Acts 5:22

KJV

But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} when the officers {G5257} came {G3854}, and found {G2147} them {G846} not {G3756} in {G1722} the prison {G5438}, they returned {G390}, and {G1161} told {G518},

Complete Jewish Bible

But the officers who went did not find them in the prison. So they returned and reported,

Berean Standard Bible

But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they returned with the report:

American Standard Version

But the officers that came found them not in the prison; and they returned, and told,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 5:22 details the bewildering discovery made by the Sanhedrin's officers: upon arriving at the prison to retrieve the arrested apostles, they found the facility secure and guarded, yet completely empty of its intended occupants. This unexpected turn of events underscores the miraculous divine intervention that had occurred, setting the stage for the apostles' continued bold proclamation of the gospel, much to the consternation of the Jewish authorities.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 5:22 is situated within a dramatic narrative of escalating conflict between the burgeoning early Christian community and the established Jewish religious authorities in Jerusalem. Immediately preceding this verse, the apostles, particularly Peter and John, had been performing numerous signs and wonders, leading to significant growth in the number of believers ([Acts 5:12-16](/acts/5-12-16 "Acts 5:12-16 - Miracles and Growth")). This success, coupled with the apostles' unwavering testimony to Jesus' resurrection, provoked intense jealousy from the high priest and the Sadducees, who then arrested them and placed them in the public prison ([Acts 5:17-18](/acts/5-17-18 "Acts 5:17-18 - Arrest of the Apostles")). However, an angel of the Lord miraculously opened the prison doors by night, leading them out and instructing them to return to the temple and continue preaching "the words of this life" ([Acts 5:19-20](/acts/5-19-20 "Acts 5:19-20 - Angelic Release and Command")). Acts 5:22 then describes the officers' arrival at the prison, their discovery of the apostles' absence, and their subsequent report to the Sanhedrin, setting the scene for the apostles' defiant reappearance and further testimony before the council.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem in the early days of the Christian church, likely within a few years of Pentecost. The "officers" mentioned were likely temple police, under the authority of the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish judicial and administrative council. The Sanhedrin, composed of chief priests (primarily Sadducees), elders, and scribes (often Pharisees), held significant religious and civil authority under Roman oversight. The Sadducees, who dominated the high priesthood, were particularly opposed to the apostles' message because it centered on the resurrection of Jesus, a doctrine they rejected ([Acts 4:1-2](/acts/4-1-2 "Acts 4:1-2 - Sadducees Oppose Resurrection")). Prisons of this era were typically secure, often involving heavy doors, locks, and guards. The fact that the officers found the prison intact and guarded, yet empty, would have been profoundly perplexing and indicative of a supernatural event, challenging the very foundations of human authority and control.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in the book of Acts. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Intervention**, demonstrating God's direct and miraculous involvement in protecting His messengers and advancing His kingdom, even against formidable human opposition. The empty prison cells are a tangible sign that God's plan cannot be thwarted by human efforts or physical barriers. Secondly, it reinforces the theme of the **Unstoppable Nature of the Gospel**. Despite arrests and imprisonment, the "word of God continued to increase and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly" ([Acts 6:7](/acts/6-7 "Acts 6:7 - Growth of the Word")). The apostles' miraculous release ensures their continued proclamation of the "words of this life" ([Acts 5:20](/acts/5-20 "The Words of This Life")), underscoring that the message of Christ cannot be contained. Lastly, it emphasizes the **Futility of Human Opposition** when it stands against God's will, a recurring motif throughout Acts as authorities repeatedly attempt, and fail, to suppress the Christian movement.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **officers (Greek, _hypērétēs'_):** This term refers to a subordinate attendant, servant, or official. In this context, it likely denotes the temple police or attendants of the Sanhedrin, who were tasked with carrying out the council's orders. Their role was to enforce the will of the Jewish authorities, making their bewildered discovery of the empty prison all the more significant as a testament to a power greater than their own.
* **found (Greek, _heurískō'_):** This verb means "to find," whether literally or figuratively, to discover, or to obtain. The crucial aspect here is the negative "found them not," indicating a complete absence despite their diligent search. This emphasizes the unexpected and inexplicable nature of the apostles' disappearance from a supposedly secure location.
* **prison (Greek, _phylakḗ'_):** This word denotes a guarding, a guard, or, concretely, the place of guarding—a cage, hold, or prison. The fact that the officers found the prison itself intact and guarded, yet the prisoners gone, highlights the miraculous nature of the escape. It was not a simple jailbreak facilitated by human means, but a divine intervention that bypassed all physical security measures.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But when the officers came,"**: This clause introduces the arrival of the temple police, dispatched by the Sanhedrin to bring the apostles for interrogation. Their coming signifies the official attempt by human authority to assert control over the apostles and the burgeoning Christian movement. The conjunction "But" (G1161, dé) signals a shift or contrast from the previous expectation that the apostles would be readily available.
* **"and found them not in the prison,"**: This is the pivotal discovery. Despite the officers' presence and the presumed security of the "prison," the apostles were nowhere to be found. The phrase "found them not" emphasizes the complete and inexplicable absence, setting the stage for the dramatic reveal of God's miraculous intervention. This directly contradicts the Sanhedrin's expectation and highlights the futility of their human efforts to contain the divine message.
* **"they returned, and told,"**: This concluding clause describes the officers' immediate action following their astonishing discovery. Unable to fulfill their mission, they returned to the Sanhedrin to report the unbelievable news. Their report, though incomplete in explaining *how* the apostles vanished, serves as a powerful testimony to the supernatural event that had occurred, forcing the authorities to confront a reality beyond their comprehension and control.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 5:22 employs several literary devices to heighten the drama and underscore its theological message. **Irony** is prominent, as the very authorities who sought to imprison and silence the apostles inadvertently become witnesses to God's superior power. They arrive at a "secure" prison only to find it empty, a stark contrast to their expectations. This creates **dramatic irony**, as the reader is already aware of the angelic release, while the officers and the Sanhedrin remain bewildered. The scene also utilizes **antithesis** by contrasting human power (the secure prison, the officers, the Sanhedrin's authority) with divine power (the angelic intervention, the apostles' freedom). The empty prison, while physically signifying absence, **symbolizes** the inability of human institutions to truly contain or thwart God's sovereign will and the unstoppable spread of His gospel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 5:22 powerfully illustrates the theological principle of God's absolute sovereignty over all human affairs, even in the face of determined opposition. The miraculous release of the apostles from a securely guarded prison demonstrates that no earthly power, no matter how formidable, can ultimately thwart the divine will or prevent the advancement of God's kingdom. This event serves as a tangible sign that God is actively involved in the lives of His people, protecting them and empowering them to fulfill His purposes. It underscores the truth that the gospel, being God's message, cannot be imprisoned or silenced by human decree, but will continue to spread through divine enablement.

