Acts 4:23

Authorized King James Version

And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Ἀπολυθέντες
being let go
to free fully, i.e., (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce
#2
δὲ
And
but, and, etc
#3
ἦλθον
they went
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#4
πρὸς
to
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
#5
τοὺς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#6
ἰδίους
their own company
pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate
#7
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#8
ἀπήγγειλαν
reported
to announce
#9
ὅσα
all
as (much, great, long, etc.) as
#10
πρὸς
to
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
#11
αὐτοὺς
them
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#12
οἱ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#13
ἀρχιερεῖς
that the chief priests
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
#14
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#15
οἱ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#16
πρεσβύτεροι
elders
older; as noun, a senior; specially, an israelite sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or christian "presbyter"
#17
εἶπον
had said
to speak or say (by word or writing)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Acts. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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