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Session 20 Apostolic Signs and Open Prison Doors

Before You Read

Big idea: The apostles work signs among the people in Jerusalem, and multitudes of believers are added to the Lord. The high priest and his associates imprison the apostles. An angel releases them and commands them to resume teaching in the temple.

Where we resume: Acts 5:1-11 ended with great fear after the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira. Luke now describes the public ministry of the apostles and the response to it.

Read alongside: Acts 3:1-16 and 4:18-31. The apostles had been forbidden to teach in Jesus' name; the believers had prayed for boldness and signs.

Four movements to keep watching

Signs and growth (vv. 12-16): The people esteem the apostles, believers are added to the Lord, and all the sick and afflicted people brought to them are healed.
Arrest and release (vv. 17-20): The high priest's party imprisons the apostles; an angel opens the doors and directs their witness.
Teaching resumes (vv. 21-25): The council expects prisoners, while the apostles are already teaching in the temple.
Before the council (v. 26): The officers bring them without violence, setting up the hearing that follows.

The ministry in view: This is the Twelve's witness in Israel's prophetic kingdom setting. Jerusalem, the temple, apostolic signs, and Israel's leaders remain central. Paul's later epistles give his instructions to the body of Christ.

Acts 5:12

And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.

What does the passage say?

Many signs and wonders occur among the people through the apostles' hands.
The company gathers with one accord in Solomon's porch, within the temple setting.
The KJV opens a parenthesis here that closes in verse 14. Verse 15 continues the statement about the signs and wonders.

Words to notice

Wrought - Worked or performed.
Solomon's porch - A covered colonnade in the temple precincts.

Cross-references worth marking

Acts 3:11 - The people gathered at Solomon's porch after the lame man's healing.
Acts 4:29-30 - The believers asked for bold speech and signs through Jesus' name.

Key observation

Luke identifies the apostles as the instruments of these signs.

Acts 5:13

And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

What does the passage say?

No one among "the rest" dared join them.
The people hold the apostles in high regard.
Verse 11 reports the great fear that followed the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira.

Words to notice

Durst - Dared.
Join himself - Attach himself closely.
Magnified - Esteemed or held in honor.

Cross-references worth marking

Acts 5:11 - Great fear reaches the assembly and those who hear about the judgment.
Acts 5:14 - Multitudes of believers are added to the Lord.

Key observation

Verses 13-14 describe public esteem for the apostles alongside a growing number of believers.

Acts 5:14

And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

What does the passage say?

Increasing numbers of believers are added to the Lord.
Luke expressly includes both men and women among these multitudes.
Multitudes continue to believe after the judgment of Ananias and Sapphira.

Words to notice

The more - Increasingly; in greater numbers.
To the Lord - The believers are joined to the Lord Himself.

Cross-references worth marking

Acts 2:41, 47 - Earlier additions to the Jerusalem company.
Acts 8:12 - Men and women believe Philip's preaching concerning the kingdom of God and Jesus Christ's name.

Key observation

These multitudes are added to the Lord during the apostles' ministry in Jerusalem.

Acts 5:15

Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

What does the passage say?

People place the sick on beds and couches in the streets where Peter will pass.
They bring the sick so that at least Peter's shadow might fall upon some of them.
"Insomuch" connects this public response with the signs in verse 12, following the parenthesis in verses 12-14.

Words to notice

Insomuch that - So that; the result was that.
Might overshadow - Might fall as a shadow upon them.

Cross-references worth marking

Acts 3:12, 16 - Peter attributes the lame man's healing to Jesus' name and faith in His name.
Acts 19:11-12 - God later works special miracles through Paul.

Key observation

The people place the sick along Peter's route. Verse 16 records the complete healing of those brought from the surrounding cities.

Acts 5:16

There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

What does the passage say?

People also come from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem.
They bring sick people and those afflicted by unclean spirits.
All the sick and afflicted people brought from the surrounding cities are healed.

Words to notice

Vexed - Troubled or afflicted.
Unto Jerusalem - The movement is toward the city where the apostles are witnessing.
Every one - All the sick and afflicted people brought to the apostles.

Cross-references worth marking

Luke 6:17-19 - Jesus heals the multitude, including those troubled by unclean spirits.
2 Timothy 4:20 - Paul later leaves Trophimus sick at Miletum.

Key observation

Luke names both sickness and affliction by unclean spirits. Every person brought is healed.

Acts 5:17

Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

What does the passage say?

The high priest and his associates rise against the apostolic ministry.
Luke identifies this party with the Sadducees.
They are filled with indignation as the apostles' ministry attracts public attention.

Words to notice

Sect - A party or group.
Indignation - Heated zeal or jealousy in this hostile setting.

Cross-references worth marking

Acts 4:1-2 - Sadducees oppose the preaching of resurrection through Jesus.
Acts 23:8 - Luke identifies the Sadducees' denial of resurrection, angel, and spirit.

Key observation

The council also includes Pharisees. Gamaliel is identified as a Pharisee in verse 34.

Acts 5:18

And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

What does the passage say?

The authorities seize the apostles and place them in public custody.
Chapter 4 described the arrest of Peter and John; this account speaks more broadly of "the apostles."
The arrest follows the signs and the addition of multitudes of believers.

Words to notice

Laid their hands on - Arrested.
Common prison - Public prison or custody.

Cross-references worth marking

Acts 4:3 - The earlier detention after the healing at the temple.
Luke 21:12-13 - Jesus foretells imprisonment and hearings that become occasions for testimony.

Key observation

The apostles through whom signs were worked in verse 12 are now arrested by the authorities.

Acts 5:19

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

What does the passage say?

An angel of the Lord opens the prison doors at night and leads the apostles out.
Luke tells us the cause of their release before describing the officers' discovery.
The angel's speech continues in verse 20 and explains what the apostles are to do next.

Words to notice

But - God's intervention changes the situation created by the arrest.
The angel of the Lord - A heavenly messenger sent by the Lord.

Cross-references worth marking

Acts 12:7-11 - An angel later leads Peter out of prison.
Acts 12:1-2 - Herod kills James before the account of Peter's release in the same chapter.

Key observation

The angel releases the apostles and sends them back to speak in the temple. His command follows in verse 20.

Acts 5:20

Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

What does the passage say?

The angel commands the apostles to go, stand, and speak.
They are to return to the temple and address the people openly.
They must speak "all the words of this life." Release returns them to the testimony the authorities tried to suppress.

Words to notice

Stand and speak - Resume public witness.
This life - The life associated with the risen Lord and the message proclaimed.

Cross-references worth marking

Acts 4:18-20 - The council had forbidden teaching in Jesus' name; the apostles appealed to God's authority.
Luke 24:46-49 - The risen Lord commissions witness beginning at Jerusalem.

Key observation

The angel's command provides the basis for the apostles' answer in verse 29. Their witness concerns the risen Jesus and repentance and forgiveness to Israel (vv. 30-31).

Acts 5:21

And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

What does the passage say?

The apostles hear the command, enter the temple early, and teach.
Meanwhile, the high priest convenes the council and Israel's elders.
The authorities send for the prisoners without knowing that the men are already teaching in public.

Words to notice

When they heard that - Their action directly answers verse 20.
Senate of the children of Israel - Israel's body of elders.
Temple - The public areas of Jerusalem's temple complex.

Cross-references worth marking

Acts 5:20 - The command specifies both their speech and its location.
Acts 5:25 - The council will learn where the apostles are and what they are doing.

Key observation

The apostles are teaching in the temple while the council prepares for their hearing.

Acts 5:22

But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told,

What does the passage say?

The officers arrive at the prison and find the apostles absent.
They return to the council and report their discovery.
Verses 22-23 form one connected report; verse 23 gives the officers' words.

Words to notice

Officers - Attendants carrying out the authorities' orders.
Found them not - The apostles were absent when the officers arrived.

Cross-references worth marking

Acts 5:19 - Luke has already told the reader how the apostles were released.
Acts 5:23 - The officers explain what they found at the doors and inside.

Key observation

The officers report the empty prison. Luke has already described the angel's intervention in verse 19.

Acts 5:23

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.

What does the passage say?

The prison is secure and the guards are stationed outside the doors.
When the officers open it, they find no one within.
The appearance of effective custody contrasts with the apostles' actual absence.

Words to notice

With all safety - Securely shut.
Without before the doors - Outside, in front of the doors.

Cross-references worth marking

Acts 5:19 - The angel opened the doors and brought the apostles out.
Acts 12:18-19 - A later release also leaves guards unable to explain what happened.

Key observation

The angel opens the doors in verse 19; the officers later find them securely shut in verse 23.

Acts 5:24

Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.

What does the passage say?

The priestly authorities and temple captain hear the report.
They are perplexed about the men and what this affair may lead to.
The council has sent for the prisoners and now hears that the prison is empty.

Words to notice

Doubted - Were at a loss or perplexed in this context.
Whereunto this would grow - What would come of this; how the matter would develop.

Cross-references worth marking

Acts 4:16-17 - The rulers previously struggled to suppress a publicly known miracle.
Acts 5:25 - The next report reveals that the released apostles are teaching.

Key observation

The leaders' question about what will happen next comes between two reports: the prison is empty, and the apostles are teaching in the temple.

Acts 5:25

Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

What does the passage say?

Someone reports that the men put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.
The apostles remain in Jerusalem and continue their public witness.
The report describes the very conduct the angel commanded in verse 20.

Words to notice

Behold - Pay attention to this surprising fact.
Whom ye put in prison - The report reminds the council of its own recent action.
Standing ... teaching - The command is now being visibly carried out.

Cross-references worth marking

Acts 5:20-21 - The command and the apostles' response.
Acts 4:20 - Peter and John had declared their resolve to speak what they had seen and heard.

Key observation

The central issue remains the witness. The empty prison matters because the released men are again speaking the message.

Acts 5:26

Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

What does the passage say?

The temple captain and officers bring the apostles without violence.
The officers fear being stoned by the people.
Their restraint reflects concern about the crowd.

Words to notice

The captain - The temple captain already named in verse 24.
They feared the people - The officers fear the public reaction.
Without violence - Describes this transfer. Verse 40 will record a beating later in the hearing.

Cross-references worth marking

Acts 4:21 - Public praise after a healing had previously restrained the rulers.
Luke 20:19 - Leaders seeking to seize Jesus also feared the people.

Key observation

Verse 26 brings the apostles toward the council. Verses 27-29 open the hearing with the high priest's question and the apostles' answer.

Text And Translation Helps

The parenthesis in verses 12-14: Verse 15 continues the statement about signs in verse 12. The intervening clauses describe the gathering, public esteem, and increasing belief.
Durst and magnified in verse 13: These mean dared and held in honor.
Might overshadow in verse 15: The phrase describes the people's purpose in placing the sick along Peter's route. Verse 16 reports that all those brought from the surrounding cities were healed.
Indignation in verse 17: The Greek word is zelos, zeal or jealousy. Here it describes the leaders' hostility toward the apostles.
Common and without in verses 18 and 23: Common means public; without means outside. These ordinary older senses clarify the prison report.
The high priest in verse 24: The KJV includes "the high priest" at the beginning of this verse, following the Textus Receptus. The SBL Greek New Testament omits this reference. Both Greek texts include the temple captain and chief priests. See the Greek texts of Acts 5:24.
Doubted in verse 24: The leaders are perplexed about the outcome of the affair.

Session Summary

The apostles' signs authenticate the public witness, and believers continue to be added to the Lord.
All the sick and afflicted people brought to Jerusalem are healed.
The high priest's party responds by imprisoning the apostles.
An angel releases them with a command to resume public temple teaching.
The officers find secure doors and an empty prison, then learn that the men are teaching again.
Concern about the people restrains the officers as they bring the apostles before the council.

For Long-Term Study

Mark these themes as Acts unfolds

Apostolic signs and the witness they confirm: Acts 2:43; 3:6-16; 4:29-31; 5:12-16; 19:11-12.
Commands to speak and attempts to silence: Acts 1:8; 4:18-20; 5:20, 28-29, 40-42.
Deliverance and suffering in the same history: Acts 5:19, 40; 12:1-11; 16:22-28.
Jerusalem and Israel's leaders: Acts 3:12; 4:5-12; 5:21, 27-32.

Questions to keep asking

Through whom are the signs worked in verse 12, and where is the group gathered?
What do verses 13-14 say about public esteem, fear of joining, and increasing belief?
What does verse 15 report about the people's expectation, and what does verse 16 explicitly report about the outcome?
Why is Jerusalem still important in this passage?
What does the angel command after releasing the apostles, and how does verse 21 answer that command?
How does the officers' report in verse 23 compare with Luke's account of the release in verse 19?
Why do the officers bring the apostles without violence, and how does the hearing begin in verses 27-28?

One sentence to remember

God confirms the apostles' Jerusalem witness with signs, releases them from prison, and sends them back to speak while opposition continues.

Teaching text: Acts 5:12-26, King James Version.

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