Acts 5:21

KJV

And when they heard [that], they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} when they heard {G191} that, they entered {G1525} into {G1519} the temple {G2411} early in the morning {G5259}{G3722}, and {G2532} taught {G1321}. But {G1161} the high priest {G749} came {G3854}, and {G2532} they that were with {G4862} him {G846}, and called {G4779} the council {G4892} together {G4779}, and {G2532} all {G3956} the senate {G1087} of the children {G5207} of Israel {G2474}, and {G2532} sent {G649} to {G1519} the prison {G1201} to have {G71} them {G846} brought {G71}.

Complete Jewish Bible

After hearing that, they entered the Temple area about dawn and began to teach.

Now the cohen hagadol and his associates came and called a meeting of the Sanhedrin (that is, of Isra’el’s whole assembly of elders) and sent to the jail to have them brought.

Berean Standard Bible

At daybreak the apostles entered the temple courts as they had been told and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles.

American Standard Version

And when they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison-house to have them brought.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 5:21 vividly portrays the unwavering obedience and courageous resolve of the apostles, who, immediately after a miraculous angelic release from prison, returned to the Temple to continue teaching the message of "this life." Simultaneously, it sets the stage for a direct confrontation between the burgeoning Christian movement and the entrenched religious establishment, as the high priest and the entire Sanhedrin (council and senate) convene, unaware of the divine intervention that had freed their prisoners, and send for the apostles to be brought from the very prison they had just exited.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the immediate aftermath of a dramatic divine intervention. In [Acts 5:17-18](/acts/5-17-18 "Acts 5:17-18 - Apostles Imprisoned"), the high priest and the Sadducees, filled with indignation at the apostles' continued teaching and miraculous signs, had arrested and imprisoned them. However, in [Acts 5:19-20](/acts/5-19-20 "Acts 5:19-20 - Angelic Release and Command"), an angel of the Lord supernaturally opened the prison doors and commanded the apostles to "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life." Acts 5:21 shows the apostles' immediate and perfect obedience to this divine mandate, returning to the very place they were forbidden to teach, and the authorities' simultaneous, yet futile, attempt to reassert their control. This narrative arc highlights the unstoppable nature of God's work versus human opposition.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem, the epicenter of Jewish religious and political life, shortly after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. The "temple" (Gk. _hierón_) refers to the entire temple complex, a central gathering place for the Jewish people, where teaching and discussion frequently occurred. The "high priest" was the head of the Jewish religious hierarchy, and the "council" (Gk. _synédrion_) and "senate" (Gk. _gerousía_) together constituted the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish judicial and administrative body. This body held significant authority under Roman rule, especially in religious matters, and had previously condemned Jesus and later attempted to silence Peter and John in [Acts 4](/acts/4 "Acts 4 - Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin"). Their convening "early in the morning" underscores their urgency and determination to suppress what they perceived as a dangerous, heretical movement.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 5:21 powerfully illustrates several core themes prevalent throughout the book of Acts. Firstly, it showcases **Divine Sovereignty and Intervention**, as God directly intervenes to free His servants and ensure His message is proclaimed, demonstrating that His plans cannot be thwarted by human power, a theme echoed in [Acts 12:6-11](/acts/12-6-11 "Acts 12:6-11 - Peter's Miraculous Escape"). Secondly, the apostles' actions exemplify **Courageous Obedience to God over Human Authority**, a principle explicitly articulated in [Acts 5:29](/acts/5-29 "Acts 5:29 - Obeying God Rather Than Men"). Their immediate return to teaching in the temple, despite recent imprisonment, underscores their **Boldness in Proclamation** of the Gospel, empowered by the Holy Spirit, a characteristic seen from Pentecost onward (e.g., [Acts 4:31](/acts/4-31 "Acts 4:31 - Boldness After Prayer")). Finally, the verse sets the stage for the **Confrontation Between the Gospel and Established Power**, a recurring motif as the early church expands despite opposition (e.g., [Acts 7:54-60](/acts/7-54-60 "Acts 7:54-60 - Stephen's Martyrdom")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **taught (Greek, _didáskō'_):** This verb means "to teach" in a broad sense, encompassing instruction, imparting knowledge, and training. Here, it signifies the apostles' primary mission: to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ. Their teaching was not merely academic but transformative, conveying "the words of this life" ([Acts 5:20](/acts/5-20 "Acts 5:20 - The Words of This Life")), emphasizing the life-giving power of the Gospel.
* **temple (Greek, _hierón'_):** This term refers to the entire sacred precinct of the Temple in Jerusalem, including its outer courts and porticoes, not just the inner sanctuary (naos). It was a public space where people gathered, making it an ideal location for public teaching and evangelism. The apostles' choice to return here demonstrates their commitment to open and public proclamation, reaching the broadest possible audience.
* **council (Greek, _synédrion'_):** This word denotes a "joint session" or "sitting together," specifically referring to the Jewish Sanhedrin, the supreme judicial and administrative body in Jerusalem. Composed of 70 members plus the high priest, it represented the highest religious and civil authority for the Jewish people under Roman rule. Its counterpart, "senate" (Greek, _gerousía'_), further emphasizes the formal, authoritative, and venerable nature of this body, comprising the elders of Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when they heard [that], they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught."**: This clause highlights the apostles' remarkable and immediate obedience. Upon hearing the angel's command, they did not hesitate or fear. "Early in the morning" (Gk. _orthros_) signifies the very first light of dawn, emphasizing their earnestness and promptness. Their return to the temple, the very place of their previous arrests and the center of Jewish life, demonstrates their courage and conviction that God's command superseded any human prohibition. Their action was a direct fulfillment of the angelic instruction to "speak... all the words of this life."
* **"But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel,"**: This introduces the opposing force. The conjunction "but" (Gk. _dé_) signals a stark contrast between the apostles' divine obedience and the authorities' human machinations. The high priest, as the head of the religious establishment, takes the lead, gathering the full weight of the Sanhedrin ("the council" and "all the senate of the children of Israel"), indicating a formal and comprehensive effort to deal with the apostles. Their assembly underscores the gravity with which they viewed the apostles' activities and their determination to maintain religious order.
* **"and sent to the prison to have them brought."**: This final clause reveals the dramatic irony of the situation. The Sanhedrin, unaware of the miraculous escape, proceeds with the expected legal process, sending officers to the prison to retrieve their prisoners. This action sets up the climactic reveal in the subsequent verses, where the officers find the prison empty, while the apostles are already publicly teaching, underscoring the futility of human efforts against divine will.

