Acts 5:27

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} when they had brought {G71} them {G846}, they set {G2476} them before {G1722} the council {G4892}: and {G2532} the high priest {G749} asked {G1905} them {G846},

Complete Jewish Bible

They conducted them to the Sanhedrin, where the cohen hagadol demanded of them,

Berean Standard Bible

They brought them in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, where the high priest interrogated them.

American Standard Version

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 5:27 marks a pivotal moment where the apostles, having been miraculously freed from prison and found continuing their preaching ministry in the temple, are brought before the Jewish Sanhedrin. This verse sets the stage for a direct confrontation between the burgeoning Christian movement and the established religious authorities, as the high priest initiates a formal interrogation of the disciples for their continued proclamation of Jesus.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the miraculous intervention of an angel who opened the prison doors for the apostles and instructed them to continue preaching the "words of this life" in the temple (Acts 5:19-20). Despite their escape, the Sanhedrin, unaware of the divine intervention, discovered the empty prison cells (Acts 5:22-23). While deliberating, news arrived that the apostles were back in the temple, teaching the people (Acts 5:25). The temple officers, fearing the people, brought them without force (Acts 5:26). Acts 5:27 thus initiates the formal questioning by the high priest and the council, setting up Peter's bold declaration of obedience to God rather than men in [Acts 5:29](/acts/5-29 "Acts 5:29 - Obedience to God").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "council" refers to the Sanhedrin (_synédrion_), the supreme Jewish judicial and religious body in Jerusalem, comprised of 71 members including the high priest, chief priests, elders, and scribes. This body held significant authority over Jewish religious and civil life under Roman oversight, though capital punishment required Roman approval. Being brought before the Sanhedrin was a grave matter, signifying a formal trial or interrogation that could lead to severe consequences. The high priest, likely Caiaphas, was a Sadducee, a sect that denied the resurrection of the dead, putting them in direct theological opposition to the apostles' core message of Jesus' resurrection.
* **Key Themes:** This passage highlights several key themes central to the book of Acts. Firstly, **Divine Sovereignty and Protection** is evident in the miraculous prison break (Acts 5:19), demonstrating God's active involvement in protecting His messengers and advancing His mission. Secondly, **Apostolic Boldness and Obedience** shines through the apostles' immediate return to preaching despite previous warnings (Acts 4:18) and recent imprisonment, showcasing their unwavering commitment to the angel's command to "speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life" ([Acts 5:20](/acts/5-20 "Acts 5:20 - Angel's Command to Preach")). Thirdly, the **Conflict Between Kingdom Values** is starkly portrayed as the established religious authority, driven by human tradition and power, confronts the Spirit-empowered movement of God. This confrontation serves as a platform for **Witness Under Persecution**, fulfilling Jesus' prophetic words that His disciples would be brought before rulers and kings for His sake ([Matthew 10:18](/matthew/10-18 "Matthew 10:18 - Witness Before Authorities")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **brought (Greek, _ágō'_):** G71. This verb signifies the act of leading or bringing, often implying a compelled movement under authority. Here, it describes the temple officers escorting the apostles from the temple courts, where they were preaching, to the formal setting of the Sanhedrin. It highlights the transition from their public ministry to a forced appearance before their accusers.
* **set (Greek, _hístēmi'_):** G2476. Meaning "to stand" or "to present," this word emphasizes the formal placement of the apostles before the council. It denotes their position as those being accused or interrogated, standing directly in the presence of their judges and accusers, ready for examination.
* **council (Greek, _synédrion'_):** G4892. This term specifically refers to the Jewish Sanhedrin, the supreme judicial and religious court. Its use underscores the gravity and official nature of the proceedings, indicating that the apostles were facing the highest religious and legal authority in Judea.
* **asked (Greek, _eperōtáō'_):** G1905. This verb means "to ask for," "to inquire," or "to question." It indicates the initiation of a formal interrogation by the high priest, signifying a direct and official inquiry into the apostles' actions and teachings, setting the stage for their defense.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when they had brought them":** This clause refers to the temple officers and their attendants who, having located the apostles preaching in the temple, gently but firmly escorted them away. It marks the moment of transition from the apostles' public ministry to their forced appearance before the Jewish authorities.
* **"they set [them] before the council":** This describes the formal act of presenting the apostles to the Sanhedrin. The phrase "set them before" implies a position of being accused or on trial, standing directly in front of the supreme Jewish court, composed of the high priest, elders, and scribes.
* **"and the high priest asked them":** This identifies the primary interrogator, likely Caiaphas, and the immediate initiation of the questioning. The high priest, acting as the presiding judge or chief prosecutor, begins the formal inquiry into the apostles' activities and message, signaling the direct confrontation from the religious establishment.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs **Foreshadowing** as it sets the stage for the apostles' bold defense and Peter's iconic declaration in the verses that follow, hinting at the escalating conflict between the nascent Christian movement and the Jewish authorities. There is a strong element of **Dramatic Irony**, as the Sanhedrin, in their attempt to suppress the apostles, unwittingly provide them with a public platform to proclaim the gospel, thus serving God's purposes. The scene also functions as a **Trial Motif**, a recurring narrative pattern in Acts where the apostles are repeatedly brought before various authorities, providing them with opportunities to bear witness to Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 5:27 powerfully illustrates the early church's unwavering commitment to God's command, even when it directly conflicts with human authority. This scene underscores the perennial tension between divine truth and human institutions, a conflict that resonates throughout biblical history. The Sanhedrin's attempt to silence the apostles mirrors their earlier efforts to suppress Jesus' ministry, highlighting the continuity of opposition to God's redemptive work. Yet, it simultaneously reveals God's sovereign hand, using even persecution as a means to provide platforms for the gospel's proclamation. The apostles' courage, bolstered by their recent miraculous deliverance, serves as a profound testament to the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, enabling them to stand firm and speak truth to power.
* [Acts 4:18-20](/acts/4-18-20 "Acts 4:18-20 - Peter and John's First Trial")
* [Matthew 10:16-20](/matthew/10-16-20 "Matthew 10:16-20 - Jesus' Warning about Persecution")
* [John 15:20](/john/15-20 "John 15:20 - Persecution of Disciples")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 5:27 presents a compelling challenge for believers today. The apostles, fresh from a miraculous divine intervention, did not retreat into safety or anonymity but immediately returned to their mission, demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to the Great Commission. This passage compels us to examine our own priorities: are we willing to stand for Christ and His truth, even when it brings us into conflict with prevailing societal norms, professional expectations, or even legal pressures? Our ultimate allegiance must always be to God's will, superseding human commands when they contradict divine principles. This scene encourages us to cultivate a courage rooted not in our own strength or cleverness, but in the profound conviction of God's active presence and power, trusting that He will provide the necessary words and fortitude when we are called to account for our faith in a hostile world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the apostles' immediate return to preaching after their miraculous release challenge my own understanding of obedience and courage in ministry?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to prioritize human approval or comfort over divine command?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's protection and provision when facing opposition for my faith?**

