Acts 5:20

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 5:20 delivers a divine imperative to the miraculously freed apostles: to return immediately to the very public square of the temple and boldly proclaim the entirety of the Gospel message. This command underscores God's sovereignty over human opposition, the indispensable nature of the life-giving message of Christ, and the unwavering courage required of His messengers, even in the face of severe persecution.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture following a period of intense spiritual growth and miraculous activity within the early church, which had drawn the ire of the religious establishment. The high priest and the Sadducees, filled with jealousy, had arrested the apostles and imprisoned them ([Acts 5:17-18](/acts/5-17-18 "Acts 5:17-18 - Apostles Arrested")). However, in a dramatic display of divine intervention, an angel of the Lord supernaturally opened the prison doors by night, leading them out ([Acts 5:19](/acts/5-19 "Acts 5:19 - Angelic Release from Prison")). Rather than instructing them to flee or seek refuge, the angel's command in verse 20 is a direct and audacious directive to return to the heart of their previous confrontation—the temple—and resume their public proclamation, setting the stage for their immediate obedience and subsequent re-arrest.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The temple in Jerusalem was not merely a place of worship but the central hub of Jewish religious, social, and political life. It was a bustling public space where people gathered for prayer, teaching, and commerce. Preaching in the temple meant reaching a vast and diverse audience, including pilgrims from across the Roman world. The Sadducees, who were the primary antagonists here, were a powerful aristocratic sect that controlled the temple and rejected the concept of resurrection, a core tenet of the apostles' message about Jesus. Therefore, the command to speak "in the temple" was a direct challenge to the established religious authority and a strategic move to ensure the Gospel's widespread dissemination in the most influential public forum available.

* **Key Themes:** Acts 5:20 powerfully articulates several foundational themes. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Deliverance and Protection**, showcasing God's active intervention to protect His servants and advance His kingdom, demonstrating that no human authority can thwart His purposes, a theme echoed in [Peter's later angelic release](/acts/12-7 "Acts 12:7 - Peter's Angelic Release"). Secondly, it emphasizes **Unwavering Boldness in Proclamation**, as the apostles are commanded to continue speaking openly despite their recent imprisonment and the clear threat of further persecution. This reflects their earlier declaration to [obey God rather than men](/acts/4-19-20 "Acts 4:19-20 - Peter's Declaration to Obey God") and underscores the indispensable nature of the Gospel message. Thirdly, the phrase "all the words of this life" points to the **Life-Giving Nature of the Gospel**, distinguishing it from the spiritual deadness of legalism and presenting it as a message of hope, redemption, and new life through Christ. This message was accompanied by [many signs and wonders](/acts/5-12 "Acts 5:12 - Many Signs and Wonders by the Apostles"), validating its divine origin.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Go (Greek, _poreúomai_):** This imperative verb signifies not merely physical movement but a purposeful journey or mission. In this context, it is a command for immediate, active engagement, urging the apostles to move from a place of miraculous deliverance directly into the public sphere. It underscores the dynamic and outward-focused nature of the divine commission.
* **Stand (Greek, _hístēmi_):** This verb implies taking a firm, fixed, and resolute position. It suggests more than just physical presence; it conveys a posture of readiness, authority, and unwavering resolve in the face of potential opposition. The apostles were to stand their ground, publicly and unashamedly, as heralds of the new message.
* **Life (Greek, _zōḗ_):** Derived from *zaō*, this term refers to a profound, spiritual, and eternal quality of existence that originates from God, distinct from mere biological or psychological life (*psychē*). It encompasses the true, abundant, and everlasting life that Jesus offers, which transcends earthly limitations and death.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Go, stand and speak":** This triple imperative conveys an urgent, active, and public command. It demands immediate obedience, a firm stance, and vocal proclamation, indicating that the Gospel is not to be hidden but boldly declared.
* **"in the temple":** This specifies the location for their proclamation. The temple, as the central and most public religious site in Jerusalem, ensured the widest possible audience and directly challenged the very authorities who had sought to silence them.
* **"to the people":** This identifies the broad and inclusive audience. The message was not for a select few or a private gathering but for the general populace, emphasizing the universal scope and accessibility of the Gospel.
* **"all the words of this life":** This defines the content and nature of their message. It refers to the comprehensive Gospel of Jesus Christ, which offers spiritual vitality, eternal salvation, and a new way of living empowered by God, in stark contrast to the spiritual death often associated with legalistic adherence to the Law.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. The **Imperative Mood** is prominent with the commands "Go," "stand," and "speak," conveying the urgency, authority, and non-negotiable nature of the divine instruction. There is a strong sense of **Irony** and **Contrast** as the apostles, miraculously freed from prison, are immediately commanded to return to the very public place where they were apprehended, highlighting God's power to overturn human attempts at suppression. The phrase "words of this life" utilizes **Metonymy**, where "life" stands for the Gospel message itself, which is the source and embodiment of true life. Furthermore, the "temple" functions as a powerful **Symbol**, representing the heart of Jewish religious and national identity, thus making it a profoundly significant stage for the proclamation of the new covenant message.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 5:20 powerfully articulates God's unwavering commitment to His redemptive plan, demonstrating His sovereignty over human institutions and His active protection of His messengers. The command to speak "all the words of this life" underscores the intrinsic nature of the Gospel as a message of spiritual vitality and eternal existence, contrasting sharply with the spiritual death inherent in sin and legalism. It reveals that the divine message is not merely information but a transformative power that imparts genuine life. This passage serves as a timeless reminder that faithful proclamation often requires radical obedience and courage, even when it means confronting hostile powers in the very places they exert their control.