#### Literary Devices
The passage powerfully employs **Irony**, creating a stark contrast between the expectations of the religious authorities and the reality of God's intervention. The Sanhedrin convenes with solemn authority to retrieve prisoners who have already been miraculously freed and are actively defying their orders by teaching in the Temple. This dramatic irony highlights the impotence of human power against divine purpose. Additionally, **Juxtaposition** is evident in the simultaneous actions of the apostles and the Sanhedrin: the apostles are diligently fulfilling God's command in the Temple, while the Sanhedrin is diligently attempting to re-imprison them. This parallel structure emphasizes the conflict between divine will and human opposition, and the apostles' unwavering **Obedience** serves as a counterpoint to the Sanhedrin's rigid adherence to their own authority. The phrase "early in the morning" also serves as a **Symbol** of dedication and urgency, both on the part of the apostles in their mission and the authorities in their suppression efforts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 5:21 serves as a profound theological statement on the supremacy of God's will over human authority and the unstoppable advance of His kingdom. It underscores that divine commands take precedence over human prohibitions, especially when those prohibitions seek to suppress the proclamation of the Gospel. The apostles' immediate return to teaching, despite recent imprisonment, is a powerful testimony to their conviction that their mission was divinely ordained and that God's power would protect and empower them. This passage reinforces the theme that the church's ultimate allegiance is to God, not to earthly rulers, and that true faith involves courageous obedience in the face of opposition. It also foreshadows the ongoing conflict between the church and the world, where the message of life will inevitably confront the powers that seek to silence it.