### FAQ
**Who was "the high priest" mentioned in Acts 5:27?**

Answer: The high priest at this time was Caiaphas, who held the office from approximately AD 18 to AD 36. He was a prominent Sadducee and had previously presided over the trial of Jesus ([Matthew 26:57-68](/matthew/26-57-68 "Matthew 26:57-68 - Jesus Before Caiaphas")) and the initial interrogation of Peter and John in [Acts 4](/acts/4 "Acts 4 - Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin"). His role here signifies the continued opposition of the established religious leadership to the burgeoning Christian movement.

**What was the "council" referred to in this verse?**

Answer: The "council" was the Sanhedrin (Greek: _synédrion_), the supreme Jewish judicial and religious body in Jerusalem. Composed of 71 members, including the high priest, chief priests, elders, and scribes, it exercised significant authority over Jewish religious and civil life under Roman rule. Being brought before the Sanhedrin meant facing the highest legal and religious authority in Judea, indicating the gravity of the charges against the apostles.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 5:27, though a narrative detail of the apostles' arrest, profoundly points to Christ in its echoes of His own trials and in the ongoing mission He inaugurated. Just as the apostles were "brought" and "set before the council" to be questioned by the high priest, so too was Jesus Himself brought before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, facing interrogation and false accusations ([Matthew 26:57-66](/matthew/26-57-66 "Matthew 26:57-66 - Jesus Before the Sanhedrin")). The apostles' steadfastness and willingness to speak truth to power, even unto persecution, is a direct continuation of Christ's own unwavering witness before the same authorities. Their miraculous release from prison (Acts 5:19) and subsequent boldness are testaments to the power of the resurrected Christ, who promised His disciples that He would be with them and give them words when they stood before rulers ([Matthew 10:19-20](/matthew/10-19-20 "Matthew 10:19-20 - The Holy Spirit's Guidance in Trials")). Their very presence before the Sanhedrin, empowered by the Holy Spirit, served as a living testimony to the resurrection of Jesus, the central truth that the Sadducees, including the high priest, vehemently rejected. Thus, this verse is not merely about the apostles' trial, but about the continuing confrontation between the Kingdom of God, embodied in Christ and His Spirit-filled followers, and the powers of this world, a confrontation that ultimately finds its resolution in Christ's ultimate victory.

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

Matthew 5:22

But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Acts 6:12

And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon [him], and caught him, and brought [him] to the council,

Acts 4:7

And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

Acts 22:30

On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from [his] bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.

Acts 23:1

¶ And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men [and] brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

Luke 22:66

And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,