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Acts 5:27

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

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},

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

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

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

Commentary

Acts 5:27 (KJV): And when they had brought them, they set [them] before the council: and the high priest asked them,

Context

This verse continues the unfolding events in Acts chapter 5, where the apostles' miraculous healing and preaching ministry in Jerusalem led to their arrest by the high priest and the Sadducees. Despite a previous command not to teach in Jesus' name (see Acts 4:18), they continued their work, resulting in many conversions. Miraculously freed from prison by an angel who instructed them to continue preaching in the temple (Acts 5:20), they were found doing just that. This verse describes their re-arrest and being brought before the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish council, setting the stage for a crucial confrontation.

Key Themes

  • Confrontation with Authority: The apostles are brought face-to-face with the highest religious and judicial body in Judaism.
  • Persistence in Ministry: Despite imprisonment and release, they immediately resumed preaching, demonstrating their unwavering commitment.
  • Divine Protection and Guidance: Their miraculous release by an angel highlights God's involvement and protection over their work.
  • The High Priest's Role: The high priest initiates the questioning, representing the established religious system's opposition to the gospel message.

Linguistic Insights

The term "council" refers to the Sanhedrin, the Jewish supreme court, composed of chief priests, elders, and scribes. Being brought before this body signifies a formal legal and religious proceeding against the apostles.

Reflection

Acts 5:27 is a pivotal moment, marking a direct challenge from the religious establishment to the burgeoning Christian movement. It underscores the courage of the apostles, who, empowered by the Holy Spirit and having experienced divine intervention, stood ready to give an account of their actions and beliefs before those who held earthly power over them. This scene sets up their famous declaration of obedience to God rather than men (Acts 5:29).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 5:22 (3 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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 (2 votes)

    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,