* [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission"): The Great Commission similarly commands believers to "go" and make disciples, teaching "all" that Christ commanded, echoing the expansive and active nature of the apostolic mandate.
* [John 6:63](/john/6-63 "John 6:63 - Words of Spirit and Life"): Jesus states, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life," directly connecting His words to the impartation of spiritual life.
* [2 Timothy 4:2](/2_timothy/4-2 "2 Timothy 4:2 - Preach the Word"): Paul's charge to Timothy to "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season" reflects the enduring call for persistent and bold proclamation, regardless of circumstances or opposition.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 5:20 remains a profound and challenging call to believers today, urging us to consider the depth of our commitment to the Gospel and our willingness to share it. It reminds us that God's mission is unstoppable, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable opposition or personal risk. The miraculous deliverance of the apostles serves as a powerful testament to God's protective hand over those who faithfully obey His call. We are entrusted with a message that offers true, eternal "life" in a world desperately searching for meaning and hope. This should compel us to overcome fear and complacency, seeking opportunities to boldly and clearly articulate the transformative power of Christ in our own "temples"—our workplaces, communities, and spheres of influence. Our obedience, like that of the apostles, is paramount, demonstrating our trust in God's sovereignty and the life-giving nature of His Word.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's miraculous intervention in Acts 5:19-20 encourage us to trust in His protection when facing opposition in our own lives or ministries?**
* **In what "temples" or public spheres is God calling you to boldly speak "all the words of this life" today, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone?**
* **What does it truly mean for us to embody and proclaim "the words of this life" in a world that often seeks life and fulfillment in temporary or false sources?**

### FAQ
**Why did the angel tell them to go back to the temple, the very place they were arrested?**

Answer: The angel's instruction for the apostles to return to the temple, despite their recent arrest there, underscores several key theological truths. Firstly, it demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty over human authority; no prison or human decree can thwart His divine plan. Secondly, the temple was the most public and influential gathering place in Jerusalem, ensuring that the Gospel message would reach the widest possible audience. God's desire was for His message to be proclaimed openly and without fear, challenging the religious establishment directly where its power was most concentrated. It was a divine strategy to maximize the impact of the message and display the apostles' unwavering boldness, which was a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit within them.

**What does "all the words of this life" specifically refer to?**

Answer: "All the words of this life" refers to the comprehensive message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It encompasses the good news of His incarnation, sinless life, atoning death, glorious resurrection, and ascension, as well as the offer of salvation, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life through faith in Him. This "life" is not merely biological existence but a profound, spiritual, and eternal vitality that comes from God through Christ. It is the message that brings spiritual regeneration, reconciliation with God, and participation in God's own divine life, as [John 1:4](/john/1-4 "John 1:4 - In Him was Life") states, "In him was life, and the life was the light of men." The apostles were commissioned to proclaim the full scope of this transformative reality.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 5:20 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself, who is the very embodiment and source of "this life." The apostles were commanded to speak "all the words of this life" because Jesus had declared, "I am [the way, the truth, and the life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life")" and "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Jesus Gives Life Abundantly")). The "words" they were to speak were not merely human doctrines but the divine revelation of God's redemptive plan centered on His Son. Their message was validated by Christ's resurrection, which demonstrated His victory over death and His power to grant eternal life. The apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit whom Christ had promised ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Witness")), were now proclaiming the reality of a new life available through faith in the resurrected Lord. This new life is a spiritual union with Christ, where "Christ is our life" ([Colossians 3:4](/colossians/3-4 "Colossians 3:4 - Christ Our Life")), leading to a transformed existence that culminates in eternal fellowship with God. Thus, the command in Acts 5:20 is ultimately a call to proclaim Christ, the very essence and giver of life.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.