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Author: Ron Graham

Book of Acts

Acts 5:17-42
—Verse by verse

A verse by verse study of Acts 5:17-42. These verses describe how the apostles were arrested and jailed but miraculously escaped and kept on preaching Jesus.

The Apostles Arrested and Jailed

Acts 5:17-21

¶“17The high priest and his fellow leaders from the sect of the Sadducees were filled with jealousy. 18They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.” (Acts 5:17-18).

¶“19However an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors during the night. The angel brought them outside and said, 20'Go stand in the temple and continue to tell the people the whole message of life.' 21As soon as they heard this, they went into the temple and taught. It was dawn. When high priest and his associates came, they called the Sanhedrin together, and all the eldership of the children of Israel. They then sent officers to the prison to fetch the apostles.” (Acts 5:19-21).

1 Jealousy and Fear

Verses 17-18

¶ "The high priest and his fellow leaders from the sect of the Sadducees were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail." (Acts 5:17-18).

Verses 19-21

¶ "However an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors during the night. The angel brought them outside and said, 'Go stand in the temple and continue to tell the people the whole message of life.' As soon as they heard this, they went into the temple and taught. It was dawn. When high priest and his associates came, they called the Sanhedrin together, and all the eldership of the children of Israel. They then sent officers to the prison to fetch the apostles." (Acts 5:19-21).

Acts 5:22-33

¶“22When the officers didn't find the apostles in the prison, they returned and 23said, 'We found the prison shut and secure. The guards were on duty at the doors, but when we opened the doors we found no one inside.' 24When the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard this report, they were quite disturbed about the apostles and what these events might turn into. 25Then someone came and told the council, 'Take note: the men you jailed are standing in the temple and teaching the people.' 26The captain went with the officers to the temple, and brought the apostles to the council. This was done without violence, because the officers were afraid that the people might stone them.” (Acts 5:22-26).

¶“27The officers brought the apostles before the council. The high priest questioned them, 28'Didn't we strictly command you not to teach in this name? Look! You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood on us.' 29But Peter and the apostles replied, 'We must obey God rather than men. 30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, after you killed him by hanging him on a tree. 31God exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to grant to Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. 32We are his witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.' 33Hearing this, the council felt like their hearts were cut with a saw. They determined to put the apostles to death.” (Acts 5:27-33).

2 Prejudice and Fear

Verses 22-25

¶ "The officers didn't find the apostles in the prison, so they returned and said, 'We found the prison shut and secure. The guards were on duty at the doors, but when we opened the doors we found no one inside.' When the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard this report, they were quite disturbed about the apostles and what these events might turn into. Then someone came and told the council, 'Take note: the men you jailed are standing in the temple and teaching the people.'  " (Acts 5:22-25).

Verse 26

¶ "The captain went with the officers to the temple, and brought the apostles to the council. This was done without violence, because the officers were afraid that the people might stone them." (Acts 5:26).

Verses 27-28

¶ "The officers brought the apostles before the council. The high priest questioned them, 'Didn't we strictly command you not to teach in this name? Look! You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood on us.' " (Acts 5:27-28).

Verses 29-33

¶ "But Peter and the apostles replied, 'We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, after you killed him by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a, to grant to Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are his witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.' Hearing this, the council felt like their hearts were cut with a saw. They determined to put the apostles to death." (Acts 5:29-33).

Acts 5:34-42

¶“34But a member of the council stood up. He was a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people. He gave a command to have the apostles put outside for a little while. 35Then he said to the council, 'You men of Israel, be careful concerning these men. Think about what you are doing. 36For before this present time, Theudas rose up, making himself out to be somebody. He got a following of about four hundred men. He was slain and his followers were dispersed. That came to nothing. 37After him, there was Judas of Galilee who rose up at the time of the census. He drew away some people after him, but he likewise perished, and his followers were scattered. 38Now I tell you, withdraw from these men, and leave them alone. For if theirs is the counsel or work of men, it will be overthrown. 39If it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it, and you would be seen to fight against God!' ” (Acts 5:34-39).

¶“40The council agreed with Gamaliel. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus. Then they let them go. 41So the apostles left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’s name. 42Every day, in the temple and in various homes, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ.” (Acts 5:40-42).

3 Wisdom and Humility

Verses 34-35

¶ "But a member of the council stood up. He was a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people. He gave a command to have the apostles put outside for a little while. Then he said to the council, 'You men of Israel, be careful concerning these men. Think about what you are doing.' " (Acts 5:34-35).

Verses 36-37

¶ " 'For before this present time, Theudas rose up, making himself out to be somebody. He got a following of about four hundred men. He was slain and his followers were dispersed. That came to nothing. After him, there was Judas of Galilee who rose up at the time of the census. He drew away some people after him, but he likewise perished, and his followers were scattered.' " (Acts 5:36-37).

Verses 38-39

¶ " 'Now I tell you, withdraw from these men, and leave them alone. For if theirs is the counsel or work of men, it will be overthrown. If it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it, and you would be seen to fight against God!' " (Acts 5:38-39).

Verses 40-42

¶ "The council agreed with Gamaliel. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus. Then they let them go. So the apostles left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’s name. Every day, in the temple and in various homes, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ." (Acts 5:40-42).


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