* [Acts 12:6-11](/acts/12-6-11 "Acts 12:6-11 - Peter's Miraculous Deliverance")
* [Acts 16:25-34](/acts/16-25-34 "Acts 16:25-34 - Paul and Silas in Prison")
* [Psalm 146:7](/psalms/146-7 "Psalm 146:7 - God Frees the Prisoners")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 5:22 offers profound encouragement and challenge for believers today. In a world where followers of Christ may face various forms of opposition, marginalization, or even persecution, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's power is infinitely greater than any human obstacle. It calls us to cultivate a deep trust in God's sovereign hand, recognizing that even when circumstances seem dire or human efforts to hinder the gospel appear overwhelming, God remains fully in control. We are encouraged to persevere in proclaiming God's truth, knowing that His purposes will prevail, and He will provide for and protect His people in unexpected and miraculous ways. This passage invites us to consider where we might be tempted to rely on human strategies or grow discouraged by opposition, and instead, to lean into the reality of God's unstoppable power and faithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the officers' bewilderment in Acts 5:22 challenge my own assumptions about human control versus divine sovereignty?**
* **In what areas of my life or ministry am I tempted to believe that human barriers or opposition can ultimately thwart God's plan?**
* **What specific actions can I take to cultivate a deeper trust in God's miraculous intervention and protection, even when circumstances seem impossible?**

### FAQ

**Who were the "officers" mentioned in Acts 5:22?**

Answer: The "officers" (Greek: _hypērétēs_) were likely the temple police or attendants who served under the authority of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high council. They were responsible for carrying out the council's orders, including arrests and maintaining order within the temple precincts. Their role was to enforce the will of the Jewish religious authorities, making their discovery of the empty prison a significant challenge to their authority and understanding.

**How did the apostles escape from the prison if the officers found it secure?**

Answer: The escape was not a result of human cunning or a security breach, but a direct, miraculous intervention by God. Just before the officers arrived, "an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors and brought them out" ([Acts 5:19](/acts/5-19 "Acts 5:19 - Angelic Release")). The officers found the prison doors securely locked and the guards still at their posts, yet the apostles were gone, indicating a supernatural event that defied natural explanation.

**What was the significance of the empty prison in the broader narrative of Acts?**

Answer: The empty prison powerfully demonstrated God's sovereign power over human authority and His commitment to the spread of the gospel. It showed that no physical barrier or human institution could contain God's message or His messengers. This miraculous event not only frustrated the Sanhedrin's plans but also served as a divine endorsement of the apostles' mission, emboldening them to continue preaching the "words of this life" ([Acts 5:20](/acts/5-20 "The Words of This Life")) and further testifying to God's active hand in their ministry.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 5:22, with its dramatic depiction of divine intervention liberating the apostles from physical imprisonment, powerfully foreshadows and reflects the ultimate freedom and victory found in Jesus Christ. Just as the prison doors could not hold the apostles, so too the grave could not hold the Lord Jesus, who triumphed over death itself, bursting forth from the tomb to secure eternal life for all who believe ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Him Up")). Christ's resurrection is the ultimate divine prison break, demonstrating His absolute authority over sin, death, and all spiritual principalities and powers ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). Through His atoning work, Jesus came to "proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound" ([Isaiah 61:1](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1 - The Spirit of the Lord"), quoted by Jesus in [Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus' Mission Statement")). The physical liberation of the apostles in Acts 5:22 serves as a tangible sign of the spiritual liberation Christ offers—freedom from the bondage of sin, the fear of death, and the tyranny of darkness. His kingdom, like the gospel preached by the apostles, cannot be contained or defeated by any earthly power, for "the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it" ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - The Gates of Hades Will Not Prevail")).

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.