Acts 5:22

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

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},

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

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

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

Context of Acts 5:22

Acts 5:22 occurs during a period of intense growth and persecution for the early Christian church in Jerusalem. The apostles, particularly Peter and John, were performing many signs and wonders among the people (Acts 5:12), leading many to believe in the Lord. This success, however, provoked the jealousy of the high priest and the Sadducees, who were part of the ruling Sanhedrin. They arrested the apostles and put them in the common prison (Acts 5:18).

Just before this verse, an angel of the Lord miraculously opened the prison doors by night and brought them out, instructing them to continue preaching the "words of this life" in the temple (Acts 5:19-20). The council then convened, eager to interrogate the apostles, and sent officers to fetch them from the prison. Acts 5:22 describes the officers' bewildered return after finding the prison empty.

Key Themes and Messages

Divine Intervention and Protection: The primary message of this verse, in its immediate context, is the clear demonstration of God's supernatural power and direct intervention to protect His servants and advance His kingdom. Human authorities were utterly powerless against God's plan.
Frustration of Human Authority: The officers' discovery highlights the futility of human attempts to thwart God's will. Despite secure prison doors and diligent guards, the apostles were gone, demonstrating that no physical barrier can contain God's message or His messengers when He wills otherwise.
God's Sovereignty: This event powerfully illustrates God's ultimate control over circumstances, even over the most formidable human institutions. The apostles were not released by human cunning or force, but by divine decree.

Linguistic Insights

The term "officers" in this verse comes from the Greek word hypēretēs (ὑπηρέτης), which generally refers to a subordinate attendant, servant, or official. In this context, it likely denotes temple police or attendants of the Sanhedrin, who were tasked with carrying out the council's orders. Their report of finding the prison empty, yet secure, emphasizes the miraculous nature of the apostles' escape.

Related Scriptures

The miraculous release of the apostles is a powerful testament to God's hand, reminiscent of other divine prison breaks in Scripture, such as Peter's later release in Acts 12 or Paul and Silas's deliverance in Acts 16.
This event sets the stage for the apostles' bold declaration of obeying God rather than men, which becomes a foundational principle for Christian witness under persecution.

Practical Application

Acts 5:22 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today that God is sovereign over all circumstances. When faced with opposition, persecution, or seemingly insurmountable obstacles, this verse encourages faith in God's ability to intervene, protect, and ensure that His purposes are fulfilled. It underscores that God's work cannot be ultimately stopped by human efforts, and that His people are often protected and empowered in unexpected ways to continue proclaiming His truth.

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.

No cross-references found for this verse.