Acts 5:23

:17-26 17. And the high priest rose, and all that were with him, that is to say, the sect of the Sadducees, and were. filled with zeal, [or indignation.] 18. And they laid hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. 19. And the angel of the Lord opened the door of the prison in the night season, and bringing them out, said, 20. Go, and standing, speak in the temple unto the people all the word, of this life. 21. When they heard this early in the morning, they entered into the temple and taught. But when the high priest came, and those which were with him, they called a council, and all the whole senate of the children of Israel, and sent into the common prison to fetch them. 22. But when the ministers came, they found them not. Therefore they returned and told, saying, 23. The prison truly found we shut with all diligence, and the keepers standing at the door; but when the prison was opened, we found none within. 24. When the chief priest, and the captain of the temple, and the priests, heard these sayings, they doubted of these things, what this would be. 25. Furthermore, a certain man coming told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye had put in prison stand in the temple, teaching the people. 26. Then the captain going with the ministers, brought them without violence. For they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 17.

5:17-25 There is no prison so dark, so strong, but God can visit his people in it, and, if he pleases, fetch them out. Recoveries from sickness, releases out of trouble, are granted, not that we may enjoy the comforts of life, but that God may be honoured with the services of our life. It is not for the preachers of Christ's gospel to retire into corners, as long as they can have any opportunity of preaching in the great congregation. They must preach to the lowest, whose souls are as precious to Christ as the souls of the greatest. Speak to all, for all are concerned. Speak as those who resolve to stand to it, to live and die by it. Speak all the words of this heavenly, divine life, in comparison with which the present earthly life does not deserve the name. These words of life, which the Holy Ghost puts into your mouth. The words of the gospel are the words of life; words whereby we may be saved. How wretched are those who are vexed at the success of the gospel! They cannot but see that the word and power of the Lord are against them; and they tremble for the consequences, yet they will go on.

Saying, the prison truly found we shut with all safety,.... Locked, barred and bolted; and the keepers standing without before the doors; both inner and outer in their proper places, diligently discharging their office: but when we had opened we found no man within; that is, none of the apostles, for there might be other prisoners in it, who were not released by this means.

All means imaginable were used to secure their prisoners; but when God will deliver, what can keep them? When God will work, who can hinder? Job 11:10 . It is strange, that so great evidence of the innocence of the apostles, and truth of their doctrine, should be ineffectual; but prejudice is insuperable, unless to the mighty power of the grace of God; and this blindness cannot be cured, but by God’s Ephphatha.

Verse 23. - Prison-house for prison , A.V., as in ver. 21; we found shut in all safety for truly found we shut with all safety , A.V. at the doors for without before the doors , A.V. and T.R. But the within at the end of the verse seems to require the without of the T.R. Acts 5:23

Found we shut - It had not been broken open; and there was therefore clear proof that they had been delivered by the interposition of God. Nor could they have been released by the guard, for they were keeping watch, as if unconscious that anything had happened, and the officers had the only means of entering the prison.

Acts 5:23 . ἐν πάσῃ ἀσφαλείᾳ , “in all safety,” R.V. (not cum omni diligentia , Vulgate); “in omni firmitate,” Flor.; in LXX generally μετά with genitive; cf. 2Ma 3:22 ; 2Ma 15:1 , μετὰ πάσης ἀσφ . The Vulgate is misleading; the words mean not that the prison had been carefully shut, but that it was found in a state of perfect security.

[Bible] 5:23. Saying: The prison indeed we found shut with all diligence, and the keepers standing before the door: but opening it, we found no man within. 5:24. Now when the officer of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were in doubt concerning them, what would come to pass. 5:25. But one came and told them: Behold, the men whom you put in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people. 5:26. Then went the officer with the ministers and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 5:27. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 5:28. Saying: Commanding, we commanded you that you should not teach in this name. And behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine: and you have a mind to bring the blood of this man upon us. 5:29. But Peter and the apostles answering, said: We ought to obey God rather than men. 5:30. The God of our fathers hath raised up Jesus, whom you put to death, hanging him upon a tree. 5:31. Him hath God exalted with his right hand, to be Prince and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and remission of sins. 5:32. And we are witnesses of these things: and the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to all that obey him. 5:33. When they had heard these things, they were cut to the heart: and they thought to put them to death. 5:34. But one in the council rising up, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, respected by all the people, commanded the men to be put forth a little while. 5:35. And he said to them: Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do, as touching these men. 5:36. For before these days rose up Theodas, affirming himself to be somebody, to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves. Who was slain: and all that believed him were scattered and brought to nothing.