* [Acts 4:19-20](/acts/4-19-20 "Acts 4:19-20 - Peter and John's Declaration to the Sanhedrin")
* [Daniel 3:16-18](/daniel/3-16-18 "Daniel 3:16-18 - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's Defiance")
* [Matthew 10:28](/matthew/10-28 "Matthew 10:28 - Fear God, Not Man")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 5:21 offers a compelling challenge for contemporary believers, urging us to examine the depth of our obedience and the courage of our convictions. The apostles' immediate return to the temple, despite the very real threat of re-arrest and persecution, exemplifies a radical trust in God's word and His protective hand. This passage calls us to prioritize God's commands above all human fears, discomforts, or societal pressures. Are we willing to speak "the words of this life" in our spheres of influence, even when it is unpopular, inconvenient, or met with opposition? Do we truly believe that God's purposes will prevail, regardless of the obstacles we face? The apostles' example reminds us that true faith is not passive but active, resilient, and unwavering, driven by a divine mandate that transcends earthly limitations. It encourages us to find our boldness in the Holy Spirit, trusting that God will open doors and empower our witness, even when human authorities seek to close them.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "prisons" or fears prevent me from boldly proclaiming God's truth in my daily life?**
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to prioritize human approval or safety over divine obedience?**
* **How can I cultivate the kind of immediate and unwavering obedience demonstrated by the apostles?**
* **What are "the words of this life" that God is calling me to speak into my current context?**

### FAQ
**Why did the apostles return to the temple after being released from prison?**

Answer: The apostles returned to the temple because they were explicitly commanded to do so by an angel of the Lord. In [Acts 5:20](/acts/5-20 "Acts 5:20 - The Angel's Command"), the angel instructed them: "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life." Their immediate obedience demonstrates their profound faith in God's divine authority and their commitment to their mission, prioritizing God's command over the threats and prohibitions of human authorities.

**Who was the "council" and "senate of the children of Israel" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: Both terms refer to the Sanhedrin, which was the supreme Jewish judicial and administrative body in Jerusalem. The "council" (Greek: _synédrion_) was the formal term for this court, while "senate" (Greek: _gerousía_) emphasizes its composition of elders and its venerable, authoritative nature. This body, led by the high priest, was responsible for religious and civil matters under Roman rule and was the same body that had condemned Jesus and previously interrogated Peter and John in [Acts 4](/acts/4 "Acts 4 - Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin").

**What is the significance of the phrase "early in the morning"?**

Answer: The phrase "early in the morning" (Greek: _orthros_) signifies the very first light of dawn. Its significance lies in highlighting the apostles' immediate and unwavering commitment to fulfilling the angel's command. They did not wait, hesitate, or fear, but promptly acted on God's word. It also subtly emphasizes the urgency and determination of the Sanhedrin, who likewise convened at the earliest possible hour to address the "problem" of the apostles.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 5:21, though focusing on the apostles' obedience, resonates deeply with the Christ-centered narrative of salvation and the nature of His kingdom. The apostles' unwavering commitment to teaching "the words of this life" in the face of opposition directly mirrors Christ's own ministry, where He boldly proclaimed the truth of the kingdom despite constant resistance from religious authorities (e.g., [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). Their miraculous release from prison by an angel foreshadows the ultimate triumph of Christ over sin and death, as demonstrated in His resurrection, which broke the bonds of the grave (e.g., [Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Jesus from the Dead")). The Sanhedrin's futile attempt to silence the apostles, who were empowered by the Holy Spirit, underscores the truth that no human power can thwart God's redemptive plan, a plan centered on Christ. Just as Jesus taught with authority and laid down His life only to be raised again, so His followers are empowered to continue His mission, confident that the message of "this life" — eternal life found in Christ — is unstoppable. Ultimately, this passage points to Christ as the source of the "words of this life" and the sovereign Lord who protects and empowers His church to proclaim His gospel, even when facing the world's most formidable opposition, fulfilling His promise that the gates of hell will not prevail against His church ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Peter's Confession and the Church")).

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 8:2

And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

Acts 5:41

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Acts 22:15

For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

Luke 21:37

And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called [the mount] of Olives.

Luke 21:38

And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.

Acts 5:27

And when they had brought them, they set [them] before the council: and the high priest asked them,

Psalms 105:22

To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.