at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”

American Standard Version:

saying, The prison-house we found shut in all safety, and the keepers standing at the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Saying^{G3004},^{G3754} The prison^{G1201} truly^{G3303} found we^{G2147} shut^{G2808} with^{G1722} all^{G3956} safety^{G803}, and^{G2532} the keepers^{G5441} standing^{G2476} without^{G1854} before^{G4253} the doors^{G2374}: but^{G1161} when we had opened^{G455}, we found^{G2147} no man^{G3762} within^{G2080}.

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Commentary for Acts 5:23

Acts 5:23 is a verse set within the context of the early Christian church's confrontation with the religious authorities in Jerusalem. The book of Acts, written by Luke, chronicles the growth and spread of Christianity after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. This particular verse is part of a narrative where the apostles are arrested and imprisoned for preaching about Jesus, which the Jewish leaders saw as a threat to the established religious order.

In the verse, a temple guard is reporting to the high priest and the Sadducees, who had ordered the apostles to be imprisoned. The guard explains that the prison was found securely locked and the guards were dutifully standing watch at the doors, yet, upon opening the prison, they discovered that none of the apostles were inside. This event follows the miraculous release of the apostles by an angel of the Lord, which is described in the preceding verses (Acts 5:19-20). The themes present in this verse include divine intervention, the power and authority of God over human institutions, and the unstoppable nature of the Gospel message. The historical context reflects the tension between the burgeoning Christian movement and the established Jewish religious leadership, highlighting the boldness and faith of the apostles in the face of persecution. The miraculous escape of the apostles underscores the early church's belief in the active involvement of God in their mission, and it serves as a testament to their commitment to continue preaching the resurrection of Jesus despite the risks involved.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3754
   There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅτι
   Transliteration: hóti
   Pronunciation: hot'-ee
   Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
   
3. Strong's Number: G1201
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δεσμωτήριον
   Transliteration: desmōtḗrion
   Pronunciation: des-mo-tay'-ree-on
   Description: from a derivative of δεσμόν (equivalent to δεσμέω); a place of bondage, i.e. a dungeon:--prison.
   
4. Strong's Number: G3303
   There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μέν
   Transliteration: mén
   Pronunciation: men
   Description: a primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with δέ (this one, the former, etc.):--even, indeed, so, some, truly, verily. Often compounded with other particles in an intensive or asseverative sense.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2147
   There are 168 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εὑρίσκω
   Transliteration: heurískō
   Pronunciation: hyoo-reh'-o
   Description: a prolonged form of a primary , which (together with another cognate form) is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect; to find (literally or figuratively):--find, get, obtain, perceive, see.
   
6. Strong's Number: G2808
   There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κλείω
   Transliteration: kleíō
   Pronunciation: kli'-o
   Description: a primary verb; to close (literally or figuratively):--shut (up).
   
7. Strong's Number: G1722
   There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐν
   Transliteration: en
   Pronunciation: en
   Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3956
   There are 1075 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πᾶς
   Transliteration: pâs
   Pronunciation: pas
   Description: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
   
9. Strong's Number: G803
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀσφάλεια
   Transliteration: aspháleia
   Pronunciation: as-fal'-i-ah
   Description: from ἀσφαλής; security (literally or figuratively):--certainty, safety.
   
10. Strong's Number: G2532
    There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καί
    Transliteration: kaí
    Pronunciation: kahee
    Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
    
11. Strong's Number: G5441
    There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: φύλαξ
    Transliteration: phýlax
    Pronunciation: foo'-lax
    Description: from φυλάσσω; a watcher or sentry:--keeper.
    
12. Strong's Number: G2476
    There are 152 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἵστημι
    Transliteration: hístēmi
    Pronunciation: stah'-o
    Description: a prolonged form of a primary (of the same meaning, and used for it in certain tenses); to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively):--abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stanch, stand (by, forth, still, up). Compare τίθημι.
    
13. Strong's Number: G1854
    There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἔξω
    Transliteration: éxō
    Pronunciation: ex'-o
    Description: adverb from ἐκ; out(-side, of doors), literally or figuratively:--away, forth, (with-)out (of, -ward), strange.
    
14. Strong's Number: G4253
    There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πρό
    Transliteration: pró
    Pronunciation: pro
    Description: a primary preposition; "fore", i.e. in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to:--above, ago, before, or ever. In the comparative, it retains the same significations.
    
15. Strong's Number: G2374
    There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: θύρα
    Transliteration: thýra
    Pronunciation: thoo'-rah
    Description: apparently a primary word (compare "door"); a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively):--door, gate.
    
16. Strong's Number: G1161
    There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: δέ
    Transliteration: dé
    Pronunciation: deh
    Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
    
17. Strong's Number: G455
    There are 100 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀνοίγω
    Transliteration: anoígō
    Pronunciation: an-oy'-go
    Description: from ἀνά and (to open); to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications):--open.
    
18. Strong's Number: G3762
    There are 224 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐδείς
    Transliteration: oudeís
    Pronunciation: oo-den'
    Description: from οὐδέ and εἷς; not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing:--any (man), aught, man, neither any (thing), never (man), no (man), none (+ of these things), not (any, at all, -thing), nought.
    
19. Strong's Number: G2080
    There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἔσω
    Transliteration: ésō
    Pronunciation: es'-o
    Description: from εἰς; inside (as preposition or adjective):-- (with-)in(-ner, -to, -ward).