Acts 5:23

KJV

Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

KJV (with Strong's)

Saying {G3004},{G3754} The prison {G1201} truly {G3303} found we {G2147} shut {G2808} with {G1722} all {G3956} safety {G803}, and {G2532} the keepers {G5441} standing {G2476} without {G1854} before {G4253} the doors {G2374}: but {G1161} when we had opened {G455}, we found {G2147} no man {G3762} within {G2080}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“We found the jail securely locked and the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened it, we found no one inside!”

Berean Standard Bible

“We found the jail securely locked, with the guards posted at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”

American Standard Version

saying, The prison-house we found shut in all safety, and the keepers standing at the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 5:23 records the bewildered report of the temple guards and officers sent by the Sanhedrin to retrieve the apostles from their prison cell. Despite finding the detention facility securely locked and the guards diligently stationed at their posts outside the doors, their astonishment is palpable as they discover the interior utterly empty, with no prisoners to be found. This verse dramatically highlights the inexplicable nature of the apostles' supernatural escape, setting the stage for further confrontation between divine power and human authority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial turning point in the unfolding narrative of Acts 5, immediately following the miraculous intervention of an angel who supernaturally opened the prison doors and released the apostles, instructing them to continue preaching the message of life in the temple ([Acts 5:19-20](/acts/5-19-20 "Angelic Release and Divine Command")). The Sanhedrin, unaware of this divine liberation, convenes in the morning, sending officers to bring the apostles before them. Acts 5:21-22 describes the officers' initial attempt to retrieve the apostles, only to find the prison doors still securely shut. Verse 23 then delivers their astonishing report, creating a moment of profound confusion and disbelief among the Jewish leaders, which ultimately leads to a renewed confrontation with the apostles, who are found publicly teaching in the temple courts ([Acts 5:25](/acts/5-25 "Apostles Found Preaching")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem, the heart of Jewish religious and political life, during the early days of the nascent Christian church. The Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish judicial and legislative body, held significant authority under Roman oversight. Prisons of this era, like the one likely used for the apostles, were typically secure stone structures, often with heavy, barred doors and multiple layers of security, including guards. The "keepers" (φύλαξ, _phýlax_) would have been temple guards, likely Levites, responsible for maintaining order and security within the temple precincts and its associated facilities. Their report of finding the prison "shut with all safety" underscores the human confidence in their security measures, making the apostles' disappearance an even greater affront to their authority and understanding.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Acts. The most prominent is **Divine Intervention and Sovereignty**, showcasing God's direct and irresistible hand in protecting His messengers and advancing His kingdom, overriding all human attempts to thwart His plan. It highlights the **Frustration of Opponents**, as the religious authorities are repeatedly baffled and undermined by undeniable evidence of God's power, leading to their increasing anger and confusion, as seen in their reaction in [Acts 5:33](/acts/5-33 "Sanhedrin's Fury"). The **Unstoppable Nature of the Gospel** is also vividly portrayed; despite arrests and imprisonment, the message of Jesus cannot be contained, demonstrating that God's word will prevail regardless of opposition. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **Apostolic Boldness and Obedience**, as the apostles, immediately upon release, return to their mission of preaching in the very place they were forbidden to speak ([Acts 5:20-21](/acts/5-20-21 "Obedience to Divine Command")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **prison (Greek, _desmōtḗrion'_):** This word refers to a "place of bondage," specifically a "dungeon." Its use here emphasizes the physical confinement and the human attempt to restrict the apostles' freedom and ministry. The fact that this "prison" was found empty underscores the miraculous nature of their escape, as it was a place designed for secure detainment.
* **safety (Greek, _aspháleia'_):** Derived from a word meaning "secure" or "unfailing," _aspháleia_ denotes "security," "certainty," or "stability." The phrase "shut with all safety" highlights the meticulousness and confidence of the human security measures. It signifies that from a human perspective, there was no way the prisoners could have escaped without external intervention or a breach of security, making the discovery of their absence profoundly perplexing.
* **found (Greek, _heurískō'_):** This verb means "to find," "get," "obtain," or "perceive." It implies a discovery, often unexpected or after a search. The repeated use of "found we" (once for the prison's state, once for the absence of men) emphasizes the officers' direct observation and the undeniable reality of what they encountered. The stark contrast between finding the prison perfectly secure and then finding "no man within" creates the dramatic tension of the verse.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety,"**: The officers begin their report, emphasizing the thoroughness of their initial observation. They confirm that the prison, the place of confinement for the apostles, was indeed "shut" (κλείω, _kleíō_, meaning "closed" or "locked") and secured "with all safety" (ἐν πάσῃ ἀσφαλείᾳ, _en pásē asphaleíā_), indicating that every precaution had been taken to ensure no escape. This sets up the dramatic irony of their subsequent discovery.
* **"and the keepers standing without before the doors:"**: This clause further solidifies the human perception of impregnable security. Not only was the prison itself locked, but the "keepers" (φύλαξ, _phýlax_, "watchers" or "sentries") were "standing without" (ἔξω, _éxō_, "outside") "before the doors" (πρὸ τῶν θυρῶν, _pro tōn thyrōn_), diligently fulfilling their duty. Their presence eliminates any possibility of a simple human oversight or a covert escape, making the subsequent revelation even more astonishing.
* **"but when we had opened, we found no man within."**: The conjunction "but" (δέ, _dé_) introduces a sharp contrast and the climactic revelation. Despite all the observed security measures and the presence of the guards, upon opening the doors, the officers "found no man within" (οὐδεὶς ἔσω, _oudeís ésō_). This is the core of their bewildered report, stating unequivocally that the prisoners were gone, leaving no trace and defying all logical explanation from a human standpoint.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 5:23 masterfully employs **Irony** and **Juxtaposition** to highlight the supernatural nature of the apostles' escape. The officers' meticulous report of the prison being "shut with all safety" and the "keepers standing without before the doors" sets up a strong expectation of secure containment. This detailed description of human diligence and impenetrable security is then immediately juxtaposed with the stark, baffling reality: "we found no man within." This creates a profound sense of irony, as the very measures designed to ensure security are rendered utterly ineffective by divine intervention. The contrast between the visible, tangible security and the invisible, inexplicable disappearance underscores the powerlessness of human authority against God's will. The phrase "no man within" also serves as a powerful **Understatement** for a miraculous event, making the divine act even more striking by presenting it through the lens of human bewilderment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 5:23 serves as a powerful testament to the sovereign power of God, demonstrating that no human barrier, no matter how securely constructed or diligently guarded, can ultimately thwart His divine purposes. This incident is not merely an escape; it is a divine liberation, underscoring God's active involvement in the lives of His servants and in the advancement of His kingdom. It reassures believers that even in the face of overwhelming opposition and seemingly insurmountable obstacles, God remains in control, capable of delivering His people and ensuring the unstoppable progress of His Gospel message. This event is a clear declaration that God's will transcends human limitations and expectations, affirming His ultimate authority over all earthly powers.

* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10-11 "God's Counsel Stands Forever")
* [Isaiah 43:13](/isaiah/43-13 "None Can Deliver from God's Hand")
* [Romans 8:31](/romans/8-31 "God Is For Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The bewildered report of the temple guards in Acts 5:23 offers profound encouragement and a vital perspective for believers today. It reminds us that our God is not bound by human limitations, security systems, or the schemes of those who oppose His will. When we face situations that seem utterly impossible, where every door is shut and every path is blocked, this verse calls us to remember that God's power transcends all human understanding and capability. It invites us to trust in His sovereign hand, knowing that He can open doors no man can shut and make a way where there seems to be no way. This should inspire us to live with greater boldness in our faith, knowing that the message of the Gospel, like the apostles themselves, cannot ultimately be imprisoned or silenced. Our mission, empowered by the same Spirit, is to continue proclaiming God's truth, confident that His purposes will prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "prisons" or seemingly insurmountable obstacles are you facing in your life or ministry today?**
* **How does the divine intervention in Acts 5:23 encourage you to trust God with impossible situations?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to rely on human security or strategies more than on God's sovereign power?**
* **How can this passage inspire greater boldness in sharing your faith, knowing the Gospel cannot be truly contained?**

### FAQ

**Why were the apostles in prison in the first place?**

Answer: The apostles were arrested by the High Priest and the Sadducees because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead, which greatly annoyed the religious authorities ([Acts 4:1-3](/acts/4-1-3 "Arrest of Peter and John")). Their bold proclamation of the resurrected Christ and the accompanying signs and wonders challenged the established order and the Sadducees' denial of a resurrection.

**How did the apostles escape from such a secure prison?**

Answer: The apostles did not escape by their own means. An angel of the Lord supernaturally opened the prison doors during the night, led them out, and instructed them to go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life ([Acts 5:19-20](/acts/5-19-20 "Angelic Release and Divine Command")). This was a direct divine intervention, not a human feat.

**What was the significance of the guards' report to the Sanhedrin?**

Answer: The guards' report in [Acts 5:23](/acts/5-23 "The Empty Prison Report") was highly significant because it confirmed the miraculous nature of the apostles' disappearance. By stating that the prison was "shut with all safety" and the "keepers standing without," they eliminated any natural explanation for the escape, such as a breach of security or negligence. This left the Sanhedrin utterly perplexed and frustrated, highlighting the undeniable power of God at work, which they could not comprehend or control ([Acts 5:24](/acts/5-24 "Sanhedrin's Perplexity")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 5:23, while describing a miraculous event in the early church, points to a deeper Christ-centered fulfillment by illustrating the ultimate triumph of God's redemptive plan over all human opposition and the power of death itself. The apostles' release from prison, defying all human security, foreshadows the greater reality of Christ's victory over the grave. Just as the prison could not hold the apostles, the tomb could not hold Jesus. His resurrection, the central message the apostles were proclaiming, is the ultimate "opening of doors" that no human or demonic force could prevent ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "God Raised Him Up")). The empty prison cell, reported with such bewilderment, echoes the empty tomb, which likewise confounded the guards and religious authorities ([Matthew 28:11-15](/matthew/28-11-15 "The Guards' Report")). This divine power, which freed the apostles, is the same power that raised Christ from the dead ([Ephesians 1:19-20](/ephesians/1-19-20 "God's Incomparably Great Power")). Therefore, Acts 5:23 is not just a story of a prison break, but a vivid demonstration of the unstoppable, life-giving power of the resurrected Christ, ensuring that His Gospel cannot be bound and His purposes will prevail until He returns as the triumphant King ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Jesus Holds the Keys of Death and Hades")).

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

Psalms 2:4

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

Psalms 33:10

The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.

Proverbs 21:30

¶ [There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

Daniel 6:22

My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

Daniel 6:24

And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast [them] into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

Acts 5:19

But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

Lamentations 3:55

¶ I called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon.