A STUDY GUIDE ACTS 5:17-42
1. A Study Guide
a) A study guide of Acts of the Apostles. It is intended to be expository — to explain and bring out the meaning of the original text. You may use this for your personal bible study or even group bible study.
2. Acts 5:17-42
a) The verses describe how the apostles were arrested and jailed but miraculously escaped and kept on preaching Jesus.
#1) Acts 5:17-18
17 But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. 18 They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail.
i) Sadducees. These are the same temple officials who jailed the apostles previously (Acts 4:1-3). The Sadducees were a powerful sect of the Jews. Sadducees did not believe in spirits, angels, or in any resurrection of the dead (Acts 23:8).
ii) Put them in the public prison. Freedom of speech was not on the Sanhedrin’s agenda. They had told the apostles previously to stop preaching Jesus. Now the apostles are thrown into the public jail to await another trial before the Sanhedrin.
iii) Filled with jealousy. The officials might have been more prudent to detain the apostles in private custody. That would attracted less public attention. But blind zeal and jealousy causes even men of stature to rush in and act unwisely.
#2) Acts 5:19-21
19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said, 20 “Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life.” 21 Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach.
i) An angel of the Lord. God’s angels are "ministering spirits sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation" (Hebrews 1:13-14). On this occasion the “service” was to spring the apostles from prison in the dead of night. The angel managed to open the doors and shepherd the apostles out without the guards noticing, and to leave the prison doors shut and secure. Assuming the apostles were still inside the jail, the Sanhedrin convenes and sends officers to fetch the prisoners.
ii) All the words of life. The apostles had not been able to finish their work in the temple. Many people had heard part of the message of eternal life but not all of it. So God didn't tolerate this interruption. The angel sent the apostles back to the temple to teach all of the message.
iii) What, no breakfast? The apostles went straight from jail to the temple. It was dawn when they got there and resumed their preaching. Nothing is said about taking time for a meal. Maybe they were content to work without eating, as Jesus once said, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work" (John 4:33-34).
iv) Meanwhile, back at the Sanhedrin’s assembly...
#3) Acts 5:22-26
22 But the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported back, 23 saying, “We found the prison house locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we had opened up, we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what would come of this. 25 But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” 26 Then the captain went along with the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned).
i) No one inside. The officers found nobody in the cell, yet to all appearances nobody had left it. How could twelve apostles disappear? The dumbfounded council was no doubt relieved when an informer came in with the news that the apostles were back at work in the temple teaching the dawn worshipers. At least this was something the council could act upon.
ii) The captain went with the officers. To try to stop the fiasco worsening, the captain of the officers went with his men to oversee bringing the apostles in; he saw to it that a tidy job was done with the least fuss.
iii) Afraid of being stoned. The apostles were "teaching the people" and the people did not appreciate heavy handed interference with their teachers’ work. This was now the third arrest. The people would no doubt protest, and the protest could become a stone-throwing riot to overwhelm the officers, further embarrass the Sanhedrin, and raise the apostles’ public profile greatly.
#4) Acts 5:27-32
27 When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. 31 He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
i) Strictly commanded you. The apostles had defied the order of the Sanhedrin. But instead of answering “yes” to the high priest’s rhetorical question, Peter appeals to a higher authority. "We must obey God". The Sanhedrin seemed to have forgotten that God’s authority was higher than theirs. So Peter reminds them with these facts: they had killed Jesus; God had raised him up. Whom should the apostles obey? The religious leaders who had Jesus crucified, or the God who raised him back to life?
ii) To grant repentance and forgiveness. Some people make an argument that repentance, like forgiveness, is not something you do, but something God grants to you. However it has twice been recorded that Peter preached repentance as a commandment (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19). Peter told the people it was what they needed to do —he was responding to their question, "What must we do?" (Acts 2:37-38). So God does the forgiving; God doesn't do the repenting. God grants repentance in the sense that he provides the opportunity to repent (Revelation 2:21), and through the message shows people their need to repent. This is the grace and mercy of God.
iii) God of our fathers. The expression “the God of our fathers” is short for "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" (Mark 12:26-27).
iv) Prince and Savior. In Isaiah 9:6, the child to be born "will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Peter is speaking to people who knew the scriptures. They would take Peter to be claiming that Jesus is God. They would also remember that the Christ is described as "Messiah the Prince" (Daniel 9:25), and interpret Peter as claiming that they had killed their Messiah.
v) The Apostles as witnesses. Each of the apostles had seen, heard, and touched, the risen Lord. They were not preaching hearsay, but as one of them said, "what we have heard, what we have seen with our own eyes, what we beheld and our hands handled, the Word of Life" (1 John 1:3).
vi) The Holy Spirit a witness. The Holy Spirit was speaking through the apostles and "confirming the word with signs following" (Mark 16:20).
#5) Acts 5:33-39
33 But when they heard this, they were cut to the quick and intended to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.”
i) Gamaliel’s wise counsel. While the Sadducees fume, and decide to kill the apostles like they killed Jesus, a Pharisee calms them down with a bit of common sense. If this new teaching isn't of God, it will soon pass; if God is behind it, anyone who tries to stop it risks his reputation, not to mention the wrath of God.
#6) Acts 5:40-42
40 They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. 41 So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
i) Commanded them not to speak. The council’s directive is getting a bit worn around the edges —it's the same old prohibition which the apostles continued as always to defy. The apostles were given a beating but instead of reinforcing the council’s command, it reinforced the apostles’ determination.
ii) Worthy to suffer. Persecution is never easy to bear, but if you interpret it as "sharing in the sufferings of Christ" you can even rejoice in it, painful as it is (1 Peter 4:12-19).
iii) From house to house. The preaching of the gospel in public is supplemented by gatherings in various private homes. These “cottage meetings” as we sometimes call them, have several advantages, not least that they are an option when public preaching is disrupted by persecution.
a) A study guide of Acts of the Apostles. It is intended to be expository — to explain and bring out the meaning of the original text. You may use this for your personal bible study or even group bible study.
2. Acts 5:17-42
a) The verses describe how the apostles were arrested and jailed but miraculously escaped and kept on preaching Jesus.
#1) Acts 5:17-18
17 But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. 18 They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail.
i) Sadducees. These are the same temple officials who jailed the apostles previously (Acts 4:1-3). The Sadducees were a powerful sect of the Jews. Sadducees did not believe in spirits, angels, or in any resurrection of the dead (Acts 23:8).
ii) Put them in the public prison. Freedom of speech was not on the Sanhedrin’s agenda. They had told the apostles previously to stop preaching Jesus. Now the apostles are thrown into the public jail to await another trial before the Sanhedrin.
iii) Filled with jealousy. The officials might have been more prudent to detain the apostles in private custody. That would attracted less public attention. But blind zeal and jealousy causes even men of stature to rush in and act unwisely.
#2) Acts 5:19-21
19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said, 20 “Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life.” 21 Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach.
i) An angel of the Lord. God’s angels are "ministering spirits sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation" (Hebrews 1:13-14). On this occasion the “service” was to spring the apostles from prison in the dead of night. The angel managed to open the doors and shepherd the apostles out without the guards noticing, and to leave the prison doors shut and secure. Assuming the apostles were still inside the jail, the Sanhedrin convenes and sends officers to fetch the prisoners.
ii) All the words of life. The apostles had not been able to finish their work in the temple. Many people had heard part of the message of eternal life but not all of it. So God didn't tolerate this interruption. The angel sent the apostles back to the temple to teach all of the message.
iii) What, no breakfast? The apostles went straight from jail to the temple. It was dawn when they got there and resumed their preaching. Nothing is said about taking time for a meal. Maybe they were content to work without eating, as Jesus once said, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work" (John 4:33-34).
iv) Meanwhile, back at the Sanhedrin’s assembly...
#3) Acts 5:22-26
22 But the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported back, 23 saying, “We found the prison house locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we had opened up, we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what would come of this. 25 But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” 26 Then the captain went along with the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned).
i) No one inside. The officers found nobody in the cell, yet to all appearances nobody had left it. How could twelve apostles disappear? The dumbfounded council was no doubt relieved when an informer came in with the news that the apostles were back at work in the temple teaching the dawn worshipers. At least this was something the council could act upon.
ii) The captain went with the officers. To try to stop the fiasco worsening, the captain of the officers went with his men to oversee bringing the apostles in; he saw to it that a tidy job was done with the least fuss.
iii) Afraid of being stoned. The apostles were "teaching the people" and the people did not appreciate heavy handed interference with their teachers’ work. This was now the third arrest. The people would no doubt protest, and the protest could become a stone-throwing riot to overwhelm the officers, further embarrass the Sanhedrin, and raise the apostles’ public profile greatly.
#4) Acts 5:27-32
27 When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. 31 He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
i) Strictly commanded you. The apostles had defied the order of the Sanhedrin. But instead of answering “yes” to the high priest’s rhetorical question, Peter appeals to a higher authority. "We must obey God". The Sanhedrin seemed to have forgotten that God’s authority was higher than theirs. So Peter reminds them with these facts: they had killed Jesus; God had raised him up. Whom should the apostles obey? The religious leaders who had Jesus crucified, or the God who raised him back to life?
ii) To grant repentance and forgiveness. Some people make an argument that repentance, like forgiveness, is not something you do, but something God grants to you. However it has twice been recorded that Peter preached repentance as a commandment (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19). Peter told the people it was what they needed to do —he was responding to their question, "What must we do?" (Acts 2:37-38). So God does the forgiving; God doesn't do the repenting. God grants repentance in the sense that he provides the opportunity to repent (Revelation 2:21), and through the message shows people their need to repent. This is the grace and mercy of God.
iii) God of our fathers. The expression “the God of our fathers” is short for "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" (Mark 12:26-27).
iv) Prince and Savior. In Isaiah 9:6, the child to be born "will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Peter is speaking to people who knew the scriptures. They would take Peter to be claiming that Jesus is God. They would also remember that the Christ is described as "Messiah the Prince" (Daniel 9:25), and interpret Peter as claiming that they had killed their Messiah.
v) The Apostles as witnesses. Each of the apostles had seen, heard, and touched, the risen Lord. They were not preaching hearsay, but as one of them said, "what we have heard, what we have seen with our own eyes, what we beheld and our hands handled, the Word of Life" (1 John 1:3).
vi) The Holy Spirit a witness. The Holy Spirit was speaking through the apostles and "confirming the word with signs following" (Mark 16:20).
#5) Acts 5:33-39
33 But when they heard this, they were cut to the quick and intended to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.”
i) Gamaliel’s wise counsel. While the Sadducees fume, and decide to kill the apostles like they killed Jesus, a Pharisee calms them down with a bit of common sense. If this new teaching isn't of God, it will soon pass; if God is behind it, anyone who tries to stop it risks his reputation, not to mention the wrath of God.
#6) Acts 5:40-42
40 They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. 41 So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
i) Commanded them not to speak. The council’s directive is getting a bit worn around the edges —it's the same old prohibition which the apostles continued as always to defy. The apostles were given a beating but instead of reinforcing the council’s command, it reinforced the apostles’ determination.
ii) Worthy to suffer. Persecution is never easy to bear, but if you interpret it as "sharing in the sufferings of Christ" you can even rejoice in it, painful as it is (1 Peter 4:12-19).
iii) From house to house. The preaching of the gospel in public is supplemented by gatherings in various private homes. These “cottage meetings” as we sometimes call them, have several advantages, not least that they are an option when public preaching is disrupted by persecution.
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