Acts 5:20

Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

Go {G4198}, stand {G2476} and {G2532} speak {G2980} in {G1722} the temple {G2411} to the people {G2992} all {G3956} the words {G4487} of this {G5026} life {G2222}.

“Go, stand in the Temple court and keep telling the people all about this new life!”

“Go, stand in the temple courts and tell the people the full message of this new life.”

Go ye, and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this Life.

Acts 5:20 is a powerful verse that encapsulates the divine mandate given to the early apostles amidst severe persecution. After being miraculously freed from prison by an angel, they are immediately instructed to return to the heart of public life and continue their proclamation.

Context

This verse follows a period of intense growth and spiritual power in the early church. The apostles were performing many signs and wonders (Acts 5:12), leading to large numbers of converts. This success, however, provoked the jealousy of the high priest and the Sadducees, who arrested the apostles and put them in the common prison (Acts 5:17-18). Miraculously, an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors by night and brought them forth (Acts 5:19). The instruction in verse 20 is not to flee or hide, but to return to the very place of their previous confrontation—the temple—and resume their preaching. The temple was the central hub of Jewish religious and social life in Jerusalem, making it the most public and influential place to share their message.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Deliverance and Protection: The miraculous release from prison underscores God's active protection and intervention on behalf of His servants. It shows that no human authority, not even the Sanhedrin, can thwart God's plans. This echoes other instances of divine intervention, such as Peter's later release from prison by an angel in Acts 12.
  • Unwavering Boldness in Proclamation: Despite facing imprisonment and the threat of further persecution, the apostles are commanded to continue speaking openly. This demonstrates the indispensable nature of the Gospel message and the courage required to deliver it. It aligns with their earlier resolve to obey God rather than men (Acts 4:19-20).
  • The Life-Giving Message: The phrase "all the words of this life" refers specifically to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This message offers spiritual and eternal life, contrasting sharply with the spiritual death and legalism often found in the religious establishment. It is a message of hope, redemption, and a new way of living empowered by God.
  • Obedience to God's Command: The apostles' immediate and unquestioning obedience to this divine instruction showcases their devotion and reliance on God's authority above all human decrees.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase "all the words of this life" is pasas tas rhēmatas tēs zōēs tautēs (πάσας τὰς ῥήματα τῆς ζωῆς ταύτης). The word zōē (ζωή) is significant here. It refers not merely to biological existence but to a profound, spiritual, and eternal quality of life that originates from God. It is the life that Jesus offers, as He declared Himself to be "the way, the truth, and the life." Peter himself recognized this when he said to Jesus, "Thou hast the words of eternal life" (John 6:68). Thus, the apostles were to preach the message that brings true, lasting life through faith in Christ.

Practical Application

Acts 5:20 remains a powerful call to action for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • God Protects His Mission: Even in the face of opposition or adversity, God is sovereign and capable of delivering His people and ensuring His message goes forth.
  • The Gospel is Urgent and Public: The message of Christ is not to be hidden but boldly proclaimed in all spheres of life, even in challenging environments.
  • The Message Brings Life: We are entrusted with a message that offers genuine hope and eternal life to a world desperately in need. This should motivate us to share it with passion and conviction.
  • Obedience is Key: Our willingness to obey God's call, despite personal risk or discomfort, is central to effective ministry.

This verse encourages Christians to be courageous witnesses, trusting in God's power and the transformative nature of His life-giving word.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 6:63

    It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life.

  • John 6:68

    Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

  • Matthew 21:23

    ¶ And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

  • 1 John 5:11

    And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

  • 1 John 5:12

    He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

  • 1 John 1:1

    ¶ That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

  • 1 John 1:3

    That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship [is] with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

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