Acts 5:18
And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπέβαλον
laid
G1911
ἐπέβαλον
laid
Strong's:
G1911
Word #:
2 of 14
to throw upon (literal or figurative, transitive or reflexive; usually with more or less force); specially (with g1438 implied) to reflect; impersonal
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χεῖρας
hands
G5495
χεῖρας
hands
Strong's:
G5495
Word #:
4 of 14
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 14
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
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
6 of 14
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀποστόλους
the apostles
G652
ἀποστόλους
the apostles
Strong's:
G652
Word #:
8 of 14
a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the gospel; officially a commissioner of christ ("apostle") (with miraculous powers)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔθεντο
put
G5087
ἔθεντο
put
Strong's:
G5087
Word #:
10 of 14
to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 14
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
Cross References
Acts 4:3And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.2 Corinthians 11:23Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.Luke 21:12But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
Historical Context
Roman-era prisons were primarily holding facilities before trial, not punishment sites. Conditions were harsh - dark, unsanitary, sometimes below ground. The public prison's use made apostolic arrest widely known, increasing confrontation's stakes. Jewish authorities lacked execution power (requiring Roman approval) but wielded arrest authority.
Questions for Reflection
- How does escalating persecution test and refine genuine faith?
- What does imprisonment's failure to stop gospel teach about God's sovereignty?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The second arrest - 'laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison' - escalated beyond the first (Acts 4:3). Plural 'apostles' suggests multiple arrests, not just Peter and John. 'Common prison' (Greek 'tērēsis dēmosia,' public holding) was likely more harsh than previous 'hold,' signaling increased severity. This pattern - escalating persecution meeting steadfast witness - characterizes church history. The authorities' inability to stop gospel despite imprisonment demonstrates Word's power transcending human restriction.